Nagao Natural Environment Foundation

NEF Newsletter

ISSUE No.17 March 2008

Nagao Natural
Environment Foundation
Founded in 1989, the Nagao Natural
Environment Foundation (NEF) is a nongovernmental organisation dedicated topromoting nature conservation in developing
countries. Since its establishment, theResearch Grant Scheme has supported
researchers from research institutions mainlyin the Asia-Pacific region. A total of 257
research projects in 24 countries have been
awarded grants during this period (as ofJanuary 2008). Meanwhile, the Scholarship
Scheme has given support to a total of 2,432
students in eight countries in Asia (as ofJanuary 2008).
In September 2007, the NEF reviewed its
schemes in order to contribute to nature
conservation more effectively. In addition tothe original Research Grant and Scholarship
Schemes, we extended our support toinclude the intensive production of scientificwork and filed activities under a new scheme
called the Comprehensive Programme forConservation Research and Activities.

Comprehensive Programme for Conservation Research and Activities
Research Grant Programme

Research Grant Scheme

Small-scale Research Grant Programme
Conservation Activity Programme
Publication Programme

Scholarship Scheme

Scholarship Programme
Exchange Programme

Nagao Natural Environment Foundation
Address: 3-10-10 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0004 Japan Phone: +81-3-5824-0771 Fax: +81-3-5824-0772
Website: http://www.nagaofoundation.or.jp E-mail: secretariat@nagaofoundation.or.jp
Establishment: 21 November 1989 Jurisdiction: Ministry of the Environment of Japan

NEF Newsletter

ISSUE No. 17 March 2008

Contents
FEATURES – NEF Connections

1

Prof Maryati Mohamed･･････････････････････････････････････････ 2
Dr Djunijanti Peggie････････････････････････････････････････････ 5Comprehensive Programme forConservation Research and Activities･････････････････････ 7
Research･････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 8Conservation Activities･････････････････････････････････････ 11

Research Grant Scheme
13
Outlines of New Projects in 2007･･････････････････････････ 13
Research Grant Programme

Le Manh Hung････････････････････････････････････････････････ 14
Sarath W. Kotagama･･･････････････････････････････････････････ 15
Lenin Riquelme･･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 17
Irvan Sidik････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 19
Monica Suleiman･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 21

Small-scale Research Grant ProgrammeTran Duc Hau･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 23
Iregi Mwenja･･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 25
Ganga Ram Regmi････････････････････････････････････････････ 27
Shahabuddin･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 29
Hesti Purnamasari･････････････････････････････････････････････ 31

Conservation Activity Programme

Johanis Pelealu･･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 32

Progress of the Projects in 2006･･････････････････････････ 33
Research Grant Programme

Nunu Anugrah････････････････････････････････････････････････ 34
Mohammad Irham･････････････････････････････････････････････ 36
Ruth S. Lucero････････････････････････････････････････････････ 39
Ngo Thi Thu Thao･････････････････････････････････････････････ 42
Cahyo Rahmadi･･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 43
Awal Riyanto･ ････････････････････････････････････････････････ 46
Saroyo･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 49
Hari Sutrsno･･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 51
Aung Than･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 53

Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Firman Aldy･ ･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 55
Tofayel Ahmed････････････････････････････････････････････････ 56
Nguyen Vinh Thanh･ ･･････････････････････････････････････････ 57
Rashedur Rahman････････････････････････････････････････････ 59

Conservation Activity Programme

Nur Hasanah･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 61
Jayantha Jayewardene･ ･･･････････････････････････････････････ 63
Johanis Pelealu･･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 65
Reynald Yawan and Emerita Tamiray････････････････････････････ 67

Publication Programme

Benjamin J. Gonzales･･････････････････････････････････････････ 68
Wilson Novarino･ ･････････････････････････････････････････････ 70
Eldar Rustamov･･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 71

Scholarship Scheme

73

List of NEF Scholars in 2007･･･････････････････････････････ 74
NEF Student International Workshop 2008 in Sabah･･････ 77

FEATURES - NEF Connections
Engaging People in Conservation –Education for a Better Future

Professor Datin Dr Maryati Mohamed and Dr Djunijanti Peggie are both distinguishedentomologists who devote themselves to conservation education. While Dr Mohamed has
been leading a group of professional biologists and ecologists as the Director of Institute forTropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah, she has developed
a university-wide environment programme for non-science major students. The NEF has
cooperated with the ITBC since 2004 through the provision of scholarships to its master’s
students.
Dr Peggie, who has developed her career in butterfly systematics, recently concentrates
her effort on educational publications for the Indonesian public. She believes that raisingawareness of the public on nature will lead the Indonesian people to a sustainable future. NEF’s
Publication Programme supported her first book ‘Practical Guide to the Butterflies of Bogor
Botanic Garden’ to be published in both English and Indonesian.
NEF conducted interviews with the two prominent scientists about their efforts in promoting
conservation and how they view the future of their respective countries. Both had strong
influence from their family and education on developing their interest in nature when they
were young. They emphasised that support from colleagues who share their vision is aninvaluable contribution to their success in their careers.
(NEF Interviewer: Yae Sano)Prof Maryati Mohamed
Director
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservatioin
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
NEF: Could you tell us how you have developed your careerin conservation?
Mohamed: By training, I am an entomologist. I look at
insects, in particular aphids, from a taxonomic point ofview and study its ecology. When I was writing my doctoral
dissertation on aphids, I began to understand that there
were many different things in the world. There are over fourthousand species of aphids on earth, and they must have
many and different important roles in nature. There must be
reasons why there are so many different kinds of creatures
and when we look at them very carefully, we find theirdifferent roles, such as being decomposers and pollinators.
This amazing finding urged me to work on conservation. I
simply felt that those small creatures must be conserved. It
was from myself that I must look at conservation more thanwhat I had been doing because what I had been doing wasjust being a taxonomist and ecologist.
I was quite lucky because I had great students who shared
the same aspiration as mine. It was in the 1980s and 1990s
and those students are now my staff working together withme. We share the same concern that, if we do not look after
these small organisms and make people understand thatthey are important, they will be gone. This is how I started
thinking about conservation.
My family also influenced me a great deal. Being a mother ofseven children, I am concerned about future of them. I wantthem to share the same feelings that I have toward nature.
It is interesting to see that young people may or may not
be concerned with what is around them unless you give achance to them to appreciate and make them understand. I
think that there is a big role people like myself can play fromunderstanding children, from understanding my students.
My education made another critical contribution to mycareer development in conservation. I went to Gajah Mada
University in Indonesia for my first degree and the Universityof London for my doctoral degree. I was very lucky that myuniversities, in UK, Indonesia and also here, foresee thatconservation will be a bigger issue for the 21st century andthey have given me all the opportunities not only to be
active in conservation at the faculty level but also at thenational level or even at the international level.
NEF: What is the significance of conservation education at
the university level in Malaysia?

Mohamed: If you ask me about the significance ofconser vation education here, it is ver y significant.
Conservation in Malaysia at the university level is very
important. You may think that, when young people
enter university, they already have knowledge about theenvironment and they understand that they are responsible
for conserving nature. Unfortunately, it is not so. Students we
receive at the age of 19 or 20 are generally very academicminded but they are not concerned about the environment
very much. We have to train them in university to be awareof environmental problems, how we can contribute toconservation, and how we should prepare for the future. It
is university that the first place where we really teach young
people about the environment.
Education in secondary schools is generally very specific toa certain subject, such as science, history and geography. In
short, education is compartmented whereas conservation isa very interdisciplinary subject. You do not have in the school
where people teach the environment together with economics
or social science. When they teach the environment, they
only talk about air, water, plants and animals, but they do notmake each topic interrelated and do not integrate different
disciplines to see it is about human beings. The real concern isthat human activities and human decisions to do something
spoils the environment.
In the year of 2002 we had a very big meeting in Kuala
Lumpur to discuss why our children and young people are
not concerned about the environment, why environmental
education in school is not sufficient. The Malaysian Education
Department does not intend to have another course or
curriculum to be added on top of all other subjects, such as
history, geography, math, science. This is too much for thechildren so they said, ‘let us just teach environmental sciencethrough a mixture of everything — a little bit in history, littlebit in geography, in English, and in math.’ It is called acrossdiscipline. We, many of us, believe that it is not going to beeffective.
One other character of education in Malaysia is that children
are very examination-minded. They just want to pass exams.
They are not given the time and environment to enjoy
the subjects that they are learning. Even if schools haveenvironmental education in curriculum, the only thingchildren want is to pass exams so they just try to remember
everything but not to be absorbed into what they arelearning. This is another reason why we think that whenchildren reach the age of 18 or 19, they are not still aware ofwhat is happening in the environment.
For the undergraduate level, we have made the university
management understand that we must have environmental
education even to non-science students. Because when wetalk about conservation, it is normally for science people. But
we must recognise that this is a problem of human and this isgoing to affect everyone’s future. Here in UMS we teach nonscience students conservation biology. We teach six modules
and all deals with conservation. We have “The Environment
and Conservation” which I teach myself with two otherlecturers. We have a course called “Evolution, Distribution andConservation” and we have a course on “Man and Animals”
and “Man and Plants.” Through all these courses, we try toraise awareness among future psychologists, historians, social
scientists, economists and business managers that they are partof the environment.
We give relevant
information as muchas possible. Whether
they like it or not,no matter what
they choose to doafter university, allof them still have
responsibilities overthe environment. This
is what we do at theundergraduate levelin UMS.
But at the postgraduate level, I think it is very important to
go into depth of conservation biology as main part of the
postgraduate programme. This is why I think we must thankthe Nagao Foundation for helping us. Here in Malaysia, as adeveloping country, people tend to look at natural things
like plants and animals as materials for commercial products.
People are very product oriented. It is important to develop
industries, and applied science, such as biotechnology, canhelp the development. However, basic science is importantat the same time to understand the natural environment
where all of us live. But basic science, such as ecology, is

not strong here and finding funds is not easy. If you dotaxonomy or ecology, you are unlikely to get much funding.
Even students agree that if they major in taxonomy orecology, they do not get much funding. But if you choose
biotechnology, nanotechnology or studies dealing withadvanced materials or solar technology, you get funding.
We are grateful that some organisations like the NEF are
helping us to balance between applied science and basic
science. Almost all of our students have been receiving NEF
scholarships for them to pursue basic science related toconservation.
The funding problem can directly affect career choice ofyoung generations. Say, biotechnology research can begiven a quater million Ringgit but research on taxonomy can
get only 60,000 Ringgit. I think among young people, theylook at conservation as something too basic or boring thing
to do while they look at biotechnology as very exciting
and promising them jobs. We must understand that young
people need security. If biotechnology gives them a job,then they all rather do biotechnology research afterwards.
If you choose conservation biology what do you do after?
Career path is also a problem, although we keep saying
to students ‘if you study conservation biology, that would
help you wherever you go. If you decide to be a school
teacher, you will be a good teacher with the knowledgeof conservation biology.’ That is what we are telling ourstudents.
NEF: You say that financial support is important for students
to pursue their study in conservation. Is there anything elsethat is a challenge in conservation education?
Mohamed: I think that awareness is a challenge. Awarenessabout conservation and about the importance of theenvironment to us has not really gone down to the grassroot
level. I think this owes to the natural conditions of Malaysia.
Malaysia is very fortunate. We do not have natural disasters,
not like Japan. Japan has a lot of typhoons, tsunami andearthquakes, then you become so much aware of things
happening in the environment. You are worried that one day
the mountain in front of your house just will explode. Herein Malaysia we are casual with the environment because
we do not have natural disasters. In such, people are bit too
casual about the environment.
On top of that, there are some people who are thinking somuch about profit making. The priority is given to making
fast money by cutting down forests and planting oil palm ina very unsustainable way. We can cut down forests and we
can grow oil palms but we must consider how to make itsustainable. I think human beings are given brain and heart
to think and to make good decisions but some people are
not using them well enough. We see that there are problems
in Malaysia that awareness is not in the stage where itmakes all young people interested in nature and to conduct
research on the environment.
Another challenge I can think of is that sometimes people
involved in policy implementation are not cooperative. Our
prime minister is very supportive of conservation. He is areligious person that is aware of our roles as a steward tolook after the environment. But some people under him
who are implementing public policies lack understanding or
not capable of enforcement. That makes people in Malaysia
a bit too relaxed and industries tend not to cooperate forconservation. They think that, if there are resources to be
used, why not use now. This lack of awareness is one of themain challenges we are facing.
Social conditions could also be a challenge. Malaysia isa multi-racial or multi-ethnic country. Different groupsof people see things differently. Maybe Chinese thinks
conservation in this way, but Malay may think it in a different
way and Indians may think differently. Maybe different groupof people have knowledge from their different life style,which actually contribute to conservation, but maybe we
do not know it well enough. The multi-ethnic characteristic
in the heterogenous society of Malaysia could be one
contributing factor and to me it is a challenge we must facebesides lack of awareness.
NEF: What are the major career options for graduates fromyour institute?
Mohamed: Some of our graduates ended up with being
wildlife officers, working at the Department of Wildlife andNational Parks in Peninsula Malaysia. Many are working also
at NGOs, like WWF. Some of them have become researchers,
university lecturers and schoolteachers. Very few would bea journalist. This is where we are lacking – if there are moreconservation-minded people becoming journalists, thenthey could actually turn the way people think about theenvironment. We do research and we publish in academic
journals but in many cases information in scientific journals
cannot be seen as useful from other sectors of society. If you
have a journalist and his writing is good, the information
can be translated into something useful to other sectorsof society, such as private sectors, common people andchildren. Maybe we need to train our conservation biology
students to become journalists.
NEF: How would you see the future of Malaysia from a
conservationist point of view?
Mohamed: I am ver y positive about the future ofconservation in Malaysia. I can give you an example, whichis going to be happening very soon. During our lectures toour undergraduate non-science major students, we always
tell them ‘Look boys and girls, you must not use too muchplastics because plastics spoil the environment. You must
not use polystyrene as a container for your food.’ We havebeen telling this maybe in the past six years. In terms ofthe number of students, it would be over 3,600 students.
Now, this year, next months on the 8th of September,
we are going to launch a university programme called‘3Rs’- Reuse, Recycle and Reduce. This is proposed by
students themselves. After having told the importance ofthe environment and waste problems, it went into themand they themselves are now forming a group to start the
programme ‘3Rs’ including placing dust bins for different
kind of rubbish to be recycled. The students tell their friends
how to use different dust bins. That is what students are now
starting.
What I am trying to say here is that you have to cultivate
the feeling of good environmental management in young
people. If you force onto people, it may not work well. You
must really start with young – this is what I realise from myexperience with my own children and students. You must
start when they are young and you must earnestly talk tothem. I am always trying to understand how they look at theenvironment and how they perceive the environment. WhatI believe is that you must talk to them, you must always
remind them, and you must get them to take action.
I have 140 students taking my course on conservation. Somepeople ask me ‘What? 140? How are you going to manage
the course?’ but we have managed to take all of them tothe field. Every week we bring a bus with 40 people to thefield and we let them stay one night in the forest because
it is important for the student to get to know nature. I tell
the students that this is what we have now but, if we do notcare for it, the forest will not last for long. For some people itis a boring job, if you repetitively have to have the same talkyou may give up. I do not think this is a boring job. This is
how you work with young students and children. You haveto keep reminding them and, finally to your satisfaction, youwill find that they themselves want to manage their life. So,
I am very pleased that on the 8th of September they aregoing to say ‘Yes! We stop using polystyrene for our meal
packet.’ They are going to boycott those disposable products,
and they are going to use very good reusable container
because throwing so many different things in the dust
bin makes it difficult to manage the waste. Plastic are notbiodegradable and our landfill is going to be problematic.
I am very optimistic. In the last six years I have been talking
to young students about the environment, now they aretaking action by themselves. This means, if we keep doing
things, that we might change the next generation to be
more considerate to the environment. But of course wecannot be optimistic too much and we have to keep trying.
The move is slow but steady and continuous.

