The importance of "seed trees" for the natural regeneration of selectively logged tropical forest

Abstract

SUMMARY Selective logging operations harvest trees above fixed diameter limits and therefore remove the largest trees which are likely to provide seed for the regeneration of the forest following harvesting. A study of several species of tree in the Budongo Forest in western Uganda showed that the percentage of trees fruiting at different diameters varies between species. For the mahoganies, Khaya and Enrandrophragma, fruit production occurs at larger diameters than many of the other species. For these species the amount of fruit produced in areas of the forest exploited for timber is considerably less than in unlogged forest. Harvesting operations in Africa may remove the mahoganies as low as 50cm diameter and it is shown for three genera that seedling density is correlated with the density of trees above this diameter. The implications for forest management are discussed.