Residual Tree Growth in Papua's Logged Forests Slower Than TPTI Assumptions

Image: article cover, from Relawan and Julius (2019), Jurnal Wasian, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

A research team from the Manokwari Environmental and Forestry Research and Development Centre has recorded that the diameter growth of residual trees in selectively logged forests in Papua is slower than expected. Research in three forest concessions—PT Tunas Timber Lestari (TTL), PT Wapoga Mutiara Timber (WMT), and PT Manokwari Mandiri Lestari (MML)—found that the diameter increment of commercial species groups was 0.56 cm per year, 0.59 cm per year, and 0.65 cm per year, respectively. These figures are below the increment assumption in the Indonesian Selective Cutting and Planting System (TPTI) of 1.00 cm per year.

Measurements were taken annually for 6–9 years in three permanent plots of 1 hectare each in each concession. The distribution pattern of increment by diameter class differed between locations. At PT MML and WMT, increment tended to increase with tree diameter. Conversely, at PT TTL, increment actually decreased in larger diameter classes.

According to the research published in the Journal Wasian, information on diameter increment is important for formulating silvicultural prescriptions in sustainable forest management. Because the growth of residual trees is slower than the TPTI assumption, planning of cutting cycles and determination of cutting diameter limits need to consider real field conditions so that logged-over forests in Papua remain productive and sustainable.

Source and how to cite

This story is based on the research article Diameter Increment of Remnant Stands in Logged-Over Forest in Papua by relawan kuswandi Relawan and Julius Dwi Nugroho Julius, published in Jurnal Wasian Vol. 6 No. 2 (2019). The full article is free to read on the Jurnal Wasian website.

Cite the original article (APA 7):

Relawan, R. K., & Julius, J. D. N. (2019). Diameter Increment of Remnant Stands in Logged-Over Forest in Papua. Jurnal Wasian, 6(2), 125–133. https://doi.org/10.62142/pajzdm27

If you use these findings in coursework, a thesis or other writing, cite the original article above, not this news story. The original article is licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.