Verification and Validation of Sampling Intensities in the Pre-Felling Inventory of a Tropical Forest in Peninsular Malaysia

This study was carried out on a randomly chosen 40 ha (800 m x 500 m) forest area within the 50 ha Demography Project of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negri Sembilan. A total of 30h a out of 40 ha study area were used as a Calibration data set and the 10 ha remaining area as a Validation data set. The percent sample or intensity of sampling was determined at various confidence and error levels, viz., from 80% to 95% confidence with ± 5% to ± 20% error in estimating tree density, basal area and volume. Results obtained from both calibration and validation data sets were used to assess the notion that the statistical reliability of the SMS's Pre-felling inventory (by Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia) is at 95% confidence and ± 20% error levels. Results showed different intensities of sampling regarding classification into diameter, plot size and species groups to the three parameters measured at different confidence and error levels. At 1% sampling intensity to inventorise density of trees 5 cm - <15 cm dbh in 10 m x 10 m plot, the confidence and error levels of respectively 95% and ± 15% or 90% and ± 10% would be better reliability levels. The 95% and ± 15% levels were also true for estimating basal area and volume. At 5% sampling intensity of trees 15 cm - <30 cm dbh (20 m x 25 m plot), its reliability was at 90% confidence and ± 10% error limits for either tree density, basal area or volume estimation. However, at 10% sampling intensity of trees ≥30 cm dbh (20 m x 50 m plot), the 95% confidence and ± 20% error held true in estimating tree volume. Classification into species groups showed that higher sampling intensity was needed to sample volume of Dipterocarps species compared to tree density, basal area and other species groups at any confidence and error levels. Results also showed that plot 10m x 10m yielded lower sampling intensity for trees <30cm dbh and plot 20 m x 25 m for trees ≥30 cm dbh at any confidence and error levels. The implications of attaching confidence and error levels to the sampling intensity are also discussed

Natural forest dynamics. I. Homogeneity of species distribution

This study was carried out on a randomly chosen 10-ha (200 × 500 m) forest area within the 50-ha Demography Project area of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negri Sembilan, Malaysia. The 10-ha study area contained 13 950 trees of 5 cm dbh and larger with a total of 619 species. Of the total 619 species, 26 (4.2%) species were of dipterocarps, 525 (84.8%) non-dipterocarps and 68 (11.0%) miscellaneous species. The results indicate that there is a 95% chance of detecting trees belonging to either all dipterocarp, all non-dipterocarp, or miscellaneous species groups by using a contiguous area of 5 ha; a contiguous area of 2 ha is sufficient to detect trees of all diameter size classes from 5 cm dbh onwards. For practical purpose, a contiguous area of 5 ha is sufficiently large to sample and detect tree distribution by species group and size class simultaneously. The implications of the results of the present study are discussed in relation to the need of establishing larger plot size to enumerate tree parameters, especially in monitoring forest growth dynamics by major species grouping and size class

Natural forest dynamics. II. Sampling of tree volume using quadrats in tropical forests of Peninsular Malaysia

This study was carried out on a randomly chosen 10-ha (200 × 500 m) forest area within the 50-ha area Demography Project of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) at Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negri Sembilan, Malaysia. A modified minimum-variance method was used to determine statistically the most efficient quadrat size among the eight quadrat sizes used. The minimum sampling intensity associated with each quadrat size, at 90% confidence and 10% error, was determined in estimating tree volume. In general, the 30 × 30 m quadrat was found to be statistically the most efficient in sampling tree volume ≥ 15 cm dbh at 90% confidence and 10% error levels. The percentage sample size requirement differed between species groups, size classes and quadrat sizes used. The implications of the result of the present study are discussed in relation to the current inventory methods used in Malaysia. For example, a 16% sampling intensity is required to inventory all trees ≥ 15 cm dbh with 90% confidence and 10% error levels using 30 × 30 m quadrat, increasing to 24% when using 20 × 50 m quadrat

