Borneo Forests Grow Faster When Vines Are Cut

Researchers in Malaysian Borneo discovered that cutting woody vines, known as lianas, allows logged forests to regain canopy height three times faster than tree planting alone. Lianas are common in tropical forests, but can overtake trees in disturbed areas, hindering regeneration by competing for resources.

The study, conducted as part of the Sabah Biodiversity Experiment, used LiDAR technology to measure forest structure over time, comparing plots where lianas were cut with those where saplings were planted and control plots. Results showed that cutting lianas not only increased canopy height by 27 centimeters per year but also lowered tree mortality.

The findings suggest liana cutting is a cost-effective method for restoring logged forests, potentially as much as ten times cheaper than traditional planting. While further research is needed to assess the impact on biodiversity, scientists are exploring ways to balance tree growth with the needs of other forest species.