Influences of fern and vine coverage on the above-ground biomass recovery in a Bornean logged-over degraded secondary forest

Tropical secondary forests are widespread in the anthropogenically modified landscapes. Because tropical were known to show a steady rate of above-ground biomass (AGB) recovery, they expected play crucial role carbon sequestration. However, preliminary survey logged-over Borneo, some patches covered with ferns and vines do not seem recover steadily despite fact that several decades have passed since last logging. The presence abundance fern/vine thickets may affect AGB but few studies investigated effects thickets. We established total seventeen 20-m radius circular plots forests, Sabah, Malaysia, varying degree coverage, tested hypothesis greater coverage would retard recovery. net accumulation from 2014 2019 was lower higher coverage. Our bound much than previously reported rates elsewhere. number newly recruited small-diameter trees lower, mortality remnant increasing growth extant pioneer trees, which significantly contribute initial build-up phase succession, inhibited when canopy. study suggests succession is arrested recoverability forest stands formerly predicted by thick vines.