Feasibility and usefulness of directional in a tropical rain forest
2002
F. Goh | J. Falck | M. Hagner | J. Cedergren | A. Garcia
Control of loggingdamage is important for sustainable timber production in tropical rain forest. Methodoften recommended to control damage levels include directional felling and prefellingclimber cutting. The present study is an experimental evaluation of thesemethods. A total of 41 trees, with dbh ranging from 62 to 165 cm, were selected fordirectional felling in a hilly tropical rain forest in Sabah. Felling was done by anexperienced instructor. An average of four potential crop trees were selected forretention per tree felled. Of trees selected for retention 94% were proven undamagedby felling. Pre-felling climber cutting, carried out one year before felling around 20 ofthe trees, had no influence on the proportion of selected trees retained nor onaccuracy. Of the trees, 78% fell within 20° of the desired lay, 12% within 20 to 30°, and10% fell beyond 60° of the desired lay. Average range of feasible felling directionswas 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 multipliedby ground inclination and evidence of rot in trunk were proved significant afteroutliers had been excluded. Results suggest that felling ranges can be reliably setand effectively utilised, and that trees can generally be felled within 20° of desiredlay.
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