Seeing the fruit for the trees in Borneo: responding to an unpredictable community-level fruiting event

Lead Research Organisation: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Department Name: Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects

Abstract

See full content in associated Joint Proposal W2924309 (Burslem NERC Urgency)

Planned Impact

See full content in associated Joint Proposal W2924309 (Burslem NERC Urgency)

Publications

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Hayward R (2021) Three decades of post-logging tree community recovery in naturally regenerating and actively restored dipterocarp forest in Borneo in Forest Ecology and Management

 
Description We found that adult tree communities varied amongst forest types (logged, actively restored and primary forest) suggesting elements of the taxa might be missing in disturbed forests (Hayward et al 2021). We found that seedling abundances and communities also varied amongst the forest types, initially after the mast fruiting events, but also over time - seedlings in actively restored forest died at a higher rate, for example. We also found links between functional traits and longer term mortality rates. Together, these results indicate differing ecological processes operating under disturbed forest conditions. We are currently preparing these analyses for a peer-reviewed publication.
Exploitation Route The results have important implications for outcomes of forest restoration, through natural regeneration and active restoration, and demonstrate where some limitations may exist. We are seeking follow-on funding to enhance our mechanistic understanding of the ecological processes at play.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment
 
Title Tropical forest seedling trait data collected in Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia, in February 2020 
Description This dataset includes values of 15 traits (total dry mass; root length to shoot length ratio; leaf mass fraction; root mass fraction; shoot mass fraction; leaf thickness; leaf force to punch; leaf area to shoot area ratio; leaf concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg; leaf N: P concentration ratio; specific maximum root length) measured in February 2020 on 394 seedlings of 15 woody plant species growing in logged in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve or unlogged forest in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Malaysia. The purpose of this data collection was to determine whether the expression of plant functional traits differed between tree seedlings recruited into logged and unlogged forests. This information is important for understanding the drivers of variation in seedling growth and survival in response to logging disturbance, and to uncover the mechanisms giving rise to differentiation in tree seedling composition in response to logging. These data were collected as part of NERC project "Seeing the fruit for the trees in Borneo: responding to an unpredictable community-level fruiting event" (NE/T006560/1). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact We are currently preparing a manuscript for publications based on analyses of these data, and preparing an application for follow-on funding as a result of the interesting observations.