Dr Djunijanti Peggie
Researcher
Indonesian Institute for Sciences
NEF: Could you tell us how you have developed your career
as an entomologist? How did you become interested in
insects, especially butterflies?
Peggie: My interest in nature began way back in my earlychildhood. I grew up in Bogor. My family lived in the vicinityof the Museum Zoology Bogor and Bogor Botanic Garden.
When I was little, I loved the exhibitions of Indonesian faunain the Museum, and I often visited the Garden, which has
great collection of flora. My parents also took their children
to different places on weekends where they could enjoy
nature. We liked to go to beaches, hills, mountains and other
different areas. I am very grateful to my parents that theygave me the opportunities to expose myself to nature in myearly childhood.
For my bachelor degree, I majored in biology at the
Universitas Nasional in Jakarta. We had many field activities
and I had a lot of fun exploring nature. I went to England for
my master’s degree and continued my one-year internshipin the British Museum of Natural History. That was thetime I really learned how to deal with butterflies from mysupervisor, Dr Dick Vane-Wright, who is world’s expert ofbutterflies. After spending one year in Indonesia I gained an
opportunity to pursue my PhD in butterfly systematics at
Cornell University.
When I think back, many people helped me develop mycareer. First, my parents affected me very much and theygave me freedom to choose what I wanted to be. They
said ‘It is your life. You can do whatever you think makes

you happy and makes you satisfy.’ They gave me options tochoose. Second, my supervisors were very supportive ofme developing professional skills and knowledge necessary
to be a scientist. Now, my husband and children are very
understanding of my job as a researcher and give me muchsupport.
NEF: What made you to publish the ‘Practical Guide to the
Butterflies of Bogor Botanic Garden’?
Peggie: I was interested in nature very much when I wasyoung but unfortunately I did not have good access tobooks to learn about nature. There was no book on nature
available to the Indonesian public. In my high school, I
joined the nature adventure club called ‘Cobweb.’ We went
hiking to explore different places and I enjoyed doing it. We
saw many interesting things in nature. But I must say that
it was a shame that we had many curious things around us
but we just did not know what they were. I mean, we justwent around and said ‘Oh, this is so nice and that one is nice
too!’ What we knew about butterflies was only that they
were called kupu-kupu in Indonesian language.
Nobody had written simple books about Indonesia fauna
or flora which the public had easy access. Research centres
might have some scientific reports, but those were notavailable for the public. Even if they were, scientific papers
are too difficult for most people, especially children andyouth, to understand.
This is why I wanted to make simple books on nature forpeople to broaden their interests and knowledge. As anentomologist, I have been motivated to write books ofbutterflies. I thought it would be great for children andtheir parents to have access to reference when they see abutterfly and want to know what it is. I wanted this bookto contribute to young generations so that they have more
appreciation towards nature.
NEF: How long did it take you to collect the specimens used
for the book?

Peggie: It took us about 10 months to collect specimensfrom different parts of the Botanic Gardens. We could
have good coverage of butterflies in the area. I also took
photographs of live butterflies. Then we processed andidentified the specimens and it took us about two years to
get all of the data ready for the publication.
NEF: What were the major challenges you had to face in the
preparation of this book?
Peggie: For some species, it was hard to find information,
mainly because I do not have access to publications,especially old literature, but in many cases the information
I needed simply did not exist. For example, we do not yet
know many things about butterflies yet, such as larvae andhost plants. Perhaps not too many people had paid attention
to such small creatures in Indonesia so I believe that it ispart of my job to go to the field and collect information. We
have to conduct fieldworks and find out what plants thebutterflies lay their eggs on.
NEF: Could you tell us how this book has been used?
Peggie: I had hoped that the book would be used by moreIndonesian people. People do not necessarily have to go to
the Botanic Garden to see the butterflies, because many ofthe butterfly species covered in the book are common andcan be found in their own terraces or backyards. The bookis simple and self explanatory. When people see a butterfly,
they can just open the book and see the name and checkits biology. This is what I want them to experience. But it
does not seem that the book is used in the way I expected.
Somehow people’s priority is given to other things. Although
I have distributed about two hundred copies to schools, I
have not received much response from them.
I had of course received nice compliments and appreciationfrom my colleagues and people who are already aware ofwonder of nature. Some friends of mine who send theirchildren to international school love the book and theirchildren are so happy that they can identify butterflies
using my book. It is great to hear that someone enjoys mybook. On the other hand, I must say that my target is theIndonesian public and I truly hope that people in Indonesia
can learn more about nature, particularly butterflies.

NEF: How do you see the future of conservation inIndonesia?
Peggie: I have to admit that it is a long way to go but wehave to keep on trying to reach out to the Indonesian publicand cultivate their interest and appreciation towards nature.
I believe that all efforts that each of us can contribute tonature conservation. One of my contributions is producing
books available for the public that help raise their awarenessof nature.
When I see people do not show much interest in my bookwhich I put so much effort for many years, it discourages me.
I work hard collecting butterflies, taking photographs, andcompiling all information together for publication. I enjoy
my job a lot, but when I see people not using the book thatI devoted so much my time and energy, the disappointment
sometimes makes me feel all my efforts were not worth it.
However, I believe that, like when I was young, my book will
help someone understand the natural world. My husband
says, ‘You made the book available for the people here andhow many of them use it now or later should not worry you
too much. We know that it will help someone someday. Thatis great.’
I have also had a lot of encouragements from my former
supervisors and colleagues. Thanks to them, I can keep up
my spirit for producing practical guidebooks for people inIndonesia.

Dr Peggie presenting her book ‘Practical Guide to the Butterflies ofBogor Botanic Garden’ to former Minister of the Environment ofJapan, Masatoshi Wakabayashi, at Indonesian Institute for SciencesComprehensive Programme
for Conservation
Research and Activities
Basic study on the aquatic fauna and flora and conservation activities
participated in by local residents in the Mekong-Chao Phraya Region
The NEF has conducted its new scheme ‘Comprehensive Programme for Conservation
Research and Activities,’ since 2006. The NEF facilitates scientific research and conservation
activities by sponsoring local scientists and conservation groups in four countries in the
Mekong – Chao Phraya region. These countries are Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, andVietnam.
As the research component of the Programme, the NEF is implementing the ‘Basic
study on the aquatic fauna and flora and conservation activities participated in by local
residents in the Mekong-Chao Phraya region.’ This is a five-year project to piece out thecurrent status of fauna and flora in the Mekong-Chao Phraya region (the area comprisingof the drainage of the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers). Teams of researchers from the NEF
and local institutions in the four countries are conducting research on aquatic organisms
in cooperation with local residents. In particular, the project focuses on the aquatic
environment nearby local residential areas, such as paddy fields, irrigation canals, small
tributaries, swamps, and so on, as the organisms inhabiting said environments can belargely influenced, and in many cases threatened, by human activities. The NEF aims to
improve local residents’ consciousness of biodiversity in these habitats by involving themin the research activities.

Research
Fish fauna in the Mekong-Chao Phraya region is well-known
for its great diversity. Nevertheless, our knowledge of theirdistribution and life history, for example, is quite limited andvague. There exists no comprehensive study of fish fauna
based on empirical research in this region, and numerous
taxonomic confusions, as well as a lack of adequate
identification guides for Mekong-Chao Phraya fishes for nontaxonomists, make further ecological or biological researchand conservation of the Indochinese fishes difficult.
The primary objective of this research is to investigate thecurrent status of fish fauna in the Mekong-Chao Phraya
region in cooperation with universities and research
institutions in Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The research teams conduct field surveys on fish fauna andtake data together with voucher specimens. Photographsof fish specimens are taken immediately after collectionin order to record colouration. The data and photographs
obtained will be compiled as a database of the MekongChao Phraya fishes.
Participating organisations and/or researchers and theirresearch areas are as follows:
ThailandSix scientists, belonging to four universities, are involved as
principal investigators. They are divided into three researchteams for surveying different parts of the country, namely
the central, eastern and northern areas of Thailand.
(1) Central area
The lower reaches of the Chao Phraya drainage arecovered. Participating researchers are Dr Wichian
Magtoon from the Faculty of Science at Srinakharinwirot
University in Bangkok and Dr Prachya Musikasinthornfrom the Department of Fishery Biology in the Faculty ofFisheries at Kasetsart University in Bangkok.

Lao PDRA total of six researchers from two faculties, the Facultyof Science and the Faculty of Agriculture, at the National
University of Laos in Vientiane are participating in thisproject. They are Mr Bounthob Prasaysombath, Ms
Manichanh Nammanivong and Ms Viengkone Vannachak
from the Faculty of Science and Mr Thonglom Phommavong,
Mr Vannaphone Phoutthana and Mr Kham Phommachanhfrom the Faculty of Agriculture. In 2007, they conducted
fieldwork in the mid-lower reaches of the Num Ngum Riverof Mekong drainage.
Cambodia
Scientists from the I nland Fisheries Research andDevelopment Institute at the Fisheries Administrationin Phunom Penh are participating in this project. Dr So
Nam is responsible for the management of the research
activities in Cambodia and his three staff members, Mr Chea
Tharith, Mr Thack Phanara and Ms Chin Deth, join the teamas the principal investigators. The team has started theirfield survey in different parts of the Cambodian Mekong
drainage, including at Great Lake or Tonle Sap.
VietnamResearchers from the Faculty of Fisheries at Can Tho
University are participating in this project. Dr Nguyen
Thanh Phuong, the Dean of the Faculty, is responsible forthe management of research activities. Mr Tran Van Vietand Ms Le Thi Ngoc Thanh join the team as the principal
investigators. Three other staff members, Dr Nguyen ThanLong, Dr Tran Dac Dinh and Mr Tran Xuan Loi, are also
involved as advisors and/or technical assistants. The teamconducts field sampling in broad areas of the Mekong deltain Vietnam.

(2) Eastern area
The research team covers the middle reachesof the Mekong drainage in the eastern partof Thailand. Participating researchers are Dr
Kanjana Payooha, Mr Chaiwut Grudpan, and
Ms Jarungjit Grudpan from the Faculty ofAgriculture at Ubon Rajathanee University in
Ubon Rachathani.
(3) Northern area
The upper reaches of the Chao Phraya drainage
are covered. The participating researcher is
Mr Apinun Suvarnaraksha from the Faculty ofFisheries Technology and Aquatic Resources at
Maejo University in Chiang Mai.
Fieldwork – Lao PDRActivities in 2007
1. Training seminar on fish taxonomy
From 1st to 8th April, 2007, a training seminar on fishtaxonomy was held at Kasetsart University, Bangkok. This
was a week long seminar in order for the research teams
to learn the basic knowledge and techniques necessary
for conducting subsequent research activities in the field
and in the laboratory. A total of nine participants from thefour countries attended and studied how to conduct fieldresearch on fish fauna.
The topics included methods of collecting fishes,
identification, photography, fixation and preservation.
The course was comprised of the following three main
sessions: (1) lecture about the basic ichthyology anddiversity of Indochinese fish fauna; (2) experimental fieldresearch on fish fauna in Ayuthaya; and (3) practice for
identification, using fish specimens obtained during
the field trip to Ayuthaya. The lecture and the otheractivities were conducted by Dr Prachya Musikasinthornfrom Kasetsart University with the help of two Japaneseichthyologists invited by the NEF. This course wasalso a good opportunity for all the research teams tocommunicate and exchange their research plans.
2. Fieldwork
After the training seminar in Bangkok, extensive fieldsurveys were begun in all four countries. Field surveys havebeen carried out periodically (for example, for 1-2 weeks
every 1-2 months) in order to investigate the current statusof fish fauna. At the research sites, researchers collectfishes from various habitats using several types of fishinggear, such as hand nets, seine nets, casting nets, trawls andtraps. The teams receive the help of local fishermen who
possess invaluable knowledge of their local environment.
GPS is used to obtain detailed geographical data foreach site and the local, or vernacular, names of fishes arerecorded. Fishes are also complementarily obtained fromthe fish markets. As soon as they are collected, fishes are
fixed in 10% formalin for subsequent preservation, while
photographs are taken for at least some of the specimens
before fixation in order to record their colouration while
alive or fresh.
In conclusion, although time for the field surveys waslimited, numerous fish specimens were collected andphotographed in 2007. Of the fishes collected, there
are several specimens with new discoveries related
to taxonomy and/or biogeography. The results will becompiled in NEF publications and published in scientificjournals.
A summary of activity in 2007 in each country is as follows:
ThailandThe three teams conducted fieldwork in the following areas:(1) Central area team: Chao Phraya drainage from
Pathumthani and Ang Thong Provinces;(2) Eastern area team: Mekong River and its tributaries inKhongchaim to Phosai; and(3) Northern area team: Upper reaches of Mae Cheam Riverbasin, Chiangmai Province.
In the period between October and November of 2007, theteams carried out, collected and photographed at least 225
fish species.
Lao PDR
The area in the mid-lower reaches of the Nam Ngum Riverin Vientiane was selected as the research site. The area iscomprised of a large reservoir (Nam Xouang Reservoir),swamps, small tributaries and the large-sized, slow-moving
turbid main stream of the Nam Ngum River. During the sixdays of fieldwork in November, at least 87 species of fishes
were collected and photographed.
Vietnam
The area in the lower drainage of the Mekong Riverbetween An Phu and Can Tho was selected as a researchsite in Vietnam. A total of five expeditions were carried out
from July to December and at least 111 fish species werecollected and photographed.
Cambodia
The area in the middle reaches of Mekong drainage
between Stung Tren and Kratie provinces was selected asa research site. At least 122 species of fishes were collected
and photographed. In addition, many fish specimens wereobtained through an auxiliary survey of the seasonal largescale fisheries in the Tonle Sap River in late December.

Training seminar3. Collection buildings
Fish specimens obtained in this project are fixed andpreser ved in collection rooms at their respective
institutions. After identification, the specimens areregistered in the collection and systematically arrangedin each institution’s collection facility. Their respective
data (for example, locality, including GPS data, type of
habitat, date and time, name of collector, and methodused) are recorded in a registration book and a computer
database. In cases where the institutions lacked an
appropriate facility for storing specimen collections, theNEF contributed to the building or refurbishing of a room.
Future plans
Specimens obtained in this project are being appropriately
preserved in the facilities of the participating institutions
for research resources, such as reference collections andvouchers with the results of this project, and as materials

Collecting fishes using a casting net

Specimensfor various derived studies in the future. A database of fish
images that presents the fishes’ colour while alive or freshis useful for identification and research on intraspecificvariations in colour. Detailed distribution maps of fishes
based on GPS data will contribute to the conservation
activities in this region. The data on the vernacular names
will be helpful when selecting standard local names forthe respective fish species in each country. These will bepresented in various NEF publications, such as scientificarticles and reference books (for example, pictorial books
and/or identification guides), and will contribute to a better
understanding of the distribution, taxonomy and species
diversity of fishes in the Mekong-Chao Phraya region. It
is also expected that the outcomes will be used in future
policy making for sustainable resource use and developmentin the region. (Koichi Shibukawa)

Taking photos

Yasuhikotakia caudipunctata - Cambodia

10Conservation Activities
In 2006, the NEF began a new programme for conservation
activities to be conducted in conjunction with the research
activities. Like the research activities, the focus of theconservation activities is the freshwater ecosystems in the
Mekong River region with a traditional history of humanutilisation and their wise/sustainable use.
The program aims to increase public awareness ofthe existence, extent, and importance of the largely
undocumented ‘neighbourhood’ biodiversity: essentiallythe ecology within, and in the vicinity of, bodies of water,such as the ponds, rice fields, canals, rivers and lakes thathave traditionally been integral to the daily lives of so many
people in the Mekong region.
The main approach employed is to mobilise organised youth,
primarily student groups in universities, and to provide
support and direction to these students in order to promoteconservation awareness in rural communities. The students
then visit and conduct activities in village primary schools.
In this first year, the main focus has been to identify andcoordinate the student groups and to target the village
communities they can visit, as well as providing logisticalsupport. To date, four such groups have been established in
Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
In some instances, the groups already existed and the NEF
provides support and direction for their activities. In others,
the groups have been established from scratch. The kindsof activities vary from group to group, depending on theirown fields of interest and level of experience. The NEF has
increasingly been providing training and direction to steer
the groups’ activities more towards the conservation of
biodiversity.

