24. a. Natural Forest - Sabah Forestry Department

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
24
Natural Forest Ecology and Management
Research
Timber yield from second entry logging in the lowland
mixed dipterocarp forest of Deramakot, Sabah
Whilst timber production from first entry logging in
dipterocarp forests is well reported, there is relatively little
published information on timber yields from logged forests.
Such information is useful in providing an indication of the
long-term sustainability of timber output from repeated
logging. A study was carried out on timber yield from second
entry logging in the lowland mixed dipterocarp forest of the
Deramakot Forest Reserve, Sabah. Logging operations in
Deramakot follow the standards prescribed in the Reduced
Impact Logging (RIL) Guidelines for Sabah. To date, reduced
impact logging has been carried out in 19 compartments in
Deramakot, averaging about 513 ha in size. Timber yield from
these compartments were analysed. The proportion of each
compartment actually affected by logging operations was
27.8 %. Logging intensity averaged 8.6 trees ha-1, or roughly,
55 m3 ha-1. Salvaged timber yield was 5.2 m3 ha-1. These
comprised those parts of the tree not extracted during the main
timber extraction operations, such as short logs, hollow logs,
butt ends, and large branches. The dipterocarps accounted
for the largest proportion of merchantable timber yield from
Deramakot: Keruing (Dipterocarpus spp) 28.7%, Red Seraya
(Shorea spp.) 23.2%, and White Seraya (Parashorea spp.)
12.7%. Timber output from second entry logging in Deramakot
was lower than those figures reported from logging operations
using similar harvesting guidelines (RIL) in the primary forests
of Sabah.
form of infection or wounding of the wood, perhaps only one
in a hundred wild gaharu trees will have the valuable resinous
wood. If planted trees can be induced to form the valuable
resinous wood, this should put an end to the poaching of wild
trees.
In March 2007, the FRC embarked on a joint project
with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), and
the Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology, to test the
effectiveness of artificially inducing the formation of gaharu
resin using a method that was developed by the University of
Minnesota. The inducement trials were carried out on 14-yr
old planted Aquilaria trees at FRC’s experimental plantations
in Sook, Keningau. Treated trees will be sampled for gaharu
resin formation one year after inducement.
Forest restoration
Forest restoration is high on the current agenda of the
Forestry Department. Research is expected to play a key role
in support of the Department’s efforts at restoring degraded
forests. With RMK-9 funding from the Federal Ministry of
Natural Resources & Environment, the FRC was able to
continue its current research on the restoration of peatswamp
and kerangas forests. In addition, the FRC also initiated trials
on the restoration of montane forests and ultramafic forests.
Research on forest restoration is headed by the Ecology
Section. Studies related to forest restoration are summarized
below:
•
Restoration of peatswamp vegetation destroyed by
fire at Klias Peninsula
The Sabah Forestry Department continues to maintain
the planting trials of selected tree species in the Klias
Forest Reserve which was formerly funded by DANIDA.
Currently, this research is funded by the federal Ministry of
NRE for the next 4 years.
Two and a half years after planting, 60 % of the total
seedlings planted survived. This equates to a remaining
density of 650 seedlings per hectare. Based on the
growth performance and survival of individual species
planted, Dryobalanops beccarii, Alstonia spatulata, Hopea
pentanervia and Lophopetalum multinervium show the
most promise as suitable species for rehabilitation planting
in the peatswamp forests. The successful establishment of
planted seedlings was greatly hampered due to competition
from secondary vegetation.
•
Restoration of ultramafic forest destroyed by fire at
Tawai Forest Reserve
A 2.4 ha research plot with a total 1260 individuals of 7
tree species was established along the Ruku Ruku River
in the Tawai Forest Reserve, 16 km from Telupid. The
objectives of the research are to establish a demonstration
plot, and identify suitable indigenous species for the
restoration of burnt ultramafic forests. Seven tree
species were selected based on their likely suitability and
availability in sufficient quantities, i.e. Gaharu (Aquilaria
malaccensis), Sempilau bukit (Gymnostoma sumatrana),
Pulai bukit (Alstonia angustiloba), Surian wangi (Toona
sureni), Seraya banjutan (Shorea multiflora), Selangan lima
urat (Hopea pentanervia), and Nyatoh sidang (Palaquium
Inducement of resin formation in planted gaharu trees
Resinous wood forms in Aquilaria spp. (gaharu) as a
defense mechanism in response to wounding. Gaharu resin
(aka ‘agarwood’) is of great commercial value. It is highly
valued as incense, but recent studies have also found it to have
medicinal values. Oil extracts can be made into perfumes.