Sap flow study on two different diameter sizes of Tectona grandis

Sap flow pattern of Tectona grandis planted at lowland forest assessed. This study aimed to determine the sap movement of two different diameter sizes T. grandis. Two sizes selected were 16 and 38 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh). Sap flow meter (SFM) used to assess the sap velocity rates at the interval of 30 min within 24 h for 15 days. Diurnal sap flow of T. grandis shows that mean velocity is high during day time compared night time. Small diameter has high sap flow compared to that of bigger diameter. A flow rates was high at the inner layer and less at outer layer for smaller tree. The variation was vice versa when the tree was getting bigger. Variations in sap flow of T. grandis characterized by several environmental factors. It was found that size contribute in the differed sap flow of T. grandis

Development of local volume table for second growth forests using standing tree measurements

The need to have an accurate measure of tree volume is fundamental in forest management and administration as tree volume is widely used for estimating the productivity of a forest stand, as well as for the assessment of taxes and fines. In moist tropical forest, volume table has been recognized as the best approach to estimate volume especially due to some difficulties in tree measurements. Various researches on tree volume estimation have been conducted in Peninsular Malaysia with the purpose of improving planning in the management of forests. In order to construct reliable volume tables, enumeration of a relatively large number of sample trees of various size classes and species or species groups are required. The enumeration of each sample tree requires accurate diameter measurements of several sections of the stem. To obtain such measurements, traditionally the sample trees have been measured either using felled or standing trees and therefore costly and time consuming. Currently, the same level of accurate measurements can be obtained without the need to undertake destructive sampling or direct measurements, such as by climbing trees. This paper highlights the use of digital measurement tool for the measurement of standing trees for the development of volume tables. The benefits and limitations of this digital approach over traditional data collection technique are discussed

Silvicultural prescriptions for second growth forests: a case study in Tekam F.R..

Introduction of mechanized harvesting to inland dipterocarp forest can alter the size, structure, species composition, spatial distribution, stocking level of the pristine rainforest towards a more heterogeneous residual stands. The assessment of second growth forest at landscape level using satellite imagery allows us to examine the variation of stand condition over a large area, and development of a strategic planning to support sustainable management. In developing the silvicultural prescriptions, we looked into three key components of forest stand and used them as the basis to decide on the appropriate silvicultural option. Our assessment approach began with classifying the forest stands into eight commercial species groups. Using a stand projection model we simulated the stand stocking, structure and composition up to 120 years. More than thirty (30) cutting options with minimum dbh limit of 45 cm and 50 cm for non-dipterocarp and dipterocarps, respectively were applied on the simulated stand at each 5 years time step. A growing stock assessment was carried out using minimum stocking standards such as residual stand density, net commercial volume, and proportion of dipterocarps. The silvicultural decision made is not only taking into account the current status of the growing stock but also the projected future stand condition. The paper presents the outcome of the growing stock assessment and recommends silvicultural options to enhance the growing stock of second growth production forest

The Effect Of Chief Risk Officer (CRO) On Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Practices: Evidence From Malaysia

This study investigates the level of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) adoption within the Public Listed Companies (PLCs) in Malaysia and the influence of Chief Risk Officers (CROs) on ERM practices. Included in this particular study is a comprehensive survey on 500 companies from the main board of public listed companies in the Malaysian Bourse. Key findings of this research work reveal that only 42% of the companies surveyed have completely adopted ERM and based on regression analyses, the &lsquo;quality&rsquo; of CROs has a strong influence on the level of ERM adoption within the PLCs involved in the survey

Stocking and species composition of second growth forests in Peninsular Malaysia.

Management of the production forests in Malaysia is currently undergoing a major change as the total extent of undisturbed forest being harvested is diminishing. Currently most of the harvesting operations are being conducted in second growth (rotation) forests and in the near future all production forest will solely consist of only logged forests. This is expected to result in a significant reduction of the supply of raw materials to the industry because second growth forest stands are generally poorer and not so well-stocked with quality timber species. According to the forest management systems applied to these forests, namely the Selective Management System (SMS) and the Malayan Uniform System (MUS), the residual forests should be able to recover in the specified rotation cycle and there should be sufficient quality crop for the second and subsequent harvests. To understand the situation, a study was carried to assess the stocking and species composition of second rotation forests in two production forests located in Tekam Forests Reserve, Pahang and Cherul Forest Reserve, Terengganu. The study results indicated that the second rotation forests are not as productive as predicted but still able to produce an economic harvest in terms of total timber yield within the specified rotation cycle. However, based on inventory projections of existing stocks, it was found that in general the forests have not fully recovered in terms of stocking of commercial species. Species composition has been altered favouring higher dominance of non-dipterocarp species. Some of the major factors that could have contributed to this phenomenon are slower recovery of the forest after the first cut, higher mortality due to logging damage, and implementation of cutting limit prescriptions that favour high removal of dipterocarps as they are dominant in the upper diameter classes. It must be noted that the second growth forest assessed were those that were more than 20 years old. Currently, forest management practices have improved significantly and thus the recent second growth forests are expected to be in a much better condition. The information generated from this project on the status of the stocking and species composition of second growth forest will be essential for improving planning and management of the resource with the aim of enhancing future productivity

