Understanding forest recovery process after logging is essential for sustainable forest management in the tropics, yet little is known about below-ground process. In this study, species composition and fine-root biomass were compared among tropical forests with different logging history, to elucidate logging impact on above- and below-ground properties of tropical forests.
A census plot was established in an undisturbed Bornean tropical forest and nearby two logged-over secondary forests with different logging history (young and old secondary forests: 5 years and 10–15 years since logging). Size measurement and species identification were conducted for all trees ≥ 15 cm girth at breast height. Fine-root biomass with ≤ 2 mm root diameter was estimated at 0–15 cm depth by sampling soil cores.
Pioneers including Macaranga spp. were dominant in the two logged-over forests, suggesting that even in the old secondary forest, species composition is still different from that in the undisturbed forest. Fine-root biomass in skid trail was lower in the young secondary forest than in the old secondary forest, while fine-root biomass outside of the skid trail did not differ among the three forests. Our results suggest that fine-root biomass recovery would be lowered by the construction of skid trails.