MIXED DIPTEROCARP FORESTS OF THE SUNDA LANDS: WHAT CAN BE DONE NOW WITH WHAT IS LEFT?

There has been much discussion of late over optimal methods for managing lowland tropical evergreen forests for timber production, yet at the same time also conserving arboreal vertebrate diversity; and, in some countries, continuing yield of products other than timber. In reality, management-concen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of tropical forest science 2014-04, Vol.26 (2), p.163-163
Main Authors: Ashton, P S, Ashton, M S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodiversity
Carbon
Drought
Forests
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:There has been much discussion of late over optimal methods for managing lowland tropical evergreen forests for timber production, yet at the same time also conserving arboreal vertebrate diversity; and, in some countries, continuing yield of products other than timber. In reality, management-concentrated on the timber harvesting operation-has been left, with few exceptions, to the concessionaire who, in all but a few cases, has a license which provides incentive to maximise timber output alone. Much damage to the residual forest has resulted. However, the future is going to be different because the next stands of timber will be both shorter and of lower maximum diameter, requiring less destructive machinery and extraction. It will likely comprise different dominant species. Restoration to sustainable productivity will be costly: immediate profits have relied on deferment of these costs to later generations and to others. They may be difficult to meet without international subsidy. Critical will be the establishment of rigorous monitoring of the growing stock and silvicultural experiment.
ISSN:0128-1283
2521-9847