RAINFOR GEM Intensive Plots Manual (pdf) - University of Oxford

Example 3: Here is a large liana on Rhino Ridge Trail near the Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah, Malaysia(the drawing of the tree shows where close-ups #1-4 were taken). This liana is corded (close-up #4) and hasthree stems at both 1.3 m and 1.6 m vertical height above the ground. Where to tag and measure this tree (if itwere in a census plot)? Firstly, the liana would get one tag only and that on the main vertical stem (not thebranch looping down). The first diameter at 1.3 m would then be measured further down on that stem, pushingthe cords together as much as possible to make the measurement. Next, we need the main rooting point: inclose-up #2 three large cords enter the ground at three different points and of these we select “the lastsubstantial rooting point before the stem ascends” (Schnitzer et al. 2008), in this case the one in the middle ofthe path. The second diameter at 1.3 m along the stem from that rooting point could then be measured, althoughwith a little digging because the liana is growing along the ground at that point (i.e. passing the diameter tapearound the stem below ground level). Finally, the maximum diameter within 2.5 m of the ground could also befound, which here also occurs while the liana is on the ground.25