The first batch of the participants.
The second batch of the participants.
MUCH is unknown about Sungai Rawog Conservation Area in central Sabah. It is one of the largest wildlife corridors in active production forest reserve in Sabah.
Two Sabah endemic dipterocarps, Shorea symingtonii (left) and Shorea waltonii were recorded.
With an area encompassing 3,118ha and 23.4km in length, it serves as an active wildlife corridor connecting Deramakot Forest Reserve and adjacent oil palm plantations, especially for the key umbrella species in Sabah.
Situated within the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve (SLFR), it is part of the total of the 6,447ha of conservation area or 11 per cent of its total 57,247ha forest area. The reserve is also known as Forest Management Unit No. 19(B), and has been managed by KTS Plantation Sdn Bhd since 1993 under the Licence Agreement with an effective period of 96 years. For the record, KTS Plantation Sdn Bhd is the first private company in Malaysia from the forest industry certified with both MS ISO 14001 for Environmental Management System certification and MC&I (Natural Forest) for Forest Management certification, which was obtained in 2005 and 2009 respectively.
Despite serving an integral function for conservation initiatives in SLFR since 1993, less is known about the biodiversity of Sungai Rawog. Hence, KTS Plantation took the initiative to jointly organise a scientific expedition with Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) to explore Sungai Rawog’s flora and fauna from Aug 8-18.
The undescribed species of Araceae from the genus Homalomena. – Photos by FSA,UMS
Some 160 participants, in two batches, were involved, with participation from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), Sabah Parks (SP), and WWF-Malaysia. On the first night at the camp, KTS Plantation Sabah area manager (forestry) Collin Goh welcomed the participants to the scientific expedition.
Intriguing bioluminescent mushrooms Filoboletus manipularis (left) and coral fungi Ramaria sp.
Over 30 groups of researchers from various disciplines conducted their surveys during the 11-day expedition. Dr Reuben Nilus, Mohd Aminur Faiz, and their ecology team from SFD studied the forest structure and composition of the conservation area. Climax vegetation comprises two forest ecosystems, namely lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, and lowland mixed dipterocarp together with kerangas forest. The lowland mixed dipterocarp and kerangas forest is rich in kapur trees (Dryobalanops spp). This area harbours significant forest ecosystems and, hence, long-term monitoring of its forest dynamics is highly recommended.
The charismatic Wallace’s flying frog – Rhacophorus nigropalmatus (left) and a Bornean endemic white-lipped stream frog – Hylarana megalonesa.
A total of 11 permanent sampling plots were established to monitor the status of the area. Esther Dyi did the soil assessment during the expedition. The preliminary results showed two types of soil colour ranges from very dark brown to white – indicating heath forest, and reddish brown to yellowish red –lowland mixed dipterocarp forest. The soil texture ranged from sand to sandy clay loam.
Nepenthes mirabilis
Plant diversity survey and botanical collection were carried out by John Sugau and his team of the Sandakan Herbarium. Suzana Sabran worked on ornamental plants, while Andi Maryani on ferns, Richard Majapun on dipterocarps, Alviana Damit on pitcher plants, and Doris Seligin on medicinal plants.
Some 40 dipterocarp species were recorded, with two endemic to Sabah – Shorea symingtonii and Shorea waltonii. Two pitcher plant species were sighted, namely Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes mirabilis, with a hybrid, Nepenthes x kuchingensis (between Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes mirabilis).
A male Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana) feeds on minerals.
The researchers from Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC), UMS were led by Assoc Prof Monica Suleiman, who studied mosses in the conservation area. Dr Kartini Saibeh from the UMS Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture (FSA) conducted research on Araceae, which is the family of taro. One undescribed species of Araceae from the genus Homalomena was recorded. Plant researchers from Sabah Parks were led by Rimi Repin, and they worked on begonias and nickel hyper-accumulator plants. Rimi recorded three begonia species, with two of them undetermined. Dr Miyabi Nakabayashi of Ryukyus University, Japan, in collaboration with SFD, researched figs, which are a source of food for frugivorous animals.
Nepenthes x kuchingensis
From the UMS Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA), Dr Mohd Sani Sarjadi and his team studied mineralogy. Assoc Prof Mahmud Sudin (FSSA) worked on the mushroom diversity within the area. Others who surveyed fungi were Viviannye Paul (SFD) and Dr Jaya Seelan’s student (ITBC, UMS). Dr Walter Lintangah (FSSA) explored ginger diversity within the area.
SWD was represented by Hussien Muin, with his team surveying mammals, reptiles and birds. Sungai Rawog Conservation Area is known to have high abundance of orangutans and Bornean pygmy elephants, and the river itself is inhabited by crocodiles. Dr Henry Bernard, Dr Jephte Sompud, and their team from UMS as well as Elyrice Alim of WWF-Malaysia and Mohd Aminur Faiz (SFD) were also researching on wildlife. Among other mammals sighted were gibbons, grey-leaf monkey, bearded pig, Sambar deer, sun bear, tembadau, clouded leopard, and the Sunda pangolin. Alim Biun (SP) and Hubert Petol (SFD) surveyed the avifauna. All the eight species of hornbills found in Borneo were sighted during the expedition. The presence of the great Argus pheasant was also recorded.
The natural garden of Nepenthes ampullaria.
Paul Imbun (SP) and Pg Sahlan (SFD) conducted survey on frogs and toads. At least 18 species were recorded, with seven of them endemic to Borneo. Assoc Prof Abdul Hamid (ITBC, UMS) and Nur Syafiqah S Kamal (SFD) did some work on the fishes of Sungai Rawog, while Hairul Hafiz (ITBC, UMS) sampled parasites of fishes and bats. Students of Azniza Mahyudin (ITBC, UMS) did a survey on bats and their ectoparasites. Dr Liew Thor Seng (ITBC, UMS) surveyed land snails.
Gnetum klosii (Gnetaceae) is one of the interesting plants sighted due to its abundant grape-like fruits on the stem and branches.
Sungai Rawog flows along 23.4km of the conservation area.
Dr Arthur Chung, Razy Japir, and the SFD entomology team surveyed the insect fauna, which included butterflies, moths, beetles, and dragonflies. Nocturnal insect diversity as assessed through light-trapping was very high, with more than 100 species enumerated on a metre square of the light-trapping cloth. For dragonflies and damselflies, more than 30 species were recorded within three days of sampling. At least nine Bornean endemic insect species were recorded and the iconic Malaysia national butterfly, Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing was sighted at the riverine area of Sungai Rawog. Dr Homathevi Rahman and Dr Bakhtiar E Yahya, both from ITBC, UMS, worked on termites and ants respectively.
A scenic view of Sungai Rawog.
Besides conservation, nature tourism is another aspect that was given emphasis during this expedition. Jarry Lajanga (SFD), Dr Andy Russel Mojiol, and Dr Rosmalina (both from UMS) surveyed the potential sites and products for nature tourism. The natural garden of flask-shaped pitcher plants found in one of the heath forest site was spectacular and breath-taking. The presence of natural salt licks within the area can be used to promote wildlife watching.
Collectively, the researchers have explored the ‘unknowns’ in Sungai Rawog Conservation Area. Those highlighted here are just a glimpse of the treasure trove of biodiversity. Research is still in progress in identifying the specimens and analysing the data. All scientific findings will be presented in a seminar to be held three months after this expedition.
Hence, stay tuned for more excitement!