Stumpage valuation and density of virgin jungle reserve at Sungai Lalang and Ulu Gombak Forests, Malaysia

Malaysian forests are familiar for their diversity in flora and fauna species which have economic value. The most significant factor that contribute to the increase in economic values in a forest area is its timber resources. The total areas of jungle reserves in this state is 241,568.2 hectares, or 30.5% from total state forest. Diversification of sources of high value timber in the forest reserve will invite the intrusion of illegal loggers, which will have negative impacts on the ecosystem. Thus, a study was conducted in Virgin Jungle Reserve at Sungai Lalang forest in Compartment 24 (C.24) and Ulu Gombak forest in Compartment 23 (C.23) in Selangor. The study objectives were to identify the composition of trees, to estimate the stumpage value based on the current market value, and to estimate the total stumpage value in the forest catchment areas. Data was collected by counting every tree with a diameter more than 10 cm as sample data. Estimated stumpage values were measured by calculating timber values based on current market price which is different for each species. 418 trees with 224 species, 130 genus and 50 families per hectare in C.24 were enumerated. The most abundant species in C.24 was Elateriopermum tapos, while the largest families included Euphorbiaceae, Dipterocarpaceae and Lauraceae. The stumpage value of tree species diversity in this compartment was RM 194,520.70 per hectare. Meanwhile, 402 trees with 190 species, 108 genus and 46 families per hectare were enumerated in C.23. The most abundant species was Aidia densiflora while the largest families were Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Lauraceae. The stumpage value of tree species diversity in this compartment was RM 147,360.00 per hectare. Selangor’s policy that has put a stop in issuing logging licenses in 2009 is seen as bringing positive impacts, whereby the study findings have seen an increase in species value, biological diversity and stumpage value in both study areas compared to previous studies