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Effect of Different Silviculture Treatments on Growth Performance of
Kapur Bukit (Dryobalanops beccarii) at Gunung Apeng Forest Reserve,
Sarawak
Zatil Aisyah Binti Zainudin
Master of Science
(Forest Science)
2015
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology
Effect of Different Silviculture Treatments on Growth Performance of
Kapur Bukit (Dryobalanops beccarii) at Gunung Apeng Forest Reserve,
Sarawak
Zatil Aisyah Binti Zainudin
A thesis submitted
In fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
2015
ii
APPROVAL SHEET
Name of candidate: Zatil Aisyah Binti Zainudin
Title of dissertation: Effect of different silviculture treatments on growth performance of Kapur Bukit (Dryobalanops beccarii) at Gunung Apeng Forest
Reserve, Sarawak
(Prof. Dr. Hj. Hamsawi Bin Sani)
Supervisor
(Dr. Mohd. Effendi bin Wasli) Co-Supervisor
(Dr. Mohd. Effendi bin Wasli)
Head of Department Department of Plant Science and Environmental Ecology
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
iii
DECLARATION (different file)
iv
DECLARATION (different file)
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost, I would like to thank to Allah S.W.T for giving me blessings,
strength and good health to overcome all the challenges and tasks in completing my
research project from the first stage of preparing my research project until the end of my
research project.
Next, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Dr. Hj.
Hamsawi Bin Sani and my co-supervisor Dr. Mohd Effendi Bin Wasli for their never-
ending supervision, patience, endless motivation, constant guidance, enthusiasm and full
support throughout my research and writing process. I could not imagine having a better
supervisor and mentor for my Master study besides than them.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Direc tor of Forest, Forest
Department Sarawak and staff of Forest Department of Sarawak, Mr. Jonathan Lat for his
supportive assistance and valuable knowledge during the field survey at Gunung Apeng
Forest Reserve.
Not to forget, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ministry of Higher
Education (MOHE), Malaysia for supporting funding of this research project under
Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS).
My gratitude acknowledges also goes to my fellow labmates Mugunthan a/l
Perumal and Ho Soo Ying for the stimulating discussions, sleepless nights we were
working together and all the experiences we have gone through together. I would also like
vi
to forward my credit and appreciation to Mohamad Zulhilmy Bin Abd Manan for his
endless support and encouragement.
Finally, I would like to forward my thankfulness and appreciation to my dearly-
loved parents, Tuan Haji Zainudin Bin Haji Mohd Salleh and Puan Hajjah Norliyah Binti
Idris and also to my dearest siblings, Zettie Aminie, Adam Zakwan, Adam Ahmad Zaki
and Zatil Aqmar for their never-ending support, understanding and their wise supervision.
vii
Effect of different silviculture treatments on growth performance of Kapur Bukit
(Dryobalanops beccarii Dyer, J. Bot.) at Gunung Apeng Forest Reserve, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Zatil Aisyah Zainudin
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
ABSTRACT
A study on the effect of different silviculture treatments towards 10, 9, 8 and 7 years-old of Kapur Bukit (Dryobalanops beccarii Dyer, J. Bot) was planted as enrichment
planting in Gunung Apeng Forest Reserve, Sarawak. Silvicultre treatments that have been applied to the plots were (i) line slashing (T1), (ii) girdling and line slashing (T2) and (iii) control (T3). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the growth performance of
Dryobalanops becarii planted under the canopy of secondary pioneer species using line planting technique. Besides that, this study help in determined the response of prescribed
silviculture treatment on the growth of Dryobalanops becarii of different age group. A 50m x 100m plot was established at each site of the 2005 (DB05), 2006 (DB06), 2007 (DB07) and 2008 (DB08) plot of D. Beccarii Dyer. The plot was further divided into 6
subplots with 30 trees each. The growth performance of different age stand of planted D. Beccarii was evaluated on the total tree height, tree diameter and relative growth rate.
