Abstract
The objective of this work was to investigate the resistance of three Indonesian wood species to termite attack. Samples from sengon (Falcataria moluccana), mangium (Acacia mangium), and pine (Pinus merkusii) were treated with polystyrene at loading levels of 26.0%, 8.6%, and 7.7%, respectively. Treated and untreated samples were exposed to environmental conditions in the field for 3 months. Untreated specimens of sengon, mangium, and pine had resistance ratings of 3.0, 4.6, and 2.4, respectively, based on a 10-point scale from 0 (no resistance) to 10 (complete or near-complete resistance). Corresponding resistance values of 7.8, 7.2, and 8.2 were determined for specimens treated with polystyrene. Overall weight loss values of 50.3%, 23.3%, and 66.4% were found for untreated sengon, mangium, and pine samples, respectively; for treated samples, the values were 7.6%, 14.4%, and 5.1%, respectively. Based on the findings in this study, overall resistance to termite attack was higher for treated samples compared to untreated samples.
Highlights
Natural forests in Indonesia cover 93.1 million ha, of which plantation forests account for4.9 million ha, and the total forested area represents 52% of the total area of the country
Log production in 2013 reached 23.2 million m3 of which 84% was from plantation forests that included fast-growing tree species such as sengon (Falcataria moluccana), mangium (Acacia mangium), pine (Pinus merkusii), and gmelina (Gmelina arborea) [1]
Indonesia is a tropical country that has a suitable environment for subterranean termites that attack wooden buildings
Summary
Natural forests in Indonesia cover 93.1 million ha, of which plantation forests account for. 4.9 million ha, and the total forested area represents 52% of the total area of the country. Log production in 2013 reached 23.2 million m3 of which 84% was from plantation forests that included fast-growing tree species such as sengon (Falcataria moluccana), mangium (Acacia mangium), pine (Pinus merkusii), and gmelina (Gmelina arborea) [1]. Indonesia is a tropical country that has a suitable environment for subterranean termites that attack wooden buildings. Subterranean termite attack of buildings has been reported in all parts of the country, including all districts of Jakarta. The economic loss from termite damage reached at least US $1 billion in 2015 [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