Key markets for agarwood are the Middle East, Japan, and
Taiwan. Because gaharu resin is formed in response to some
Prof. Robert Blanchette and Joel Jurgens from the Univ. of Minnesota,
USA, demonstrate the method that they developed for gaharu resin
inducement. This method has proven successful in trials carried out in
Cambodia, Bhutan, Vietnam and Thailand.
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Annual Report 2007
rostratum). Since the plantings were established only
in 2007, there is yet to be an evaluation of survival and
growth performance.
•
Restoration of montane forests
A total of 308 individuals of 7 tree species were planted
in an area of 1 ha, close to SAFODA’s Pinus experimental
plot at the Crocker Range Forest Reserve, about 45 km
from Kota Kinabalu along the road leading to Tambunan.
Formerly, this area was encroached by the adjacent local
communities and cleared for agricultural development. The
objectives of the research are to establish a demonstration
plot, and identify suitable indigenous species for the
restoration of degraded montane vegetation. Seven tree
species were selected based on their likely suitability and
availability in sufficient quantities, i.e. Gaharu (Aquilaria
malaccensis), Medang bangking (Litsea cubeba), Pulai
bukit (Alstonia angustiloba), Surian wangi (Toona sureni),
Seraya banjutan (Shorea multiflora), Magas (Duabanga
mollucana), and Menghilan (Agathis borneensis)
•
Restoration of burnt vegetation on Coastal Sandstone
Hill at Siaunggau FR, Weston
The drought-induced fire in 1998 destroyed almost 90
% of the natural forest of the Siaunggau Forest Reserve.
Today, Acacia dominates the fire-affected area. In order to
restore the native forest of Siaunggau, planting trials using
Sempilau Laut (Gymnostoma sumatrana), Nyatoh Sidang
(Palaquium leiocarpum), Banjutan (Shorea multiflora),
Seraya langgai (Shorea beccariana), Seraya Melantai
(Shorea macroptera), Melapi Agama (Shorea agami),
Selangan Lima Urat (Hopea pentanervia), and Kapur
Merah (Dryobalanops beccarii) were established in the
reserve over the last eight years. All species seem to be
performing well, with Sempilau Laut showing the highest
survival rate after 5 years (84 %).
Special Assignments & Activities
The formulation of forest rehabilitation plans for FMU
17A, Sg. Pinangah Forest Reserve
The Silviculture Section completed forest rehabilitation
plans for two forest concessions within the Sg. Pinangah
Forest Reserve, covering about 1000 ha each (comprising
Compartments 55, 56, 70, and 71, FMU 17A). These
concessions were awarded to Lebihasil Sdn Bhd. and
Maxland Sdn. Bhd. for the rehabilitation of degraded forests
by the planting of a selected mixed fast-growing native timber
trees. Officers involved in this assignment were Robert Ong,
Januarius Gobilik, and Julsun Sikui.
The Silviculture Section, together with the Seed Section
and Tree Improvement Section, organized a training course
on Plus-tree Selection and Seed Orchard Establishment.
The course was conducted from 23rd to 25th October, 2007, in
Sandakan. Twenty participants, including 10 from the private
sector, took part in the 3-day course held in Sandakan. Mr.
Wim Tolkamp of Alterra Institute, Netherlands, served as
the main resource person for the course. This course was
conducted as an activity under the ITTO-funded project, “The
Establishment of Seed Orchards for Selected Indigenous Tree
Species.”
The Silviculture Section was assigned to plan and carry
out forest restoration within the Mersuli Forest Reserve, near
Lahad Datu. About 420 ha (or 70 %) of the Mersuli Forest
Reserve has been encroached and illegally cultivated with
agricultural crops. Site preparation began in April. As part of
the restoration plan, 320 ha of oil palm were destroyed and 4.6
km of forest roads were repaired to allow access for restoration
activities. A nursery was also set up to support planting efforts.
By the end of December, about 10 ha had been planted up
with a mix of 15 species. In 2008, a further 200 ha is expected
to be planted. Funding for this project was provided by a
USA-based organization called Land Empowerment Animals
& People, as well as the Federal Government of Malaysia,
through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Study visit to Bali, Indonesia, 21-25 February, 2007
This study visit was organized under the auspices of Project
PD 200/03 Rev. 4: The establishment of seed orchards for
selected indigenous tree species in Sabah, Malaysia, and
as part fulfillment of Activity 1.1.4 (Study visit to projects of
similar nature in the ASEAN region) of the Project Document.
The visit to Bali was planned after consultation with Dr.
