Edited by: Rahayu Sukmaria Sukri Kushan U. Tennakoon Compiled by: Rodzay bin Haji Abdul Wahab Nurul Hazlina binti Zaini Siti Rafhiah binti Haji Abdul Kahar Designed by: Wong Jia Yi @ Jasmine Front Cover Left: A wild orchid found in Belalong, Dendrobium treacherianum Right: The green crested lizard, Bronchocela cristatella Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research Universiti Brunei Darussalam Lebuhraya Tungku BE 1410 Brunei Darussalam www.ubd.edu.bn/faculties-and-institutes/iber First Published 2014 by Universiti Brunei Darussalam Lebuhraya Tungku BE1410 Brunei Darussalam ©2014 Universiti Brunei Darussalam All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission, in writing, from the publisher. Perpustakaan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei Cataloguing-in-publication RESEARCH: Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research Universiti Brunei Darussalam / [compiled by Rodzay bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Siti Rafhiah binti Haji Abdul Kahar, Nurul Hazlina binti Zaini ; edited by Rahayu Sukmaria Sukri, Kushan U. Tennakoon].--Bandar Seri Begawan : Universiti Brunei Darussalam, 2014. p. cm ISBN 978-99917-1-268-0 (Kulit Keras) 1. Biological diversity-Brunei Darussalam-Research 333.9509595507 RES (DDC 22) Table of Contents Director’s Foreword i IBER Scope ii IBER/KBFSC Research Fellowship 2013 1 UBD/KBFSC Research Fellowship 2012 2 UBD/KBFSC Research Fellowship 2011 3 IBER Permanent Forest Dynamics Plot Network 4 UBD-KBFSC/CTFS-Harvard University 25-ha Forest Dynamics Plot 5 KBFSC Greening by the UBD|IBM Centre 6 KBFSC research projects 7 Terrestrial research: Animals 8 Terrestrial research: Plants 15 Terrestrial research: Ecosystems 27 Marine and aquatic research 34 Applied research 45 i Vision To be a Centre of Excellence for Ecosystem Studies Mission Undertake Innovative Research, Education & Outreach Activities in Tropical World in General Biodiversity and Environmental Studies for the Benefit of the Nation and the ii Director’sDirector’s Forewordforward The establishment of the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) highlights the importance accorded to biodiversity and environmental research by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). The diversity of plants, animals and other life forms in the spectrum of biological habitats represented in Brunei Darussalam is sizeable, varied and comprises many unique features. Brunei Darussalam holds a wealth of natural richness. This is both a resource and heritage, which merits a special approach for its continued research, understanding and documentation, and presentation of its significant findings to conserve, especially protect, develop or manage. This approach for the systematic organization and enhancement of biodiversity knowledge finds its focus through the functions of the IBER. UBD has a proud and long tradition of fostering and promoting biodiversity and environmental research dating back to the days of the University’s founding in 1985. Milestones since 1985 include the establishment of a world class Field Research Centre in Kuala Belalong (KBFSC), participation and leadership of UBD staff and students in two expeditions by the Sarawak Forestry Department to Lanjak Entimau and Paya Maga, and by the current UBD-led expeditions to the Sungai Ingei Conservation Forest and Mt Pagon, Brunei Darussalam. Another expedition is currently planned to Bukit Teraja in the Belait District of Brunei Darussalam. In June 2014, a team of researchers undertook a three-day rapid biodiversity assessment as a precursor to a full expedition to Bukit Teraja. Biodiversity and environmental research at UBD received substantial and significant support in recent years through sizeable amounts of research funding from the UBD research grant scheme (URC), Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) and the Brunei Research Council (BRC). Three major aims of the IBER are to further develop biodiversity research in Brunei Darussalam, help to achieve the economic vision of Wawasan 2035, and to help meet the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to which Brunei Darussalam is a party by accession. Coordination of research, education and outreach activities of the UBD’s premier international field research facility, the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) is a special emphasis of the IBER. In addition, IBER research and educational projects focus on both terrestrial and marine biodiversity throughout Brunei Darussalam, as well as the interactions between biodiversity and its environment. Associate Professor Dr. Kushan U. Tennakoon Director, Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research IBER Scope ii The Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) functions as the focal agency within UBD for the systematic organisation and enhancement of biodiversity and environmental knowledge through its research, education and outreach programs. The establishment of IBER highlights the importance accorded to biodiversity and environmental research by UBD. The Institute’s objectives are to: 1. organize, promote develop and undertake research, teaching, training and other professional programs in the areas of tropical biodiversity and environmental studies. 