Status of ramin ( <i>Gonystylus</i> spp.) in eastern Kalimantan, Indonesia

Peat swamp forests in Indonesia have been heavily logged in recent years, with Gonystylus bancanus, locally known as the ramin tree, being one of the main species of timber harvested. The potential for other Gonystylus species as timber trees is not known, as we have a poorer understanding of their distribution and regeneration patterns. In this study, the team explored the Gonystylus species diversity and distribution at five locations in East and North Kalimantan (Indonesia) in 2009. In total, we found six Gonystylus species – G. affinis, G. brunnescens, G. consanguineus, G. forbesii, G. keithii and G velutinus – in primary forest with flat to hilly topography up to 500 m a.s.l. on typical ultisol soils. Gonystylus brunnescens was the most abundant species and had the best natural regeneration, whilst the populations of the other five species were much smaller, with fewer than five individuals at each location, and their regeneration was poor. We present information on the autecology of these Gonystylus species and recommend further studies on their physiology and ecology, with the support of governments and concessionaires, in order to conserve ramin populations.