Hiras Sibutar of ITTO, who suggested visiting an ITTO-funded
project in Bali (i.e. PD 386/05: Technological development for
the production of planting materials to support sustainable
plantations of indigenous Bali species through community
participation). This project is being implemented by the Bali
Provincial Forestry Service in collaboration with Directorate
General of Land Rehabilitation and Social Forestry, Indonesian
Ministry of Forestry. The Bali project has somewhat similar
objectives as the Sabah Project, and therefore a visit was
considered relevant.
The aim of the visit was to see and learn from our
counterparts in Bali and to exchange ideas on project
implementation, particularly with regard to:• seed orchard development,
• planting material production,
• strategies for involving local communities in large scale
tree planting programmes, and
Training course on seed orchard establishment and plustree selection
Twenty participants attended the course on “Plus Tree Selection
& Seed Orchard Establishment” held on 23–25 October, 2007, in
Sandakan.
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Sabah Forestry Department officers pose for a group photo with
Indonesian officials at the Bali Provincial Forestry Office. Nine
officers from the Sabah Forestry Department, headed by Robert Ong,
participated on the trip.
Research & Development
•
agroforestry systems applied.
The Bali Project had been running for about 4 years now
and had much experience to share.
Vegetation assessment and classification of the Lower
Kinabatangan
The Sabah Forestry Department was commissioned by
WWF Malaysia to conduct a vegetation quality assessment
and classification for the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain
(LKF) under its Kinabatangan Landscape Conservation
Initiative Project. The idea behind this work was to identify
priority areas for forest restoration efforts. The survey was
conducted in 2 phases, the first phase was carried out between
September and November 2006, with the final phase over a
week in February, 2007. In order to classify the vegetation of
the area, the forests were evaluated based on forest structure
and the tree species composition, covering a 80 km span
of the Kinabatangan river. A total of 54 transects were laid,
representing a sampled area of about 73 ha. A total of 13,300
trees ≥ 10 cm dbh were recorded.
The natural vegetation could be differentiated and described
by edaphic factors, competition, flood tolerance and light
requirement along an ever shifting physical gradient, which
was subjected to perturbative events such as log extraction,
shifting cultivation and settlement areas, and forest conversion
to agricultural cultivation. Overall, the forested areas comprised
largely secondary forests, in various successional stages with
negligible remnants of the old growth natural forest left. The
vegetation of Lower Kinabatangan was categorized into 3
broad classes, i.e. natural vegetation, secondary vegetation
and cultivated area.
The forest classification was based on forest quality and
forest formations. From this exercise, the different areas were
rated in terms of their need for restoration. The vegetation
assessment included only areas within the gazetted Wildlife
Sanctuary, although it was clear that a broader landscape
perspective was necessary (i.e. restoring forests outside the
Sanctuary) in restoring forest to ensure greater forest contiguity
for wildlife movement. Only about 5 % of the Sanctuary can
be classified as old growth or mature phase forest, whereas
the remaining forests are all at some stage of secondary
succession.
Continuous forest inventory in the Deramakot Forest
Reserve
The Silviculture Section headed the setting up of a continuous
forest inventory system for Deramakot. This system involves
the establishment of “permanent inventory strips” for each
compartment. These strips are measured periodically (every
5 years) in order to monitor forest growth and validate growth
projections that were made in the calculation of the annual
allowable cut (AAC). During the year, permanent inventory
strips were established for 14 compartments.
Fig. 1. Map showing the expanse of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary on the lower Kinabatangan floodplain.
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Annual Report 2007
Tree Phenological Observations
was conducted at Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, which was
initiated on September 2006, as part of a PhD study by Julia
Born. The overall objective is to understand the mechanisms
by which soil generalist tree species can coexist with closely
related soil specialists within the same local environment.
Thereby explaining how the interaction between biotic factors
and abiotic factors (light and soil type) influences species
differential distribution in relation to soil.
Year 2007 observed some intense localized masting
of dipterocarp species. Most of the observations indicated
a general spread from the South-east coast, to the interior
and east coast of Sabah. Early fruit set of some species such
as Dryobalanops lanceolata (Kapur paji) and Parashorea
smythiesii (Urat mata batu) was observed, with mature fruits
in July. Flowering started between April – May, with many
species aborting their flowers. A further reflowering of many of
the dipterocarp species was seen between July-September.
The onset of fruit maturation was observed between August
till December. Ripe fruits of non-dipterocarps species of
importance to wildlife, notably Pelajau, Ranggu and Sentang
were available in July from a number of locations. Table 24.1
shows the record of flowering and fruiting events observed in
2007.
