FOREST ECOLOGY

FDP2304

PRACTICAL REPORT 2
“Forest Structure, Biotic Abiotic Factors & Environment”

Prepared by
Aleeya Julita Binti Ahmad Fauzi
S33327

Prepared for
Dr. Ahmad Mustapha Bin Moahamad Pazi
Mr. Afsar Bin Jabri

Date
30.1.2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Introduction 2
Objective 3
Materials and Methods 3
Results & Discussion 4
Conclusion 6
References 7
Appendices 8

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1. Introduction

1.1 Forest Structure

Forest structure is the horizontal and vertical distribution of layers in a forest

including the trees, shrubs, and ground cover which includes vegetation and also
dead and down woody materials. Forest structure looks at the proportion of small,
medium, and large tress that are usually reported as trees per acre by diameter
class. These age or size class groupings are further defined as seedling, sapling,
pole and sawlog. Forest can have a simple structure or they can be very complex
based on the range of ages among the different levels of structure.

1.2 Forest Biotic & Abiotic Factors

The ecosystem of a forest is composed of two main components which are biotic
and abiotic factors. Biotic factors are the living parts of the ecosystem, such as
plants, animals, insects, fungi and bacteria. They dominate the ecosystem in terms
of visibility and in terms of biomass. However, they are only one type of organism
living in a forest. Abiotic factors are the non-living parts of the ecosystem, which
influence the size and composition of the living. Tangible abiotic factors include soil,
minerals, rocks and water. But abiotic factors can be intangible, such as
temperature, other types of radiation and the chemistry of soil and water.

1.3 Forest Environment

Forest environment are areas of the landscape that are dominated by trees and
consist of biologically integrated communities of plants, animals and microbes,
together with the local substrates and climates with which they interact. Forests are
much more than the present population or community of trees. The environment of
forest also channels the land by protecting it from erosion and other climate
problems. The environment of forests can also act as a natural defense against
aerial attack by covering the entire land with its canopies.

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2. Objective

The objectives of this practical are to :

i. Maintain a sustainable flow of forest products, wildlife habitat, aesthetics,
clean water and other benefits.
ii. Identify and understand the way biotic abiotic components interact that
make up the ecosystem.
iii. Preserve the environment of forest and enhancing the economic, social and
environmental value of all types of forests for the present and future.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. List of Material / Equipment

i. Whirling Hygrometer
ii. Thermometer
iii. Mini Light Meter
iv. Digital Anemometer

3.2. Methods

3.2.1 Individual Task

i. Each student was assigned to find one tree per person.
ii. The chosen tree was sketched along with the 1 meter radius
around the tree.
iii. The condition of the tree was observed and the surrounding life
was recorded.
3.2.2 Group Task
i. Each group was given 4 different equipments.
ii. The microclimate of an area was taken and recorded.
iii. Step ii was repeated at 4 different locations with different
microclimates and forest structure.
iv. The structure of the forest was observed and sketched.

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4. Results & Discussion

4.1. Individual Task

The data obtained for this field task was taken from Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB.
Among observed are the biotic and abiotic factors around the tree, including the
surrounding of the tree with 1 meter radius. The result and observation of this task
was recorded in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1 Individual Tree Result and Observation.

Location Explanation
The scientific name of the observed tree is
Garcinia xanthochymus. The estimated height
of this tree is about 6-8 meters high, with a
diameter around 15-20cm DBH. Among
observed biotic factors are mosses, lichens,
Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB
climbers, creepers, and insects such as a
colony of ants. Around the 1-meter radius of tree
includes some shrubs and sapling. The abiotic
factors present are rocks, minerals, water, and
light.

Figure 1. Sketching of tree from Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB.

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 4.2 Group Task
The data obtained for this field task was taken from Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB.
Among observed characteristics were the biotic and abiotic factors in the area,
structure of forest, and layer of trees. The results and observation of this task was
recorded in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 Climate of Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB.

Relative Wind Speed
Location Temperature (oC) Light (fc/lux)
Humidity (%) (m/s)
1 28 92 837 0.20
2 28 92 1034 0.80
3 28 92 7426 0.20
4 27 96 959 0.00
5 27 92 776 0.60

Relative Humidity (%RH)

Dry bulb reading – Wet bulb reading = Depression of wet bulb oC

Figure 2. Brannan Data Sheet

Table 4.2 shows the microclimate of Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB taken from 5
different locations. For comparison, the light intensity is found highest at location 3
because it is most exposed to sunlight, besides it is an open-air area. Meanwhile, the
light intensity at location 5 is the lowest because it is covered with thick canopy making
it difficult for sunlight to enter. The temperate at location 3 and 4 is lower compared to
locations 1,2 and 3 due to the area being dense with trees and saplings that function
to cool down temperature.

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 Figure 3. Sketching of forest structure in Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB.

Figure 3 shows the sketching of forest structure taken from Borneo Base Forest,
UPMKB. It is found that the stucture of forest is sloped, with a water reservoir area
located in the middle which is connected to the river. The estimated depth of the
reservoir is around 2 meters deep. The structure of forest is filled with biotic factors,
namely the living organisms in the reservoir such as fishes and crawfish. Insects, fungi,
mosses, and lichens can be found at locations 1, 2, 4, and 5. The abiotic factors
involved are sunlight, air, water, minerals, soil, and rocks.

5. Conclusion

By the end of this practical, students were able to recognise the structure of forest
and its environment, and understand the importances of the forest environment that
function to purify the air, filter the water, prevent soil erosion, and act as an
important barrier againts climate changes. Students were also able to understand
and identify biotic and abiotic factors in the forest, other than knowing the
importance of the interaction between those two critical components to maintain
the stability of the forest and its environment. Students were aware of the aesthetics
of forest, and also able to help in maintaining the economic values of forest for the
present and future.

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 References

Importance of forest. Importance of Forest. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from

vedantu.com

Biotic abiotic factors. Chapter Two | Forest Ecosystems. Retrieved February 3, 2023,
from files.dnr.state.mn.us

Importance of forest biotic abiotic factors. List of Biotic and Abiotic Factors in a Forest
Ecosystem | SCIENCING. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from sciencing.com

Biotic factors. Introduction to ecology review | Khan Academy. Retrieved February 4,

2023, from khanacademy.org

Abiotic factors. Biotic and Abiotic | BYJU’S. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from
byjus.com

Forest environment. Sustainable Forest Management | Timber Trade Federation.

Retrieved February 4, 2023, from ttf.co.uk

Importance of forest environment. Responsible Forestry | Industries – WWF. Retrieved

February 4, 2023, from worldwildlife.org

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 Appendices

A1. Biotic abiotic factors and structure observed around tree at Borneo Base
Forest, UPMKB.

A2. Microclimate of Borneo Base Forest, UPMKB taken at 5 different locations.