Initially, plots DB05 & DB06 had survivability of 75.5% and 77.2 %. Whereas, DB07 had survivability of 87.25% higher than DB08 (60.6%). After silviculture treatment applied, plot DB05 & DB08 decreased to 75.0% and 55.6% respectively. For plot DB06 and plot
DB07 remain the same. Between T1, T2 & T3, T2 area showed a lower number of mortality in plot DB05 & DB07. Whereas, in plot DB06 & DB08 a lower mortality showed
by T1 area. The initial mean tree height of DB05 plot was 4.77m ± 1.75. Plot DB06 showed a mean tree height of 3.68m ± 1.60. While plot DB07 had a mean tree height of 2.44m ± 1.37and plot DB08 had a mean tree height 1.88m ± 0.81. After 16 months of
treatment, plot DB05 had the tallest tree among other plots with a height of 6.51m ± 2.05. This was followed by plot DB06 with a height of 4.75m ± 2.13. Plot DB07 recorded a final
height of 3.97m ± 1.70 and plot DB08 had 2.67m ± 1.32 of tree height. In plot DB05 and DB07 there was no significant difference of height between all treatments. Between these three treatments, T2 had significantly effects the tree height in T1 of plot DB06. On the
other hand, in plot DB08, the tree height in T1 was significantly affected the height growth than T2. In terms of height increment, planted trees in DB05 and DB08 were started to
give respond to the silviculture treatment at month 12. Contradict to plot DB06 and DB07 which is started at month 8. The relative growth rate in height showed that DB07 has the highest growth rate towards the silviculture treatment of 38.5%. The mean diameter for
plot DB05 at initial month was 4.77cm ± 1.75. Plot DB06 recorded 3.68cm ± 1.60cm of the total tree diameter and plot DB07 recorded 2.44cm ± 1.37. Meanwhile, plot DB08
recorded a mean diameter of 1.88cm ± 0.81. After the treatment applied, it was found that plot DB05 showed the biggest diameter of 5.09cm ± 1.97 as compared to plot DB06 with a diameter of 3.29cm ± 1.83. For plot DB07, the final diameter was 3.19cm ± 2.72 and plot
DB08 showed a tree diameter of 0.87cm ± 1.71. In plot DB06 and DB07 showed a significant difference of diameter between T1 and T2. While in plot DB05 and DB08 the
diameter of T2 was significantly affected the diameter growth than T3. In terms of
viii
diameter increment, planted trees in DB05, DB06 and DB07 were started to give respond to the silviculture treatment at month 8. Contradict to plot DB08 which is started at month
12. The relative growth rate in diameter showed that DB07 has the highest growth rate towards the silviculture treatment of 23.5%. However, the diameter growth rate of plot
DB06 and DB08 showed a negative value which indicated their diameter was growing at slow rate. In terms of light intensity, DB07 showed the highest percentage of final light intensity compared to the other plots. High survivability and substantial growth
performance of planted trees towards T2 implied that forest floor being treated by line slashing and up at crown being treated by opened the gaps of the crown could enhanced the
growth of planted trees.
Keywords: Dryobalanops beccarii Dyer, enrichment planting, growth performance
relative growth rate, silviculture treatment
ix
ABSTRAK
Satu kajian mengenai pengaruh rawatan silvikultur terhadap pokok Kapur Bukit (Dryobalanops beccarii Dyer, J. Bot) yang berumur 10, 9, 8 dan 7 tahun yang ditanam
melalui tanaman mengaya telah dijalankan di Hutan Simpan Gunung Apeng, Sarawak. Antara rawatan silvikultur yang terlibat ialah (i) tebasan dalam baris(T1), (ii) kerat lilit dan tebasan dalam baris(T2) dan (iii) kawalan (T3). Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk
menilai prestasi tumbesaran Dryobalanops beccarii di bawah kanopi spesies perintis sekunder yang ditanam menggunakan teknik tanaman baris. Selain itu, kajian ini
membantu dalam menentukan respon Dryobalanops beccarii yang terdiri daripada pelbagai umur terhadap rawatan silvikultur. Plot bersaiz 50m x 100m telah dilakukan untuk setiap plot bagi tahun 2005 (DB05), 2006 (DB06), 2007 (DB07) dan 2008 (DB08).
