• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.266-272
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• 2021

The aboveground biomass (AGB) was estimated in mixed dipterocarp forests (MDF), peat swamp forests (PSF), and heath forests (HF) in Brunei Darussalam. A total of 81 (20 m×20 m) plots were established for MDF, PSF, and HF in three regions. The diameter at breast height(DBH) of all live trees (DBH≥10 cm) was measured within the plots. The AGB was calculated using an allometric equation with the measured DBH. The AGB(Mg ha^-1) for MDF, PSF, and HF was 603.3±159.9, 305.9±23.4, and 284.3±19.3, respectively, and was significantly different among the forest types (p<0.05). The greater AGB in MDF than those in PSF and HF was due to the presence of emergent trees in MDF. The results showed that the number of emergent trees varied by forest type. Consequently, the appearance of the emergent trees could be one of the main factors affecting AGB in Southeast Asia's tropical rain forests.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2015

Purpose: Forests have positive effects on health due to phytoncide, thus increasing physical activity and stress relief. However, research has not been conducted on the daily health benefits of existing forests. Therefore, this study attempts to compare the health status and behaviors of residents in urban and forested areas. Methods: This cross-sectional study used anthropometric measures, blood tests, heart rate variability, depression, stress, and health behavior self-reports for adults between 35 and 79 years from two regions. Results: Adults living in a forested region had better health consequences-including lower prevalence of osteoarthritis (6.4%) and mean bone mineral density (-0.84) -than those in an urban region (osteoarthritis: 13.7%; bone mineral density: -1.55). The percentage of 'physically active' participants (measured in MET-minutes) differed significantly different between the forested (49.1%) and urban (7.3%) areas. However, health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and regular heath check-up rates were worse among residents from the forested, than the urban area. Conclusion: We concluded that more proactive forest therapy programs are needed to prove the health differences.