100 Years of Tropical Forest Research: The Story of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is situated in tropical rain forest less than one hour by car from the centre of the Malaysia's national capital, Kuala Lumpur. From this idyllic environment, this book guides us through the many events, developments, ideas and personalities that have made their mark on the institute and on tropical forestry. The historical mainstream, covered in the first chapter, traces the history of the Institute through the colonial period, World War I, the rubber boom, the great depression, World War II, the Japanese Occupation, the post-war recovery, the Malayan Emergency, Independence and thereafter, and the development of the railways, tin, rubber, housing and energy industries. Research themes are grouped into five separate chapters: natural forest management, wood-based industries, non-timber forest products, plantations parks and gardens, and biodiversity.

Among notable successes to which research has contributed substantially are the system for management of mangrove forests, the rise of the furniture industry based on rubber wood, and the complete documentation of the 2830 species of trees of Peninsular Malaysia. Concepts in tropical forestry, including those providing the rationale for the system of Regeneration Improvement Fellings, the Malaysia Uniform System, the classification and marketing of tropical timbers, and may others, are brought together and integrated into a comprehensive picture.