Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research Universiti Brunei Darussalam Edited by: Rahayu Sukmaria binti Haji Sukri Kushan U. Tennakoon Compiled by: Rodzay bin Haji Abdul Wahab Hajah Roshanizah binti Haji Rosli Designed by: Aiman Fatin Naqibah binti Khairudin Dk Noor Ummiatul Afiqah binti Pg Zainalabidin Siti Rafhiah binti Haji Abdul Kahar Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research Universiti Brunei Darussalam Jalan Universiti BE 1410 Brunei Darussalam www.ubd.edu.bn/iber Front cover photo: Credit : Merlin Tuttle Caption: The woolly bat Kerivoula hardwickii emerging from the pitcher plant Nepenthes hemsleyana after taking a nap. Nepenthes hemsleyana relies on a unique prey trapping strategy. It attracts woolly bats to roost in its upper pitchers in return for nitrogen-rich feces dropped into the pitcher by the roosting bats. It is estimated that the plant derives on average 33.8% of its total foliar nitrogen from the animals' droppings. Published in 2016 by Universiti Brunei Darussalam Jalan Universiti BE 1410 Brunei Darussalam ©2016 Universiti Brunei Darussalam All right 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 / [edited by Rahayu Sukmaria binti Haji Sukri and Kushan U. Tennakoon]. ; [compiled by Rodzay bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Hajah Roshanizah binti Haji Rosli]. -- Bandar Seri Begawan : Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, 2016. p. cm ISBN 978-99917-1-311-3 (Kulit Lembut) 1. Biodiversity--research 2. Biodiversity I. Rahayu Sukmaria binti Haji Sukri II. Tennakoon, Kushan U. 333.95072 RES (DDC 23) Table of Contents Director’s Message 1 IBER Scope 2 Research Fellowships 3 IBER Plots 9 Research at KBFSC 11 Terrestrial Research: Animals 12 Terrestrial Research: Plants 18 Terrestrial Research: Ecosystems 34 Marine and Freshwater Research 40 Interdisciplinary Research 50 Applied Research 52 Vision To be a Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Environmental Research Mission Undertake Innovative Research, Education & Outreach Activities in Tropical Biodiversity and Environmental Studies Message from IBER Director Creating strength through its UBD has a proud and long tradition diversity of institution, Universiti of fostering and promoting Brunei Darussalam’s Institute for biodiversity and environmental Biodiversity and Environmental research dating back to the days of Research (IBER) enters its 3rd year. the University’s founding in 1985. We are extremely proud of what we Milestones since then include the have achieved so far in the research establishment of a world class Field frontier since our inception in Research Centre in Kuala Belalong September 2013. (Kuala Belalong Field Studies The establishment of the Institute Centre), participation and leadership Associate Professor for Biodiversity and Environmental of UBD staff and students in Dr Kushan U. Tennakoon Research (IBER) by His Majesty the expeditions to Lanjak Entimau and Director, Sultan & Yang Di- Pertuan of Brunei Paya Maga in Sarawak, Malaysia, and Institute for Biodiversity and Darussalam, Chancellor of Universiti to the Sungai Ingei Conservation Environmental Research Brunei Darussalam at the 25th Forest and Mount Pagon in Brunei Convocation Ceremony on 12th Darussalam. Another expedition to September 2013 highlights the Bukit Teraja in the Belait District of Furthermore, a number of our importance accorded to biodiversity Brunei Darussalam is currently academic staff members have and environmental research by UBD. planned. A three-day rapid established very fruitful self-funded biodiversity assessment as a research collaborations with The diversity of plants, animals and precursor to a full expedition to reputed universities, research other life forms in the spectrum of Bukit Teraja has already completed. institutes, natural history museums biological habitats represented in and botanical gardens to carry our Brunei Darussalam is sizeable, IBER research and educational research and joint educational varied and comprises many unique projects focus on both terrestrial programs. features. Brunei Darussalam holds a and marine biodiversity throughout wealth of natural richness. This is Brunei Darussalam, as well as their Some of these research projects and both a resource and heritage, which interactions with its environment. new discoveries are showcased for merits a special approach for its Coordination of research, education the first time in this book. It is with continued research, understanding and outreach activities of the UBD’s great pride and personal pleasure and documentation, and premier international field research that I invite you to enjoy “IBER- presentation of its significant facility, the Kuala Belalong Field Research Highlights” with the hope findings to conserve, especially Studies Centre (KBFSC) is a special that these pages will give you a protect, develop or manage. This emphasis of the IBER. glimpse of Biodiversity and approach for the systematic Environmental Research that the organization and enhancement of Biodiversity and environmental academics, researchers and students biodiversity knowledge finds its research at UBD received substantial of IBER have done and continue to focus through the functions of the and significant support in recent do. IBER. years through sizeable amounts of research funding from the UBD Three major aims of the IBER are to research grant scheme (URC), further develop biodiversity Department of Economic Planning research in Brunei Darussalam, help and Development (JPKE) and the to achieve the economic vision of Brunei Research Council (BRC). Wawasan 2035, and to help meet the Some of our researchers have been objectives of the Convention on able to attract external funding Biological Diversity (CBD), to which through organizations such as Brunei Darussalam is a party by AKECOP (ASEAN- Korea accession. Environmental Cooperation Project) and US-Fulbright Program. 1 IBER scope 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: Organize, promote develop and undertake research, teaching, training and other professional programs in the areas of tropical biodiversity and environmental studies. Provide and coordinate facilities and logistic support for field and laboratory research, teaching, training and other professional programs. Establish, elucidate and collate environmental databases on Brunei Darussalam’s biodiversity and environmental data. Develop human resources in the fields of tropical biodiversity and environmental sciences through long and short term research, training and educational programs. Establish close associations and collaborations with other universities, research institutes, natural history museums, botanical gardens and professional bodies. 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). Coordinate research directions & education programs, funding contribution & other forms of support to KBFSC as a special research emphasis. Publish academic knowledge in reputed journals, bulletins, newsletters or other scientific literature, and organize conferences, workshops or symposia. 2 Research Fellowship UBD/IBER Research Fellowship 2014/2015 The establishment of a Brand New 15-ha Large Tree Plot The UBD/IBER Research Fellowship for 2014/2015 was order to relate tree growth, mortality and recruitment awarded to Dr Shengbin Chen (Nanjing Institute of rates to soil fertility and topography. Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China). This plot is the first ‘giant’ tree plot in the world and will provide important information of how tropical In cooperation with the Ministry of Primary Resources and forests contribute to controlling atmospheric green Tourism (MPRT), particularly the Brunei Herbarium within house gasses. There is considerable debate whether the Forestry Department, a 15-ha vegetation plot has been tropical forests are currently carbon sinks or sources, established in the undisturbed forest compartments of the and this plot may contribute to solving this question. Andulau Forest Reserve. This plot is especially focused on This is the first plot in what will hopefully become a ‘giant trees’, i.e. trees with a diameter of at least 50 cm, network of similar plots across Brunei. which are emergent trees with heights varying between 30 and 60 m. Such ‘giant’ trees have recently come into the spotlight because, as keystone components of tropical Dr Shengbin’s local collaborators were AP Dr Ferry Slik, Dr forests, they have gone in strong decline due to over- Rahayu Sukri and Dr Faizah Metali, Faculty of Science, exploitation in many parts of the tropics. UBD. In this study we focus mostly on the carbon storage potential of these trees, and how it fluctuates over time.