Support and regenerative species are ecological enablers in Crown Agroforestry Plantations Inc. (CAPI). These species are carefully selected to restore soil fertility, enhance biodiversity, and support the growth of high-value crops while maintaining long-term ecosystem health.
They play a critical role in sustainable agroforestry, ensuring that plantations remain productive, resilient, and regenerative over decades.
Objective
To integrate species that:
- Improve soil structure and nutrient cycling
- Fix atmospheric nitrogen and restore degraded soils
- Attract pollinators and beneficial insects
- Provide shade, habitat, and microclimate regulation
- Complement primary crops and resin-producing trees
1. Core Support & Regenerative Species
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Planting Role | Benefits / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dapdap | Erythrina variegata | Mid-story / nitrogen fixer | Rapid nitrogen fixation, improves soil fertility, supports pollinators |
| Ipil-ipil | Leucaena leucocephala | Ground / mid-story | Fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing, soil stabilization |
| Acacia | Acacia mangium | Mid-story / slope protection | Nitrogen enrichment, erosion control, fast canopy growth |
| Narra | Pterocarpus indicus | Overstory / long-term support | Nitrogen fixation, timber, shade, wildlife habitat |
| Banaba | Lagerstroemia speciosa | Mid-story / biodiversity enhancer | Soil stabilization, medicinal uses, pollinator attraction |
| Gliricidia | Gliricidia sepium | Inter-row / alley cropping | Nitrogen fixation, mulch material, compatible with multiple crops |
| Sesbania | Sesbania grandiflora | Short-term regenerative | Fast-growing, enriches soil, fixes nitrogen, supports early-stage crops |
| Golden Show Tree | Cassia fistula | Mid-story / slope protection | Fast-growing, soil stabilization, Nitrogen fixation |
2. Roles in Agroforestry
- Nitrogen Fixation:
- Converts atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms
- Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
- Soil Health & Regeneration:
- Adds organic matter through leaf litter and biomass
- Improves soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity
- Erosion Control & Water Management:
- Deep-rooted species stabilize slopes
- Shade and mulch help retain soil moisture
- Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services:
- Provides habitat for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects
- Enhances pest control naturally
- Support for Main Crops:
- Creates favorable microclimates for resin-producing trees, essential oil crops, and intercrops
- Reduces stress from heat, wind, and drought
3. Strategic Integration
- Overstory Support Trees: Narra, Dapdap, Banaba – provide canopy and long-term ecological services
- Mid-Story / Alley Cropping: Ipil-ipil, Acacia, Gliricidia – enrich soil, improve nitrogen, stabilize terrain
- Short-Term Regenerative Species: Sesbania, fast-growing legumes – used in early-stage plantations to prepare the soil for main crops
4. Key Outcomes
- Improved soil fertility and structure
- Enhanced ecosystem resilience and biodiversity
- Sustainable support for high-value crops
- Long-term natural capital growth
CAPI’s Support & Regenerative Species form the ecological backbone of the plantation system, ensuring that high-value crops grow in a healthy, productive, and self-renewing environment.