Angkor University students conducting a briefing about the dragonfly
life cycle after a field collecting exercise

11

The NEF does not maintain a physical presence in
the Mekong area, but instead coordinates activities
electronically. Email, instant messaging, and cell phones,
as well as digital photographs, are the main means ofcommunication and reporting. The NEF has provided thestudent groups with digital cameras in order to record theiractivities and to regularly send photo-reports by Internet.
The NEF is now expanding the role of digital cameras to not
only record the activities themselves, but also to assist in thescientific gathering of data on biodiversity. 2008 will see thiskind of student-run digital image-based survey carried out
on a more expansive scale.
The most immediate objective is to bring the capacity ofthe student group activities up to the point where they canconduct more biodiversity-related activities, rather than
general conservation awareness. The Cambodian group has
begun moving in this direction. The Laos and Thai groups
are expected to follow beginning next fiscal year.
In Cambodia, activities are concentrated in Siem Reap
Province in the newly-established Angkor University. This
university had no organised students groups, or even any
form of conservation-related studies, whatsoever. The NEF
soon found a group of young people willing to spend theirspare time learning about conservation and helping ruralcommunities. Initially, the students worked directly withlocal agencies and NGOs, visiting primary schools in andaround the Tonle Sap Lake. The NEF then provided some
initial training in biodiversity survey techniques, after which
the students began experimenting with these activities invillage primary schools.
In Lao PDR, the activities centre around Vientiane, and in two
thrusts: One with organised student groups at the National
University of Laos, at both the Dongdok and Nabong

Students of the National University of Laos conducting an awareness activity
in a village primary school

Campuses, Vientiane, and the other with the staff of theAquatic Development Centre in nearby Namsuang District.
The student groups focus mainly on raising awareness ofgeneral conservation issues. Students from both campuses
conducted several joint workshop camps to train theirmembers, after which they began paying weekly visits toprimary schools in each of the 15 villages between their two
campuses, conducting a range of general environmental
awareness presentations and games.
Also in Vientiane, the NEF is conducting a separate activity
with the staff of the Aquatic Development Centre in 20
villages in the Namsuang area. The activities focus specificallyon more scientific documentation and on raising awarenessof the diversity of freshwater organisms. Local schoolchildren
are mobilised to gather specimens, and students from the
National University of Laos assist in interviewing community
members about their knowledge of the area and their usageof aquatic animals found in their rice fields, ponds, and otherwater bodies in their neighborhood.

The NEF has recently merged the two activities, with theuniversity students visiting the Aquatic Development
Centre in Namsuang, adding their awareness presentation
experience to the Centre’s more scientific activities, while atthe same time learning some field information-gathering
techniques they can apply to villages in their own activity
areas.
In September 2007, a team of Japanese scientists from the
NEF visited Vientiane and Siem Reap and provided basic
training in survey techniques for the scientific monitoringof freshwater organisms. The training concentrated in the
Aquatic Development Centre in Namsuang, Laos, and withthe student group in Angkor University, Cambodia. The
training has enabled the student group at Angkor University
to begin a range of activities more focused on aquaticorganisms, their diversity, and importance. Dragonflies are
the main target category, and are being used and promoted
as an indicator of general biodiversity and ecosystem
health. The students are expanding their activities to nature
photography, and the NEF has provided a number of digital
cameras and on-going training in the cataloguing andidentification of photographs of aquatic organisms.
As for the remaining activity venues, in Thailand the NEF is
supporting a group of fishery students at Ubon Rajathanee
University in order to conduct awareness activities, primarily
related to the conservation of fish biodiversity, in thesurrounding villages. Further south in the country, in Paksein Champasak Province, the NEF is assisting a small student
group at the Champasak Agriculture and Forestry College
to work with nearby communities. To date, their focus has
been mainly on teaching more sustainable integrated
farming methods on the grounds of the primary schools.
(Stefan Ottomanski)

Schoolchildren in Cambodia catching and learning
about dragonflies in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Children in Pakse, southern Laos learning more sustainable integrated farming under
direction of students from Champasak College of Agriculture and Forestry

12

Research Grant Scheme
Outlines of New Projects in 200713

Research Grant Programme
Status, survey and conservation of key bird species on the Con Dao
Islands, Vietnam, including Chinese crested tern and Nicobar pigeon
Research Grant Programme

Le Manh Hung
Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam

The Con Dao islands of Ba Ria Vung Tau province are known
to support many key species, providing part of an important
habitat within the South China Sea ecosystem. However, due
to the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the statusof many species has been poorly studied. While there is highdemand for the conservation of the islands' biodiversity,
the lack of detailed information on the status of key species,
especially birds, has been a constraint in taking appropriate
conservation measures.

will contribute to the ongoing conservation initiatives oforganisations such as Fauna and Flora International, World
Wide Fund for Nature and BirdLife. The information generated
by this project will be used to formulate management plansfor both the forest and for threatened and rare species ofbirds and to assist with the planning of guided tours on
the Con Dao islands. The results of this research will bepresented for the purpose of raising awareness of the local
stakeholders, FPD, schools in identified sites, NGOs and thescientific community.

The key bird species of the Con Dao islands include anumber of colonially nesting seabird species. The Chinese
crested tern Sterna bernsteini, a critically endangered species,
is possibly found on the islands. In addition, the islands
are the only place in Vietnam where the globally nearthreatened Nicobar pigeon Caloneas nicobarica has beenrecorded, although there have been no records of thisspecies for over half a century. As the bird species of the
Con Dao islands are currently threatened through hunting,disturbance and introduction of alien predators, such as rats,
cats, dogs, goats and civets, there is an urgent need to assess
the status of these species and evaluate the threats to them.
Working with park managers and NGOs is vital in taking thesuitable action necessary to address the critical conditions ofbird species of the islands.
The present project is intended to assess the current statusof birds of the Con Dao islands. We are collecting data
for the conservation of the Chinese crested tern, Nicobar
pigeon and nesting seabird species, including great crested
tern Sterna bergii, bridled tern S. anaethetus, roseated tern S.
dougallii, brown noddy Anous stolidus, red-billed tropicbird
Phaethon aethereus, masked booby Sula dactylara and brownbooby S. leucogaster.
The project provides training opportunities of fieldtechniques for students, local staff of the Forest Protection
Department (FPD) within Con Dao National Park andlocal community members. The results of the project14

Assessing the impacts of tropical forest modification and fragmentation
on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning using dung beetles as the
focal taxon
Research Grant Programme

Sarath W. Kotagama
Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Habitat loss and fragmentation are rapidly modifying tropicalforest ecosystems, causing dramatic changes to biotic
communities. More than any other terrestrial ecosystem, thevitality of tropical forests depends on the web of ecologicalinteractions among species. When a species becomes locallyextinct in a forest fragment, the functional roles played bythat species are also lost. This loss of ecosystem integrity
leads to ecosystem decay and causes a cascade of local
species extinctions. While a number of studies document
patterns in the effects of fragmentation on species diversity,
few have addressed the process of how habitat disturbancecauses the extinction of species performing vital ecosystem
functions and the subsequent effects on ecosystemprocesses.
Important for nutrient cycling and seed dispersal, therecycling of vertebrate dung is one of the least understoodecosystem processes. This study will examine the patterns,
causes and functional consequences of altered dung beetle
biodiversity due to forest degradation in the biodiversity
hotspot of Sri Lanka. With its rich biological diversity and thehigh levels of anthropogenic habitat disturbance, Sri Lanka
provides an opportune study site. Their high diversity andabundance, integral role in dung removal, and ecological/
behavioural/morphological diversity make dung beetles
an ideal focal taxon for measuring biodiversity disturbanceand interactions between anthropogenic disturbance andcommunity structure.
Through this study, we will assess how the species diversity,
abundance and community assemblages of dung beetles
vary across the climatic and topographic zones of Sri
Lanka in undisturbed and modified habitats. We will
identify species (for example, body size) traits that may
influence species’ sensitivity to habitat disturbances, andcorrelate dung beetle response parameters with habitat
characteristics. Finally, we will examine whether changes
in dung beetle communities resulting from disturbancetranslates into significant functional consequences.
This project will be a pioneering study on biodiversity and15

ecosystem functioning in Sri Lanka, and the first ecologicalstudy on the countr y ’s dung beetle fauna. This willcontribute much to the scientific understanding of habitat
disturbance and its impact on biodiversity.
Objectives
The alteration of natural landscapes by humans is theprimary cause of global biodiversity loss across all majortaxonomic groups, and is expected to increase in severity
over the coming decades as human populations continue
to grow exponentially (Reid et al., 2005; Sodhi et al., 2007).
Understanding the response of biotic communities to themodification of the natural habitat is essential for predicting
and mitigating further biodiversity loss (Balmford and Bond,2005).
The primary objective of this research is to study how andwhy biodiversity and community structure is changing
in response to habitat disturbance resulting from tropicalforest disturbance, and how these changes affect criticalecosystem processes. We aim to achieve the objective
by studying dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae:
Scarabaeinae), widely recognized as a useful focal taxon for
describing and monitoring spatial and temporal patterns of
biodiversity.
Developing theoretical and empirical frameworks forevaluating the impacts of habitat modification andfragmentation on biological diversity has long been afocus of ecology and conservation biology (Tilman, 1999;
Fahrig, 2003). Since dung beetle species are known to show
response to various kinds of disturbance (Spector andAyzama, 2003; Horgan, 2005), we will also investigate theirutility as indicator species to evaluate habitat modificationand fragmentation in Sri Lanka.
Direct contribution of the research(1) Global level
This research and the resulting publications will be avaluable contribution toward understanding the impactsof tropical deforestation and modification on biodiversity

and ecosystem functioning around the globe. This
study differs from the other published research by thecomparison of several habitat categories across a geoclimatic range. It is also the first study on the impactsof habitat disturbance on biodiversity and ecosystem
functioning in Sri Lanka.
(2) Local level
The forest cover in Sri Lanka has diminished from 76%
to less than 20% today and is still decreasing. As a global
biodiversity hotspot, most of the vertebrate groups are
threatened, and the status of most invertebrates is still
not known due to data deficiency. There is an urgent
need for the conservation of biodiversity to minimize
further degradation.
The rate at which this required knowledge is accumulated
is being vastly outpaced by even more rapid decline of
biodiversity. Conservation decision-making requires scientificstudies that will facilitate the identification and evaluationof the existing forest fragments and also disturbed areasof conservation importance. Research on ecosystem
functioning is a challenging new field of science yet still in its
infantile stage in Sri Lanka. The identification and valuationof ecosystem services are essential in conservation decisionmaking.
Finally, the dung beetles of Sri Lanka have not been studiedin over 70 years. There have been no published studies from
Sri Lanka on the taxonomy of dung beetles since the 1931
contribution of G.J. Barrows in “Fauna of British India.” Theecology of Sri Lankan dung beetles remains unstudied. By
addressing all three of the above issues, this research will
be extremely valuable to conservation scientists and policymakers.

References
Balmford, A. and Bond, W., 2005. Trends in the state of nature and their implications for human well-being. Ecology Letters 8, 1218–1234.
Fahrig, L., 2003. Effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics 34, 487–515.
Horgan, F.G., 2005. Effects of deforestation on diversity, biomass and function of dung beetles on the eastern slope of the Peruvian Andes. Forest Ecology andManagement 216, 117–133.
Reid, W., Mooney, H.A., Cropper, A., Capistrano, D., Carpenter, S.R., Chopra, K., Dasgupta, P., Dietz, T., Duraiappah Kumar, A., Hassan, R., Kasperson, R., Leemans, Rik,
May, R.M., McMichael, T.A.J., Pingali, P., Samper, C., Scholes, R., Watson, R.T., Zakri, A.H., Shidong, Z., Ash, N.J., Bennett, E., Kumar, P., Lee, M.J., Raudsepp-Hearne, C.,
Simons, Henk, Thonell, J. and Zurek, M.B., 2005. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis. United Nations. pp. 1–219.
Sodhi, N., Brook, B. W. and Bradshaw, C.J.A. 2007. Tropical Conservation Biology. Blackwell publishing. pp 1-3.

16

Conservation of Trichechus manatus manatus insuitable habitats in Panama
Research Grant Programme

Lenin Riquelme
Conservation, Nature and Life, Panama

Threatened by its habitat destruction, accidental deaths
and poaching, the Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus
manatus is listed as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN and as‘threatened with extinction’ in CITES. Though it has thelargest range of all Sirenia, most of its habitat is fragmented
and available information for the Central American stock israther scarce. An ongoingstudy on its status has beenc o n d u c t e d i n Pa n a m a
between mid-2004 tol a te - 2 0 0 6 , i n a n e f fo r t
to protec t the species’
habitat, with support
from the Van Tiehnhoven
Foundation for Nature

Antillean manatee
Trichechus manatus manatus

San San Pondsak River - Manatees’ habitat

17

Conservation (Netherlands) and the Rufford Small Grants
for Nature Conservation (UK). Recent outcomes include thedesignation of the Jugli-Damani lagoon, a major manatee
habitat, as a protected area and Ramsar Site.
The proposed project is aimed at encouraging effective
conservation by means of (1) knowing the number, status,
distribution and habitat use of Trichechus manatus manatus
in Panama; (2) tagging and tracking five manatees forindividual health studies and finding out usual moving
patterns; (3) assessing their condition and that of theirmain feeding and gathering areas; and (4) systematisinglocal people’s knowledge, experience and observations onmanatees in the study area.

The proposed project will conduct research for two years
using such methods as aerial surveys; GIS; field interview
surveys; tagging of individuals and strategic planning,making possible to track the same individuals over many
years; conducting health assessments; collecting samples ofgenetic material; and monitoring reproductive condition andenvironmental factors in their habitat. Among other things,
the research will yield a database on the species’ status in
Panama including their numbers, feeding, reproduction
areas and usual moving patterns . Additionally, it will yieldan assessment of the environmental factors that affectthe health of individual manatees and how these factors
impact their behaviour and reproduction. The results of thestudy will: (1) provide reliable data to update the Regional
Conservation Plan for the Antillean Manatee, a regional
process led by the United Nations Environmental Program
under the framework of the Convention for Biological
Diversity; and, (2) support informed decision making
and participation by park management authorities andcommunity organisations leading to effective protection of
the local stock.

Ecological data is necessary for Panama’s National
Environmental Author it y to understand which
regulations should be enforced in order to guarantee
the conservation of manatee habitats, particularly on theeffects of water runoff and pesticide use from banana
plantations, and the potential for designating new
protected areas.

Specific objectives(1) To know the number, status, distribution and habitat useof Antillean manatees in the project area.
This study will be used as a ‘control’ for understanding themanatees’ behavioural ecology prior to the rise of humandisturbance and development and what behaviourchanges, if any, take place when pressures increase. The
resulting data might be used to declare new protectedareas in Panama as critical habitats for Trichechus manatus
manatus.
(2) To track individual manatees; recapture taggedindividuals to conduct health assessments; collectsamples of genetic material and monitor reproductive
condition; and, at the same time, monitor environmental
factors in their habitat.
Except for a few locations and reported observations,
there is uncertainty as to what are the main gatheringand feeding spots used by manatees. If regional and sitemanagement plans and actions are based on these data,
they might allow populations to continue breeding andto provide the nucleus for the future recolonisation ofother suitable habitats in Panama and adjacent countries.
(3) To determine the environmental factors that affect thehealth of individual manatees and how this impacts
behaviour and reproduction and to foster the long-termpreservation of these factors.

18

The highland herpetofauna of the Meratus Mountainous Range – South
Kalimantan: a preliminary survey to determinants of diversity andbiomass
Research Grant Programme

Irvan Sidik
Zoology Division, Research Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

The island of Kalimantan represents a zoogeographic
region of wetland and upland transition (Inger, 1966)
and is probably the richest island in the Sunda Shelf forherpetofauna diversity – 254 reptiles (24% endemic) andapproximately 100 amphibians are known (Mackinnon et al.,2000). It is known to be more diverse than both Sumatra (217
reptiles and 70 amphibians) and Java (173 reptiles and 36
amphibians). Although the Malaysian regions of the island,
Sabah and Sarawak, occupy one-third of Kalimantan, andhold the larger number of herpetofauna (259 reptiles and
150 amphibians (Inger and Stuebing, 1997; Stuebing andInger, 1999; Lim and Das, 1999), the level of endemism in theIndonesian region is much greater especially at the higher
elevations.

Two types of sample collections will be employed in orderto obtain reptiles and amphibians as broadly as possible.
First, night collection will be conducted for particularly
amphibians (and some reptiles) along small streams. We
will use headlamps to scan near streams or riverbank areas.
Detailed data on the position of each animal captured will
be recorded according to the attached vegetation of eachhabitat type. Second, day collection will be conducted for
reptiles (if possible, also for amphibians). Animals will becollected by cruising and searching vegetations within
the tree buttress area, and careful examination will be
conducted searching for any skin shed or eggs. Some
reptiles hide behind (under) rocks or in the holes of deadbark.

The Meratus Mountainous Range in the South Kalimantan
province contains diverse natural environments, including
lowlands, marshes and lakes that provide suitable habitats
for herpetofauna. However, data on herpetofauna in the
Meratus Mountain forest are lacking. In this project wewill conduct fieldwork to inventory herpetofauna in thearea. Other data, such as distribution, relative abundanceand biomass will also be recorded. The basic data on
herpetofauna of the Meratus Mountainous Range collectedin this study will contribute to future biological andecological research and the future conservation of nature inthis area.