Local community participation in the tourism industry in
the Lower Kinabatangan
Researcher (Local counterpart): Ms Charlotte Fletcher
(Robert Ong) - This is a collaboration with Lincoln University,
New Zealand, and the University of Vienna, Austria. The study
aims to assess the level of local community involvement in
the tourism industry in the Lower Kinabatangan, particularly
in regard to livelihood. The success of homestay programmes
for two villages was given emphasis. The study involved
interviews and the filling up of questionnaires by tour
operators, lodge owners, and selected members of the local
communities concerned. Planning and field work for the study
was completed over a 4-month period running from April to
August.
International Research Collaboration Projects
Mechanisms of coexistence and maintenance of species
diversity in tropical forests: the paradox of generalist
species
Researcher (Local counterpart): Ms Julia Born (Reuben
Nilus) - A collaborative study with the University of Zurich
Table 24.1 : Record of flowering and fruiting events observed in 2007.
235
Vernacular
Family
Flowering
(Month)
Fruiting
(Month)
Dryobalanops beccarii
Parashorea tomentella
Parashorea malaanonan
Shorea sp.
Dipterocarpus
Parashorea malaanonan
Dryobalanops beccarii
Shorea accuminatissima
Shorea parvifolia
Parashorea tomentella
Parashorea smythiesii
Dryobalanops lanceolata
Dipterocarpus sp.
Shorea sp.
Mitragyna speciosa
Kapur merah
Urat mata beludu
Urat mata daun licin
Selangan batu
Keruing
Urat mata daun licin
Kapur merah
Seraya kuning runcing
Seraya punai
Urat mata beludu
Urat mata batu
Kapur paji
Keruing
Mixed Seraya species
Sepat
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Rubiaceae
May - June
May - June
May - June
May - June
June - July
June - July
May - June
June - July
May - June
May - June
April
April
May - June
May - June
April
September - October
September - October
September - October
September - October
October - December
October - December
September - October
October - December
September - October
September - October
July
July
September - October
September - December
July
Interior
Deramakot-Tongod
Deramakot-Tongod
Deramakot
Tongod
Kalabakan-Tibow
Kalabakan-Tibow
Kalabakan-Tibow
Kalabakan-Tibow
Kalabakan-Tibow
Kalabakan-Tibow
Kalabakan
Kalabakan
Kalabakan
Kalabakan
Kalabakan
Kalabakan
Dryobalanops beccarii
Dipterocarpus sp.
Kokoona sp.
Shorea spp.
Parashorea smythiesii
Shorea leprosula
Shorea parvifolia
Shorea sp.
Shorea beccariana
Azadirachta excelsa
Parashorea smythiesii
Shorea spp.
Dryobalanops lanceolata
Shorea leprosula
Shorea parvifolia
Shorea pinanga
Kapur merah
Keruing
Perupok
Mixed Seraya species
Urat mata batu
Seraya tembaga
Seraya punai
Melapi
Seraya langgai
Sentang
Urat mata batu
Mixed Seraya species
Kapur paji
Seraya tembaga
Seraya punai
Kawang pinang
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Celastraceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Meliaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
May - June
May - June
April
June - July
May - June
June -July
June - July
June - July
Jun - July
April
May - June
April - July
April - May
April - May
April - May
April - May
September - October
September - October
July
September - December
September - October
October - November
October - November
October - November
October - November
July
September - October
August - December
August - September
August - September
August - September
August - September
South-east
Kunak
Kunak
Kunak
Kunak
Shorea sp.
Shorea argentifolia
Pentaspadon motleyi
Koordersiodendron pinnatum
Seraya
Seraya daun mas
Pelajau
Ranggu
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Anacardiaceae
Anacardiacea
April - May
April - May
April
April
August - September
August - September
July
July
Region
District
East Coast
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Telupid
Kota Kinabatangan
Kota Kinabatangan
Kota Kinabatangan
Kota Kinabatangan
Kota Kinabatangan
Species
Research & Development
Sepilok Arboretum
Daily routine / Activities
Routine works maintenance (cleaning/clearing, slashing,
grass cutting, etc.) surrounding the main facilities of Sepilok
Arboretum and the Arboretum boundary continued. These
areas include Sepilok Arboretum Field Office, RDC trail &
Garden, Orchid garden, trail network of the Arboretum, and
trail to Canopy Walkway. Routine work at the garden includes
weeding, watering, fertilizing, plant replacement, pest &
diseases studies and plants maintenance.
