Participatory seed source management in Cambodia

摘要

Cambodia has lost nearly 15 percent of its forest cover within the last three decades due to illegal logging and rapid agricultural expansion. Up to 6 million ha of the forests are considered as degraded and need rehabilitation. The forests are both dry-land (evergreen, deciduous, mixed forests, coniferous, etc.) andedaphic (flooded and mangrove) types. Forest plantations play an important role in improving soil and environmental degradation. At present, most planting efforts use seeds of poor quality from unidentified sources. Source of seed supply is a critical factor that determines the raising of successful plantations. Seed sources or seed production area is important for tree improvement programmes as it is the primary source of planting material. The Cambodia Tree Seed Project has established 11 seed sources in natural forests, with 17 species of indigenous tree species. Besides, seed production area of exotic species (Acacia and Eucalyptus) has also been raised. People have been involved in raising and management of seed production areas that may eventually help in large-scale forest rehabilitation programmes.