Testing the role of tree diversity in the restoration of functioning tropical forest using a long-term experiment and drone-based remote sensing. CASE

In 2002, we established one of the world's largest ecological studies - Sabah Biodiversity Experiment - to experimentally test the role of biodiversity in the restoration of logged tropical forest ecosystems. We have a long-term database of field measurements but these traditional approaches are time consuming and expensive and we require new technologies to scale up to the landscape level. Here we propose to combine the long-term data from Sabah Biodiversity Experiment with new drone and remote sensing technologies developed by our partner BioCarbon Engineering to test the effectiveness of our restoration treatments.

Aims of the project
- To test the efficacy of new drone and remote sensing technology for more efficient and detailed monitoring of the structure and functioning of tropical forests.
- To use the Sabah Biodiversity Experiment treatments to compare the effectiveness of different rehabilitation techniques in restoring logged tropical forests.
- To produce evidence-based management recommendations for the restoration of logged tropical forest ecosystems.

Methods to be used
We will combine existing long-term experimental field data with new drone and remote sensing approaches including the following methods:

- Tropical field data collection (Sabah, Malaysian Borneo)
- Data science methods for long-term monitoring.
- Statistical analysis of multilevel data.
- Drone-based remote sensing for data collection and mapping (in collaboration with BioCarbon Engineering)