The maintenance activities of mangroves nursery
(established 2006), includes eradication of mangroves ferns
within the nursery site, weeding, replacing/transplanting
of mangroves seedling. An additional mangrove nursery
(approximately 0.08 ha) was established in February 2007 to
cater for the increasing demand for mangroves seedlings for
restoration and replanting purposes. Fencing of the mangrove
nursery was completed in the middle of 2007. Other activities
of this nursery included the supply of mangroves seedlings for
basic research and educational purposes.
New boat provided by FRM Division, to support routine tasks in the
nursery and also for carrying out inventory work at Sibyte FR.
RMK9 Biayaan Kerajaan Persekutuan (Pembangunan
Kawasan Pemeliharaan Hutan)
This federal government project is under the supervision of
Dr. Robert C. Ong. Systematic arrangement of the garden
is in place. The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) and the
Forestry gallery are now open for visitors. Construction of
the Canopy walkway in the vicinity of Sepilok Arboretum is in
progress. The third canopy tower is under construction and
expected to be completed by early 2008. The grand Opening
Ceremony of RDC was successfully launched by YAB Prime
Minister of Malaysia in August 2007.
Research activities - Field Works / Out-stations / Visits
There were several out-station and field works (research work
related to mangroves) in the year 2007 mainly in Sandakan,
Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, Tuaran, Putatan and
Kota Kinabalu. Studies involved were mangroves vegetation
survey, mangroves regeneration survey and collection of
propagules/seeds for the mangroves nursery. Research
Assistants involved in the mangroves project were Soinin
Satman, Jamiss Aribin, Dauni Seligi and other Sectional staff.
The mangrove forest reserves in Sabah cover the oldest
palm vegetation of the world, Nypa fruticans (locally known
as Nipah). There is a need to estimate the total coverage/
area of nipah forests in Sabah. This activity will be the next
assignment for this Section in 2008.
Scenic view of nipah forest at Trusan Kinabatangan mangroves
Proboscis monkey sitting comfortably on branches of Sonneratia
caseolaris (L.) Engl. (locally known as Perepat Laut), located along Sg.
Merah, a tributary of the larger Kinabatangan River.
Environmental Education Unit
The most important event of the year was the Rainforest
Discovery Centre (RDC) official opening by the Honourable
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Panglima Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi. This auspicious accasion was indeed a grand
event with more than 800 guests celebrating it with us.
On environmental education programme, the number
of school groups continued to increase from the previous
year and we conducted two EERaces (Teachers’ course in
environmental education). We also participated in three
major exhibitions, firstly during the launching of the Sabah’s
Mangrove Forests book, secondly, in the International
Conference on Nature Conservation in Sabah (ICONCIS) and
thirdly, at the opening of the Lok Kawi Intergrated Forestry
Complex.
In June, RDC participated in the Forest Research Centre
(FRC) Open Day. Among the attractions at RDC were tree
climbing, paddle-boat rides, the Plant Discovery Garden and
the Rainforest Discovery Trail.
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Annual Report 2007
EE Programme for students
This year, a total of 49 student groups, with a total of 3,963
students participated in our EE programmes. Most of these
programmes were conducted at the RDC and some at the
Mangrove Discovery Centre, Sepilok Laut. Others were held
in schools. September was the busiest month with 9 school
groups and 7 special interest groups.
Total number of participants in EE programmes
Total (1997-2007) = 13,361 participants (students)
The EERace: Teachers’ Course in Environmental
Education
Two EERaces were held this year. The first one was in March
for Secondary school teachers and the second, in August for
the primary school teachers. A total of 37 teachers were trained
through the EERace this year. Teachers responded positively
regarding the amount of knowledge they obtained through this
course. The EERace format which follows the ‘Amazing Race’
concept makes learning about the environment interesting,
adventurous and full of surprises for the teachers. We also coorganised and hosted the Second Seminar in Environmental
Education for Practitioners (SEEP II) in November where about
thirty participants from various government, non-government,
private sectors and teachers attended.
Teachers training courses (1997 - 2007)
Total (1998-2007) = 670 teachers
237
Sepilok Junior Rangers
The main event for these young rangers this year was an
environmental performance in front of the Honourable Prime
Minister and more than 800 guests during the official opening
of the Rainforest Discovery Centre on the 10th of August.
They performed two songs entitled ‘Water for life’ and ‘Voice
of the forest’. The second song was sung together with a
local musician, Amir Yusof. Another important event for them
was the participation of 11 junior rangers in the International
Conference on Nature Conservation in
Sabah (ICONCIS). Their main tasks were
conducting
environmental
education
activities for children and promoting
the exhibition to shoppers at Centre
Point in Kota Kinabalu. At RDC, their
regular activities were grass composting,
environmental education activities and
clean up in and around RDC.
