Medium and long term effects of logging systems on forest structure and composition in the tropical rainforest of Suriname

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, we compared the medium and long-term effects of logging on tropical rain forest ecosystems in Suriname using reduced impact logging (RIL), CELOS Management System (CMS), and conventional logging (CL) with forest without logging (NAT). In 18 forest plots with different times since logging ended and 9 unlogged forest plots, assessments were conducted on indicators of forest structure and vegetation composition. These indicators were then modelled as a function of management type and plot age. Multivariate ordination was used to visualize forest structure and vegetation composition differences between plots. High vegetation cover in the tree layer was more related to the older RIL and the CL plots, while high vegetation cover in the sapling and seedling layer related more to the CMS and NAT plots. Canopy openness was more related to the NAT, the CMS and the younger RIL plots. Furthermore, the CMS plots, which were logged 30 years ago, still did not reach the basal area of commercially important primary forest species, compared to unlogged forest. Both RIL and CMS plots have a strong presence of secondary species. This study shows the importance of applying the RIL technique correctly and taking forest characteristics and ecological processes into account when developing forest management principles. Forest management systems should also be flexible enough to adapt to area-specific requirements, for example, increasing the rotation cycle if the timber volume is not on the desired level. In this way, both conservation and economic goals are reached.