Setiap plot dibahagikan kepada 6 subplot yang mempunyai 30 pokok bagi setiap subplot. Prestasi tumbesaran Dryobalanops beccarii dinilai melalui jumlah ketinggian pokok, ukur
lilit pokok dan kadar relatif pertumbuhan pokok. Pada awal kajian, plot DB05 dan DB06 menunjukkan 75.5% dan 77.2 % kelangsungan hidup. Plot DB07 menunjukkan sebanyak 87.25%, lebih tinggi berbanding plot DB08 (60.6%). Selepas rawatan diberi,
kelangsungan hidup plot DB05 dan DB08 telah menurun kepada 75.0% dan 55.6%. Sementara itu, plot DB06 dan DB07 tidak menunjukkan sebarang perubahan. Antara
ketiga-tiga rawatan, kawasan rawatan T2 telah menunujukkan jumlah kematian pokok yang paling sedikit bagi plot DB05 & DB07. Sementara itu, jumlah kematian yang paling sedikit di plot DB06 & DB08 telah ditunjuk oleh kawasan rawatan T1. Pada permulaan
kajian plot DB05 mencatatkan 4.77m ± 1.75 purata ketinggian pokok, DB06 mencatatkan 3.68m ± 1.60, DB07mencatatkan 2.44m ± 1.37 dan plot DB08 mencatatkan 1.88m ± 0.81.
Selepas 16 bulan rawatan, plot DB05 mencapai ketinggian tertinggi dengan purata 6.51m ± 2.05, diikuti dengan plot DB06 yang mencatatkan purata 4.75m ± 2.13, DB07 mencatat sebanyak 3.97m ± 1.70 dan plot DB08 mencatatkan purata 2.67m ± 1.32. Di dalam plot
DB05 dan DB07, tiada signifikan perubahan di antara ketiga-tiga rawatan. Di dalam plot DB06, T2 secara signifikan telah memberi kesan kepada ketinggian pokok berbanding T1.
Manakala, di plot DB08, T1 secara signifikan telah memberi kesan kepada ketinggian pokok berbanding T2. Dari segi ketinggian pokok, plot DB05 dan DB08 telah mula menunujukkan respon pada bulan ke-12 rawatan. Manakala plot DB07 dan DB08
menunjukkan respon pada bulan ke-8 rawatan. Kadar relatif pertumbuhan ketinggian pokok di dalam kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa plot DB07 mempunyai peratusan yang
tertinggi iaitu 38.5%. Bagi jumlah purata ukur lilit pokok pula, DB05 mencatatkan 4.77cm ± 1.75 ukur lilit pada awal tempoh kajian dijalankan. DB06 mencatatkan purata 3.68cm ± 1.60, DB07 pula mencatatkan purata 2.44cm ± 1.37 dan DB08 mencatatkan 1.88cm ±
0.81. Pada bulan terakhir rawatan (bulan 16), didapati plot DB05 mencatatkan ukur lilit terbesar dengan purata 5.09cm ± 1.97 berbanding DB06 yang mencatatkan purata 3.29cm
± 1.83 dan DB07 sebanyak 3.19cm ± 2.72. Manakala bagi plot DB08, purata ukur lilit ialah 1.62cm ± 0.72. Secara signifikan, T2 didapati telah memberi kesan kepada ukur lilit Dryobalanops beccarii lebih banyak daripada T3 di plot DB05 dan DB08. Manakala, ukur
lilit Dryobalanops beccarii di plot DB06 dan DB07 telah mendapat kesan lebih banyak daripada T2 berbanding T1. Dari segi tumbesaran ukur lilit pokok, didapati bahawa plot
DB05, DB06 dan DB07 telah memberi respon kepada rawatan bermula pada bulan ke 8. Manakala, plot DB08 mula memberi respon kepada rawatan pada bulan ke-12. Kadar relatif pertumbuhan ukur lilit pokok di dalam kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa plot DB07
mempunyai peratusan yang tertinggi iaitu 23.5%. Bagaimanapun, plot DB06 dan plot DB08 telah menunjukkan nilai peratusan yang negatif. Ini memberi makna bahawa ukur
lilit pokok di plot DB06 dan DB08 meningkat dalam kadar perlahan. Dari segi intensiti
x
cahaya, plot DB07 menunjukkan kadar peratusan tertinggi untuk intensiti cahaya bulan terakhir, berbanding plot-plot yang lain. Secara keseluruhannya, kelangsungan hidup
yang tinggi serta prestasi tumbesaran yang kukuh di T2 menunjukkan gabungan lantai hutan yang dirawat secara tebasan dalam baris dan pembukaan jurang kanopi hutan
mampu mempengaruhi dan mempertingkatkan pertumbuhan pokok Kapur Bukit (Dryobalanops beccarii).
