Tree mortality in the Sumber Pawon protected forest, Kediri, East Java

Tree mortality is a critical, yet episodic, process influencing forest structure, carbon cycling, and ecosystem dynamics. Understanding its causes is essential for effective forest management, particularly in protected areas like the Sumber Pawon Forest in Kediri, East Java, a key water conservation area. This study quantified tree mortality rates and identified causal factors using the ForestGEO Tree Mortality and Damage Protocol. Over a three-month monitoring period (January to March 2022) with monthly intervals, we recorded a high mortality rate of 6.47%. Trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 10-20 cm were the most vulnerable. The primary modes of mortality were uprooting (U) and stem breakage (B), largely attributed to rainstorms. The presence of lianas and fungi further increased mortality risk by physically weakening trees. Additionally, evidence of selective logging by humans was identified as a contributing factor. These findings underscore that external mechanical forces, both natural and anthropogenic, are significant drivers of tree death in this protected forest, providing crucial insights for future conservation and management strategies.