Click here to open feedback window. Annex 2. Profiles of Tree Species: Asia 259 Agathis borneensis    Araucariaceae bembueng, bindang, damar minyak, damar pilau, hedje, tambunan Distribution Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra), Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak). Agathis dammara and A. philippensis are treated as separate species. Habitat A common species of tropical moist mixed closed forest up to 2200m. Pure stands occur on low-lying sandy peat soil in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Population Status and Trends Large stands of trees have been completely extracted through much of its range, most notably in Kalimantan. The stands of 100-400m³/ha volume in South Kalimantan have been seriously depleted (Soerianegara & Lemmens, 1993). Exploitation continues to be heavy and regeneration in residual stands is insufficient to replace lost populations. In the past the tree has also been destructively expoited for copal. Role of species in the Ecosystem Threats Overexploitation, clear-felling/logging of the habitat. Utilisation Agathis species are distinctive, highly-sought and exploited for their valuable timber. It is excellent for joinery, boat building, construction, panelling, turnery, utensils. It also makes a good veneer, pulp and paper, charcoal and activated carbon. The resin or Manila copal is used in varnishes. Heavy exploitation had reduced the economic importance of the genus. Trade Agathis spp. are reported in exports from Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia exported 760,000m³ in the form of round logs in 1973. In 1987 and 1988 67,000m³ and 83,000m³ of sawnwood was exported at a value of US$20.1 million and US$22.2 million respectively. Sarawak exported 22,000m³ in log form in 1987 and Sabah exported 130,000m³. By the 1990s sawnwood had taken over in the market in Peninsular Malaysia. The largest export volume of 8300m ³ in round wood is reported in 1967. Sawnwood exports increased from 3250m³ in 1973 to 3300m³in 1986 and 6000m³ in 1989 and decreased again to 5500m³ and 3500m³in 1990 and 1992 respectively (Soerianegara & Lemmens, 1993). The peak in the world production of copal occurred in the earlier part of the century, the large part coming from Indonesia. 18,000t was produced in 1926 and in 1987 Indonesia was still exporting 2650t at a value of US$650,000 in 1987 but production has declined since then (Soerianegara & Lemmens, 1993). IUCN Conservation category VU A1acd according to the SSC Conifer Specialist Group (Farjon et al., 1996). Conservation Measures Important populations are held in Badas Forest Reserve in Brunei, Gunung Palung Nature Reserve in Kalimantan, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra and Taman Negara National Park in Peninsular Malaysia. Forest Management and Silviculture It is planted as a plantation tree and in enrichment planting (Soerianegara & Lemmens, 1993). Regeneration is only successful under a closed canopy (Lamprecht, 1989). Data from A. dammara plantations indicate that the usual rotation for pulpwood production in plantations is 20 years. More time is needed for timber production.  Annual wood production is 23-32m³/ha in 30years and 22-28m³ in 50years. A total yield of 570m³/ha may be obtained after 40 years. References de Laubenfels, D.J. 1988. Coniferales. Flora Malesiana  series I - spermatophyta, flowering plants 10(3) Farjon, Aljos. et al. 1996. Discussions of the SSC Conifer Specialist Group involving the application of revised IUCN red list categories to conifer species. Kostermans, A. 1990. Comments from Kostermans on a draft list of tropical timbers for Indonesia. Lamprecht, H. 1989. Silviculture in the tropics: tropical forest ecosystems and their tree species; possibilities and methods for their long-term utilization. Dt. Ges. für Techn. Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). GmbH, Eschborn. Soerianegara, I. & R.H.M.J. Lemmens (eds.). 1993. Plant Resources of South-East Asia 5(1). Timber trees: Major commercial timbers. Wageningen: Pudoc Scientific Publishers. 610 pp. Whitmore, T.C. Utilization, potential and conservation of Agathis, a genus of tropical Asian conifers.