Assessment of reduced impact logging technique at different logging intensity

Abstract Despite increased recognition of the value provided by forests, the tropical forest potential continued to be seriously degraded, especially by overexploitation. In the field of harvesting, achieving sustainable forest management requires environmentally responsible logging, hence the growing interest in reduced impact logging (RIL) as an alternative strategy to promoting good forestry practices be expected can continue to fulfil the functions of forest ecosystems. The study was conducted in 100 ha of the first cutting cycle and 200 ha of the second cutting cycle of 22 years logged over the forest in Indonesia Borneo. The degraded level is measured based on disclosed area, while potential production of the residual stand is predicted by using growth increment data from a permanent sample plot. Harvest intensity influence significantly to residual stand condition with a positive correlation. Potential production of residual trees in the first logged-over forest after 35 years is almost recovered then can be achieved sustainable yield. It means that 22 years is not a sustainable cutting cycle. The disclosure area after the second logging was high of 66.89 to 69.36. Potential production of residual trees was very low and need 35.5 to 42.8 years to recover, however, the cutting cycle needs a longer time to achieve sustainable forest management as long as 57.3 to 63.2 years. Based on this study, regulation of reduced cutting cycle on logged-over forest after 20 years is not recommended to implement in natural forests.