SMALLER TREES CAN FRUIT IN LOGGED DIPTEROCARP FORESTS

Abstract

Currently, the hill dipterocarp forests in Peninsular Malaysia are selectively felled for marketable timber trees >45 (or >50) cm dbh. The advanced residuals >15 to <45 (or <50) cm dbh are left to form the next crop, as well as provide the seedling regeneration for future crops. However, it is not known if these smaller trees can fruit, early and effectively enough, to regenerate the forests. In this study, the fruiting potential of dipterocarps forming the advanced residuals in a recently logged forest is compared with that in an undisturbed and old regrowth forest. In the recently logged forest, the small dipterocarp residuals (>25 cm dbh) could fruit. By comparison, equivalent sized individuals in the old regrowth and undisturbed forests did not; here, the fruiting individuals were generally >35 and >50 cm dbh, respectively. The results suggest that dipterocarp forests are potentially capable of regenerating their young crops within a few years after logging, on condition sufficient advanced residuals are present.