Soils

Research in Soils Unit focuses on site classification and evaluation, soil erosion and conservation, and soil fertility. The main objective of site evaluation is to delineate the different sites, and subsequently to provide site-species matching guidelines. Presently the projects being conducted are: site index study of Acacia mangium; cultivation trial of Calamus caesius; effect of biomass of plantation trees on soil properties; nutrient cycling; ecosystem rehabilitation of degraded land at Bakam.

Joint projects include site classification for forest zoning for the Forest Management Information System Sarawak, and soil studies for the Model Forest Management Area (Phase II) Project.

The laboratory is equipped with facilities to conduct physical and chemical analyses for soil, and nutrient analyses for plants.