Pattern of forest biomass recovery and biodiversity loss after reduced impact logging in East Kalimantan

Abstract

Climate change substantially impacts sustainable ecosystem management, seeking to maintain the maximum amount of biomass and control biodiversity loss. Reduced impact logging (RIL) is a means to reduce the impact of biomass and biodiversity loss on natural production. This practice makes an important contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This study aimed to determine the variation pattern of biomass recovery and biodiversity loss on natural forest stands after using the RIL technique. The approach to assessing the pattern was based on measuring growth patterns and quantitative ecological parameters on stands. The value was constructed based on STREK plots data in the Labanan forest. The total plot was 48 ha with 4 different treatments, using 28 years of data measurements. The biomass recovery values pattern is based on stand structure pattern, basal area, volume and aboveground biomass values. The biodiversity loss indicated by quantitative ecological values included a heterogeneity index, richness index, and similarity index. Fluctuations on stand structure changes followed lognormal curves. This study demonstrates the importance of the RIL technique in maintaining existing stored biomass in standing stock and allowing 99 % recovery 27 years after logging. This technique could curtail biodiversity loss as indicated by maintaining the high heterogeneity and richness indices of species, but the similarity to the primary forest’s initial conditions will reach 60–70 %.