Intensive tree diagnostic system (ITDS): linking ecophysiology with silviculture

The lecture examined how ecophysiological researches could be used for effective silvicultural practices. It attempted to show that using these diagnostic tools or techniques to probe into the plant's physiological and molecular realm will provide very valuable information that will serve as basis for more scientific and sound decision on tree management. Intensive tree diagnostic system (ITDS) is the in-depth and comprehensive assessment of the tree status using sensitive and analytical tools or procedures and/or methods. It reveals the physiological and even molecular properties or status of the tree. Its ultimate aim is to be a decision support tool for an informed and scientific application of suitable forest management practices (e.g. silvicultural treatments). It is meant to complement, not eliminate, the commonly used morphometric traits (e.g. height, diameter, biomass, etc.) of trees in assessing growth and development performance of trees particularly under stressed conditions. The AKECOP Ecophysiology Study of Indigenous Trees was used as an example to highlight the utility of ITDS. Preliminary results in the field and nursery measurements were presented. Dapdap has the highest photosynthetic rate (P max) in the field while molave exhibit the highest Pmax in the nursery. A number of dipterocarps are surprisingly high in the nursery. It could be surmised that some dipterocarps could be grown in open conditions but in sites with high moisture and good soil conditions. Conductance and transpiration rates are highest for dapdap and palosapis in the field and nursery, respectively. It is likewise lowest for narra and malapapaya in the field and nursery, respectively. These two species earned also the most water-use efficient labels. From the preliminary results of the AKECOP Ecophysiology Study, the role of ITDS species-site matching, design and program of silvicultural treatments, breeding and tree improvement and carbon trading was described. The challenges, opportunities and research thrusts in ITDS were likewise explained.