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The data presented in this paper is supporting the research article “Life history traits predict the response to increased light among 33 tropical rainforest tree species” [3]. We show basic growth and survival data collected over the 6 years duration of the experiment, as well as data from traits inventories covering 12 tree traits collected prior to and after a canopy reduction treatment in 2013. Further, we also include canopy closure and forest light environment data from measurements with hemispherical photographs before and after the treatment.

Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB), an investment subsidiary of the Sabah Foundation has embarked on an extensive Research and Development program for teak (Tectona grandis), a highly prized timber species. Through ICSB's joint collaboration with CIRAD-Forêt, a French R and D organization, a plant improvement program was initiated in the early 1990's. Special efforts have been devoted to vegetative propagation strategies based on the development of efficient techniques, both at the laboratory and at the nursery levels Materials from mature selected plus trees (ortets) from a broad genetic base, and seeds of presumed high genetic value but in restricted number, were multiplied by using a well-developed tissue culture technique at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory. Additionally, seed lots from natural forest stands, plantations and a multi-provenance clonal seed orchard (CSO) were obtained. These were germinated and used to establish two main provenance / progeny trials in two different locations within ICSB concession in east Sabah. Malaysia, in addition to other numerous conservation and demonstration plots. Data of six-year old trees from these provenance / progeny trials illustrated the great potential of the CSO materials especially in terms of growth rate compared to the other origins under the prevailing conditions, Advanced selection of genotypes combining various traits of major economical value i.e, wood characteristics, is underway. These genotypes and their progenies will be further tested in different sites in the immediate future. The ownership of such a rich germplasm coupled to the efficiency of the developed techniques offers a tremendous potential for genetic improvement, selection and mass production for large-scale plantations of higher yield and superior quality. Commercial production of selected materials from this rich genetic base will then ensue as tissue culture-issued materials for overseas markets.

Teak is one of the most important commercial tree species of the Tropics. The growth performance of teak in several regions of the world was studied here and compared to the growth rates obtained in several trial plots in Sabah. Formulae describing the relationships among age, height, volume, total timber yield and yield of stem wood in other world regions were used to estimate the yield of the Sabah's plots. According to this study, teak appears to have a remarkable interest for the planting programmes of the region.

In 1989, Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) and CIRAD-Forêt started a research programme on rattan silviculture, aimed to assist the ICSB's large-scale project for the enrichment of a logged-over forest through rattan plantation. The plantation method consisted of line planting of rattans under the mixed dipterocarps-pioneers forest. Several silviculture experiments are presented here. A first set of experiment has been set up in the nursery, testing nursery elements as fertilisation, soil, light and size of the polybags. A second set has been established in the field, testing in the real plantation conditions the application of fertilisers, shade adjustments and the optimal age and size of the seedlings for the plantation. Further observations were carried out in the commercial plantation, with the aim of studying the relationships among environment conditions and rattan growth, and to survey the rattan growth along the years. This series of studies suggested that there are two main elements on which to concentrate the efforts: a) the quality of the plants produced by the nursery, that need to be at least 1.5 years old, strong and relatively tall (50-100 cm according to the species); b) the site conditions, avoiding to enrich forests that are too densely populated by dipterocarps, that with their competition for light and other environment factors can considerably slow down the rattan growth.

An harvesting trial was done in the rattan plantation of Innoprise Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (ICSB) at the Luasong Forestry Centre. Three one-ha plots of a 8-year-old C. caesius plantation were harvested. The processed canes were measuredfor length and weight. The average yield ofprocessed cane was 0. 18 ton per ha.

In 1987, Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) embarked on a large-scale project for the enrichment of a logged-over forest through planting rattan. In 1989, CIRAD-Forêt joined the project to bring scientific assistance to the research on rattan silviculture and genetics. The method consisted of rattan line plantings under loggedover forest. This system showed some limitations, mainly due to the lack of control on competitors (such as surrounding trees, bamboo and lianas) and on environmental variability (extremely large at the site), that resulted in rattan stands with heterogeneous growth. Studies of the effect of environmental variability on rattan growth, and of methods to control it, began in 1994. A first study focused on the correlation between rattan growth and a number of environmental variables. The results showed that competition from surrounding dipterocarp trees was the main factor in the variability of rattan growth. It allowed definition of which forest types are most suitable for rattan enrichment. Another study focused on the effect of light on rattan growth. Trials were established both in the nursery and in the field. The nursery trials showed that each rattan species has special requirements in terms of light. The field trials allowed quantification of the gain in rattan growth that can be obtained through shade adjustment interventions. Both these studies provided important information to the ICSB's rattan project for improved planting management.