Sciuridae density and impacts of forest disturbance in the Sabangau Tropical Peat-Swamp Forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Charlotte Schep 10,056 words Thesis submitted for the degree of MSc Conservation, Dept of Geography, UCL (University College London) August, 2014 August, 2014
[email protected] Sciuridae density and impacts of forest disturbance in the Sabangau Tropical Peat-Swamp Forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Name & Student Number: Charlotte Schep - 1012214 Supervisor: Julian Thompson ABSTRACT The investigation of aimed to broaden the knowledge of Sciuridae in the Sabangau at the Natural Laboratory of Peat Swamp Forest (NLSPF). The wider surrounding area is known to contain the largest remaining contiguous lowland forest‐block on Borneo, which provides a refuge for its high biodiversity as well as threatened endemic species such as the Bornean Orang-utan. The research compared two sites, one of more pristine and untouched peat-swamp forest and the other more influenced by edge effects, for density and richness of squirrel species. The differences in vegetation structure were investigated using canopy cover and diameter at breast height data and the squirrel density surveys used line-transect (later analysed using the DISTANCE software). The results confirmed the hypothesized differences between the two sites, with a lower encounter rate and density observed on the outer transects (1.7 sq/km; 0.74) and higher on the inner transects (2.6 sq/ km; 0.84). Moreover the results highlighted squirrel preferences for higher and interconnected canopy cover and an increased density of mature fruiting trees. An analysis of the literature context revealed a lack of research in this area particularly in comparison with other flagship species in Borneo.