Article ID: MS22-01
Agarwood, a valuable non-timber forest product, is threatened by depletion owing to overharvesting. Northeastern Kalimantan collectors in Indonesia practice the selective felling of agarwood-producing trees (Aquilaria spp.). Although this practice has received attention as a sustainable harvesting, some have questioned it. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of selective felling on Aquilaria populations and intentions of local collectors to perform selective felling in Apo Kayan. We examined harvesting practices, Aquilaria populations, felling pressures, local knowledge, changes in felling criteria over time, and customary rules. Observation of harvesting practices revealed that the felling rate of selective felling was <10 % of all encountered trees, which was much lower than that of indiscriminate felling but higher than that of supposed sustainable harvesting. The annual felling pressure was estimated to be 2.3−4.8 % of the total population, but varied widely by location. Local knowledge enabled collectors to detect the possible presence of agarwood based on the appearance of each tree, facilitating a labor-saving and less-destructive harvest. However, local collectors began felling trees that rarely contained agarwood as agarwood became rarer, indicating that they consistently tried to get the highest return on each trip rather than maintaining Aquilaria population. The customary rule for reserving valuable trees does not apply to Aquilaria; thus, local collectors have no restrictions on felling. Accordingly, we conclude that selective felling is intended to maximize short-term returns by saving labor, incidentally resulting in less-destructive, if not sustainable, effects. Further research and dialogue among stakeholders is required to achieve sustainable harvesting.
