Our overall objective in this project is to replant the sedge area in the Natural Laboratory, a large strip of land 1 km wide running the length of the Sabangau River adjacent to our research forest. This project is at an early stage with two main current objectives: (i) to germinate and grow a large number of seedlings and saplings for transplantation into deforested areas; and (ii) to identify which species can successfully survive and grow in cleared areas. We are experimenting with many different tree species, but are focusing on native, light- and water-tolerant species.

Six hundred and fifty saplings were transplanted into the sedge swamp during the 2009 dry season.  In 2010 and 2011, our efforts were concentrated on collecting, germinating and growing seeds and wildlings, and expanding the nursery.