Establishing the relative importance of a rainforest microcosm in oil palm plantations

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Palm oil is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on Earth and the expansion of oil palm (Elaies guineensis) plantations is a major contributor to the loss of terrestrial biodiversity1. Efforts to improve the sustainability of palm oil production include engagement with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)certification schemes2-3 . Ecological approaches that restore ecosystem function to oil palm plantationswhilst simultaneously enhancing oil palm health and productivity meet the objectives of the RSPO as well as palm oil producers1-3. The world's largest epiphytic ferns (Asplenium nidus; bird's nest ferns) are hotspots of biodiversity in rainforest canopies4-7 and a unique feature of the original rainforest habitat able to thrive in oil palm plantations1. Adapted to withstand extremes in climate and nutrient availability, the ferns can reach higher abundances in oil palm plantations than in rainforest habitats8. Research on the biodiversity and ecosystem function of the bird's nest fern mesocosm4-10 has revealed that its suspendedsoils include enough invertebrates to double the estimate of the invertebrate biomass of an entire rainforest canopy4. Here, we propose to examine the influence of A. nidus leachate on soil biodiversity and biogeochemical processes immediately below the epiphyte, and assess the effect on palm productivity, to determine whether the introduction of A. nidus into oil palm plantations could restore ecosystem functionthroughout millions of hectares of degraded oil palm landscapes. Such is the urgency of increasing oil palm sustainability, that if we show improved ecosystem functionality, the RSPO will stipulate the introduction of A. nidus into plantations, and thus we will influence government policies and management practices around the world. Our aims are to: (1) assess the biogeochemistry of A. nidus suspended soils, leachate,and ground soil; and (2) determine if ground soil nutrient cycling and biodiversity is improved, therebyenhancing ecosystem functionality in plantations.