Effects of felling gap proximity on residual tree mortality and growth in a dipterocarp forest In East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Ruslandi; Alperin, J. H.; Putz, F. E.

Effects of felling gap proximity on residual tree mortality and growth in a dipterocarp forest In East Kalimantan, Indonesia

2012

Ruslandi | Alperin, J. H. | Putz, F. E.

The effects of proximity to felling gapson residual trees in a selectively logged forest were monitored for eight years after nine 4-ha plots (n = 3 pertreatment) were subjected to one of two intensities of reduced-impact logging (RIL), i.e. either 50 or 60 cmdiameter cutting limits, or conventional logging of 60 cm diameter cutting limit with three additional plotsreserved as unlogged controls. Each residual tree > 10 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) was classified aseither being near (< 20 m from a gap centre) or far (> 20 m) from the nearest felling gap, defined as 20 mradii areas around the stumps of felled trees.Tree mortality rates did not vary with gap proximity, but werehigher in logged than unlogged plots for the first two years after logging. In all logged plots combined, trees< 50 cm dbh of all species and dipterocarps < 30 cm dbh grew faster if they were near a gap. The observedincreased growth rates of trees in the more intensively logged plots, regardless of the logging method used,was due to both higher proportions of trees near gaps and faster growth of trees in all locations.

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