Malaysian scientists are making a global impact in the discipline of tropical forest hydrology. Recent hydrological research conducted within Sabah and other Malaysian states has the potential to provide new scientific evidence to further underpin Malaysia's reputation in developing methods of 'reduced impact logging' and forest management certification. This academic synthesis addresses the forestry relevance of local hydrological research on quantifying and mitigating the affects of canopy disturbance, road construction, ground skidding, disturbance to nutrients and disturbance to the water-courses. Greater collaboration between the hydrologists and foresters can only support efforts to enhance the social, economic and environmental services offered by tropical forests.