Effect of tracked and rubber-tyred logging machines on soil physical properties of the Berkelah Forest Reserve, Malaysia

Wheel and track traffic of heavy forest machinery is causing increased concern about forest soil compaction. Compared to agriculture, forest mechanization is potentially more damaging to site productivity because forestry machines tend to be heavier and operations are performed throughout the year regardless of weather conditions. Field experiments of vehicular compaction tests were initiated in dry and wet months (June and November, respectively) on a clay loam soil at the Berkelah Forest Reserve in central Pahang, Malaysia. Two unloaded tree harvesting (TH) machine types (crawler tractor and rubber-tyred loader), two soil moisture contents (14 and 21 % of oven dry weight) and vehicular trips (0,1, 2, 4, 8,16, 32 and 50 passes) were assessed on soil conditions from 0 to 15cmdepth. Rates of soil degradation are very different for the two machines. Changes in soil dry bulk density (DBD), total pore space (TPS), aeration porosity (AP), available water-holding capacity (AWC), saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC) and resistance to penetration (RP) of the rubber-tyred tractor did not exceed those caused by a track-type crawler tractor despite a two-fold difference in mean ground contact pressure. The changes in soilDBD and TPS caused by both machines increased with increasing soil moisture content. However, AP, AWC, SHC and RP decreased with increasing soil moisture content. Most soil physical properties studied reached a maximum or minimum after the first two passes and remained constant thereafter with the tyred machine. SHC appears to be the most sensitive parameter for machine differences. Effects of heavy machinery operation on surface soil compaction should be recognized in forest mechanization

Estimating Acacia mangium Plantation's Standing Timber Volume Using an Airborne Hyperspectral Imaging System

Individual tree mapping in the forest is usually done by several techniques such as the sequential target and point origin mapping. Generally, the estimation of standing timber volume operation is considered a difficult task as ground survey is expensive. Most of this task is being done on the ground and takes a lot of time to be accomplished. However, the use of airborne remote sensing such as the UPM-APSB's Airborne Imaging Spectrometers for Applications (AISA) that plays its part in Global Positioning System (GPS) could change the way on how tree mapping and standing timber volume estimation are done. The general objective of this study is to map the individual wild A. mangium trees and estimate their standing timber volume using the airborne hyperspectral imaging technique. The specific objectives were to assess the capability of UPM-APSB's AISA airborne hyperspectral data in mapping A. mangium plantation and estimate its standing timber volume by delineating the individual trees crown areas. The hyperspectral image of A. mangium plantation in Lebuh Silikon, UPM in ENVI (.img) format taken on February 2004 was enhanced using the ENVI software. The age of the A. mangium stand was about 30 years old. Results indicated the presence of 29 canopies of A. mangium trees over a 0.8 ha plot. A single crown or canopy represented a single tree. A set of simple linear regression model for predicting volume from the crown area was developed using the 29 samples of tree crown. The value for r2 was 0.801 for this fit of the model, which showed 80.1% erratum data could be evaded. The equation developed in this study was V = 0.1045 + 0.0111(CA) where it provided a mean for predicting volume from the crown size measurement using the airborne sensor. The total standing timber volume mapped and quantified by the UPM-APSB's for the study site of 0.8 ha A. mangium plantation was about 20.73 m3 with a mapping accuracy of 80.45%. In practice, users of airborne hyperspectral data can now predict the timber volume by measuring tree crown size using ENVI software and apply the appropriate equation developed from linear regression as the indirect method of timber volume estimation. Further work in this area is to estimate the above ground biomass, carbon sequestration and biodiversity of planted A. mangium plantations in Malaysia

Airborne hyperspectral sensor for individual species counting and mapping of Karas (Aquilaria malaccensis) in Bukit Nanas F.R, Malaysia

Karas (Aquilaria malaccensis) is well known for producing gaharu, a fragrant material which is extremely valuable for cosmetic products manufacturing. Due to its un-permitted harvesting, there is an alarming depletion in the natural forests, which requires some forms of quick monitoring in near real time. A study on the spatial distribution of Karas trees in Bukit Nanas F.R., Federal Territory (FT) was therefore conducted to identify, quantify and map its geospatial distribution using an airborne hyperspectral sensor. Using a Sobel filter and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) processing techniques, a digital geospatial distribution map with an accuracy of 89.47% showing 38 individual Karas trees was developed. This study demonstrated that individual Karas trees can be easily counted and mapped with an airborne hyperspectral sensor which may lead to possible estimation of gaharu production for its future sustainable management and conservation efforts in FT, Malaysia

