THE EFFECT OF COMMERCIAL SELECTIVE LOGGING ON A RESIDUAL STAND IN TROPICAL RAIN FOREST OF SOUTH-WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Authors

  • T. Abebe

Abstract

A primary natural forest block, that was scheduled for selective logging was mapped and divided into two parts. In one part an assessment of the structure and composition of the forest was carried out. In the other part the effect of selective logging on the residual stand was studied. A one-hectare sample plot was established for the assessment. A total of 154 individuals of 20 species ≥ 20 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) ha-1 were recorded in the unlogged primary forest. Out of these the number of commercial species ≥ 20 cm dbh was about 30 trees ha-1. The average harvested stem volume was 46 m3 ha-1. The estimated proportion of merchantable volume from the total stem volume was 28%. The logging intensity was, on average, two trees ha-1. On average eight trees > 5 cm dbh were damaged for every tree felled. Approximately 10% of the logged-over area was covered by skidding roads, trails, landings and gaps formed by trees felled. The number of trees ≥ 20 cm dbh found in this study was comparable to the pan-tropical average for tropical rain forest. Damage levels were low compared with figures from most tropical regions. 

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Published

2022-08-18

How to Cite

T. Abebe. (2022). THE EFFECT OF COMMERCIAL SELECTIVE LOGGING ON A RESIDUAL STAND IN TROPICAL RAIN FOREST OF SOUTH-WESTERN ETHIOPIA. Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS), 15(3), 387–398. Retrieved from https://jtfs.frim.gov.my/jtfs/article/view/1229

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