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Findings: Residual Stand

Findings: Residual Stand None of the logging coupes investigated had sufficient residual stand to suggest that any subsequent harvest cycle could be contemplated on these logged over areas within a period of several decades. Current forestry wisdom regarding sustainable forest management proposes commercial return cycles of 25-40 years. It is considered that the exceptionally poor state of the residual stand within all logged over areas within the study area will preclude another viable mechanical commercial harvest within 50-70 years (and most probably longer, given the lack of bioindicators for adequate forest floristic and structural recovery).

Pometia pinnata may regenerate eventually in some of the logged over areas in adequate proportions given the degree of soil disturbance across all logged forest, but the growth rate is highly likely to be significantly impeded by the competitive growth of secondary species (especially Merremia peltata). Other later successional species will require longer time periods to colonise and establish their former structural role in the forest stand. Thus, it is highly unlikely that the current generations will be able to gain commercially from a mechanical harvest from these logged over forests.