A Forest Science Effective Research Supervision in the Faculty Of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia

At least historically, undergraduate research supervision has predominantly been seen as part of the basic research function of academic staff. In many fields of study, success in research requires not only sophisticated experimental and analytical skills, but good mentoring and managerial skills as well. This paper presents an observational case study and perception based on the author’s true experiences exploring the most effective supervision of undergraduate students in the Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Due to the need of a highly calibre first class honours undergraduates for the future pool of postgraduates and top notch academia in the Faculty and in UPM, the aim of this paper is therefore to provide a good practice guideline for supervision of undergraduates final year project reports/theses to ensure consistency of approach for staff and students across the faculty and university. Key topics covered include building an effective undergraduate final year project/theses supervisory relationship, negotiating expectations, providing good communication and feedback and providing motivation and guidance to them. Personal interviews of undergraduates' perceptions of their supervision as they undertake their final year research projects were presented. Students reported that only a select few of their supervisors were supportive and sympathetic to their needs. Only a few of the Faculty supervisors adopted the role of resource person, directing undergraduates to references and contacts, discussing ideas and work undertaken. Only a few students had considerable freedom in the conduct of their final year project work. They were not able to choose their own research topic and supervisor but most determined the pace at which they worked. Some appeared to cope well with the autonomous role of a junior researcher while some commented on difficulties. Though the majority of students were given considerable freedom in their research the results of the observation indicated some differences amongst supervisors

UPM-APSB AISA Airborne Hyperspectral Technology for Managing Mangrove Forest in Malaysia

Mangrove forests are one of the most productive and bio-diverse wetlands environments on earth. In Malaysia, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM) has always been fully committed to the implementation of the sustainable forest management practices and in line with current concerns such as climate change, conservation of biodiversity and Tsunami, have brought about a heightened expectation on the political, socio-economic, ecological and environmental well-being of the country. Thus, managing mangrove forests is very challenging to the department and a precise geospatial database is urgently required. The objectives of this paper are to assess the capability of UPM-APSB’s AISA airborne hyperspectral imaging sensor for developing a geospatial database through an individual mangrove species mapping and to determine the wavelength regions that define the inherent spectral characteristics amongst mangrove species. A total of nine groups of mangrove species spectral separability were identified in Port Klang, Selangor namely Lumnitzera littorea, Rhizophora mucronata, R. stylosa, Sonneratia alba, Avicennia officials, R. apiculata, Bruguiera parviflora, B. gymnorhiza, B. cylindrical and S. caseolaris. The species were easily identified and separated in the NIR range (700 nm to 900 nm) with the following spectral values namely (a) 1,750-6,000:B. cylindrical, (b) 2,000-7,750: B. gymnorhiza, (c) 1,875-8,250: B. parviflora, (d) 1,875-5,500 :A. officials, (e) 1,625-6,250 :S. caseolaris, (f) 1,875-5,250: S. alba, (g) 1,750-7,500: R. apiculata, (h) 2,000-8,000: R. stylosa, (i) 2,200-7,000: R. mucronata. Results of this study indicated that the mangrove species could only be identified at the near infrared (NIR) wavelength (700 nm to 900 nm) and not in the visible (VIS) spectrum. With such a capability, the sensor should be in a position to provide a geospatial database of the Malaysian mangroves for Tsunami management and other purposes of interests. Future management of mangrove forests in P.Malaysia should then adopt an integrated approach by further refining the current management and incorporating latest findings and updated latest geospatial information through more vigorous airborne hyperspectral data acquisition on mangrove forest. With the future geospatial database developed from the sensor, the National Forestry Policy and other policies related to mangrove forests management can be revised from time to time to match latest prevailing conditions and requirement. The future success in developing a mangrove geospatial database using UPM-APSB’s AISA data by FDPM will in fact contribute to the sustainability of the wetlands in Malaysia which is crucial to the survival and future health of our Mother Earth

