TITLE:
Impact of Timber Logging on Neighbouring Stands in a Forest of the South Western Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Kato Samuel Namuene, Andrew Enow Egbe
KEYWORDS:
Timber Exploitation, Domino Damage, Illegal Logging, Annual Cutting Area
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.12 No.2,
April
29,
2022
ABSTRACT: During
conventional logging operations, there
is always some damage to nearby stands. This study therefore assessed the
damage caused after logging operations to surrounding stands in a Forest
Management Unit (FMU) in south western Cameroon after logging operations. The
damages assessed were snapped branches/trunks and uprooted trees. A total of
304 trees with a diameter ≥ 30 cm were
cut and a total of 770 neighbouring harvestable and future trees were affected. It was observed that 375 of the neighbouring
stand had their trunks snapped, 312 had their branches snapped, and 15
were uprooted. It was noted that 80% of the
trees affected were those with diameters between 30 - 50 cm, which were called
future trees for the next harvest, while the least damage was on protected/seed
trees. Lophira alata caused the
highest stand damage due to its abundance and large size, while Distemonanthus benthamianus caused the
least domino damage. Damage to future trees negatively affects future
concession holders as these trees are supposed to mature before the next
harvest, hence the yield will be greatly reduced. Sustainable timber exploitation will greatly reduce
residual damage as care will be taken to ensure falling timber causes less
damage to the surrounding stand.