Shifting cultivation and patch dynamics in an upland forest in East Kalimantan Indonesia

Mackie C., . and Jessup T.C., . and Vayda A.P., . (1987) Shifting cultivation and patch dynamics in an upland forest in East Kalimantan Indonesia. [Proceedings Paper]

Shifting cultivation and tree-felling for timber in the remote Apo Kayan region of Indonesian Borneo are compared with natural disturbance events tree-falls and landslides generally known to affect tropical forests. The causes of spatial and temporal patterns in human-caused disturbances are examined. Farmers in the Apo Kayan practice a traditional forest-maintaining form of shifting cultivation which over time has created a non-random mosaic of fields old fields secondary forests of varying age and primary forest in relict p2048atches. Tree species common in secondary forest appear early in old field succession. These species appear to be particularly well adapted to regenerate after shifting cultivation. Field site selection is influenced by social interactions as well as by environmental factors and the local history of land use. On a broader scale migration has repeatedly redistributed villages and village-centered patterns of shifting cultivation within the Apo Kayan. Recent emigration from the region has greatly reduced the human population and has led to contraction of the areas affected by shifting cultivation. Most shifting cultivation has been in areas of secondary forest. Primary forest reserves are maintained near villages in order to supply local needs for timber and other forest products. The gaps made by tree-felling for timber rather than for farming are similar to natural treefall gaps both in size and in the density of regenerating seedlings. Felling and extraction of timber cause little damage to the surrounding forest. Large landslides are similar in size to shifting cultivation fields. However they disturb soil and vegetation more severely than any other natural or human-caused disturbance in the region. The biological diversity of the Apo Kayan and the opportunities for basic and applied research there make it an excellent site for an international biosphere reserve. Recommendations are made for a program of research forest conservation and environmentally appropriate development within a biosphere res

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Abstract

Shifting cultivation and tree-felling for timber in the remote Apo Kayan region of Indonesian Borneo are compared with natural disturbance events tree-falls and landslides generally known to affect tropical forests. The causes of spatial and temporal patterns in human-caused disturbances are examined. Farmers in the Apo Kayan practice a traditional forest-maintaining form of shifting cultivation which over time has created a non-random mosaic of fields old fields secondary forests of varying age and primary forest in relict p2048atches. Tree species common in secondary forest appear early in old field succession. These species appear to be particularly well adapted to regenerate after shifting cultivation. Field site selection is influenced by social interactions as well as by environmental factors and the local history of land use. On a broader scale migration has repeatedly redistributed villages and village-centered patterns of shifting cultivation within the Apo Kayan. Recent emigration from the region has greatly reduced the human population and has led to contraction of the areas affected by shifting cultivation. Most shifting cultivation has been in areas of secondary forest. Primary forest reserves are maintained near villages in order to supply local needs for timber and other forest products. The gaps made by tree-felling for timber rather than for farming are similar to natural treefall gaps both in size and in the density of regenerating seedlings. Felling and extraction of timber cause little damage to the surrounding forest. Large landslides are similar in size to shifting cultivation fields. However they disturb soil and vegetation more severely than any other natural or human-caused disturbance in the region. The biological diversity of the Apo Kayan and the opportunities for basic and applied research there make it an excellent site for an international biosphere reserve. Recommendations are made for a program of research forest conservation and environmentally appropriate development within a biosphere res

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. SD418.3 T7R336 1986 Call Number.
AGROVOC Term:	Shifting cultivation
AGROVOC Term:	Upland areas
AGROVOC Term:	Forests
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:25
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14569

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