For quantitative analysis, we will employ the line transect
method for each type of vegetation. Draft fences with pitfall
traps will be used at observation sites set every 200m fromabove sea level. At least 10 drift fences to enclose an areaof 50m x 50m will be set up for three days in each location
and about 50 plastic buckets will be used inside the fence
as pitfall traps. All reptiles and amphibians caught will beidentified, photographed and measured. In addition, theamphibians’ sound will also be recorded. Unidentified
herpetofauna specimens will be kept for further examinationin the museum. All samples and specimens will be depositedat the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense in Cibinong. DNA
and sound analyses will be conducted at the MZB.

The fieldwork will be conducted in the Gunung Meratus
National Park, which is mostly covered with pristine tropicalrain forest. The park contains a great number of amphibians
and reptiles, while this area is also used as a release site
for rehabilitated orangutans. However, large-scale illegal
logging activities impose a serious threat to the wildlife of
the park as the park’s boundaries are poorly monitored.
References
Inger, R.F., 1966. The Systematics and Zoogeography of The Amphibia of Borneo. Fieldiana: Zoology Vol.52:5-15. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA.
Inger, R.F. and Stuebing, R. B., 1997. A Field Guide to the Frogs of Borneo. Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd., Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Lim, B. L. and Das, I., 1999. Turtles of Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd., Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Mackinnon, K., Hatta, G. and Mangalik, A., 2000. The Ecology of Kalimantan. Ecology of Indonesia Series Book III. Prehallindo, Jakarta.
Stuebing, R. B. and Inger, R.F., 1999. A Field Guide to the Snakes of Borneo. Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd., Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

19

20

Phylogenetic analysis for selected genera of mosses in Mt Kinabalu:
its implication to their phylogeography and systematics
Research Grant Programme

Monica SuleimanInstitute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia

Introduction
Mount Kinabalu (4,095m) is the highest mountain between
the Himalayas and New Guinea. It is located in Kinabalu
Park, a World Heritage site 83km to the west of Kota
Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo Island. Within c. 900km², a varietyof vegetation types can be found on different geologicalformations within major elevational gradients, but without
any geographical gap.
There are currently 582 species of mosses recorded from
Sabah, northern Borneo (Suleiman et al., 2006) and morethan half of them are found on Mt Kinabalu (Akiyama et al.,
2001; Frahm et al., 1990). There are very few studies utilising amolecular approach on the mosses of Mt Kinabalu; previous
studies were based mainly on morphological data.
Besides the prominent diversity of mosses in Mt Kinabalu,
allopatric and sympatric distribution of congener species
have been recorded along elevational gradient. Little is
known about the causes of those distribution patterns. It isof interest whether present-day populations of mosses arerelicts from a warmer or cooler time (Late Plestocene) orwhether they are from recent colonisation and speciation
events. In addition, it is possible that the uplift of Mt

Kinabalu in the late Pliocene has also formed the presentday distribution and diversity of mosses.
This research therefore focuses on obtaining genetic datafrom three selected genera of mosses, namely Dicranoloma,
Campylopus and Pogonatum from Mt Kinabalu. These data
will be used to update and improve current systematics ofthe genera in Sabah. In addition, genetic data from somecongener species will be collected from other mountains
in Sabah. These molecular data will be analysed in orderto solve the phylogeography and the possible speciation
events of mosses in Mt Kinabalu.
Objectives
This research project has the following aims:(1) To update the systematics of Dicranoloma, Campylopus
and Pogonatum.
(2) To discover the phylogeography and evolutionary biology
of mosses of Sabah, with emphasis on Mt Kinabalu.
Methodology(1) Sampling strategy
The sampling of mosses will be concentrated on Mt
Kinabalu. In addition to this, congeners of the samegenera will also be collected from Mt Tambuyokon(2,588m), Mt Trusmadi (2,600m), Mt Magdelena (1,400m),
and Mt Lumaku (1,950m).
The mosses will be collected along the routes to thesummit and other bryologically unexplored parts ofthe mountains. Several samples from each species
will be collected at different elevations within theirdistribution range on Mt Kinabalu. The same species will
also be collected at different elevation points on othermountains. Each sample will be collected at two points
along an elevational gradient of approximately 200m to
300m asl apart. All the coordinates of sampling points
will be recorded.
(2) DNA analysis
Fresh specimens of mosses will be stored directly in – 80°C
before DNA extraction. The DNA will be extracted from

Pogonatum sp. from Mt. Kinabalu

21each sample by using DNeasy Plant Mini kit (QIAGEN).
Then, PCR will be carried out for four genes, namely,
gene atpb-rbcL, rps4, trnL-trnF and nrITS (Grundmann etal., 2006). The PCR primers and programs follow that ofGrundmann et al. (2006).
Electropherograms will be checked and corrected byeye, should any reading errors been made by a Genetic
Analyser. The DNA sequences will be aligned using
the ClusterW multiple alignment inside the BioEdit
Sequence Alignment Editor, version 7.0 (Hall, 1999), thensubsequently will be checked and adjusted manuallyusing the same program.

swapped under the tree bisection-reconnection (TBR)
algorithm. For NJ, gaps will be treated as missing data.
Expected outcomes(1) Sytematics of Dicranoloma, Campylopus and Pogonatum
will be updated by adding phylogenetic information.
(2) The phylogenetic data of Dicranoloma, Campylopus
and Pogonatum may provide useful information for theinference of evolutionary patterns of the mosses along
the slopes of Mt Kinabalu.

Phylogenetic relationships for the selected mosses will
be analysed using neighbour-joining (NJ) and maximumparsimony (MP), with PAUP*4.0b10 (Swofford, 2002).
For MP, gaps will be included as a fifth character state,
and each character will be given equal weight. Fivehundred bootstrap replicates will be carried out, withten replicates of a heuristic search with random addition
sequence at each bootstrap replication. Branches will be

Mt Kinabalu

One of the peaks of Mt Kinabalu

References
Akiyama H, Yamaguchi T, Suleiman M., 2001. The bryophyte flora of Kinabalu National Park (Sabah, Malaysia), based on the collections by Japan-Malaysia
collaborative expeditions in 1997. Nature and Human Activities 6, 83-99.
Frahm JP, Frey W, Kurschner H, Menzel M., 1990. Mosses and Liverworts of Mount Kinabalu Sabah Parks Trustees.
Grundmann M, Schneider H, Russell S.J., Vogel J.C., 2006. Phylogenetic relationships of the moss genus Pleurochaete Lindb. (Bryales: Pottiaceae) based on chloroplastand nuclear genomic markers. Organisms, Diversity & Evolution 6, 33-45.
Hall T.A., 1999. BioEdit: a user-friendly biological sequence alignment editor and analysis program for Windows 95/98/NT. Nucl. Acids. Symp. Ser. 41, 95-98.
Suleiman M, Akiyama H, Tan B.C., 2006. A revised catalogue of mosses reported from Borneo. The Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 99, 107-184.
Swofford D.L., 2002. PAUP*: Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony (*and other methods). Version 4. Sinauer Associated, Sunderland.

22

Small-scale Research Grant Programme
Study on the species composition of fish fauna in the upper reachesof the Nhat Le River, Quang Binh province
Small-scale Research Grant ProgrammeTran Duc Hau
Faculty of Agro-Biology, Hanoi National University of Education, Vietnam

At approximately 189km in length and with a basin areaof 4,080km², the Nhat Le River, including the Long Dai andKien Giang Rivers, is one of the longest rivers in Quang
Binh province. As long rivers contain a variety of different
environments, the species composition of fish fauna in theupper reaches of the Nhat Le River is expected to be quite
different from that of its lower reaches. However, given thefinancial and other constraints, such as the area’s adjacency
to the Lao border, only a limited amount of research has
been conducted on fish fauna in that area to date.

Study sites

23

In this study, we will undertake extensive fieldwork tocollect fish fauna of the Nhat Le River. We plan to implementmonthly samplings of fish at 16 sites in the upper reachesof the river over a period of two years, systematising local
people’s assistance with the sampling process. The locationof each site, its environmental conditions and local name will
be recorded, and specimens of fish will be fixed in formalin
for species identification in the laboratory. This study is
expected to yield an extensive list of fish fauna in the upper
reaches of the Nhat Le River.

Nhat Le River where the study will be conducted

24

The distribution and conservation status of the endangered Mt
Uarges guereza and the de Brazza’s monkey in forests of Samburu
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Iregi Mwenja
Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Kenya

BackgroundThough Samburu district is found in a predominantly semiarid region located in the northern part of Kenya, there are
four tropical forests, namely Mathews Range, Leroghi, Ndoto
and Mt Nyiro, which are rich in biodiversity and receive asubstantial amount of rain. These forests have, however,received marginal attention and the knowledge of theirbiodiversity is poor. This is unfortunate for ‘the lesser species’in a country like Kenya where all the attention is directed atthe ‘Big Five’ — the elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and therhino as well as, among others, charismatic species such as
the cheetah and giraffe. Rare and sometimes more-seriously
endangered primates such as the Mt Uarges guereza havebeen completely overshadowed.

The Mt Uarges guereza Colobus guereza percivali, endemic
to Samburu, is currently the only sub-species of guerezacolobus listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, whereas
the de Brazza’s monkey Cercopithecus neglectus, previously
thought to be restricted to the western part of Kenya, isendangered due to the rapid loss of its habitat. A new
population outside the known range of the species in Africa,east of the Great Rift Valley, was reported in Mathews Rangea few years ago. The first study on this satellite population
carried out last year reported more sightings in the Leroghi
and Ndoto forest.
Objectives(1) To assess the status and distribution of both the deBrazza’s monkey and the Mt Uarges guereza in the
Mathews Range, Leroghi, Ndoto and Mt Nyiro Forest
Reserves to help guide future conservation actions.
(2) To identify local threats to and opportunities forconservation of the Mt Uarges guereza and the de Brazza’s
monkey throughout the Mathews Range, Leroghi, Ndoto
and Mt Nyiro Forest Reserves.
(3) To improve environmental awareness and change theattitudes and perceptions of people living in or near
the Mathews range, Leroghi, Ndoto and Mt Nyiro Forest
Reserves as well as other stakeholders of the four Forest
Reserves.
(4) To develop the capacities of eight local scouts and four
research assistants with both forest and wildlife survey
skills and with data collection methodologies.
Methodology
General survey methods suitable for the collection of dataon geographical distribution, estimating densities, assessing
habitat and limited information on age and sex composition
will be used. Local scouts will assist with the navigationand location of troops within the dense unexplored forests,
while the research assistants will be responsible for animal
observations and data recording.
Natural transects, such as river valleys (lagga), will be used as
locations identified for detailed search in the majority of datacollection. A team of at least two people, i.e. an observer and

Mt Uarges colobus infant25

a recorder, will be allocated to each transect. The team will
walk at a speed of approximately 1km/h with frequent stops
to listen and record after every 60 metres.
The information gathered will include the date, name of
the area, duration spent (start and stop times), size andstructure of the troop, activity, association with other speciesof animals, tree species, elevation, GPS coordinates, mode of
detection, and any other remarks of significance. Each data
sheet will represent one transect or one ‘lagga’, which is asampling unit. Photographs will be taken along transectsand ‘laggas’ to complement the data recorded.

Expected outcomes(1) A GIS map, showing the distribution of all the troopsof the endangered Mt Uarges guereza and the locallyendangered de Brazza’s monkeys in the Mathews Range,
Leroghi, Mt Nyiro and Ndoto Forest Reserves, will be
produced.
(2) A scientific report on the distribution and conservation
status of the endangered guereza colobus monkey in
the Mathews Range, Leroghi, Ndoto and Mt Nyiro Forest
Reserves.
(3) The changed attitudes and perceptions of people
living in or near these Forest Reserves regarding theconservation of primates.

Interviews will also be conducted to further complement
the data collected from the field surveys. These will be in
the form of short, semi-structured schedules targeting thosepeople who have been into these forests and have seen
either of the two aforementioned species.
The local scouts will be trained on basic primates’ ecology
and conservation so that they can create awareness to awider audience in the different localities among the local
Samburu community. The Principal Investigator will also holdmeetings with locals to sensitise them on the importance ofprotecting biodiversity in their area.
Mwenja at Leroghi

26

The red panda Ailurus fulgens in Langtang National Park:an assessment of its conservation status
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Ganga Ram Regmi
Association for Integrated Environmental Management Society, Nepal

The red panda Ailurus fulgens is an ‘endangered’ species
that is fully protected under Nepal government law. Its
distribution is restricted to the Himalayan foothill regions of
Nepal. Due to the increase in forest fragmentation causedby human land use, red pandas are facing pressure for theirsurvival. Unless a comprehensive study of the population
status and existing threats is conducted, no reasonable
management recommendation and conservation action
plan can be established.
This study concentrates on an assessment of the red pandain Langtang National Park. This comprehensive project will
include population surveys through the direct sighting
and indirect sign survey method following the contour line
perpendicular to the elevational gradient, analysis of socioecological factors and site-specific conservation measuresand the development of community outreach/participatory
programs. The project will also assist the authorities
concerned of the Government of Nepal in formulating
effective management plans for the conservation of red
panda.
Objectives
The main objective of the study is to collect the basic
information of red panda in Langtang National Park, NorthCentral Nepal; its specific objectives are:(1) To collect data on the present distribution and statusof red panda populations in the fragmented forests ofLangtang National Park;(2) To identify the survival threats to these populations; and(3) To conduct community outreach and conservation
education programs for local people and schoolchildren.
Methodology(1) Reconnaissance survey
The reconnaissance survey on the red panda will be
conducted during a field visit. Discussion with local
people, herders and park staff will be helpful for theidentification of the potential areas of the red panda.
(2) Sign survey
For estimating the population status, red panda

27

abundance indices will be studied using different linetransects/trails along with the corresponding elevational
gradients. The number of elevational lines in each areawith an elevational interval of 100m above the 2,600m
elevation will be surveyed (for example, for direct sighting
and indirect signs such as droppings and eaten bamboo)
following contour lines at right angles to the elevation
gradients. The frequency and number of signs, GPScoordinates, elevation and microhabitat characteristics
will be recorded following the study done by Williams(2004) and Pradhan et al. (2001). All the droppings foundwill be categorised in different groups and size will beassessed so as to estimate the age of each red panda
according to Yonzon (1989).
(3) Habitat evaluation
Data on landscape and habitat parameters will also becollected from a circular, 10-meter radius plot every 100
meters during the transect walk and at each location
where signs are encountered. Canopy height, canopy
cover, ground cover, dominant tree and shrub species
and their phenological state will also be recorded atevery sampling point. Data will also be collected on the
degree of encroachment by people, grazing pressure andlogging.
(4) Questionnaire survey
A few selective questionnaires will be prepared tointerview the villagers and herders to evaluate the status
of Red Panda and level of poaching. The questionnaires
also will enable assessment of the people’s attitude
towards the Red Panda and the likelihood of success of
new conservation initiatives.
Community outreach education and public information
Outreach and conser vation education programmes
explaining the importance of wildlife will be launched,
aimed especially at different schoolchildren. Printed
materials including posters and stickers will be used topopularise the importance of the red panda. The school
programmes and leaders meetings will be conducted withan introduction of red panda and its role in the ecosystem.

Programme initiators will request to present local views andexperiences about the conservation.
Expected outcomes
The proposed study will provide:(1) The present distribution and status of the red panda inLangtang National Park;(2) The habitat preference by the red panda;(3) The attitude of the local people towards the red panda;(4) The threats pertaining to the red panda; and(5) Recommendations for the conservation measures andother related activities in the area.
References
Pradhan, S., G.K., Saha, and J.A., Khan, 2001. Ecology of the red panda Ailurus fulgens in the Singhalila National Park, Darjeeling, India. Biological Conservation.
98:11-18
Williams, B.H., 2004. The status of red panda in Jamuna and Mabu Villages of eastern Nepal. M.Sc. thesis submitted to san Jose State University, USA.
Yonzon, P.B., 1989. Ecology and conservation of the red panda in the Nepal-Himalayas. Ph.D. dissertation submitted to University of Maine.