Reconciling Challenges and Opportunities in Academic Scientific Writing

To initiate the governmental strategy in Thrust 2 of the Ministry of Higher Education Strategic Plan Core Thrusts launched in 2007, and to nurture “First Class Mentality”, in the currently running Ninth Malaysia Plan (2005-2010); the need is vital for the educational sector to pick up the drive to manifest it. The second thrust emphasizes on the strategy to raise the capacity for knowledge and innovation. For that, it is apt that the academia contributes towards the effort to achieve excellence. In addition, its fourth thrust that is enhancement in teaching and learning; and the fifth thrust that is strengthening further initiatives in research and innovation are greatly emphasised in response to the ever changing environment and global competitiveness (Kamaruzaman & Siti Akmar 2008). These are basis in which the initiative for writing and publication amongst academics can be established

Estimating Cabbage Production in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia Using IKONOS Data

The objective of the study is to map and count the individual cabbages at the early growth stage in Sg. Palas, Cameron Highland grown under a mix cropping system and estimate its production. With ground verification, an IKONOS 4 m multispectral imagery acquired on 25 February 2001 was digitally processed at an orthorectified level. A Digital Terrain Model (DTM) was developed and a scanned topographical map was overlaid with IKONOS data to precisely locate the attribute data and map the individual young growing cabbages. Using a supervised and unsupervised classification, less than and above 1.5 month-old cabbages were mapped and quantified. The algorithm and processing technique developed in this study can easily estimate a production of 25,000 cabbages/ha in Sg Palas area. Integrating the data with a Geographic Information System (GIS) may help Cameron Highland farmers to better market their cabbages in the future. The potential use of airborne hyperspectral imaging data such as UPM-TropAIR’s AISA TropAIRMAPTM to map and predict the supply of cabbages should be the next step in precision farming revolution using remote sensing. Keywords: Cabbage; Production; Market intelligence; High resolution; Satellite remote sensin

Impact of Ground-Based Logging Machine on Soil Physical Properties and Tree Growth

Five experiments were conducted to determine the impacts of ground-based logging machines on soil physical properties and on early gr01vth of Acacia mangium Willd. The experiments are : (i) a survey of the areal extent of logging machine disturbance, (ii) effects of logging machines on soil physical properties, (iii) effects of travelling intensity with a rubber-tired and track-type logging machine on some soil physical properties, (iv) recovery rate of compacted soils, and (v) measurement of growth responses of A. mangium on compacted and non-compacted soils and their loosening treatments. Areal disturbance on 10 logging blocks following logging with crawler t ractors averaged 30(18), 28(27), and 42(55) percent in 'undisturbed', 'moderate', and 'serious' class of disturbance on clay loam soils in the dry (wet) season, respectively. For sandy loam soils under dry (wet) season, the areal extent of logging disturbance were 16(27), 44(22), and 40(48) percent, respectively. Average values for to penetration, and soil temperature of prelogging soils, adjacent undisturbed soil, secondary forest roads, secondary landings, primary landings and skid trails were also determined

Construction of New Forest Roads in Malaysia Using a GIS-Based Decision Support System

This paper describes how a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based Decision Support System (DSS) was applied in selecting the most compatible block or compartment to construct a new forest road for a sustainable timber harvesting purposes. The study area was located in Gunong Stong Permanent Forest Reserve, Kelantan, Malaysia between latitude 5o00’ N and 5o25’ N and longitude 101o20’ E and 102o05’ E. Four criteria have been considered in this paper which is timber volume (m3), slope (degree), ground condition and distance from the primary and secondary forest road that previously exists (m). ArcView and ArcMap softwares were used to evaluate all the criteria using remote sensing and field data. Results indicated that the best block that fulfill all the criteria chosen for the new forest road construction is Block Nos. 9 and 11

In search of best impact factor and citation indexed journals towards achieving the goals of universities

This paper provides an introduction to the concept and importance of journal impact factor (JIF), citation indexes. The paper takes the form of a short history of JIF, the importance of journal performance indicators, about calculating and determining JIF and the significance of using Citation Indexes. Elements of the factors affecting impact factor namely scientometrics and journalology were also highlighted. A guide to locating the best impact factor journals in various research fields was demonstrated. Despite that JIF is still a dilemma for some fields of research, academic members are still subjected to the Key Performance Index (KPI) criteria compliance for further promotion and excellence service awards on top of the need to generate high impact research publications