World Environment Day (WED) 2007
This year, 37 students aged 15 to 17 from
Sandakan district commemorated world
environment day with us in a 4 day 3 nights
camp. The student camp on climate change
was held at the Mangrove Discovery
Centre, Sepilok Laut. Among others,
students learnt about the importance of
mangrove in stabilising local climate and
the effects of Global Warming and how we can play our part
locally in reducing it. They also visited three fishing villages to
experience about lives of the fishermen there.
JOCV at RDC
Ms Sayaka Suzuki ended her assignment as Japanese
volunteer (JOCV) in August this year. She was attached
to RDC since May 2005. Among her contributions to RDC
were establishing links between Japanese groups and RDC
which resulted in several Japanese groups coming over for
educational visits. She also introduced various new education
worksheets and games, and promoted transfer of knowledge
between RDC and KEEP (Kiyosato Environmental Experiment
Project) by organising a short environmental education training
course in Japan for Ms Phylesia Jill Rama, an RDC staff.
Research & Development
EEP for Kindergarden (Clockwise from left) At RDC, staffs are trained to
interact with children of all ages in order to make their learning experience a
memorable one; For kindergarten children, it’s important to let them touch and
feel to learn better in the environment; Games, coupled with staff enthusiasm
makes learning fun for these young children; and game such as ‘Cooperative
animals’ is a good way to make children participate in the environmental
learning experience.
EEP for Primary School (Clockwise from
left) This activity is called the ‘Senses trail’.
It encourages students to use their 5 senses
to explore and discover the rainforest around
them; The ‘Predator-Prey’ is an interesting
simulation game to make students understand
about food chain in a forest eco-system; As
part of an EE programme, primary school
students complete the ‘Rainforest riddles’ in
the exhibition hall to guide them in getting
the most out of the exhibition materials; and
entertaining request from schools to conduct
EE programme. In this picture, an RDC staff
shows the St. Mary’s Labuk students how the
dipterocarp fruit is dispersed from the mother
tree.
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Annual Report 2007
EEP for Secondary School (Clockwise from above) Some of these students from a city
school are walking in the forest first time. Almost everything they encounter creates an
interest in them; There are a lot to experience and learn at the Plant Discovery Garden at
RDC. Eating figs might be the first time for some of these students; If you haven’t seen a
venus fly trap before, come to the Plant Discovery Garden at RDC; and discussion at the end
of an environmental education programme help students recall what they have learnt for that
day and assist us to evaluate the immediate benefits of the programme to them.
Community Involvement Programme - Sepilok Junior Rangers
(Clockwise from top left) Sepilok Junior Rangers performing an
environmental song together with Amir Yusof during the RDC opening
by the Prime Minister on the 10th August 2007; During the exhibition
in conjunction with the International Conference on Nature in Sabah
(ICONSIS), they facilitated the children and public activities; At the
Recycling station during the FRC Open Day in June; Listening to a
briefing on Orangutan rehabilitation by Mr. Bede of the Sepilok Orangutan
Rehabilitation Centre; and Paper-making activity helps these Junior
Rangers understand the importance of using paper wisely whenever
posible.
Grass composting is a regular activity of the Sepilok Junior
Rangers, used to fertilise plants at the Plant Discovery Garden
239
1
4
2
5
3
6
EERace: A teacher’s course in environmental education
1. Kampung Baru in the Sandakan Harbour is one of 5 sites
for the assignments on community. These teachers are
getting information from the Ketua Kampung;
2. This teacher learn about orangutan rehabilitation
processes;
3. This group at the IOI Sakilan Desa Palm Oil Plant;
4. Teachers in this group prepares mangrove shoots for the
proboscis monkeys to feed on at the Labuk Bay Proboscis
Monkey Sanctuary;
5. This group’s assignment at the Timatch Water Treatment
Plant in Kinabatangan was to learn how water was treated
until it reachers our homes for consumption;
6. A group is getting ready to leave for Berhala Island to
complete their assignment on island vegetation, led by
its resource person, Januarius Gobilik;
7. A group at Cymao Plywood is briefed on the different
plywood products to learn about plywood as part of a
forest product;
8. FRC Botanist John Sugau, as resource person leads a
group of teachers into the lowland dipterocarp forest of
Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.
7
8
Other pictures - (Left to right) US Ambassador, Mr James Keith with Datuk Sam during his visit
to the RDC; A Farewell to Ms Sayaka Suzuki (middle) as she left for Japan in July; and Ms Fumi
Ebisawa (far left), a short-term attachment student from Japan spent 3 weeks with RDC to learn
about forestry in Sabah.