28

Diversity and distribution of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
across a habitat disturbance gradient in Lore Lindu National Park,
Central Sulawesi – Indonesia
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Shahabuddin
Centre for Biodiversity Research, Tadulako University, Indonesia

The deforestation of tropical forests and their subsequentconversion to human-dominated land-use systems, suchas agricultural land, is one of the most significant causes of
biodiversity loss. This is also true for Indonesia, holding about
10% of the world’s remaining tropical forests. However,
the area covered by forest is decreasing rapidly and mostprovinces have already lost 80% or more of their lowland
forest (MSPE, 1992). This also counts for Sulawesi where
the deforestation rate has reached nearly 190,000ha/year(Holmes, 2000), and almost all lowland forests below 400m
asl have been lost (FWI and GWF, 2002 cited in Waltert et al.,2004).
Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are widely usedas biological indicators for evaluating the effects of habitat
disturbance driven by human activities, as they have proved
to be particularly sensitive to habitat perturbation, such as
canopy forest loss (Davis and Sutton, 1998; Davis et al., 2001)
and human habitat modification (Shahabuddin et al., 2005).
Several environmental variables, such as elevation (Loboand Halffter, 2000), soil and available dung type (Doube,1991) and season (Hanski and Krikken, 1991), affect theirdiversity and distribution. Furthermore they are ecologicallyimportant since their dung burial activity could maintainsoil fertility (Omaliko, 1984), increase plant yields (Miranda etal., 2001) and dung-seed dispersal activity promotes plantregeneration (Andresen, 2002; 2003). Therefore, a reduced
dung beetle population most likely results in a cascading
and long-term effect throughout the ecosystem.
Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP) in Central Sulawesi is oneof the core areas for the protection of the biodiversity ofWallaceae (Myers et al., 2000). Generally, forest habitats in
the interior of LLNP are still relatively undisturbed while
the margins of the park are characterised by a mosaic ofnear-primary forests, degraded forests, forest gardens andplantations of cacao, coffee, maize and paddy rice as themost important crops. Although the forest conversion
has strong negative effects on biodiversity ( Watt et al.,
1997; Lawton et al., 1998), some agroecosystems including
traditional agroforestry systems, such as cacao and coffee

29

cultivations established under the diverse layers of forest
trees, can maintain a relatively high portion of tropicalbiodiversity (Reitsma et al., 2001; Harvey et al., 2006).
Therefore, natural resource management should also include
its conservation efforts outside protected areas.
The main objective of this research is to explore the diversityand distribution of dung beetles across a gradient of habitat
disturbance in Central Sulawesi. In particular, this study
will investigate the response of dung beetles to different
levels of habitat disturbance ranging from natural forest,
agroforestry systems to open cultivated areas in LLNP. The
data on species diversity and distribution of dung beetles invarious habitat types will provide important information forimproving habitat management aiming to maintain a highlevel of biodiversity at both the margin of the protected area
and adjacent land-use systems.
This study aims to address the following research questions:(1) How forest conversion to land-use systems at the marginof LLNP affects the diversity and structure of dung beetle
ensembles; and whether the diversity of dung beetles
inhabiting natural forest is significantly higher thanthose in land-use system (agroforestry systems or annual
cultures).
(2) How significant the contribution of agroecosystems is to
the total (regional) diversity of dung beetles.
(3) What habitat variables will be the best predictors for
explaining differences in dung beetle assemblages
between land-use types.
The expected outcomes of this study are as follows:(1) Data on biodiversity, particularly of the species diversityand distribution of dung beetles in LLNP;(2) A brief description of dung beetles fauna collected in the
study area; and(3) Habitat management strategies to maintain highbiodiversity at the margin of the conservation area andits surrounding land-use systems.

References
Andresen, E., 2002. Dung beetles in a Central Amazonian rainforest and their ecological role as secondary seed dispersers. Ecological Entomology 27: 257-270.
Andresen E., 2003. Effect of forest fragmentation on dung beetle communities and functional consequences for plant regeneration Ecography 26(1): 87-97.
Davis A.J, Holloway, J.D, Huijbregts, H., Krikken, J. and Sutton S.L., 2001. Dung beetles as indicators of change in the forests of Northern Borneo. Journal of Applied
Ecology 38: 593−616.
Davis, A.J., and Sutton, S.L., 1998. The effects of rainforest canopy loss on arboreal dung beetles in Borneo: implications for the measurement of biodiversity inderived tropical ecosystems. Diversity and Distributions 4: 167–173
Doube, B.M., 1991. Dung beetles of Southern Africa. In: Hanski. I. and Cambefort, Y. (eds.). Dung beetle ecology. Princeton University Press. pp. 133-155.
Hanski, I., and Krikken, J., 1991. Dung beetles in tropical forests in South-East Asia. In: Hanski I. and Cambefort, Y. (eds.). Dung beetle ecology. Princeton University
Press. pp. 179- 197.
Harvey, C.A., Gonzalez, J, and Somarriba, E. 2006. Dung beetle and terrestrial mammal diversity in forests, indigenous agroforestry systems and plantainmonocultures in Talamanca, Costa Rica. Biodiversity and Conservation 15: 555–585.
Holmes, D,. 2000. Deforestation in Indonesia: A Review of the Situation in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. World Bank, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Lawton J.H. et al., 1998. Biodiversity inventories, indicator taxa and effects of habitat modification in tropical rain forest. Nature 391: 72-76.
Lobo, J.M. and Halffter, G.., 2000. Biogeographical and ecological factors affecting the altitudinal variation of mountainous communities of coprophagous beetles(Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea): a Comparative Study. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 93(1): 115–126.
Miranda, C.H,B,, dos Santos, J.C. and Bianchin, 2001. The role of Digitonthophagus gazella in pasture cleaning and production as a result of burial of cattle dung.
Pasturas Tropicales. 22 (1): 14-18.
[MSPE] Ministry of State for Population and Environment of Republic Indonesia, 1992. Indonesia Country Study on Biological Diversity. Prepared for UNEP under
the programme for environmental cooperation between The Republic of Indonesia and The Kingdom of Norway, Jakarta.
Myers, N., Mittelmeier, R.A., Mittelmeier, C.G,, da Fonseca, G.A.B. and Kent, J., 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 493: 853-858.
Omaliko, C.P.E., 1984. Dung decomposition and its effects on the soil component of a tropical grassland ecosystem. Tropical Ecology 25: 214-220.
Shahabuddin, Schulze, C.H. and Tscharntke, T., 2005. Changes of dung beetle communities from rainforests towards agroforestry systems and annual cultures.
Biodiversity and Conservation 14: 863–877
Waltert, M., Mardiastuti, A. and Mühlenberg, M., 2004. Effects of land-use on bird species richness in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Conservation Biology 18(5): 1339–1346.
Watt, A.D., Stork, N.E., Eggleton, P., Srivavasvata, D., Bolton, B., Larsen, T.B., Bredell, M.J.D. and Bignell, D.E., 1997. Impact of forest loss and regeneration on insectabundance and diversity. In: Watt SD, Stork NE and Hunter, M.D. (eds.). Forests and Insects. Chapman and Hall, London. pp. 273–286

30

Taxonomic study of the parasitic wasp genus Pediobius in Java,
Indonesia
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Hesti Purnamasari
Zoology Division, Research Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

Pediobius WALKER is a large genus of Eulophidae(Hymenoptera : Chalcidoidea) containing more than 200
described species worldwide and distributed in all thezoogeographical regions (Hansson, 2006), though only asmall number of species have been recorded from Southeast
Asia. The species of Pediobius are entomophagous, attacking
other arthropods, and five insect orders and spiders(Araneida) have been recorded so far, along with their hosts(Bouček, 1988). Some species have frequently been used as
biological control agents for many insect pests; for example,
Pediobius foveolatus (Crawford) used to control the soybean
beetle pest Epilachna varivestis Rohwer in Mexico (Holko,
2006), the Philippines (Vargo and Schreiner, 2000) and China(Schaefer et al., 1986). The main objective of this project is
to clarify the diversity of Pediobius fauna in Java to have an
accurate identification system. This is important for future
development of strategies for biodiversity conservation.
The biological information obtained from this study will
also contribute to establishing a biological control program,which is important for enforcing sustainable agriculture thatcan support the Indonesian people.
The specific objectives of this project are three-folded:(1) To study the diversity of Pediobius fauna in Java, focusing
on species recognition of Javanese species;(2) To provide an updated list of the Pediobius species
occurring in Java-Indonesia; and(3) To provide basic biological information to a biologicalcontrol program of insect pests of crops in Indonesia
and for making further important steps towards theconservation and management of nature.
The major sources of the materials used in the present study
are the collection of Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense (MZB),and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). Laboratory
work will be conducted in the Entomology Laboratory at
the Research Centre for Biology-LIPI. The field collection
research will be carried out in various habitats from westernthrough eastern parts of Java. The areas where sampling will
be conducted include:(1) West Java: Sukabumi;(2) Central Java: Purwokerto; and(3) East Java: Magetan.
The above are areas with high ecological pressure, areas
lacking biological data on and availability of described
Pediobius species, and areas of agricultural importance.

Locations and the number of described Pediobius species collected on Java
1. Bogor (3 species); 2. Sukabumi (2 species); 3. Garut (2 species); 4.Ciamis (7 species); 5. Purwokerto (2 species); 6. P.
Nusakambangan (4 species); 7. Merapi Jogjakarta (6 species); and 8. Meru Betiri Jember (1 species).

31

Conservation Activity Programme
Field training on Sulawesi biodiversity for North Sulawesi high school
biology teachers
Conservation Activity Programme

Johanis Pelealu
Biology Study Programme, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia

As a follow-up of the workshop on Sulawesi biodiversity andconservation curriculum for high school teachers in North
Sulawesi held from 8 to 12 January 2007, we will conduct
the proposed field training program on biodiversity andits conservation for those teachers. This field training isbased on the recommendations of workshop participants
who realised that they lack certain knowledge with respect
to local biodiversity, its use and conservation. They also
recognise their responsibility in delivering these issues totheir students through various learning methods such as
local contents, infusion and integration of local knowledge
in school curricula. This lack of experience and knowledge
with respect to local biodiversity is becoming a constraint
on the teachers’ ability to implement education on local
biodiversity and on-site teaching. Accordingly, it is necessary
to conduct field training for biology teachers in North
Sulawesi. This training, planned from December 2007 to
February 2008, will be conducted within the TangkokoBatuangus Nature Reserve. This particular area was chosen
as the training site as it is relatively well-managed comparedwith the other conservation areas and is representative of
the various ecosystems and biodiversity of North Sulawesi.

The project will be conducted at the Tangkoko-Batuangus
Nature Reserve. This reserve is located near three otherconser vation areas, namely the Dua Sudara Nature
Reserve, the Batuputih Ecotourism Area and the Batuangus
Ecotourism Area, located in Bitung District of North Sulawesi.
Tangkoko-Batuangus was chosen as the training location
based on several reasons. First, it represents North Sulawesi
biodiversity, including its ecosystem and species diversity.
Second, it is considered as the most secure location forresearchers and visitors for education purposes. Third, its
location is close to Batuputih Ecotourism Area, which has
useful facilities, such as research stations and camping
grounds. Finally, it has convenient access for reaching the
Dua Sundara Reserve.

Objectives of the training are:(1) To deliver knowledge and experience on biodiversity ofNorth Sulawesi to high school biology teachers of North
Sulawesi; and(2) To train the teachers’ techniques in population
monitoring.
These objectives are very important to conservation
efforts for biodiversity in North Sulawesi. Biology teachers
are one of key stakeholders who can bring messages ofconservation to the young generation and can change thepractice of eating bushmeat. This practice has become thehighest threat to the wildlife of North Sulawesi. Furthermore,
the result of this training will give the teachers the basic
knowledge to construct curricula for their respective schools
based on their local biodiversity and conservation.

32

Research Grant Scheme
Progress of the Projects in 200633

Research Grant Programme
The population status, harvesting and the trade of blue tree fern
Cyathea contaminans (WALL.) COPEL in Indonesia
Research Grant Programme

Nunu Anugraph
Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation, Directorate General of PHKA, Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia

Introduction
Cyathea contaminans is a tree fern species belonging tofamily Cyatheaceae, which generally grows in the mountain
forests of Indonesia. People in local communities have
utilised C. contaminans for a long time due to its economic
value. The major use of its tree trunk is as a material for
creating artwork, such as in statues, poles for decorating
luxurious houses or hotels, and in making flower vases.
The trunk is also used as an excellent medium for orchid
cultivation (Holttum, 1963; Sastrapradja et al., 1979).
Furthermore, it has been reported that the smooth hairs,
found on the base of its stalk, were used as traditional
medicine on Java island (Sastrapradja et al., 1979).
Since 1975, when all genus of Cyatheaceae were listed
in CITES Appendix II, international communities havegiven notice to the use of Cyatheaceae, particularly withrespect to its trade and sustainability. In accordance with
the international requirements, the harvesting, domestictransporting and exporting of C. contaminans are controlled
by the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature
Conservation (PHKA) as the CITES Management Authority.
The annual national quota is set under the Decree by the
Director General of PHKA. The Provincial Offices of the
PHKA (for example, the BKSDA) issue harvest permits up to
the quota assigned to the province. Permits for domestictransport are also issued by the Provincial Offices, according
to the annual quota and with reference to harvest permits.
However, neither the implementation of these required
permits, nor the effectiveness of obtaining such permission,
nor the corresponding law enforcement consequences forviolations of the trade have ever been assessed. The purposeof this research is to investigate the population status of C.
contaminans in Indonesia and to gather information on its
trade, such as its harvest and transport.
The specific objectives of this research are:(1) to assess the population status of C. contaminans in

the wild in certain regions where the annual quota wasregulated. These regions are the provinces of North
Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jambi, Lampung, South Sulawesi
and West Sulawesi;(2) to investigate the techniques employed by local people
for harvesting C. contaminans;(3) to collect data on its international trade, including
information on varieties of products, market prices, andmarket routes; and(4) to analyse the profile of exporters of C. contaminans,including their profit-sharing systems.
Research methods
The research was carried out from March 2006 to June 2007.
Site data collection was conducted from June to November
2006 in the following six provinces: North Sumatra, West
Sumatra, Jambi, Lampung, South Sulawesi and West
Sulawesi. Data on the populations of C. contaminans andits harvesting, as well as the climate and topography of
its habitat were collected through image analysis, fieldobservation and survey, direct measurement and literature
study. Interviews were conducted with exporters in West
Java, Banten, and North Sumatra provinces in March and
May 2006 and January 2007.
Data Analysis was conducted in the following procedures:(1) Identification of Vegetation Index
A GIS technique was used to produce accurate mapsof species distribution. The Normalised Difference
Vegetation Index (NDVI) values were derived fromLandsat images and used to identify the electromagneticreflectance of vegetation by differentiating the vegetation
greenness spectral to the other spectral objects based on
the characteristics of Landsat’s near-infrared band sensor.
The following mathematical equation was used to obtain
NDVI:
NDVI = (Near-Infrared – Red)/ (Near-Infrared + Red)A positive value of the NDVI indicates a vegetation34

object, whereas a negative value indicates other object,such as soil. Since the NDVI value differs depending on
vegetation types, it is useful for distinguishing vegetations
from images (Oindo, 2001 cited in Sotomayor, 2002).
(2) Analysis of Cyathea traders
Cyathea traders can be divided into three groups; namely
harvester, collector and exporter. A simple analysis was
conducted to examine their business operation with
their associated cost, examining the different stagesof processing—from the supply of raw material by aharvester and collector to exporters.
(3) Non-detriment finding assessment
A set of the IUCN Guidelines developed by the IUCN
Species Survival Commission was used for a nondetriment finding assessment for C. contaminans.
According to the IUCN Guidelines, all parameter scores
were presented in a radar diagram to determine whether
the trade is non-detriment to the survival of the species.
Results and discussion
The NDVI values of the species were between 0.1 and 0.2,
although values differed for all six provinces. Interpretationof the image, GIS outputs and data of the species density
were combined to estimate the population (Table 1).
The study results revealed that most populations of C.
contaminans were located in North Sumatra, West Sumatra
and West Sulawesi provinces. Large-scale exploitation forexport is ongoing in five provinces, namely South Sulawesi,
North Sumatra, Lampung, Jambi and West Sulawesi, while
exploitation for domestic use occurred in North Sumatra
and West Sumatra. The population status of C. contaminans

in the six provinces is categorised as reduced and stilldecreasing. In particular, exploitation in Lampung and South
Sulawesi provinces is detrimental to the wild population of
C. contaminans. Unsustainable exploitation, land conversion,and the low level of control over species management are
responsible for the critical status of the species.
The analysis of traders revealed the following characteristics.
All groups of Cyathea traders, namely harvester, collector
and exporter, have a close relationship with each otherin the chain of the trade, though regulations are stricter
for exporters. Harvesting techniques used by harvesters
generally include fibre root skinning, felling of trees, androot excavation using traditional tools. The harvesting of
C. contaminans is not a main livelihood for harvesters andcollectors. There are nine exporters registered at the CITESManagement Authority. Two of them are not active after2005 and only seven produce Cyathea products. From 1996
to 2005, the total amount of Cyathea spp. products exported
was 18,419,822 kilograms wherein C. contaminans was
mainly used as a material. These products are exported to
Taiwan (83.7%), Japan (12.8%), Korea (0.5%), Denmark (0.4%),
China (0.3%), Germany (0.2%) and Venezuela (0.1%).
For the sustainable management of C. contaminans, thefollowing actions must be taken immediately: (1) datacollection on biological information and inventory of
the species; (2) conservative quota establishment; (3)enforcement of harvesting control; (4) monitoring of trade;and (5) education and raising public awareness.

