PRESCRIBED BURNING IN AN Acacia mangium PLANTATION IN SOUTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Abstract

Poor maintenance of forest plantation, Le., Inadequate weeding and pruning, increases fuel load in floor resulting in an increased high risk of fire invasion, especially in the dry season. This high fuel load should be reduced in order to prevent fires. One possible solution in prescribes burning. Prescribed burning can be conducted if there is no damage to trees and the value of wood does not decrease. This burning may also reduce the natural regeneration of bad quality seedling in the forest floor in the second rotation cycle of Acacia mangium plantation. Research shows that, at 3 ton/ha of fuel load and an 8 cm fuel depth, prescribed burning can be conducted successfully. No trees die, and no damage or natural regeneration is recognized after the fire.