Site-specific approach to growth assessment and cultivation of teak (Tectona grandis) in Nicaraguan dry tropics

Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is one of the most valuable, widely used tropical hardwood tree species. We performed a spatially intensive analysis of teak's growth in a poor countryside in dry tropics of western Nicaragua, which is at teak's ecological tolerance limits. Our site-specific approach included the 6-year teak growth and productivity data, remote sensing geomorphology, and easily determined soil properties in the field. We analyzed these heterogeneous data with multivariate techniques. Terrain topography was revealed as the most influential driver of teak growth. However, as the assessment of teak productivity based on indistinctive terrain shapes may be difficult when based on a casual observation and even expert knowledge, we also revealed soil-environmental limits. We delineated suitable areas for teak cultivation and suggested tools for teak management. Our study provided novel, 'user-friendly' instructions for the teak cultivation that can be used by small landowners and managers in low-income communities in dry tropics of Central America. Moreover, the site-specific approach is a promising method to modify sustainable teak management in the uncertain climate future and provide a specific ecological information for a regional-to-global context of a teak cultivation.

Automated summary

The study conducted a site-specific analysis of teak growth in a poor countryside in dry tropics of western Nicaragua, identifying terrain topography as the most influential driver of teak growth. Suitable areas for teak cultivation and tools for teak management were delineated based on the findings.