Sebab Huruf Ba' Mempunyai Satu Titik di Bawah: Satu Sorotan [Reasons of Why the Letter Ba’ Has One Below Dot: A Review]

Mashaf Uthmani mempunyai beberapa aliran dalam pemilihan penandaan titik pada huruf Hija’iyyah. Perbezaan aliran ini secara tidak langsung menimbulkan kekeliruan dalam kalangan masyarakat yang kurang mengetahui berkenaan perbezaan penandaan titik huruf di dalam mashaf. Daripada huruf Hija’iyyah tersebut, huruf Ba’ menjadi fokus kajian berdasarkan susunan yang lebih terdahulu berbanding empat huruf lain dalam kategorinya. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan maklumat yang lebih terperinci dan tepat agar tidak berlaku kesamaran dalam kalangan masyarakat. Ini merupakan kajian kualitatif. Dapatan kajian adalah bersumberkan dokumentasi dan persejarahan yang dianalisis menggunakan metode analisis teks dan kandungan. Hasil kajian mendapati sebab huruf Ba’ diberikan satu titik sahaja di bahagian bawah adalah kerana tiga faktor daripada empat faktor keseluruhan. Kesimpulannya, huruf Ba’ didapati mempunyai keunikan tersendiri berbanding huruf Hija’iyyah yang lain di sisi aliran-aliran penandaan mashaf. The Ottoman Mashaf has several streams in the selection of point markings on the Hija’iyyah letters. These differences in flow indirectly cause confusion among the people who do not know about the differences in the marking of letter dots in the mashaf. From the letters Hija'iyyah, the letter Ba’ became the focus of the study based on the earlier order compared to the other four letters in the category. This study aims to obtain more detailed and accurate information so that there is no ambiguity in the community. This is a qualitative study. The findings of the study are sourced from documentation and history that are analyzed using text and content analysis methods. The results of the study found that the reason the letter Ba’ was given only one dot at the bottom was because of three factors out of a total of four factors. In conclusion, the letter Ba’ was found to have its own uniqueness compared to other Hija'iyyah letters in terms of mashaf marking trends.The Ottoman Mashaf has several streams in the selection of point markings on the Hija’iyyah letters. These differences in flow indirectly cause confusion among the people who do not know about the differences in the marking of letter dots in the mashaf. From the letters Hija'iyyah, the letter Ba’ became the focus of the study based on the earlier order compared to the other four letters in the category. This study aims to obtain more detailed and accurate information so that there is no ambiguity in the community. This is a qualitative study. The findings of the study are sourced from documentation and history that are analyzed using text and content analysis methods. The results of the study found that the reason the letter Ba’ was given only one dot at the bottom was because of three factors out of a total of four factors. In conclusion, the letter Ba’ was found to have its own uniqueness compared to other Hija'iyyah letters in terms of mashaf marking trends

Determinants of Family Takaful (Islamic Life Insurance) Demand: A Conceptual Framework for a Malaysian Study

Family Takaful is one of the service sectors that are expected to continue to drive growth in the economy.Thus, the family Takaful market continues to play an important role in supporting economic and social development.However, in Malaysia, family Takaful market is still at a lower penetration level if we were to compare to other developed countries even though the Takaful industry continues to sustain strong performance amidst challenges in a competitive environment.Evidence has shown that the percentage of society covered by family Takaful contracts in Malaysia is still very low compared to conventional insurance.Therefore, the study aims to propose a conceptual framework for the determinants of family Takaful demand in Malaysia. From a review of the literature available in this particular area of interest, there are two categories of factors that are found to be the main determinants of family Takaful.These factors are the socio-demography and economic factors