ABSTRACT
The main effect of logging is to create an artificial disturbance regime resulting in canopy gaps and disturbance to soil, seedlings and the forest understory. The effects of logging on the physical environment of a lowland dipterocarp forest in central Kalimantan are being investigated as part of the Indonesian-UK Tropical Forest Management Programme. A range of approaches are being applied to characterise these impacts. The effects of logging on canopy cover, seedling density and soil disturbance are recorded using a "quick assessment" technique to produce low resolution maps of the plots before and following logging. More detailed information about changes in canopy structure is determined using image analysis of hemispherical canopy photographs.
Canopy structure influences most physical processes of importance in the forest ecosystem. The most obvious effect is to increase the amount of radiation penetrating the canopy to the forest floor. The change in the radiation balance of the forest affects many biological and physical processes, notably seedling regeneration and the sub canopy microclimate. The light environment, soil temperature and rainfall interception are used as examples to show the effects of logging on the forest system using data collected from an area of recently logged forest adjacent to currently unlogged permanent sample plots.
Kata Kunci.: physical environment - forestry - logging - kalimanta
