Forest Management Plan - Sabah Forestry Department

6.3 Timber ManagementThe long-term goals of timber management in FMU 17A are to ensure a continuous andsustainable production of timber, as well as, the enhancement of commercial timberproductivity over the entire area designated for timber production. About 45,436 ha (≈91 %) comprising 82 compartments in FMU 17A are designated for timber production bynatural forest management or intensive restoration. However, not all areas within theproduction areas are available. There are permanent infrastructure (roads, buildings),riparian reserves, and swamps, which are to be excluded and/or deducted from the grossproduction area. It is estimated that up to 70% of the gross production area may beavailable for harvesting. The actual conservation area of each compartment will bedetermined during operational planning.A large part of FMU 17A comprises of highly degraded and poorly stocked loggedforests, with little prospects for natural regeneration. Such areas will require some formof assisted regeneration or restoration. Therefore, emphasis for this planning period ison the restoration of degraded forests to improve their capacity for timber production.This will take the form of refinement and liberation treatments, enrichment planting orforest plantations.Three different approaches will be used to improve the residual timber stands that aredetailed in Procedure #7 Timber Stand Improvement (Appendix C). These are:• Liberation And Refinement Treatments – these includes cutting of climbingbamboo and woody vines in areas that contain adequate stocking of largerdiameter commercial species to reduce competition and enhance growth. Removalof non-commercial pioneer species to enhance growth of potential crop trees.• Forest Restoration – in areas identified as severely degraded and where there isinsufficient natural commercial regeneration. The system includes clear-fellingand integrated mosaic planting that is, clearing of small patches where plantingwith indigenous tree species will be required for timber production, habitatimprovement, and carbon sequestration.• Enrichment Planting – in areas that do not contain adequate potential crop treesto enhance the density of high value commercial trees and habitat trees tosupport wildlife.6.3.1 Liberation And Refinement TreatmentsIn general terms, refinement and liberation refer to stand tending treatments carriedout to remove unwanted vegetation that inhibit the regeneration and growth of53