Management of Mixed Deciduous Forest in Central Cambodia-A Case Study in Sandan District

Cambodia was one of the most heavily forested countries in the world, but a large proportion of forest has been destroyed as a result of wars and political instability over the past 30 years. Forest management in Cambodia has been difficult due to the lack of information on scientific research. It is believed that one of the key points to ensure the sustainable management of the forests is to understand their population dynamics. The aim of this paper is to provide useful information on the population dynamics of Cambodia' s deciduous forest, as a basis for management decision making. Having approximately 50% evergreen tree species, mixed deciduous forest is managed for commercial and non-commercial wood production on a 25-30 years selective felling cycle. Under the national forest inventory project, four clusters were established in Sandan's deciduous forest, containing 36plots or 4.32ha of forest. Statistical analysis showed that the average density was 626 trees/ha, of which dipterocarp, non -dipterocarp and unknown trees were 57 trees, 339 trees and 230trees, respectively. In percentage terms by families, 11% of total trees were from the family Lyrthraceae; followed by 9% the family of Dipterocarpaceae; and 36% of unknown and minor families. The average stand volume per hectare was 178m3, of which approximately 66% were those of trees with diameters greater than 45cm. On a felling cycle of 30years, the mean annual allowable harvest volume theoretically was 35 m3/ha, 8% of which came from dipterocarp trees. Based on forest management experiences in other Southeast Asian countries, 30m3/ha is recommended to extract pending the data on growth rate becomes available. There is a need to firmly protect the forests from repeated encroachments so that the residual stands can naturally regenerate and reach the harvestable size over a period of 30 years. While enrichment planting of commercial species is required, further vegetation research is also needed since the proportion of unknown trees is still high. All these trees will produce additional wood for the present and future needs. In addition, political will and the cooperation of all parties involved are, in priority, required to ensure long -term sustainable management of the forest resources.Article信州大学農学部演習林報告 38: 117-125(2002)departmental bulletin pape