Species richness and IUCN status of commercial timber in Kedah Forest, Leuser ecosystem

Abstract

The Kedah Forest in Sumatra is one of the forests allocated for tourism and research purposes for the local or foreign communities. The Kedah Forest contains a wealth of biological natural resources, flora and fauna, including wood species with a high economic value (commercial). However, data on the diversity of commercial timber plant species in the area have not been recorded and documented, both in terms of tree species and their conservation status. This research aimed to identify commercial timber plant species and determine the population and conservation status of these species in the Kedah Forest. This study was carried out between October and December 2019. We assessed the species richness and the IUCN status of commercial timber species and assessed its conservation status in accordance with IUCN criteria. The result showed that Kedah Forest has 16 species of commercial timber plants from 11 families, of which six species of commercial timber plants have not been registered as commercial timber according to the Decree of the Minister of Forestry Number: 163/Kpts-II/2003 dated 26 May 2003. Four species of wood plants commercial forest in Kedah are listed on the IUCN Red List under the Near Threatened, Low Risk, and Data Less categories.