Ecological restoration of gold mined out forest lands in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Physical changes in landscape is always followed by existing biological composition changes which can be assessed by analyzing their ecological range and its relationship with surrounding biological components. Biological composition is frequently used as bio-indicator of ecological restoration. The research objective was to identify the biological composition after land rehabilitation works. Research was conducted at selected sites of rehabilitated forest lands (Lower Nakan-164, Upper Nakan-138, Lower Bayaq-85 and Lingau Plateau). In Lower Nakan-164, the crown of naturally growing trees have been joined and support the growth of primary plants species of Dipterocarpaceae. In Upper Nakan-138 and Lower Bayaq-85 sites, an intensive liberation cutting was done to provide open space of tree growth for forests ecosystem recovery. Lingau Plateau site showed a mature succession of dominant tree stands close to old secondary forest ecosystem.