The Optimum Felling Area of Logging at Peat Swamp Forest Plantation

Skidding, maintenanceandcanalestablismentactivitiesinpeatswampforestrequirecomprehensive planningactions since the forest has a critical land and difficult to reclamate when it is damaged seriously. It is required to determine an optimum felling area, considering technical, economical and ecological aspects. A study was carried out in June 2013 at concession area of Bina Silva Nusa (PT BSN) Company. This study aimed to find out the optimum felling area and the skidding productivity, as well as canal maintenance and establishment. Data were taken descriptively and purposively, which comprised of felling-plot areas (Y) and the costs (X) for skidding, maintenance, and canal establishment. Further, the obtained X-Y data couples were analyzed for possible quadratic regression models. This study resulted model of the optimumfellingarea:1. Y = 55.7 - 6.8X +0.21X ;or LnY= 55.7 -6.8LnX+0.21Ln X,which R = 0.1532** or R = 0.391 (R = 0.254), with the optimum felling area (Y ) of 22.21 ha and the minimum cost (X ) as much as Rp 612.644.033; 2. The average increase of skidding productivity and establishment/maintenance of the secondary canal, collector canal and tertiery canal were 1.37 m /hour (9.5%), 1.298 m/hour(5.3%),1.706m/hour(2.33%),and1.4m/hour(1.3%).