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Annual Report 2007
Table 24.2: Students Environmental Education Programme
Date
Feb
March
241
Events
11th: EE Programme for Pathfinder & Adventure Cheetah Club. (30 kids, 10 adults).
16th: EE Programme for Rakuna Gakuen University, Japan. (10 students, 1 teacher).
03rd: EE Programme for University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). (36 students, 1 lecturer).
06th: EE Programme for Tabika Kemas Sepilok at Orang-utan Centre (27 students, 2 teachers)
10rd: EE Programme for University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). (40 students, 1 lecturer).
11th: EE Programme for SMK Elopura Bestari. (40 students, 6 teachers).
April
13th: EE Programme for SMK Sandakan. (20 students, 1 teacher).
14th: EE Programme for SMK Agama Sandakan. (50 students, 4 teachers).
17th: EE Programme for SM St. Michael. (65 students, 2 teachers).
18th: EE Programme for SM St. Michael. (57 students, 2 teachers).
19th: EE Programme for SM St. Michael. (55 students, 2 teachers).
27th: EE Programme for SMK Libaran. (20 students, 4 teachers).
May
17th: EE Programme for Little Play School Kindergarten. (60 kids, 20 adults).
19th: EE Programme for SK Taman Rimba. (100 students, 10 teachers).
24th: EE Programme for SK Taman Rimba. Recycling Talk at the school. (800 students, 10 teachers).
June
2nd: World Environment Day Camp at Mangrove Discovery Centre (37 students, 5 teachers)
23rd: EE Programme for SK Taman Rimba, Unit beruniform (80 students, 10 teachers ).
26th: EE Programme for SK St.Mary’s Labuk. Talk and exhibition at school. (240 students, 14 teachers).
July
07th: EE Programme for SM Teknik Sandakan. (60 students, 10 teachers).
07th: EE Programme for SMK St.Cecilia (20 students, 4 teachers)
15th: EE Programme for Japanese students conducts through Jungle Treks. (11students, 3 teachers).
27 -29th : EE Programme for Tabika Kemas Sepilok at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Sabah Museum & KK Wetlands Centre (28 students, 28
parents & 2 teachers)
28th: EE Programme for SMK Elopura ( 20 students, 10 teachers)
31st: EE Programme for Tabika Sung Siew (147 students, 7 teachers & 37 parents)
August
15th & 22nd: Organised a series of activity on Treasure Hunt for trainees from Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN). (148 trainee,
25 fasilitator)
16th: EE Programme for students from State Level English Camp. (65 students, 20 teachers).
17th: EE Programme for SMK Muhibbah. (53 students, 1 teacher)
19th: EE Programme for Tourism students. (36 students, 6 teachers).
21st: EE Programme for SMK Perempuan Likas. (18 students, 4 teachers)
22nd: EE Programme for Australia International School, KL. (40 students, 3 teachers)
25th: EE Programme for SMK Sandakan II. (43 students, 4 teachers).
29th: EE Programme for SMK Muhibbah, special students. (40 students, 10 teachers).
September
2nd: EE Programme for Tabika Kemas Kg. Tinosa 2. (100 children, 5 teachers, 50 parents).
5th: EE Programme for SMK Muhibbah. (40 students, 10 teachers).
8th: EE Programme for Sabah Family Planning Association. (40 students, 10 teachers).
13th: EE Programme for Che Siang Khor Association. (80ppl).
15th: EE Programme for SRJK Chung Hwa Kota Bharu, Kelantan. (80ppl)
30th: EE Programme from UMS students. (150 students, 1 lecturer).
24th: EE Programme for SMK St. Cecilia (1st group: 104 students, 4 teachers)
25th: EE Programme for SMK St. Cecilia (2nd group: 105 students, 4 teachers)
27th: EE Programme for SK St. Mary’s Labuk. (240 students, 14 teachers)
November
5th : EE Programme for SMK Muhibbah (40 students, 10 teachers)
6th: EE Programme for Tabika Kemas Gum Gum (30 students, 30 parents).
6th: EE Programme for SK Segaliud. (33 students, 7 teachers).
7th: EE Programme for SK St. Mary’s Convent. (108 students, 10 teachers).
8th: EE Programme for SMK Muhibbah (Chinese language). (40 students, 2 teachers).
9th: EE Programme for SRJK (C) Chi Hwa. (232 students, 24 teachers).