2. provide and coordinate facilities and logistic support for field and laboratory research, teaching, training and other professional programs. 3. establish, elucidate and collate environmental databases on Brunei Darussalam’s biodiversity and environmental data. 4. develop human resources in the fields of tropical biodiversity and environmental sciences through long and short term research, training and educational programs. 5. establish close associations and collaborations with other universities, research institutes, natural history museums, botanical gardens and professional bodies. 6. be the institute of coordination for international and local programs related to tropical biodiversity and environmental studies and activities (including iCUBE and UBD’s collaborations with the Heart of Borneo initiative). 7. coordinate research directions & education programs, funding contribution & other forms of support to KBFSC as a special research emphasis. 8. publish academic knowledge in reputed journals, bulletins, newsletters or other scientific literature, and organize conferences, workshops or symposia. Research Fellowship IBER/KBFSC Research Fellowship 2013/2014 The UBD/IBER Research Fellowship for the year 2013/ 2014 has been awarded to Dr. Claas Damken (School of Environment, University of Auckland, New Zealand- an iCUBE partner university). Dr. Damken is working on an “Inventory of insect diversity of tropical forests in Brunei Darussalam and comparison of species traits of a functional guild using multiple data Dr. Claas Damken sampling at the Tutong White Sands sets”. In particular, he is collecting Heteroptera or so-called true bugs for a species checklist and an online database for this group. Furthermore, he is conducting a study on the ecology of dung beetles and is looking at fly diversity in Mangrove forests. The heteropterans sometimes look like beetles, but the latter have chewing mouthparts whereas heteropterans have sucking mouth parts. Heteropterans undergo an incomplete development; juveniles (nymphs) have several stages, each resembling the adult form, but yet without wings. Many heteropterans feed on plant tissue; others are predators on insects or spiders, while some feed on fungi or are parasitic on birds and bats. Different true bugs can be found in and on the water, on the ground, in the litter, on grasses, herbs and shrubs, on and under the bark of trees and of course high up in the canopy. According to a first examination of the material collected by Dr. Damken in 2014, at least 175 different species of true bugs were found in the vicinity of the field station alone, but the final number for Belalong is expected to be closer to 250. An online database with high quality pictures and an interactive key will be developed as part of this project, to facilitate future research on this ecologically important group of insects at Belalong and in other areas of Borneo. Dr. Damken’s local collaborators are Rodzay bin Haji Abd Wahab and Teddy Chua Wee Li (IBER), and Prof Ulmar Grafe (IBER & FOS). Please contact the Director of IBER, AP Dr. Kushan Tennakoon for further details of this annual fellowship ([email protected]) 1 Research Fellowship UBD/KBFSC Research Fellowship 2012/2013 The UBD/KBFSC Research Fellowship for 2012 was awarded to Dr. Aline Horwath (Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK). Dr. Horwath investigated the use of “Bryophytes as indicators of ecological and climatic variation in different forest types of Brunei Darussalam”. The objective of this project was to survey the forest canopy flora and demonstrate that species distribution patterns and ecophysiological properties of the epiphytic bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) can provide valuable clues about the microclimatic conditions found in different forest types of Brunei Darussalam. Canopy access facilitated the recording of microclimatic data, and the collecting of plant Dr. Aline Horwarth surveying specimens along microhabitat gradients and bryophytes up a tree. across a complex forest ecosystem matrix. Stable isotope markers (13C, 18O and D) will serve as sensitive tracers of environmental conditions,