Universiti Brunei Darussalam

2.0 ACTIVITIES

2.1 RESEARCH

UBD- KBFSC Research Fellowship

The UBD- KBFSC Research Fellowship for the year 2011 has been awarded to Dr. Radim Hedl (Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic). During the year-long fellowship tenure Dr. Hedl will be working on a project entitled "Tree dynamics in a primary tropical forest: role of environmental variables on a fine scale".

This project will utilize tree dynamics data generated over 20 years at the KBFSC. In the proposed study, precisely measured data on tree growth in 1-hectare permanent monitoring plots will be correlated to soil and light parameters. The main aim of this research is to elucidate how fine-scale variation in important environmental conditions influences the dynamics of trees in this lowland tropical rain forest. This is crucial for understanding the key processes shaping this ecosystem, but investigations in this field of tropical forest ecology remain as yet relatively scarce. This project will employ novel techniques of data collection and evaluation and will benefit from collaboration of staff from Universiti Brunei Darussalam with the postdoctoral research fellow, and indirectly with his home team of experts. The project output will be both of scientific and public importance, increasing our understanding of the valuable mixed dipterocarp forest ecosystems in the Sultanate.

Dr. Radim's local collaborators are Dr. Rahayu Sukri and Dr. Faizah Metali of the Biology Program, Faculty of Science, UBD. Work on this project is due to commence in April 2011.

The CTFS-AA/UBD-KBFSC 25-ha Forest Dynamics Plot

With sponsorship from HSBC Brunei, the Center for Tropical Forest Science, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University (CTFS-AA) and Universiti Brunei Darussalam are establishing a 25-hectare forest dynamics plot in lowland mixed dipterocarp forest at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) in Ulu Temburong. By measuring and monitoring over 160,000 trees in more than 1,000 tree species, the project aims to understand the effects of climate change on the forests of Brunei. Climate change impacts will be measured by monitoring carbon storage and fluxes, as well as changes in tree diversity and dynamics.

The principal investigators of this project are Dr. Kamariah Abu Salim of Biology program Faculty of Science and Dr. Stuart Davies of CTFS-AA. The project is managed by a Plot Manager, Mr. Khoo Min Sheng. Intensive fieldwork of this initiative started in October 2009. To date, five graduates from the UBD Biology Program have worked as field team leaders. Up to now more than 300 traverse points and 2000 extra features as well as more than 28,000 trees or about 20% of the estimated total of trees in the plot have been surveyed, mapped and measured across the entire 25-hectare plot.

Since the inception of this project four Climate Camps at the KBFSC have been organized by HSBC Climate Champions. The latest was recently held in March 2011. This ongoing initiative has so far enabled more than 50 HSBC employees and UBD undergraduates to learn about the forests of Brunei and how climate change may affect them, and a better appreciation of the global forest dynamics programs.

Frog Studies

Currently, AP Dr. Ulmar Grafe (Biology Program, Faculty of Science) and his students are investigating three topics at the KBFSC:

the sensory ecology of frog-biting midges,
the community ecology of Bornean frogs, and
the movement patterns, habitat use, and diet of tropical ranid frogs.

Members of this research team are investigating the role of frog-biting midges in the lives of frogs to better understand disease dynamics in animal populations and as a model system of co-evolutionary relationships. The forests in Brunei Darussalam are ideal for such studies because one can study epidemiology and host-parasite relationships under natural conditions.

They are also studying the community ecology of anuran communities within the lowland mixed dipterocarp rain forests and comparing their diversity across sites in northwestern Borneo. Relatively few studies have examined species turnover in tropical frogs despite such knowledge being important in understanding the relative roles of historical and current ecological processes in maintaining tropical frog diversity and predicting their responses to climate change.

Finally, they are comparing the movement patterns, habitat use, and diet of pioneer and native ranid frogs to better understand the structuring features of frog assemblages and the factors involved in ecological meltdown in altered forest ecosystems.

Habitat Effects on the Floristic Composition at the KBFSC

Dr. Rahayu Sukri (Biology Program, Faculty of Science) focuses on investigating the mechanisms that enable various plant species to coexist and maintain high plant diversity at this lowland mixed dipterocarp forest site. The topographic heterogeneity of Belalong makes it an interesting site to investigate the role of niche specialization as a mechanism of plant species coexistence. This topographic variation generates local-scale edaphic and environmental variation that may encourage fine-scale resource partitioning.

As part of her recently completed PhD study at the University of Aberdeen, she investigated the influence of habitat effects on the floristic composition and community structure of Dipterocarpaceae trees at Belalong. She is currently continuing this line of investigation at Belalong and expanding her research to examine the influence of habitat effects on the community structure of non-dipterocarp trees as well. She is also interested in the dynamics of tropical forest communities, and will be starting a collaborative project in April 2011 with Dr. Radim Hedl, the KBSFC research fellow, to re-census the four permanent 1-hectare plots at KBFSC.

Studies on Aquatic Mites

AP Dr. David Marshall (Biology Program, Faculty of Science) is involved in a UBD-funded research project to document the aquatic mite fauna of Brunei Darussalam. No published data are presently available for this taxonomic group in the country, which serves as a key indicator group for the level of disturbance of natural ecosystems. The diversity of these mites declines rapidly in disturbed systems. Aquatic mites are found in marine and freshwater systems, and collections will be made at KBFSC in the latter part March 2011 as part of the project. An international expert on halacarid mites, Dr Tapas Chatterjee, is a collaborator and is currently in the country working on the project.

Studies on Wildlife

Dr Joseph K. Charles (Biology Program, Faculty of Science) has been recently awarded a UBD grant on the project entitled "The status and distribution of endangered cats and other wildlife in dipterocarp forests of Brunei Darussalam". Under the auspices of this project, he will investigate the distribution and status of endangered cats and other wildlife in the dipterocarp forests of Brunei including the forests of KBFSC. A number of salt licks/mineral pools have been discovered in Belalong during earlier surveys by Dr. Charles. These are special areas of immense nutritional value to wildlife especially herbivores. Such areas are regarded are priority areas of conservation significance and should be included in the management plan of Wildlife Sanctuaries/National Parks and carefully protected. A post-graduate student will investigate the value of these salt licks and to wildlife visiting them. An array of camera traps will be used to survey elusive wildlife especially the endangered cats as part of a nationwide survey both in Belalong and elsewhere.

International Consortium of Universities for the Study of Biodiversity and the Environment (iCUBE)

Guide to research at KBFSC

Research proposal to conduct research at KBFSC should follow the instruction given for the compilation of UBD research grant. Further information is available at Graduate Studies and Reasearch Office page

2.2 EDUCATION

As part of community service, KBFSC offers an educational outreach programme for secondary schools with the aim to improve environmental awareness and further stimulate interest in conservation and research among the young people of the country. To achieve this, the activities organised during the programme are designed to create opportunities for young people to have direct experience of the natural environment, provide knowledge of the natural history of the Brunei rainforest and understanding of rainforest ecology. The educational outreach programme at KBFSC has been well received by schools since its commencement in 1992. Annually, KBFSC schedules between 18 to 22 school groups from all over the country to participate in this programme. KBFSC is also a venue for field courses and other teaching activities for university undergraduates from both local and overseas academic institutions since its establishment.