December
18th: EE Programme for Rakan Muda Club. (45 students)
Research & Development
Table 24.3: Special interest group programme
Date
March
Events
28th: Educational visit from the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board
April
21st: Recycling and cleaning up of Taman Merpati in collaboration with Ministry of Youth and Culture.
May
4th : Educational programme for WWF-Habitat Group at RDC (18 participants)
July
17th: EE prospecting visit by a Japanese tour company.
18th:EE prospecting visit by Exotica Adventure from Japan
19th: Courtesy visit from the JOCV co-ordinator for Malaysia
August
18th: Educational visit from Japanese teachers (15ppl)
September
8th: Educational visit from Kementerian Pelajaran. (40ppl)
8th: EE Programme for Tractor Malaysia Sandakan. Trekking to Sepilok Laut. (25 ppl)
12th: Educational visit from Duchess of Kent Hospital staff (20ppl)
13th: Educational visit from Che Siang Khor Association. (80ppl).
16th: Educational visit from Kementerian Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi
20th: Charity work from SMK Sandakan. Cleaning Tabika Kemas School. (20 students, 1 teachers)
25th: Courtesy visit from the CEO of HSBC. (3 ppl)
November
28th Nov – 3rd Dec: Sepilok Junior Rangers participate in ICONCIS
December
6th: EE Programme for Christian Teachers from Sabah District. (40ppl)
13th: EE Programme for St. Michael Church (Youth camp). (306 ppl)
Table 24.4: EERace: Teacher’s training in Environmental Education
Date
Events
January
22nd – 26th : EERace Simulation III, West Coast (24 primary school teachers)
March
26th – 30th : EERace I (24 primary school teachers)
October
29th Oct – 3rd Nov: EERace II (13 secondary school teachers)
November
13th - 17th : Seminar on Environmental Education for Practitioners, SEEP II (25 participants, 17 presenters)
Plant Diversity Programme
T
his is a national collaborative project between the Sabah
and Sarawak Forestry Departments and Forest Research
Institute of Malaysia, which commenced in 1992. The objectives
of the project are to document and update taxonomic status
of all tree species that occur in Sabah and Sarawak as well
as to upgrade local expertise in plant taxonomic reserach. By
the end of 2004, five (5) volumes of flora (Tree Flora of Sabah
and Sarawak) containing 68 families were published. The fifth
volume was published in 2004, which contains four important
families (Apocynaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Symplocaceae
and Thymelaeaceae) comprising 28 genera and 373 species
(7 species or 1.8 % are new to science). So far the project
has recorded 1, 545 species and 250 genera from Borneo. Of
these, 360 species are endemic to Borneo.
Botanists involved in the project are John B. Sugau
(Theaceae), Joan T. Pereira (Rothmannia, Rubiaceae) and
Suzana Sabran (Wendlandia-Rubiaceae).
•
Botanical Research & Herbarium Management System
(BRAHMS)
BRAHMS is an information system for managing botanical
and herbarium data. Data entry of herbarium specimens
commenced on 20th Jan 1998, following format used by
FRIM. To speed up the data entry, three personnel were
engaged. They are paid by the stated funded project,
‘Penubuhan Rangkaian Pangkalan data Biodiversiti
Sabah’. Up to the end of 2007, 62,319 records have been
imported into BRAHMS database proper. Meanwhile,
53,037 new records, mostly Sabah collections were
entered into BRAHMS-RDE file. Data entry to BRAHMSRDE is in progress.
•
Fern Flora Project
This is a collaborative project between The Forest Research
Center and Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The objective of
the project is to document fern flora of Sabah as there has
been no comprehensive research and documentation of
fern flora in Sabah before. The leader of the project is Dr.
Idris Md Said of UMS and funds were secured by UMS
from different sources. The collaborative officer at SAN is
Ms. Andi Maryani, assisted by Mr. Markus Gumbilil. The
project commenced in July 2004, and is on going.
•
Collection And Identification Of Orchid Specimens
For Sandakan And Sabah Parks Herbaria
This project is to collect orchid specimens and up date
the identification of orchid collection in Sabah, mainly
specimens at the Sandakan Herbarium and Sabah
Parks Herbarium. This will eventually contribute to the
development of database for orchids of Sabah and
documentation of orchid flora in the series of Orchids
of Borneo. Identification work has been assigned to Mr.
Anthony Lamb, a Horticultural and Botanical Advisor with
the grant of RM 8,000.00 from the Sabah Biodiversity
Centre to cover his expenses to check and update the
identification of orchid specimens at SAN. A. Lamb had
identified 320 specimens for the year 2007. The project
commenced since 2003.
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