Lofty plans for world’s tallest tropical forest

KOTA KINABALU: A detailed study on the world’s tallest tropical forest is underway to determine its exact location and feasibility as an eco-tourism draw.

The forest is located within the 438sq km Danum Valley conservation area, about twice the size of Penang island.

Sabah Forestry Department director Datuk Sam Mannan said research teams would have to quantify the trees and identify their species and exact location.

“We will also have to look at the conditions of the soil and root system to determine whether it will be suitable to allow visitors there,” said Mannan.

“We don’t want to see the trees disturbed. If we feel it is safe to allow the public into the area, we can cut a track and build a station there. Our personnel will have to be in the area full time.”

He added that there was great interest in knowing more about these tallest tropical trees.

However, authorities are unsure if the species is yellow seraya or manggaris.

While American researchers had identified the tallest tree at 94.1m at the Danum Valley, Mannan said there were possibly hundreds of other trees that were at least 80m to 90m tall in the area.

He added that the tallest tropical tree was comparable to the famed Redwood forest in California, which is home to the world’s tallest tree standing between 110m and 115m.

Carnigie Airborne Observatory leader Prof Dr Gregory Asner said at the recent international conference on the Heart of Borneo here that they had identified 33 of the tallest tropical rainforest trees in Danum Valley.