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FOREST RESOURCES TREND AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
The classification of the above functional classes is by no means exclusive. An area of the
PRF can be classified under more than one functional class provided their uses are not
contradictory. For example, forest trekking, camping, picnicking and bird watching activities
should not pose problems in the catchment areas provided these are done in low densities.
There is a need to formulate specific management practices for each of the functional classes.
One of the aims of classifying the forest into different functions is to ensure that the forest is
used and managed within its capacity. Over-use and inappropriate management result in forest
health degradation that could change the forest ecosystem. The drastic changes in the ecosystem
will negatively impact human welfare, health and food production.
Selective Management System (SMS)
Currently, the production forests are managed under Selective Management System. The system
advocates the selection of a cutting regime based on diameter limits and species composition
of the standing trees. In Peninsular Malaysia, the implementation of the SMS involves
conducting forest activities that could be distinctly categorized into three stages, namely preharvesting,
during harvesting and post-harvesting activities. The pre-harvesting activities
include pre-felling forest inventory, cutting limit prescription and timber tagging. During
harvesting, activities include directional felling and forest road construction while post harvest
activities include forest survey, post-felling forest inventory and prescription of silvicultural
treatments. Some of the activities are further elaborated below.
The SMS is designed to achieve sustainability of the forest with management objectives of
economic and efficient harvesting under prevailing conditions. It requires the selection of
management (cutting) regimes based on inventory data, which will be equitable to logger and
forest owner, as well as ensuring ecological balance and environmental quality.
Pre-Harvesting Activities
Cutting Limits Prescription
The cutting limits prescription is based on the stand and stock information obtained from the
pre-felling forest inventory, together with other relevant information needed to determine the
optimal cutting regimes (diameter limits) for the forest area. Under SMS, the next cut is expected
to be between 30-55 years and with an estimated net economic outturn of 30–40 cubic meters
per hectare. The criteria for cutting limits prescription are as follows:
• The cutting limit prescribed for the group of dipterocarp species should not be less than
50 cm dbh, except for Neobalanocarpus heimii (Chengal) where the cutting limit prescribed
should not be less than 60 cm dbh.
• The cutting limit prescribed for the group of non-dipterocarp species should not be less
than 45 cm dbh.
• The residual stocking should have at least 32 sound commercial trees per ha from the
diameter class 30–45 cm or its equivalence.
• The difference in the cutting limits prescribed between the dipterocarp and that of the
non-dipterocarp species should be at least 5 cm.
• The percentage of dipterocarp species in the residual stand for trees having 30 cm dbh
and above should not be less than that in the original stand.
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