Table 1 Estimation of C. contaminans populations in six provinces
No.

Province

Estimated population(Individual)

Estimated areas of distribution
PixelsExtent (ha)Seedlings

Saplings

Poles

Trees

1

North Sumatra

61,8525,566.68

94,633.56

100,200.24

356,267.52

97,416.90

2West Sumatra

62,464

5,621.76

251,854.85

239,486.98

158,533.63

32,606.21

3

Jambi

12,996

1,169.64

95,325.66

38,598.12

92,986.38

11,111.58

4

Lampung

2,304

207.36

1,555.20

2,073.60

1,555.20

0.00

5South Sulawesi

3,698

332.82

3,328.20

3,993.84

5,990.76

1,331.28

6

West Sulawesi

27,3802,464.20

58,401.54

54,212.40

78,115.14

49,284.00

170,694

15,362.46

505,099.01

438,565.18

693,448.63

191,749.97

Total
Note: 1 pixel is equal to 0.09ha

References
Holtum, R.E., 1963. Cyatheaceae Flora Malesiana Seri II. 1(2): 65-176.
Sastrapradja, S., J.J. Afriastini, D. darnaedi, and E.A. Wijaya, 1978. Jenis Paku Indonesia. embaga Biologi Nasional-LIPI.

35

Avifauna diversity and its conservation in the Kangean Archipelago
Research Grant Programme

Mohammad Irham
Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

Introduction
Studies on avifauna of the Kangean Archipelago have been
carried out since the 19th century. Even now, the lists ofKangean birds published by Vorderman (1892), Hartert(1902) and Hoogerwer (1962; 1963) have continued toserve as an important information resource. Althoughsurveys conducted by de Iong et al. in 1982 and Nurwatha
in 1996 updated knowledge on the diversity of Kangean
birds, no ornithologist had visited the islands for research
for approximately 10 years. Given the status of the Kangean
Archipelago as a secondary area of restricted-range
species (BirdLife International, 2003) and the long paucity
in avifaunal research, it is important to carry out a study
on Kangean birds. The present study will serve both toelucidate the current situation of avifauna diversity in the
Kangean Archipelago as well as to gain basic knowledge on
conservation and biodiversity management of the area.
Methodology(1) Study sites
I visited five sites comprising different types of habitats
dur ing the M arch-Apr il and August-September
2007 surveys. Gunung Talangkobeto (natural forest),
Tembayangan (natural and teak forest), G. Moncong(natural forest) are located at the central ridge of Kangean
Island, whereas others, Aingkokap (natural forest),
Jukong-jukong (teak forest), Patapan (mangrove/beachforest), and Cangkramaan (open area and mangrove), arelocated at a lower elevation. During the last days of thesurvey, I visited Saobi Island in the southern part of theKangean Archipelago, which is characterised by its open
area (paddy field) and beach forests.
(2) Methods
I applied two methods in order to obtain a comprehensive
list of birds, namely general surveys and mist-netting. For
general surveys, I searched for birds in a range of terrestrial
habitats. Bird records were collated from line transects andpoint observation at vantage points in different habitats(Bibby et al., 1998; Allen et al., 2006). At each habitat type,ten mist-nets were set up. For each taxon and gender, one
specimen was collected and genetic samples were taken.
Duplicated birds were banded before release. In order toobtain local information I conducted interviews with local
people by showing pictures of birds to them.
Results and discussion
A total of 65 species was recorded during my fieldwork. The
areas richest in species included Gunung Talangkobeto,
Tembayangan and Gunung Moncong. Approximately morethan 50% of birds were recorded in those areas and theirsurroundings. Some birds were found only in beach or
mangrove forests characterised by a wide area of muddy
beach or open area (seasonal paddy fields and cultivatedland).
Of those, two species were newly recorded for the islandof Kangean: arctic leaf-warbler Phylloscopus borealis andchangeable hawk-eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus. Subspecies
endemic to Kangean, namely the red-breasted parakeet
Psittacula alexandri kangeanensis, Javan frogmouth
Batrachostomus javensis longicaudatus, greater goldenback
Chrysocolaptes lucidus kangeanensis and greenbilled malkoha Rhopodytes tristis kangeansis, were also
encountered. In Saobi, orange-footed scrubfowl Megapodius
reinwardt was recorded. This species is from the Wallaceanarea and only its mound had been previously found in
Gunung Talangkobeto of Kangean Island.
The numbers of birds found in this study were much
lower than previous records. According to the list of E.

A view from the top of Gunung Moncong, Kangean Island

36

Hartert (1902), a total of 76 species were present, including
some migratory birds. The difference of the survey season
could account for the difference in the number of species
observed. Additionally, apart from a migratory kingfisher,sacred kingfisher H. sancta, certain migratory seabirds
were not observed in the present study. This indicates that
the Kangean Archipelago is an important stepping-stone
for migratory birds. Other possible reasons for the lower
number of species recorded include that some birds were
inadequately sampled or that they were inconspicuous.
Nevertheless, several species that were absent from theobservation, such as black-winged kite Elanus caeruleus
and long-tailed shrike Lanius schach, may indicate that
impoverishment of avifauna is ongoing, as these species arecommonly seen in open areas on the Continent.
The survival of the birds of Kangean, especially that of theforest birds, was mainly threatened by habitat degradation,
caused in particular by illegal logging. In the past, illegal
logging used to occur only at teak plantations. However,
now, as big stands are becoming scarce, some local people
thrust into natural forests to produce timbers. This will havea detrimental influence on species that have a specific niche,
such as woodpeckers, and species that are dependant on
fruiting trees due to the loss of older trees.

Arctic leaf-warbler Phylloscopus borealis

Javan frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis longicaudatus

37

Greater goldenback Chrysocolaptes lucidus kangeanensis

Green-billed malkoha Rhopodytes tristis kangeansis

Red-breasted parakeet Psittacula alexandri kangeanensis

Orange-footed scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt

References
Allen, D., C. Espanola, G. Broad, C. Oliveros and J.C.T. Gonzales, 2006. New bird records for the Babuyan islands, Philippines, including two first records for thePhilippines. Forktail 22: 57-70.
Bibby, C., Jones, M. and Marsden, S., 1998. Expedition Field Techniques: Bird Surveys. London: Royal Geographic Society.
BirdLife International, 2003. Important Bird Areas in Asia: Key sites for conservation. Cambridge: U.K. BirdLife International.
Hartert, E.1902. The birds of Kangean Islands. Nov. Zoöl 9: 419-442.
Hoogerwerf, A., 1962. Ornithological notes in the Sunda Strait area and the Karimundjawa, Bawean and Kangean Islands. Bull.Brit.Ornith.Club 82: 142-147.
Hoogerwerf, A., 1963. The golden-backed woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes lucidus (Scopoli) in the Kangean Archipelago. Bull.Brit.Ornith.Club 83: 112-114.
de Iongh, H., van Helvoort, B., Sumaryoto, A., and Sutanto, H., 1982. An ecological survey of the Kangean Island archipelago in Indonesia. WWF-Indonesia, Bogor/
van Tienhaven Foundation Ijsselstein.
Nurwatha, P.F., 1996. Survai Keberadaan Jenis-Jenis Burung di Kepulauan Kangean, Jawa Timur. Yayasan Pribumi Alam Lestari (unpublished internal report for LIPI).
Vorderman, A.G., 1893. Bijdrage tot de kennis der vogels van den Kangean-Archipel. Natuurk. Tijdschrift Ned. Indië 52: 185-186.

38

Ecological studies on dugong population and its environments in
Malita, Mindanao
Research Grant Programme

Ruth S. Lucero
Southern Philippines Agri-business & Marine & Aquatic School of Technology, Philippines

Introduction
Dugongs have been listed as vulnerable to extinction since1982 by the World Conservation Union (IUCN, 2004). Dugongs
are animals that are very difficult to rear in an aquarium, andas such, only few dugongs have been reared in captivity in theworld (Mukai, personal communication). Therefore, conservationof the species in their natural habitat is of importance.
The Philippines is one of the 43 countries in the Indo-Pacificwhere dugongs can be found (Marsh, 1993). While dugongs
were previously found in herds along the coast of thePhilippines, most of the remaining dugongs in the country
are found in Palawan (Kataoka et al., 1995), where population
studies on these marine mammals are concentrated.

39

Along the west coast of the Davao Gulf in Southern Mindanao,
regular sightings of dugongs are reported and documented,
particularly along the coast of New Argao in the municipalityof Malita, Davao del Sur, Philippines (Lucero, 2005). Dugongs
have a particular time of appearance, with the most frequent
observations being from between times 09.00h–11.00h andfrom 14.00h–16.00h. From 2002 to 2006 at least five dugongs(four adults and one calf ) were accounted dead along thewest coast of Davao Gulf. Unpublished reports revealed that
viable population of dugongs were observed along theeast coast of Davao Gulf, particularly in the municipality ofGovernor Generoso (Dagondon, personal communication).

A photo of dugong taken 1054AM on April 15, 2007

Among the areas of research geared towards theconservation of these endangered marine mammals
are: (1) the identification of important dugong habitats
and anthropogenic sources of dugong mortality; (2) the
identification of direct and indirect threats to dugongs andtheir habitat; and (3) development of a monitoring program
focusing on both populations and habitats of all scales(Management Program for the Dugong in the Northern
Territory of Australia 2003-2008; WWF-SSME, 2003). Observing
marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins and dugong, isgaining in popularity with many people and it is perceived
that dugong watching can bring some kind of healing or
therapeutic effect. This suggests that dugong watchinghas a remarkable potential as an object of ecotourism. The
data and information that will be derived from this study
will provide the basis for decision-making regarding the

Project site from top of tower facing north

Daily Monitoring of dugong is done from the observatory tower.

protection of important and critical areas in Davao Gulf,
thereby providing natural refuge for dugong and enhancing
the success of watching dugongs in the wild.
Research objectives
This study aims to estimate the population and occurrenceof dugongs and assess the quality of seagrass habitat usedas feeding ground in the particular study area. Specifically, itaims to (1) develop a population estimate of dugong in thearea; (2) assess the status of seagrass beds in terms of species
composition, species fed by dugong, percent cover andbiomass which are utilised as feeding habitat of dugong;and (3) to assess the water quality of the area and its vicinity.

Halophila spp.

Methods
The study is conducted in New Argao, Malita, Davao del Sur,
Mindanao, Philippines located between 06˚23’08”N, 125˚37’
14”E and 06˚21’52”N, 125˚38’11”E. Three stations have been
established within the 2.7km coastal stretch of the area. To
estimate the dugong population, daily visual observationand monitoring of dugong occurrence are conducted from
0600AM to 0500PM from an observatory tower located on
the shoreline. Observations are conducted simultaneously
from three stations, with one observer assigned per station.
To assess the quality of the seagrass habitat, data aregathered quarterly for one year (March 2007, June 2007,
September 2007 and December 2007). Line transect andquadrant methods are employed in collecting data through
SCUBA and skin diving. Manta tow is also conducted and
GPS is used in mapping seagrass beds. Production potential
is determined through seagrass biomass and determinationof percent cover. Seagrass grazing by dugong is also
assessed, involving a marking method and vegetative
harvesting of the seagrass within the feeding trench.

Halophila ovalis

Furthermore, quality of water in the vicinity is also assessed
for microbial coliform count.
Preliminary results
From April 2007 to September 2007, the number of dugong
observed during the day ranged from one to eight. The
largest herd observed was three, comprising of two adults
and a calf. Occurrence of dugong observations was highest
during the sea state codes SS2 – SS3 of the Beaufort Scale.
The data for the first three quarters of 2007 revealed thatseven species of sea grasses, namely Halophila sp., Halophilaovalis, Halophila minor, Halodule uninervis, Halophila
spinusola, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Enhalus acoroides,
were observed in the study area. The Halophila species,
which dominate the area, appear to be the preferred speciesof dugong; however this has yet to be confirmed relative to

Halodule uninervis

Halophila spinolusa

40the feeding consumption with that of the data on seagrassbiomass in the feeding trench. In a 100m x 100m plot, thenumber of feeding trenches observed ranged from 230 to
250 and were approximately between 13 and 20cm wide
and 112cm long.
Study of the water quality of the area and its vicinity (within
the three km stretch) revealed negative for coliform bacteria.
On 4 October 2007 there was a chance to examine the gutof a dead dugong (2.55m, approximately 400kg, male). The
gut was heavily infested with worms (Nematode).

Discussion
A viable population of dugongs are found in area of New
Argao, Malita, Davao del Sur. A luxuriant vegetation ofseagrass dominated by Halophila species is mapped within
the three-kilometre coastal stretch of the study area. The
seagrass beds of the area provide the feeding groundfor the resident population of dugongs in the area. The
sustainability of the seagrass has to be further studied
relative to herbivory data for the last quarter of this year yet
to be gathered in the study. The negative results for coliform
bacteria may indicate that there is no problem as to disposalof faecal matter along the coast of the study area.

References
Dagondon, personal communication, 2006. Researcher from Green Mindanao.
Draft: Management program for the dugong in the Northern Territory of Australia 2003-2008.
IUCN, 2004. Appendix 1 of Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) of the Wild Flora and Fauna.
Kataoka, Teruo, Takuya Mori, Yoshihito Wakai, Joese Angelito Palma, Arnel Andrew Yaptinchay, Rhodora de-Veryra and Romeo Trono, 1995. Dugongs Dugong
dugon (Muller, 1776) of the Philippines: A report of the Joint Dugong Research and Conservation Program (Toba Aquarium and PCP-WWF). Shin-Nihon Kogyo Co.,
Ltd. Japan.
Lucero, 2005. Dugong sighting and occurrence in New Argao, Malita, Davao del Sur, Philippines in Support to Ecotourism. SPAMAST Research Journal. Vol. 2
Number 1. January – June 2005. ISSN 1655-8839.
Marsh, Helen, 1993. The status of the dugong. Sirenews 20:14.
Mukai, personal communication, 2006. Researcher Emeritus. Akkeshi Marine Station, Hokkaido University, Japan.
WWF-SSME, 2003. Worldwide Fund – Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion. A commitment to life.

41

Population structure and reproductive biology of Cerithidea obtusa inthe mangrove system of Camau province, Vietnam
Research Grant Programme

Ngo Thi Thu Thao
Department of Coastal Aquaculture, College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Cantho University, Vietnam

Introduction
The mangrove snail Cerithidea obtusa is a common species in
the mangrove ecosystem in the Asian-Pacific region (Ellison
et al., 1999; Tan and Chou, 2000; Suwanjarat and Klepal, 2001).
Certain species of the Cerithidea genus are sold generally as
seafood in Vietnam and other Asian countries. Although the
population size of C. obtusa has been decreased due to overexploitation and mangrove destruction, few studies havebeen conducted on these particular gastropods, including
on their oxygen consumption (Houlihan, 1979), feeding
behaviour (Bouillen et al., 2002) and lipid and fatty acidsof C. obtusa (Misra et al., 1986). During their studies of the
reproduction of the Cerithidea genus, Suwanjarat and Klepal(2000) only described the ultrastructural characteristics ofeuspermatogenesis and euspermatozoa of C. obtusa but not
reproductive cycle. It is necessary to understand both the
population structure and reproductive biology of C. obtusa
for the purposes of resource management, biodiversity
conservation and sustainable aquaculture.
Objectives
The objectives of this research are to: (1) observe thevariation of population structure of C. obtusa; (2) determine
the seasonal variation of biochemical compositions; and (3)Study site (inside mangroves)
Study site

investigate the reproductive cycle of C. obtusa. The following
data are being collected:(1) Variation of environmental conditions at sampling sites(2) Population structure(3) Seasonal changes of proximate compositions ofmangrove snail(4) Reproductive biology
Study site
This research will be conducted at Ca Mau province in the
Mekong Delta of Vietnam, located from 8˚30’ to 9˚10’N,
104˚80’ to 105˚5’E. It has an amount of 107km and 147km
of coastline in the east and the west, respectively. With its
dense network of canals, creeks and rivers, mangroves, thisprovince is considered a very important area for forestry,
fisheries and agriculture.
Expected output(1) Some scientific ar ticles published in national orinternational journals(2) Presentation at the National Molluscan Workshop 2009 (inVietnamese with an English abstract)(3) One master thesis
Other information
The results of this study will be significant contribution
toward the establishment of a suitable management planfor natural resources within the mangrove system. As
biodiversity conservation and diversification of cultured
species are an important task in the Mekong Delta, the study
will help stabilise the status of ecosystem and aquaculture
development. The information regarding the population
structure and reproductive biology of C. obtusa is importantfor management of the species helping the maintenanceof the population recruitment. Furthermore, the results areuseful for artificial seed production of the species so as tocontribute to biodiversity conservation and aquaculture
development.

