Paul J. A. Kessler and Kade Sidiyasa, Pohon-pohon Hutan Kalimantan Timur. Pedoman mengenal 280 jenis pohon pilihan di daerah Balikpapan-Samarinda.

Paul J. A. Kessler and Kade Sidiyasa, Pohon-pohon Hutan Kalimantan Timur. Pedoman mengenal 280 jenis pohon pilihan di daerah Balikpapan-Samarinda. Leiden: Tropenhos--Kalimantan Series 2, 1999, ISBN 90-5113-036-8, 472 pp.

The second volume in the Tropenbos Kalimantan series is an Indonesian translation of the 1994 publication Trees of the Balikpapan-Samarinda Area, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, A Manual to 280 Selected Species, originally published by the Tropenbos Foundation (Tropenbos series 7).

The publication begins with a brief description of the area--which consists of the forests around Wanariset in East Kalimantan--and a list of the families that are (partially) described. This is followed by a lengthy key to the genera, and a glossary to Indonesian botanical terms. The bulk of the volume (220 pages) consists of botanical descriptions and keys to species and genera. The last part consists of an index, plus detailed line drawings of 197 of the 280 species dealt with in the description section. On the whole, the drawings are lavish and well-done, and very helpful for making a positive identification, especially for non-botanists.

All tree families and genera are briefly described, and 280 species are described in full. In addition to a botanical description to assist identification, the description includes a few lines on habitat and ecology, geographic distribution, common uses, notes, and herbarium collection numbers. The main herbarium collection is stored at Herbarium Wanariset, with duplicates deposited at Bogor Herbarium and Rijksherbarium Leiden. While the botanical descriptions are lengthy, all other information is very briefly presented and a bit disappointing unless you have a profound interest in plant taxonomy.

Because of the geographic focus of the volume, the selection of species is a bit of a mixed bag, including common species, species of secondary forest, but also a few that are becoming relatively uncommon, such as the gaharu incense tree Aquilaria malaccensis. One may wonder why the authors have not included drawings of all species, as the selection of what has been drawn and what has been left out seems rather random and reflecting what was available rather than what would be of interest to the reader.

While nicely done, the line drawings are not entirely consistent in their presentation. A number of species are represented by fruits or flowers only, while some illustrations are only of leaves and buds (e.g., Vatica javanica) or vegetative parts (e.g., Engelhardtia serrata). Some of the drawings are a bit strange, such as the Terminalia catappa that has been drawn with a very small and uncharacteristic fruit. It is also unusual that Dillenia grandifolia has been drawn without its characteristic large and showy flower.

In spite of a few minor blemishes, the volume is sure to be a wonderful asset for Indonesians working in the Wanariset area, and an encouragement for continued ecological and botanical studies in this area. It is, therefore, most welcome that this has been translated into Indonesian, as it will stimulate local studies and interest, and not simply be a volume admired for its pretty pictures alone (Wim Giesen, ARCADIS Euroconsult, PO Box 441, 6800 AK Arnhem, The Netherlands, [e-mail])