Kata kunci: Dryobalanops beccarii, kadar relatif pertumbuhan pokok, prestasi tumbesaran, rawatan silvikultur, tanaman mengaya
xi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE & FRONT PAGE i
APPROVAL SHEET ii
DECLARATION ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v
ABCTRACT vii
ABSTRAK ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS xi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIOS xiii
LIST OF TABLES xiv
LIST OF FIGURES xv
LIST OF APPENDICES xvii
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Research Background 1
1.2 Problem Statement 5
1.3 Objectives of the study 5
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 6
2.1 Status of Forest in Malaysia 6
2.2 General Information on Dipterocarp Species 8
2.3 Deforestation & Degradation of Tropical Rainforest
in Borneo 12
2.4 Efforts at Restoring the Degraded Tropical Rain Forest
Through Man Intervention in Malaysia 17
2.4.1 Reforestation Programme 17
2.4.2 Enrichment Planting Programme 20
2.4.3 Silvicurlture Treatment 23
3.0 MATERIALS & METHODS 28
3.1 Study Area Description 28
3.2 Plot Layout & Experimental Design 29
3.3 Survival, Light Intensity, Total Height and Diameter Measurement 32
3.3.1 Survival after Treatment 32
xii
3.3.2 Light Intensity 33
3.3.3 Height and Diameter 34
3.4 Data Analysis 35
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 36
4.1 Overall Survival Percentage & Growth Performance of Planted
D. beccarii in The Study Plot DB05 to DB08 Before Silvicluture Treatment 36
4.2 Effect of Silvicultural Treatment on Growth Performance of
D. beccarii in plot DB05 to DB08 41
4.2.1 Tree Height Growth Performance 41
4.2.2 Tree Height Planted D. beccarii After Silviculture Treatment 44
4.2.3 Tree Height Increment of Planted D. beccarii After Silviculture
Treatment 46
4.2.4 Tree Diameter Growth Performance 49
4.2.5 Tree Diameter of planted D. beccari After Silvicultural Treatment 52
4.2.6 Tree Diameter Increment of Planted D. beccarii After Silviculture
Treatment 53
4.3 Light Intensity under Line Slashing and Girdling Treatment Area (T2) 55
5.0 CONCLUSION 58
6.0 REFERENCES 60
APPENDICES 69
xiii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
cm centimetre
DBH Diameter at breast height
DB05 Dryobalanops beccarii planted in year 2005
DB06 Dryobalanops beccarii planted in year 2006
DB07 Dryobalanops beccarii planted in year 2007
DB08 Dryobalanops beccarii planted in year 2008
ITTO International Tropical Timber Organization
m metre
MDF Mixed Dipterocarp Forest
MUS Malayan Uniform System
RGR Relative growth rate of height
RGR Relative growth rate of diameter
PFE Permanent Forest Estate
spp. Species
SFM Sustainable Forest Management
SMS Selective Management System
TRF Tropical Rain Forest
TPA Total Protected Area
T1 Treatment 1 refer to Line Slashing treatment
T2 Treatment 2 refer to Girdling & Line Slashing treatment
T3 Treatment 3 refer to Control/No treatment
xiv
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE PAGE
1. List of common planted Dipterocarp species used to reforestation 19
and rehabilitation purpose in Malaysia
2. The comparison of growth rates of planted Dipterocarp species
in currently study and previous study on reforestation in Malaysia 22
3. List of selected pioneer species for girdling treatment 31
4. The height relative growth rate of DB05, DB06, DB07 and DB08 49
5. The diameter relative growth rate of DB05, DB06, DB07 an d DB08 55
xv
