FEASIBILITY AND USEFULNESS OF DIRECTIONAL IN A TROPICAL RAIN FOREST

Authors

  • J. Falck

Keywords:

Selective logging, logging damage, rain forest silviculture, reduced impact logging, directional felling

Abstract

Control of logging damage is important for sustainable timber production in tropical rain forest. Method often recommended to control damage levels include directional felling and prefelling climber cutting. The present study is an experimental evaluation of these methods. A total of 41 trees, with dbh ranging from 62 to 165 cm, were selected for directional felling in a hilly tropical rain forest in Sabah. Felling was done by an experienced instructor. An average of four potential crop trees were selected for retention per tree felled. Of trees selected for retention 94% were proven undamaged by felling. Pre-felling climber cutting, carried out one year before felling around 20 of the trees, had no influence on the proportion of selected trees retained nor on accuracy. Of the trees, 78% fell within 20° of the desired lay, 12% within 20 to 30°, and 10% fell beyond 60° of the desired lay. Average range of feasible felling directions
was 181°, and mean difference between bearing of desired lay and tree lean was 46°. Of factors assumed to influence deviations from desired lay only tree size multiplied by ground inclination and evidence of rot in trunk were proved significant after outliers had been excluded. Results suggest that felling ranges can be reliably set and effectively utilised, and that trees can generally be felled within 20° of desired lay.

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Published

2022-08-23

How to Cite

J. Falck. (2022). FEASIBILITY AND USEFULNESS OF DIRECTIONAL IN A TROPICAL RAIN FOREST. Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS), 14(2), 179–190. Retrieved from https://jtfs.frim.gov.my/jtfs/article/view/1276

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Section

Articles
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