Functional Trait-Based Assessment of Ecosystem Service Outcomes for Forest Rehabilitation

Department of Forest Resources Conservation, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jalan Agro No. 1 Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia

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Abstract

This study evaluates the long-term success of forest rehabilitation in the Compartment 5, Compartment 13, and Compartment 16 of Wanagama Forest, Indonesia, utilizing a functional trait approach to measure outcomes related to ecosystem services. The functional trait variation of each compartment-including maximum height, wood density (WD), root type, growth form, canopy strata, and successional species category-were evaluated through functional composition, functional richness (FRic), and functional dispersion (FDis) to recognize distinct community assemblages. The tree community found in Compartment 5 consists of shorter trees with a lower WD, utilizing a resource acquisition strategy characterized by fast growth, high specialization, and a broad niche volume (FRich=0.324; FDis=0.608). Conversely, the tree community in Compartment 16 consists of higher proportion of intermediate species and higher wood density value, employing a resource conservative strategy distinguished by high specialization and narrow niche volume (FRich=0.163; FDis=0.565). Tree community within Compartment 13 adopts a generalist strategy that exhibits high homogeneity (FRich=0.007; FDis=0.593), concentrating on local stability through functional redundancy. In summary, after 60 years of rehabilitation, the Wanagama Forest demonstrates substantial functional diversity. The variation in trait composition suggests that each compartment provide specialized ecosystem services, varying from rapid biomass accumulation to stable, long-term carbon storage The three distinct ecological strategies are likely influenced by environmental gradients and historical disturbances.