School of Science

Lha Tshering

Overview of thesis

Sustainability of commercial timber harvesting in Bhutan: Assessing annual harvesting rate, natural regeneration, and plantations in the logging units

Bhutan is a small, landlocked and a mountainous country with a total land area of approximately 38,394 km2 and a population of 770,276 (NSB, 2023). Although FMUs are established to balance logging with preservation of ecosystem, poor regeneration poses the biggest challenge to their long-term sustainability (NFI, 2023). One primary issue is poor natural regeneration following logging activities, particularly in the conifer and mixed conifer zones, despite its importance for sustenance and as an indicator of forest health and vitality (Buffum, Gratzer, & Tenzin, 2009). Moreover, climate change poses an emerging threat to regeneration efforts, with temperature driving upward shift of tree line (Khandu, Polthanee, & Isarangkool Na Ayutthaya, 2022). Shifts in temperature and precipitation may affect germination and growth rates of desired tree species in the FMUs. There is also a strong need to assess whether the FMUs will reach their next cutting cycle as forecasted in their management plans, given the current rate of timber harvesting and poor timber recruitment. In the absence of an in-depth understanding of regeneration issues in the face of continuous timber extraction, there is no proper way of assessing the sustainability of FMUs.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to assess the sustainability of the FMUs in Bhutan. Therefore, the objectives are to: a. Determine the rate and extent of natural and artificial regeneration in the FMUs and compare them between the FMUs focused on broadleaved and mix-conifer species; b. Investigate the principal factors (e.g. ecological, anthropogenic, and management intensity) affecting the success of natural and artificial regeneration in the FMUs. c. Examine the survival rate and growth performance of plantations; and d. Evaluate the role of plantations in supplementing natural regeneration for timber restocking.

Methodology

A total of 6 FMUs will be assessed such that 3 FMUs are situated in the broadleaved forest and 3 in the conifer forest for comparison of natural regeneration and plantations. For each FMU type, one each of FMU age class (5yrs, 10yrs, and 20 yrs of operation) will be selected to compare regenerations among the periods of operation.

Expected outcome

The study is expected to yield the following outcomes: 1) Development of a reliable tool to assess tree regeneration in the FMUs. 2) Development of a metric to assess sustainability of FMUs which will be applicable to the logging units in the neighboring countries of Nepal, India, and China. 3) Development of a tool to assess the survival rates of the plantations.

Qualifications

• Master of Environmental Science, The University of Western Australia, 2024.
• Bachelor of Science in Forestry, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, 2017.

Research

Research Interests

• Sustainable forest Management
• Biodiversity conservation and wildlife ecology
• Watershed ecology and Climate resilience
• GIS and Remote Sensing Applications
• Community Based Natural Resources Management

Past Research employment history

• Feb 2025 – May 2025: Biosecurity Field Surveillance Officer, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Western Australia.
• Jan 2019 – Feb 2025: Senior Forestry Officer, Mongar Forest Division, Royal Government of Bhutan.
• Jan 2015 – Dec 2018: Forest Ranger I, Lhuentse Range Office, Mongar Forest Division, Royal Government of Bhutan.
• Jul 2009 – Dec 2014: Forest Ranger II, Lhuentse Range Office, Mongar Forest Division, Royal Government of Bhutan.

Other work

• Winter 2023: Intern (Outstanding Intern Award), McCusker Centre for Citizenship, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
• 2019–2023: Principal Investigator, Human–Black Bear Conflict Research Project, funded by the Rufford Foundation and the Nature and Environment Fund (NEF), Bhutan.
• 2019–2023: Contributor, Research Proposal Development, securing funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for projects on forest management in FMUs, Community Forests, and Local Forest Management Areas, Bhutan.

Paper Publications

• 2025: Vegetation Composition and Habitat Suitability Analysis of Common Mega Faunal Species in Biological Corridor 5, Southeast Bhutan. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET)
• 2024; Impact of Tree Felling on Forest Regeneration and Biodiversity in Watershed Ecosystems, International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET)
• 2020; Local Volume Equations and Tables for Two Forest Management Units in Bhutan: An Attempt to Provide FMU Specific Estimate of Timber Volume for Sustainable Forest Management, Bhutan Journal of Natural Resources and Development
• 2019; Assessment of Human–Bear Conflict in Phrumsengla National Park, Bhutan, NeBIO Journal

Scholarships and Awards

• 2023 – Outstanding Intern Award, McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship Program, University of Western Australia.
• 2022 – Outstanding Position Level Recognition for service beyond normal duties, Royal Civil Service Commission, Bhutan.
• 2019 – Bronze Civil Servant Award, His Majesty the King of Bhutan.
• 2015 – Certificate of Recognition for leadership in the first National Forest Inventory, awarded by Hon. Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay

Supervisors

• Principal Supervisor: Associate Professor Eddie van Etten
• Associate Supervisor: Dr Joao Carlos Melanda Filipe
• Associate Supervisor: Professor Angus Morrison-Saunders

Contact

Lha Tshering
Master by Research
School of Science
Email: lhat@our.ecu.edu.au