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE PAGE
1. Distribution of Dipterocarpaceae 9
2. Multi-step process of shifting cultivation 15
3. Key to proper prunning 24
4. Thinning treatment of Tropical Rain Forest trees 25
5. Girdling techique of the residual trees in Sabah 26
6. Map and location of the study area 29
7. Layout of study plot 30
8. Trigonometry principle use for measuring height of tree using Haga 34
Altimeter
9. The percentage of survival of planted D. beccarii in plot aged 10 years
(DB05), plot aged 9 years (DB06), plot aged 8 years (DB07) and
plot aged 7 years (DB08) 36
10. The percentage of survival of planted D. beccarii between the
silviculture treatment in the study plot of DB05, DB06, DB07 and DB08
every 4 months interval 39
11. Average of total tree height (m) of planted D. beccarii in DB05,
DB06, DB07 and DB08; different letter indicate significant differences
at 5% using Tukey test 42
12. Line graph of average growth height of planted D.beccarii at 4
month interval 43
13. Average of height after silviculture treatment of planted D.beccarii
in DB05, DB06, DB07 and Db08; different letter indicate significant differences at 5% using Tukey test. 44
14. Height increment of planted D. beccarii in plot DB05, DB06, DB07 and DB08. 47
xvi
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE PAGE
15. Average of total tree diameter (cm) of planted D. beccarii in DB05,
DB06, DB07 and DB08; different letter indicate significant differences
at 5% using Tukey test. 50
16. Line graph of average growth diameter of planted D.beccarii at 4 month interval 51
17. Average of diameter after silviculture treatment of planted D.beccarii in DB05, DB06, DB07and Db08; different letter indicate significant
different at 5% using Tukey test 52
18. Diameter increment of planted D. beccarii in plot DB05, DB06,
DB07 and DB08 53
19. Light Intensity of planted D. beccarii under T2 area in plot DB05, DB06, DB07 and DB08 56
xvii
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX PAGE
1. Statistical analysis of height & diameter growth of D. Beccarii in 70
plot DB05, DB06, DB07 & DB07
2. Statistical analysis of height & diameter growth of D. Beccarii in 75
plot DB05 after silviculture treatment
3. Statistical analysis of height & diameter growth of D. Beccarii in 79
plot DB06 after silviculture treatment
4. Statistical analysis of height &diameter growth of D. Beccarii in 83
plot DB07 after silviculture treatment
5. Statistical analysis of height &diameter growth of D. Beccarii in 87
plot DB08 after silviculture treatment
6. Abstract of research paper during ‘The 7th International Symposium 91
on Kuroshio Science’
7. Poster of research paper during ‘The 7th International Symposium 92
on Kuroshio Science’
iii
UNIV ERSIT I MALAYSIA SARAWAK
Grade:
DECLARAT ION OF ORIGINAL WORK
This declarat ion is made on the 4th
day of November 2015.
Student’s Declaration :
I ZATIL AIS YAH BINTI ZAINUDIN/13020033/FACULTY OF RES OURCE SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY hereby decla re that the work ent it led , EFFECT OF DIFFERENT S ILVICULTURE
TREATMENTS ON GROWTH P ERFORMANCE OF KAPUR BUKIT (DRYOBALANOPS
BECCARII) AT GUNUNG APENG FORES T RES ERVE, S ARAWAK is my orig inal work. I have not
cop ied from any other students ’ work o r fro m any other s ources excep t where due reference o r
acknowledge ment is made e xp licit ly in the text , nor has any part been writ ten fo r me by another
person .