References
Bouillon, S., Koedam, N., Raman, A.V., and Dehairs, F., 2002. Primary producers sustaining macro-invertebrate communities in intertidal mangrove forests. Oecologia 130: 441-448.
Ellison, A.M., Farnsworth, E.J., and Merkt, R.E., 1999. Origins of mangrove ecosystems and the mangrove biodiversity anomaly. Global Ecology and Biogeography 8: 95-115.
Houlihan, D.F., 1979. Respiration in air and water of three mangrove snails. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 41: 143-161.
Misra, S.M. and Ghosh, A.C., 1986. Lipids and fatty acids of the gastropod mollusc C. obtusa. Food Chemistry 22: 251-258.
Suwanjarat, J. and Klepal, W., 2001. Ultrastructural investigations of euspermatogenesis and euspermatozoa in C. obtusa (Lamark, 1822) (Caenogastropoda:
Potamididae). Marine Ecology, Volume 22 (1-2): 23-34.
Suwanjarat, J. and Suwaluk, S., 2003. Euspermatozoon structure and euspermiogenesis in Cerithidea cingulata (Gmelin, 1791) (Caenogastropoda: Potamididae).
Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. 25 (4): 413-422.
Tan, K.S. and Chou, L.M., 2000. A guide to common seashells of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre: 168pp.

42

Cave fauna of Java: diversity of and contribution to karst conservation
Research Grant Programme

Cahyo Rahmadi
Zoology Division, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

Introduction
Indonesia has an extensive karst region extending from
Sumatra to Papua, though the biological information
pertaining to many areas is still limited and unevenly
available. Caves in Java have an extensive development;
however very few biological surveys have been conducted,
particularly on the diversity of cave fauna. In general, caves
are known to be home for a huge number of species, suchas arthropods and bats. However, in stark contrast with the
15 species described at Maros Karst, only five species havebeen described in Java. The most recent description was in2006 when a cave obligate species from Java, Stenasellus
javanicus, was found in the small puddles of small caves neara limestone quarry. The status of its population still remains
unknown. Moreover, it is believed that several species,
including ones new to science as obligate cave fauna, arestill waiting to be described.
Karst areas in Java are densely populated and threatenedby limestone quarry, habitat conversion, and many otherhuman activities. Since none of these karst areas have been
designated as a conservation area, it is very difficult tomanage the karst ecosystem and to ensure conservation ofcave faunas and their habitat. This project focuses on cave
arthropods and bats that form an important link between
the subterranean and epigean worlds. Survey on arthropods
and bats in Java’s karst areas is tremendously necessary, as
the result will provide baseline data for more critical steps
toward conservation.
Objectives of the project are to:(1) study the diversity of cave fauna, focusing on cave
arthropods and bats;(2) build baseline data for further activities and support forconservation and management of karst;(3) promote public awareness of the impor tance ofcave fauna, especially of its diversity and role in karst
conservation; and(4) support the declaration of karst protection using thefauna baseline data collected from caves.
Where we work
Important karst areas in Java are:43(1) Gunung Sewu Karst – Yogyakarta, Central Java and EastJava Province (Gunung Kidul, Pacitan and Wonogiri
Regency); and(2) Gombong Selatan – Central Java Province (Kebumen
Regency)
However, the following areas in Java lack biological data:(1) Sukabumi Selatan – West Java province (Sukabumi
Regency)(2) Cibinong-Ciampea-Jagabaya – West Java Province (Bogor
Regency);(3) Taksimalaya Karst – West Java Province (Tasikmalaya
Regency);(4) Grobogan Karst – Central Java (Grobogan Regency)(5) Menoreh Karst – Central Java (Purworejo and Kulon
Progo Regency);(6) Tuban Karst – East Java (Tuban Regency); and(7) Madura Island – East Java (Madura).
Methodology
The methods are divided into the following two categories:(1) Unstandardised methods
Unstandardised methods are used mainly for cave
arthropods and include direct collection, such as handcollecting and bait trap. For bats, hand nets or otherapparatus are used and direct observation provides thenumber species present in such caves and karst.
(2) Standardised methods
Standardised methods are used for bats and cave
arthropods. A mist net is used for bats collection, while
pitfall trapping is used for cave arthropods.
Preliminary results(1) Cave arthropods
More than one-hundred species of cave arthropods
were identified from the approximately one-thousand
specimens collected. They are composed of several
classes, such as crustaceans, arachnids, diplopods,
chilopods and insects.
In addition, some cave-adapted species were discovered
during the trips to the Java caves. These include a second

species of cave stenasellids from Sukabumi (Stenasellus
sp. (Isopoda)), cave shrimps (Macrobrachium sp.) from
Grobogan, and several cave species of atyids andterrestrial isopods. Moreover, more than seven speciesof cave arthropods are believed to be new to science,such as two species of Stygophrynus sp. (Amblypygi)
from caves in Grobogan Karst (Central Java) and Tuban
Karst (East Java) and one species from epigean habitatin the limestone forest of Ujung Kulon NP (Banten). Eachof those species has specific distribution and all areendemic to certain karst areas.

The passage of Gua Manuk, Tuban (East Java) in Gua Nglirip
Nature Reserve (Photo: C. Rahmadi)

The composition of each cave arthropod varied withthe caves and karst areas. The finding of Stenasellus sp.
shows the linkage between Java, Sumatra and Borneo,
as this genus is found in an area ranging from Cambodia,
Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo to the western part of Java.
(2) Cave bats
About 14 species of bats from seven families werecollected from four karst areas (Sawarna, Sukabumi,
Grobogan and Tuban). The majority of these species are
insectivorous (85%), with the remaining species being

Descending in vertical cave in Tuban (East Java) (Photo: ABE)

A female whip-spider Charon grayi (Amblypygi) carrying nymphs on the abdomen. Taken from Gunung Sewu
cave (Photo: C. Rahmadi)

44Collecting small arthropods on deadwood in Gua Gadjah, Grobogan (Central Java) (Photo: ABE)

Recording data in cave, Sawarna Karst (Banten) (Photo: C.
Rahmadi)Phosphate mining in Gua Pawon (Grobogan) (Photo: ABE)

45

Herpetofauna diversity patterns along disturbance gradients in the
Gunung Ciremai National Park, West Java: implications for effective
conservation
Research Grant Programme

Awal Riyanto
Zoology Division, Research Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

Background
Mount Ciremai is the highest (3,078m) mountain in WestJava and is one of the most important assets for Kuningan
and Majalengka regencies. The mountain has extensive
natural resources including rich agricultural land and anatural, spring-fed water supply. However, the extinctionsof forest-dependent amphibians and reptiles due to forest
loss and degradation as well as the isolation of oncecontinuous populations are serious problems. Along withSK Menteri Kehutanan No.424/Menhut-II/2004, the area ofapproximately 15,500ha on Mount Ciremai should be set
aside as a national park. However, very few data are available
regarding the biota of this region. Herpetofauna is not an
exception despite the fact that amphibians and reptiles form
an important part of the ecosystem as significant predators
on invertebrates as well as smaller vertebrates, and arethemselves important food items for birds and mammals(Howell, 2002).
K nowledge of biodiversity and organisation of its
communities is essential for the de velopment ofconservation policies and a sustainable environmental
management system. Given the limited conservation
resources, such knowledge provides the basis for identifying
important areas to be conserved and threats that needs tobe mitigated. This may only be achieved if sound knowledge
exists of systematics, taxon distributions and habitat
associations (Gillespie et al. 2005). The data of their diversity
and abundance are needed and essential for planningeffective conservation and resource management strategies(Das, 1997). Furthermore, documentation of the biodiversityof this area would enable better understanding of its
community organisation and the impact of disturbanceprocesses.
This study intends to promote future conservation efforts
in this area by providing biodiversity and ecological data on
the herpetofauna. My objectives are to (1) document taxa
occurring in the area; (2) collect baseline information on therelative abundance and habitat associations of species; (3)identify the different diversity patterns of chosen taxa in thenational park using standard diversity indices; (4) formulateconservation measures as the basis for future protectionof the species and their remaining habitat; and (5) develop
recommendations for the management of the Gunung
Ciremai National Park based on herpetofauna diversity
patterns data.
Overview of the projectThis research is conducted in three steps over the courseof three years. As the first step in 2007, I am currently
conducting a survey on the herpetofauna diversity using
a variety of standard methods for collecting samples withcare taken to specific microhabitats. Diurnal opportunisticcollections are conducted as I walk slowly through various
habitats, such as forests, streams, agricultural areas or
swamps to find active reptiles and investigate under logs,
rocks or other ground debris that function as a shelter foranimals. Nocturnal searches are conducted for frogs, geckos
and snakes, mostly in or near aquatic environments, suchas streams, swamps and waterfalls but for geckos andsnakes also in other land habitats, such as forest land andaround human settlement. The voucher specimens are
stored in a glass bottle and preserved in 70% alcohol. The
taxonomic and nomenclature for specimens were following:
Brongersma (1942), Iskandar (1998), Iskandar and Cholinj(2000; 2001), Inger and Stuebing (1989), Kampen (1923),
Manthey and Grossmann (1997), Musters (1983), Steubing
and Inger (1999), and Rooij (1915; 1917).
The second step, during 2008, will be the investigation of
the diversity patterns of chosen taxa. At least three methods
will be used at selected sites, including pitfall traps, line
census and intensive/plot sampling. Sampling at each site
will be conducted once in the dry season and once in thewet season. The data will be analysed using diversity andequability indices.
In the third and final step, during 2009, two activities areplanned after the completion of data compilation. First,
I will make recommendations concerning the effective
management of the Gunung Ciremai National Park based46

on the herpetofauna diversity patterns data. Second, I willproduce a field guidebook of herpetofauna of the Gunung
Ciremai National Park including their ecological data, such as
distribution, status and habitat.
Results of the first year
I have identified a total of 49 species, comprised of 16 speciesof frogs (Bufonidae, Megophryidae, Microhylidae, Ranidae
and Rhacophoridae), 23 species of lizards (Agamidae,

Gekkonidae, Lacertidae, Scincidae and Varanidae) and 10
species of snakes (Colubridae, Elapidae, Pythonidae andViperidae). Two endemic frogs, Huia masonii and Microhyla
achatina, have also been recorded. Unidentified specimens
include possibly undescribed species of the genus Elapoidis
and Cyrtodactylus.

Huia masonii

Gonocephalus chamaeleontinus

Rana hosii

47

Cyrtodactylus fumosus

Tachydromus sexlineatus

Calamaria virgulata

References
Brongersma, L.D., 1942. Notes on Scincid Lizards. Zool. Meded. Leiden 24(1-2): 153-158.
Das, I., 1997. Conservation problem of tropical Asia’s most threatened turtle. In Van Abbema, J. (Ed.). Proceedings: Conservation, restoration, and management pf
tortoises and turtles. New York: New York Turtle and Tortoise Society and WCS Turtle Recovery Program, pp. 295-301.
Gillespie, G., Howard, S., Lockie, D., Scroggie, M. and Boeadi, 2005. Herpetofaunal Richness and Community structure of Offshore Islands of Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Biotropica 37(2): 279-290.
Howell, K., 2002. Amphibians and reptiles: the herptiles. In Davies, G and Hoffmann, M (Eds.). African Forest Biodiversity: a field survey manual for vertebrates.
Earthwatch Institute.
Inger, R.F. and R.B. Stuebing, 1989. Frog of Sabah. Sabah park Publication. Kinabalu.
Iskandar, D.T., 1998. The Amphibians of Java and Bali. Research and Development Centre for Biology-LIPI-GEF-Biodiversity Collection Project. Bogor. 117 pp.
Iskandar, D.T. and E. Colijn, 2000. A Checklist of Southeast Asian and New Guinean Reptiles Part I: Serpentes. The Gibbon Foundation. Jakarta. 195 pp.
Iskandar, D.T. and E. Colijn, 2001. A Checklist of Southeast Asian and New Guinean Reptiles. Part I. Serpentes. BCP (LIPI, JICA. PHPA), The Gibbon Foundation andInstitute Technology of Bandung. Bandung. 195 pp.
Kampen, P.N.van, 1923. The Amphibians of The Indo-Australian Archipelagos. E.J. Brill Ltd. Leiden. 304 pp.
Manthey, U. and W. Grossmann, 1997. Amphibien and Reptilien Sudostasiens. Natur & Tier-Verlag, Berlin.
Musters, C.J.M., 1983. Taxonomy of the genus Draco I. (Agamidae, Lacertilia, Reptilia). Zoologische Verhandelingen No. 199. E.J. Brill Ltd. Leiden. 120 pp.
Rooij, N.de, 1915. The Reptiles of The Indo Australian Archipelago I (Lacertilia, Chelonia, Emydosauria). E.I. Brill. Ltd. Leiden. 384 pp.
Rooij, N.de, 1917. The Reptiles of The Indo Australian Archipelago I (Ophidia). E.I. Brill. Ltd. Leiden. 334 pp.

48

Some ecological aspects of Sulawesi crested black macaque Macaca
nigra at the Tangkoko – Batungus Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi,
Indonesia
Research Grant Programme

SaroyoBiology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia

Background and objectives
The Sulawesi crested black macaque Macaca nigra is
one of seven monkey species that are endemic to North
Sulawesi (Bynum, 1999). This species is categorised as anendangered species by IUCN and included in Appendix
II by CITES (Soehartono and Mardiastuti, 2002). The
Indonesian government has protected the species under
the national law. However, given the current trend toward
a loss of forests, Lee et al. (2002) suggested that the Macaca
nigra require its conservation status revised to ‘criticallyendangered’.
Taking appropriate conser vation action requires anunderstanding of different biological aspects of the species,
including their ecology and behaviour. However, at present,
there is only a limited amount of ecological information on
the current condition of the monkeys. This study intended
to fill in the gap in knowledge on ecology of the Sulawesi
crested black macaque Macaca nigra. The purpose of thisstudy was to determine the group size and composition,
range measurements, daily activities, vegetation dominationand intergroup domination.

Sociality

49

Methods
This research was conducted from October 2006 to
September 2007. The subjects consisted of two large
habituated groups (Rambo I and Rambo II) and a smaller,
less-habituated group (Rambo III). Group size was counted
by conducting a monthly census, while group composition
was determined by grouping individuals into sex and age
classes. The coordinates of their daily movements were
determined with a GPS receiver, and the length and widthof their range subsequently measured with the Garmin
MapSource program. Daily activities were determined withfocal animal sampling. Vegetation analysis was done using
Point-Centred Quarter Method in order to count importantvalue index. Determination of group dominance was basedon its access to food sources and the result of agonistic
interaction.
Results and discussion
The size and composition of the three groups are shown
on Figure 1. Group size and composition depended on
birth and death rate, male migration and age growth ofindividuals. Combining with data from previous studies, theresult revealed that Rambo I and Rambo II were stable on
58-70 individuals since 2004, while Rambo II was on 13-17
individuals.

Figure 1: Group Size and Composition of Rambo I, Rambo II
and Rambo III from October 2006 to September 2007

Rambo I had a day range of up to 3.0km (± 0.69) within a254ha home range, while Rambo II had a day range up to
3.7km (± 0.91) within a 380ha home range (Figure 2). On thecontrary, the small group, Rambo III had a day range up to
3.7km (± 1.17) within only a 50ha home range. The homerange of Rambo II was wider than that of Rambo I, despite
having similar group size. The principal factor contributing
to this difference was the difference of their habitat.
Rambo I occupied areas that were primarily rainforest,
whereas Rambo II had half of habitat as primary forest, withsecondary forest, shrub and grasses occupying the otherhalf. Since 2002, the range of Rambo II has become wider
toward the range of Rambo I and also toward Batuputih
Village. Food secured by raiding plantations enabled Rambo
I to expand its range and dominance.

