More diversity needed in oil palm plantations

Date:
October 14, 2020
Source:
University of Go"ttingen
Summary:
Growing global demand for palm oil has led to a rapid spread
of oil palm monoculture plantations in South East Asia, often
associated with the loss of habitats and biodiversity. Plantations
are uniformly structured, offering little space for different
species. Diversification using indigenous tree species can
help. Researchers found diversification can be encouraged through
information campaigns and free seedlings.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The growing global demand for palm oil has led to a rapid spread of
oil palm monoculture plantations in South East Asia. This is often
associated with the loss of natural habitat and biodiversity. Oil palm monocultures are uniformly structured and therefore offer little space
for different species.

Diversification using indigenous tree species can contribute to
maintaining biodiversity. A research team from the University of
Go"ttingen (Germany) and the University of Jambi (Indonesia) has now
shown that such diversification can be encouraged with the help of
information campaigns and free seedlings. The study has been published
in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management.


==========================================================================
Oil palm plantations cultivated by smallholder farmers account for
about 40 percent of the total area of oil palms in Indonesia, which
means they are an important target group for interventions. The study of
the interdisciplinary German-Indonesian Collaborative Research Centre
"EFForTS" involved 800 smallholder farmers. "Smallholder farmers have
little access to information, advice and high-quality seeds," says study director Professor Meike Wollni, agricultural economist at the University
of Go"ttingen. "Yet, there is a high level of interest in diversification, especially with native fruit trees, as expressed by the local population
in focus group discussions." Against this background, the researchers
divided the participants in the study into different treatment groups. The groups received information and/or tree seedlings. The results show that
the two measures being investigated increase the number of trees planted
in smallholder oil palm plantations. "We see that both interventions
motivate a small group of individuals to plant many trees," says first
author Dr Katrin Rudolf from the University of Go"ttingen. "However, to
reach a large number of farmers, it is necessary to distribute seedlings.

Here, the farmers' preferences should be taken into account when
selecting tree species in order to increase the tree survival."
Identifying policies to improve the environmental impact of oil palm cultivation is highly relevant in the context of ongoing species loss, according to the authors. In addition to the supply side, however, the
demand side should be considered when designing policies. Consumers could,
for example, contribute to the costs incurred through certification of
more environmentally friendly plantations.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Go"ttingen. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Katrin Rudolf, Miriam Romero, Rosyani Asnawi, Bambang Irawan, Meike
Wollni. Effects of information and seedling provision on tree
planting and survival in smallholder oil palm plantations. Journal
of Environmental Economics and Management, 2020; 104: 102361 DOI:
10.1016/ j.jeem.2020.102361 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201014141041.htm

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