Zatil A isyah Binti Zainudin (13020033)
Date s ub mitted Na me of the student (Matric No .)
Supervisor’s Declarat ion:
I PRO F. DR. HAMS AW I BIN S ANI hereby cert ifies that the work entit led , EFFECT OF DIFFERENT
SILVICULTURE TREATMENTS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF KAP UR BUKIT
(DRYOBALANOPS BECCARII ) AT GUNUNG APENG FORES T RES ERVE, S ARAWAK was
p repared by the above na med student , and was s ub mitted to the “FACULT Y” as a fu ll fu lfillment fo r
the confer ment o f MAS TER O F S CIENCE and the afore ment ioned work, to the best o f my
knowledge, is the s aid student’s work
Received fo r exa minat ion by : _ Date:
(HAM SA W I BI N SA NI)
Please tick ()
Final Year Pro ject Report
Masters
PhD
iii
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RESTRICTED (Contains rest ricted in for mat ion as s pecified by the o rgan izat ion where
res earch was done)*
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shall be p laced officially in the Centre fo r Acade mic In for mat ion Serv ices with the ab ide interest and
rights as fo llows :
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1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research Background
The Tropical Rain Forest (TRF) has attracted the world attention due to its highest
biodiversity and used to be the major source of economic wealth for many tropical third
world countries. The last few decades had seen TRF been extensively exploited mainly for
its valuable timbers, cleared cattle grazing, mining and opened for cash crop agriculture.
The TRF is found within the 10o north and south of the equator covering about 7% of the
world‟s ground (Gay, 2001) which covering three major regions; Southeast Asia, tropical
South and Central America, and West and Central Africa.
TRF is synonym to the high rainfall throughout the year, relatively constant high
temperature all year around. It was said that the tropical rainforest was the richest
ecosystem in the world as over 50% of the living species can be found in it (Genty, 1992;
Richards, 1996; Gay, 2001; Smith, 2010). For instance, MacKinnon et al (1996) estimated
that over 3000 tree species inhabited the island of Borneo as compared to other forests
around the world. This was supported by Whitmore (1998) and Inoue et al. (1994) who
stated that the tropical lowland rainforest has the largest amount of species of any
rainforest formation globally and they also claimed that TRFs of Borneo has been known
marked as the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth. An area of 10 hectares of a
Borneo forest can contain more than 700 tree species which the same number found in the
whole area of North America (Diamond, 1985). To be specific, Inoue et al. (1994) stated
that richest tropical rainforests in the world with quite a high species diversity of trees can
be found in Sarawak.
2
Over the last two decades TRF in Southeast Asia has been significantly logged
mainly for timbers and cash crop conversion such as rubber and oil palm. It has been
estimated between the 2000 to 2005, South East Asia (SEA) has lost 1.3% forest land
(Anon, 2007). The scenario is true for Malaysia. TRF has been systematically cleared for
the logs and converted into agriculture land to accommodate oil palm and rubber planting.
This has changed the landscape of the country.
The loss of TRF has been exacerbated by patches of forest cleared for shifting
cultivation and illegal logging, especially in the state of Sabah and Sarawak. Rautner et al.
