The timber resource assessment is designed using stratified samplings points spread across the FMU in areas approved by the Forest Authority. As logging progresses, the present data will be updated accordingly. The output of Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) is the analysis of timber resources in natural forests in the FMU. Timber resource assessment was done with the following objectives:-
- Estimate the mean and total growing stocks by species group;
- Achieve a precision of estimates within 20% sampling error at 95% probability level; and
- To allocate the schedule coupes numbering for the proposed FMU.
Forest Resources and Forest Research
- More than 15 PSPs were established within the FMU area. The objective for the establishment of PSP is to determine the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) to sustainably manage this FMU area.
The Location of Sampling Plots within the Pila – Mujong FMU
- The calculation of AAC was based on the PSP result for growth simulation.
- A repeated simulation runs have been carried out using different harvesting scenarios and their results were analyzed in terms of sustainability with estimated harvesting volume that will be achieved.
- It has a 25-year cutting cycle with an extractable of 10 to 31 trees/ha and an average harvestable gross volume of 57.18 m3/ha.
- This calculation serves as a temporary indication of sustainable harvestable volume.
- Identification and monitoring of Endangered, Rare and Threatened (ERT) Species and their habitats and dynamism in sustainably well managed forest area.
- Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) like palm, bamboo, rattan, wild fruits and edible wild vegetable are present in the proposed FMU.
- Timber stock as recorded from the forest research (DBHOB 30.0 cm and above) is averaged gross volume at 96 trees or 117.1333 m3/ha, 30.0 cm – 49.9 cm is averaged gross volume at 77 trees or 68.7053 m3/ha and 50.0 cm and above is averaged gross volume at 19 trees or 48.4686 m3/ha.
- The proposed FMU has the total of 11 ERT species of fauna with 21 species consisting of mammals, 2 reptiles and 1 insect.
- Rate of Annual Harvest:
- The average of harvestable yields within the research PSP is 57.18 m3/ha, derived from high density and low density of productivity areas based on fair representation of PSPs.
- The preliminary growth calculation of Mean Annual Increment (MAI) is 0.4 cm/year and 1.60 m3/ha/year. The basal area is calculated as 26.27 m2/ha.
- Allowable Cutting Area (ACA) is 3,341 ha.
- AAC is 100,999.2388 m3 or MPL is 8,416.6032 m3 of production limit for the initial planning of this FMP.
Forest Zoning
- Production area – Mixed Hill Dipterocarp Forests for the production of timber.
- Conservation area – undisturbed and partially disturbed which would serve as reference as continuous in research studies, refuge and breeding sites, as well as timber tree seed production and conservation of genetic diversity.
- Shifting Agriculture Area (areas affected by the local communities used)
Types of Zones and Sizes in Hectares:
| Area | Type of Zones | Area (Ha) | Percentage (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMU Area (Ha) | Production Forests | 87,616 | 86.78 | |
| Shifting Agriculture (SA) and Oil-Palm and Nursery Areas | 11,601 | 11.49 | ||
| *Oil-Palm Estate, Cleared and Nursery Areas | 520 | 0.51 | ||
| HCV Area | Terrain IV | 195 | 0.19 | |
| Kerangas | 53 | 0.05 | ||
| Buffer Zones | 817 | 0.81 | ||
| HCVF | 110 | 0.11 | ||
| Water Catchment | 34 | 0.03 | ||
| Saltlicks | 32 | 0.03 | ||
| Sub-Total (FMU Area) | 100,978 | 100 (87.28%) | ||
| Area Excluded from FMU | 14,720 | (12.72%) | ||
| Total Licensed Area | 115,698 | 100 | ||
* Note: Areas under Shifting Agriculture