STAND STRUCTURE OF <em>SHOREA</em> AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF <em>SHOREA</em> <em>ACUMINATA</em> IN A REHABILITATED AREA OF KENABOI FOREST RESERVE

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the stand structure of Shorea species and spatial distribution of Shorea acuminata in a 1-hectare plot within the rehabilitated area of Kenaboi Forest Reserve (FR), Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. An understanding of the rehabilitation that transpires the area after the plantation of Shorea species will enable us to devise silviculture systems for a better sustainable production as well as conservation of the environmental quality. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and coordinates of 395 trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm were recorded in this study. The tree density decreased with the increase in DBH. This observation indicated that the regenerating process of Shorea trees was still active but distracted within the small pole size class. The basal area and biomass of S. acuminata were the highest, i.e. 62% of the total basal area of Shorea trees and 61% of the total biomass of Shorea trees. These percentages were almost similar to the range of basal area and biomass of a primary forest. The spatial distribution of S. acuminata showed a significant aggregated distribution (p < 0.05), however, it showed a random pattern for planted S. acuminata trees. The rehabilitated area of Kenaboi FR was actively recovering and the silviculture practices enhanced the rehabilitation process, transforming the area to become more sustainable for production and
conservation.