The Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan.
Introduction
(Jan 19) Bugs are among the many most necessary and dominant inhabitants of the rainforest due to their excessive variety and abundance. Roughly three-quarters of all species are bugs, and greater than half are present in tropical rainforests. Sabah is endowed with massive tract of tropical rainforests, with greater than 60% nonetheless underneath forest cowl. It’s biologically wealthy with fauna and flora together with a myriad of insect species.
Feminine of the Sabah’s state butterfly, Troides andromache (Kinabalu Birdwing) within the montane space of Mt Kinabalu.
Bugs are ecologically necessary within the functioning of the tropical rainforest ecosystem, as pollinators, biocontrol brokers, decomposers, nutrient recyclers, bioindicators and supply of meals for numerous different wildlife species.
The male of the Bornean endemic Three-horned Beetle, Chalcosoma moellenkampi, is among the many largest beetles in Borneo, measuring as much as 100 mm.
Analysis on Tropical Forest Bugs
Tropical forest insect analysis or entomology is likely one of the elements underneath the Forest Biodiversity and Conservation Analysis Programme of the Forest Analysis Centre (FRC), Sepilok, Sabah Forestry Division (SFD). As reiterated by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, biodiversity analysis is consistent with the Sabah Forest Coverage 2018 in offering enter for cover of biodiversity and environmental companies (Thrust 2), in the direction of the belief of sustainable forest administration. Analysis on bugs throughout the Sabah Forestry Division is undertaken by the Entomology Part of FRC, headed by Razy Japir, specializing in insect variety, bugs in selling nature tourism and bug pest administration in forest plantations in addition to pure forests.
The FRC Entomology Staff, headed by Razy Japir (third proper), posing with the CEO of Sabah Tourism Board, Julinus Jimit (third left), and Dr Arthur Chung (second left) on the insect exhibition sales space throughout the Borneo Hen Competition 2024.
Insect Range
Via the Coronary heart of Borneo Initiative, Ramsar Wetlands and different forestry initiatives, numerous speedy assessments of insect variety have been performed in chosen forest reserves all through the state.
Species distribution modelling on chosen bugs can also be being carried out. Such data would improve biodiversity conservation efforts, integrated in formulation of forest administration plans and excessive conservation worth reviews.
Visiting researchers on the FRC insect assortment.
SFD by the Entomology Part has been collaborating with many worldwide researchers on insect variety associated analysis, which resulted in publications of analysis papers and books. Apart from native establishments like UMS, UKM and FRIM, SFD additionally collaborates with worldwide establishments, resembling Nationwide College of Singapore, Nanyang Technological College, Kyoto College, Imperial Faculty London, Pure Historical past Museums of London and Paris.
Insect area coaching by FRC Entomology employees.
In supporting insect variety analysis, FRC homes the forest insect assortment of about 180,000 insect specimens with some recognized by networking with consultants. This assortment is a state pure heritage (ex-situ conservation) and serves as a scientific reference that gives elementary data with out which additional analysis is troublesome to be performed. Varied native and worldwide college students and researchers check with specimens within the assortment for his or her analysis work.
Sure moth larvae could cause extreme defoliation on forest plantation timber.
Bugs in Nature Tourism
Nature tourism is within the forefront in Sabah due to its wealthy and attention-grabbing biodiversity, together with fascinating bugs. The fantastic thing about sure insect teams attracts particular curiosity vacationers from all around the world to go to this area, which is likely one of the mega biodiversity hotspots on the earth.
One of many many biodiversity posters on bugs produced by FRC Entomology Part for outreach programme.
Butterflies and moths have all the time been of widespread attraction, primarily as a result of they’re comparatively massive and vibrant, such because the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana) and the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas).
There are greater than 960 butterfly species in Borneo, with some 81 endemic species, a lot of that are discovered within the highlands of Sabah. Beetles are additionally charming in construction and measurement. The biggest in Borneo attains a physique size of greater than 100 mm, virtually 250 instances larger than that of the smallest ones (the Feather-winged Beetles of the Ptiliidae household) which is barely about 0.4 mm.
Laboratory coaching for Pre-U college students taking biology sensible classes to fulfil their requirement.
Dragonflies, ants, termites, bugs and numerous different bugs are equally attention-grabbing in variety in addition to ecology. SFD has been working with numerous companies, resembling Sabah Tourism Board, Sabah Biodiversity Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kipandi Park, Pure Historical past Publications (Borneo), Sabah Parks, Sabah Wildlife Division and Rotary Membership Kota Kinabalu in selling bugs in nature tourism.
The division was additionally very a lot concerned within the gazettement of the Kinabalu Birdwing butterfly (Troides andromache) because the state butterfly in 2023, initiated by the late Dr Stephen Sutton.
Books on bugs, produced by Sabah Forestry Division by analysis and collaborations.
Insect Pests in Pure Forests and Forest Plantations
In keeping with the Forest Plantation Growth Motion Plan (2022-2036), monitoring forest insect pests is essential within the forestry sector as a result of it offers with the well being or well-being of the timber. Most of the industrial tree species within the forest are inclined to insect assault.
Thus, steady entomological research on the insect pests would supply a greater understanding on the ecology of the pests, and it will allow correct pest administration of tropical forest to be applied. An understanding of the biology of the pests, the harm that they trigger, would assist the forester in deciding what to plant, and the best way to keep away from potential insect or illness outbreak. It’s all the time higher, when doable, to forestall than to treatment. Therefore, SFD by FRC works hand-in-hand with the assorted Forest Administration Items and different forest plantation stakeholders in offering recommendation and conducting programs on forest insect pest administration, in addition to ailments, throughout the capability of the division.
Environmental Consciousness and Schooling
In translating analysis findings for public advantages, FRC Entomology Part has been actively collaborating in numerous environmental training and outreach programmes, organised by the Rainforest Discovery Centre and different companies, by exhibitions, insect talks, video games and different insect associated actions.
Biodiversity posters on numerous insect teams had been produced and distributed to chose faculties and nature websites all through Sabah to advertise a greater understanding on insect variety of the rainforest. Insect talks are additionally being performed for vacationer guides, particularly for the Persevering with Tourism Associated Schooling (CTRE) underneath the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Tradition.
Capability Constructing
Apart from insect analysis per se, numerous undergraduates from native universities conduct their internship of 3-6 months on the Entomology Part yearly, to fulfil the requirement of their closing yr earlier than commencement.
That is to supply a chance for the scholars to expertise the working surroundings. They’re being educated in insect identification, participation in insect variety and bug pest surveys, in addition to preparation of complete insect reviews for the division. It’s a part of the capability constructing supplied by SFD in coaching the youthful technology to be extra competent in performing their duties and adapting to new challenges.