(2005) reported that during 1980‟s there was 75% of forest cover in Sabah and Sarawak,
but towards 2005 forest cover declined to 50%, which make total of forest lost every year
from 1980 to 2005 was 850 000 ha. While Appanah (1999) has estimated that about 60%
of forest loss was due to commercial logging, conversion of forest area into oil palm,
rubber and cocoa plantation. Saga et al. (2010), reaffirm that conversion of large scale of
forested areas into oil palm, rubber plantations and cocoa significantly cause land
degradation in Peninsular Malaysia and shifting cultivation cause degradation in Sarawak,
leaving almost all lowland forest gone. Besides that, the conversion of a lot natural forest
to timber plantations for pulp production has caused it to be poor in biodiversity and
therefore represent highly altered zones. Prior to introduction of Sustainable Forest
Management (SFM) commercial logging in the country had been shown to be largely
destructive (Poore et al., 1989). Heavy equipments were used in the activities of logging,
but it was poorly controlled and monitored. Hence, left the area being permanently
destroyed or degraded makes natural regeneration is almost impossible.
3
With an estimated of 5 million ha of tropical forest logged annually (FAO 1999),
there is an urgent need to restore the degraded and depleted forest with the intervention of
human beings. In Malaysia the need to restock or regenerate the depleted or degraded TRF,
conservation with the development approach begins to be accepted as the best route at the
present (ITTO, 1993). For instance, the Forest Department of Sarawak had gazetted the
reforestation areas such as Bakam Experimental Reserve, Niah Forest Research Station in
Miri, Sampadi Forest Reserve and Sabal Forest Reserve. Whereas, in Peninsular Malaysia,
the Ayer Hitam Forest (Selangor), Chikus Forest Reserve (Perak), Bukit Kinta Forest
Reserve (Perak) and Pasoh Forest Reserve (Negeri Sembilan). Contradict to people
perceptions, conservation with economic growth is complementary and brings about
greater benefits to the surrounding people. Regards to the proclaimed of reforestation areas,
an environment-friendly technologies will be developed as well as improving the planning
and balancing of land uses. According to Bawa & Seidler (1998), one has to design and
implement more effective institutional mechanisms and policies in order to achieve a
sustainable development.
Reforestations help in bringing back soil fertility and multiply the productivity of
poor vegetation seedlings. One of the effective ways to accelerate the recovery of original
ecosystems is by planting fast growing indigenous species such as Dipterocarpaceae
family. According to Adjers et al. (1995), dipterocarps are the predominant tree species of
the upper canopy of its rain forest which are shade tolerant and require partial shade in the
early establishment. In addition, the dipterocarps also suitable for reforestation under an
artificial planting forestry because it is one of the foremost climax tree species in the Asian
region (Okamura et al., 1999). Several species that may help in reforestation in plantation
areas are Dryobalanops aromatica, Shorea leprosula and Endospermum malaccense.
4
Enrichment planting is one of the possible rehabilitation measures. It is applied to
add a natural regeneration where this is adequate. According to Lamprecht (1989), the best
known enrichment planting is line planting which has a number of variants throughout the
tropics. In Indonesia, line enrichment planting is referring to planting trees under the forest
canopy. Kapur (Dryobalanops aromatica), Meranti Seraya (Sorea curtisii), Meranti
Tembaga (Shorea laprosula), Balau Kumus (Shorea laevis), Pine (Pinus caribaea) and
Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) are some indigenous species usually been used in
enrichment planting (Zahari et al., 2004).
The growth performance of a tree is not only influence by species selections, but
many other factors influence the growth performance of a tree such as light intensity, soil
physical properties and canopy treatments. For Dipterocarpaceae, tree growth is highly
affected by the light intensity. Although dipterocarps are shade tolerant species, the initial
stage, especially species in the forest floor needs sufficient light for good growth, higher
than the present amount of light received, but lower than the light receive from the upper
story trees (Ashton, 1998).
Canopy treatments such as slashing and girdling of selected secondary pioneer
species to open up the canopy will improve the light penetrations to the forest floor and can
have a positive effect on the establishment of seedlings, their growth and survival (Romell,
2007). In this context, girdling is defined as removing the bark and cambium so that the
trees are cut off from water and nutrient supply. The consequence is that the canopy of the
girdled tree will reduce to allow more light entered and eventually the tree died to create a
forest gap within the area. Slashing is the removal of weed such as ferns, climbers and
other herbaceous species around the planted seedlings.