Based on the important value index, seven species had
indices of more than 10%. Monkeys used Ficus variegata,
Palaquium amboinense and Cananga odorata as foodsources, while Dracontomelon dao as a food resource andmain sleeping site. The other trees are Alstonia ranvolfia, Vitex
quinata and Octomeles sumatrana.
Based on its authorising of food sources and resulting fromits intergroup agonistic interaction, Rambo II was dominant
to Rambo I and Rambo III, while Rambo I was dominant
to Rambo III. Due to its position within the dominancehierarchy, Rambo II could expand its range especially when
there was a fruiting tree at a particular area. For the small
group, Rambo III, moving activity was higher than othergroups’ to avoid intervention with the other groups.

Daily activities were divided into five classes including
feeding, foraging, resting, moving and social (Figure 3). Social
activity consisted of all grooming, agonistic interaction,
sexual and playing. The daily activities of the groups varied
according to each group’s habitat condition and intergroup
domination. Comparing with the results of previous studyof Rambo, the original group before separated into Rambo I
and Rambo II in 1993-1994 (O’Brien and Kinnaird, 1999), thetime spent for foraging became longer while resting became
shorter. This indicates that the habitat quality pertaining to its
carrying capacity is decreasing.
Observation

Figure 2: Home Ranges of Rambo I, Rambo II and Rambo III

Figure 3: Daily Activities of Rambo I, Rambo II and Rambo III

References
Bynum, E.L., A.K. Kohlhaas, & A.H. Pramono, 1999. Conservation Status of Sulawesi Macaques. Tropical Biodiversity VI: 123-144.
Lee, R.J., C. Yeager, T. O’Brien, M. Kinnaird, D. Kitchener, & J. Supriatnal, 2002. Conservation Status of Sulawesi Primates. The XIXth Congress the International
Primatological Society: Caring for Primates. Beijing.
Soehartono, T. & A. Mardiastuti, 2002. CITES: Implementation in Indonesia. Nagao Natural Environment Foundation.
O’Brien, T.G. & M. Kinnaird, 1997. Behavior, Diet, and Movement of Sulawesi Crested Black Macaque (Macaca nigra). Int. J. Primatol. XVIII: 321-351.
Whitten, A.J., M. Mustafa, & G.S. Henderson, 1988. The Ecology of Sulawesi. Gadjah Mada University Press. Yogyakarta.

50

Study on moth diversity at Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park
Research Grant ProgrammeHari Sutrisno
Zoology Division, Research Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

Introduction
A study on moth diversity is conducted in the Gunung
Halimun-Salak National Park, which holds the largest
remaining lowland and montane tropical rainforest in thewhole of Java. Though originally covering only 40,000ha,
the park had been extended in 2003 to cover the Mt Salakarea, Mt Endut and other surrounding areas; at present it
is approximately 113,357ha in area. Although a number ofstudies have been conducted to investigate the biologicaldiversity of the park both for its flora and for fauna, its mothfauna has remained unstudied.
The aims of the study
The main aims of this study are to acquire information of
the moth diversity and to assess the composition of mothspecies in the tropical rainforest, especially at the HalimunSalak National Park. A side goal of the study is to establish
national references for moth collections in Indonesia.

two sites are located at Mt Halimun while the last two sites
are at Mt Salak (Figure 1). Moth collection was conductedby using a light sheet with a 160W mercury lamp. This trap
was set up from 18.00h to 24.00h at night for 5-10 nights
each month (Figure 2). Moths attracted to the light sheet
were collected using an ethyl acetate killing bottle andwere pinned down the following morning while they werestill soft (Figure 3). The number of species of moths andnumber of individuals belonging thereto were recorded forstatistical analysis. All identified species were deposited at
the Laboratory of Entomology of the Museum Zoologicum
Bogoriense (Figure 4).
Tentative results
From the four sites, more than 300 named species of macromoths have been collected, while identification of collectedmoths is continuing. Families Noctuidae and Geometridae
are the most frequently found among the 24 recognised

Methods
In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of mothfauna of the park, four sites of differing elevation within the
Halimun and Salak mountains have been sampled fromJanuary to September 2007, namely, Cikaniki (900m), Pasir
Banteng (1,700m), Citiis (600m) and Cidahu (900m). The first

Figure 2: Collecting moths at night using a light trap

Figure 1: Sites of study at Halimun-Salak National Park

51

Figure 3: Pinning moths in the fieldfamilies that inhabit this park. Larger moths (Noctuidae,
Geometridae, Sphingidae and Notodontidae) tend to
inhabit a higher elevation compared with smaller moths,
such as Pyralidae, which prefer to live at lower elevations
and open area. This preference is not due solely to the
distribution of their host plants but also the adaptation oflarger moths to the low temperatures at high elevations:large moths are covered with heavy scales that can keep theinside of their body warm.
The other significant finding from this research is that a
species of very rare family Dudgeoneidae is found (twomales and two females) (Figure 5). This family consists ofa single genus, Dudgeonea, which was described basedon the species leucosticta from the Eastern Himalaya by

Hampson in 1900 (Roepke, 1955). To date, this genus
comprises eight described species: D. leucosticta Hampson
1900 (Oriental species), D. actinias Turner 1902, D.
lychnocycla Turner 1945, D. polyastra Turner 1933, (AustralianSpecies) D. sierraleonensis Strand (African species), D. locuples
Mabille 1879, D. malagassa Vitte 1958 (Madagascar species),and D. nummata Roepke 1955 (New Guinean species).
Although this genus is widely distributed in the world, it
has not been recorded in Indonesia due to lack of study,
and the biological information of this genus is very poor
(Common, 1970; 1990; Holloway, 1986; Edwards, 1996). In
order to confirm whether the finding of this species in thisstudy is new to science, a more comprehensive study will
be conducted by dissecting its genitalia.

Figure 4: Mounting specimens

Figure 5: Dudgeonea sp.
References
Common, I. F. B., 1970. Lepidoptera. In CSIRO (D.F. Waterhouse, ed). Insect of Australia, pp 765-865. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.
Common, I. F. B., 1990. Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press.
Edwards, E. D., 1996. Dudgeoneidae. In CSIRO (Nielsen, E, ed). Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Australia, pp. 122. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.
Holloway, J. D., 1986. The moths of Borneo: Key to families; Families Cossidae, Metarbelidae, Ratardidae, Dudgeoneidae, Epipyropidae and Limacodidae. Malayan
Nature Journal 40: 1-166.
Roepke, W., 1955. Notes and description of Cossidae from New Guinea (Lepidoptera: Heterocera). Trans. R. ent. Soc. London. 107: 281-288.

52

Eco-based sustainable development of agarwood in Myanmar
Research Grant Programme

Aung Than
Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association, Myanmar

The rationale
This two-year, NEF-funded project was launched in January
2007 with the long-term objectives of conservation andsustainable management of natural agarwood resources
with a participatory approach. The rationale of the projectis that there is a need for the genetic conservation andsustainable development of agarwood within the context
of the national sustainable forest management (NSFM)
policy and plan, as it is a rare and endangered species that
produces valuable nontimber forest produce(NTFP).
Project activities
I am currently carryingout an assessment of
the diversity, distribution
and survival statusof natural Aquilaria
trees throughout thecountry. The project also
Agarwood mother tree and sapling in Kayin Orchard

Aquilaria

53

investigates traditional knowledge and the socioeconomic
features of the major agar wood-dependent ethnic
communities, such as the Lisu, Shan and Kayin, throughethno-biological research, including interviews and surveys
in Kachin State and Tanintharyi Division. In order to developa scheme for community-based agarwood conservation andsustainable development, the phenology and silviculture of
the species are also being studied. Awareness raising andmobilization of the local ethnics for agarwood domestication
are performed under the Community Forestry Instructionof the Forest Department. A report was submitted to the
Minister of Forestry (with presentation in person) arguingthe importance and urgency of such a scheme.
I will survey more areas of concentration in the Shan State,
Sagaing and Tanintharyi divisions in the coming open
season this year and again in early 2008, followed by test
planting in the monsoon and resin inducement trials. This
will be done with the cooperation and collaboration of theresearch scientists from the University of Minnesota, USA
and the Rainforest Project Foundation, The Netherlands andVietnam.

Aquilaria tree exploited

Agarwood in brief
Agarwood is a valuable scented resin, produced naturally
by at least seven out of 33 known tropical plant species of
the genera Aquilaria and Gyrinops, members of the family
Thymelaeaceae. It occurs in a zone spanning 16 countries,
from Bhutan and northeastern India across to southern
China through Southeast Asia and then as far as the Papua
New Guinea. Only two species of Aquilaria, A. agallocha(syn – A. malaccensis) and A. crassna, have been reported
in Myanmar so far. A shade-tolerant understorey speciesof evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, Aquilaria grows
throughout Myanmar from the tropical lowland forests in
Tanintharyi to the hilly evergreen forests of Putao, Kachin
State with the exception of the central dry zone.
This natural non-timber forest species is increasingly under
threat as the trees are overexploited (for example, the fellingof every tree found, including saplings of 1cm dbh, in the
search for resin) due to the expanding market and attractive
price of its resin and due to the widespread clearing of
natural tropical forests for other land uses. Its clumped andpoor natural regeneration exacerbates the vulnerabilityof the species. Today, all of the presently discovered 33
species of agarwood are listed in the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix
II. The networking of and negotiations between range andconsumer countries may help curb the indiscriminate andirresponsible exploitation and trade of agarwood.

The potential of agarwood and the importance of
ethnic involvement
Agarwood is an important NTFP for local socioeconomic
development. It has large potential as a substitute for bothpoppy and shifting cultivation and, accordingly, to save thetropical forests and forest environment. Local ethnics – theNaga, Kachin and Shan in the north and the Kayin, Dawei
and Mon in the south of the country – have been involvedin agarwood trade for four decades. Today, the most active
agarwood collectors are the Lisu, a sub-group of the Kachin
tribe. While the indigenous knowledge of these people isvaluable for research, their cooperation and participation
is indispensable for the preservation and sustainability ofagarwood resources. More cooperation is called for among
ethnic stakeholders, ethnobiologists, forestry researchers,
policy and decisionmakers and, no less, the international
community.

The resin inducement technique successfully produced after
a decade-long research by the University of Minnesota hasoffered opportunities to save the wild genetic resources ofagarwood by domestication. The research is ongoing andexpanding to potential range countries like Myanmar to
improve the plantation resin to near-natural quality. Likewise,
ecological and silvicultural studies are also warranted toensure genetic preservation and sustainable managementof the remaining natural agarwood resources.

A Lisu happy with agarwood trees in his homestead54

Small-scale Research Grant Programme
Population distribution and conservation status of the pale-thighedlangur Presbytis natunae on Natuna Island, Indonesia
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Firman Aldy
TrackLine Indonesia, Indonesia

Introduction
Primates are key species in certain critical habitats andprotected areas. They form conspicuous components ofthe forest fauna and some species (such as orangutans,siamangs, gibbons and macaques) act as importantseed dispersers and help to maintain tropical rain-forest
regeneration (Corlett, 1995). The major threats to wild
primate populations fall into three broad categories: habitat
destruction, hunting and live capture for export or local
trade. The relative importance of these factors varies acrossspecies and regions, but one or more of them affect almost
all existing primate populations (Mittermeier and Cheney,1987).
The island of Bunguran or Natuna Island, the main island of
the Natuna archipelago, is situated on the edge of Sunda
Shelf. It is located 225km northwest of Borneo and 475km eastof the Malay Peninsula or between 2˚ – 5˚ N to 104˚ – 110˚ E.
The primary aim of the project is to conduct a population
survey of the pale-thighed langur, or Natuna leaf monkey,
Presbytis natunae in the Ranai mount area of Natuna Island.
The research results will provide an important update on thecurrent status of this threatened species, which is thought
to occur only on Natuna Island. Little is known of the current
status of this species and data is lacking for strengthening
conservation measures.
The specific aims of this project are: (1) to determine the
distribution of the Natuna leaf monkey in lowland, hills andlogged forests; (2) to estimate their population size andremaining habitat; (3) to describe their habitat preferences;(4) to assess the potential threats to the population and theirhabitat; and (5) to develop a GIS database for the species.
Methods
Fieldwork was conducted from May to July 2007. The linetransect method was used to estimate population densityand distribution of the Natuna monkey. A total of fourtransects were set and we walked along each between

55

0630AM and 1100AM when primate groups were mostactive. Data on group size and composition were collected.
We also conducted random sampling: when we found agroup, we counted the number of animals classifying agesex into five classes (adult male, adult female, sub-adult,
juvenile and infants).
Result
The leaf monkey population in each habitat type were
estimated as follows:
Ranai mountain
5.93 individuals/km²
Rubber plantation
12.91 individuals/km²
Lowland forest (logged forest)
10.71 individuals/km²
Average
8.88 individuals/km²
The sex ratio of the Natuna leaf monkey was as follows:
Hill forest
3 male : 4 female
Rubber plantation
1 male : 1 female
Logged forest
1 male : 1 female
Based on our research results, we suggest that the
population in the Ranai forest be given priority forconservation of the species. Conservation planning for the
Natuna leaf monkey should focus on the enforcement ofexisting protected areas to reduce commercial logging
and hunting. Conservation education is also important toincrease awareness of local people on the protection ofendangered species on Natuna Island and reduce conflicts
between people and the monkeys.
During the second year of this research, we plan to conduct
interviews of local people to assess their recognition of theimportance of wildlife protection and to learn more about
conflicts between local people and the Natuna leaf monkey.
Non-parametric statistical analysis will be conductedfollowing the completion of data collection.

Study on the improvement of soil environment through agroforestry
tree leaf mulch: tomatoes at different water regimes during the dry
season in Bangladesh
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Tofayel Ahamed
Department of Agroforestry and the Environment, Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Agricultural University

Tomato production in Bangladesh is dependent upon
irrigation due to the limited amount of rainfall during theirgrowing period. However, poor farmers are not always
able to apply irrigation because of its high cost. Mulchingis a good agronomic practice because it can conserve soil
water, reduce weed infestation and ultimately increase crop
yield. This study was designed to compare the effects of
two different types of mulches, namely an agroforestry tree
Senna siamea leaf and indigenous rice straw, on the yieldand quality of tomato production, soil properties and weed
infestation at three irrigation regimes in Bangladesh.
The experiment was laid out in a 3m x 3m spilt-plot design
with three replications. Three different mulch conditions,
namely S. simaea leaf, rice straw and open field (nomulch) were applied to the main plots while three levelsof irrigation were assigned in the sub-plots. The levels of
irrigation water (IW ) were set based on cumulative pan
evaporation (CPE) and rainfall. CPE of 40, 20 and 10mm
were applied and IW/CPE of the irrigation regimes were1.0, 0.5 and 0.25, respectively. In the plots with straw mulch
and no mulch, tomato yield did not vary significantly up
to IW/CPE 0.5, while in the plot with Senna leaf mulch theyield was 4.5% and 13.57% higher than straw mulch and no
mulch, respectively. The ascorbic acid content in the fruit
was relatively higher in the no mulch with lower irrigation
regime, while β-carotene was higher in the mulch withhigher irrigation regimes. The Senna leaf mulch conserved
more soil water than straw mulch and no mulch. Soilorganic carbon, nitrogen and cataion exchange capacity(CEC) contents were slightly higher in the Senna leaf mulchwhen compared to the other treatments. A significantly
higher weed dry weight (136.27g/m²) was recorded in theno mulch treatment compared to the straw (49.27g/m²) and
Senna leaf (41.13g/m²) mulch. The present study suggeststhat using mulch with about 50% of the water supply
through irrigation can improve tomato production during
the dry season in Bangladesh.

A plot for experiment56

Behaviour and ecology of Delacour’s langur in
Van Long Nature Reserve, Vietnam
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Nguyen Vinh Thanh
Faculty of Biology, The University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam

Introduction
Delacour’s langur Trachypithecus delacouri is listed as a
Critically Endangered species as CR A2cd+3cd; C2a(i) ver.
3.1 (2001) in the IUCN Red List 2006. The species is endemic
to Vietnam, and one of the 25 most-endangered primate
species in the world (Mittermeier et al., 2006). During the
10 years of the pre-1999 period, hunting caused the lossof over 316 individuals and the current total number of T.
delacouri individuals is estimated as being between 281
and 317 (Nadler, 2004). The species is facing the threat ofgenetic degeneration due to potential inbreeding as its
entire distribution area is fragmented into separated parts
by surrounding development. Our surveys indicated thatstone exploitation for cement factories is a serious threat tothe langur habitat. However, since 1932, there has not been
any long-term study on wild langur’s behaviour and ecology.
We study the behaviour and ecology of Delacour’s langur forthe species’ conservation.

New all-male band

Objectives
Our project has two goals. First, to determine the behaviour
and ecology of Delacour’s langur in nature in order toprepare a rehabilitation plan for recovering the past
distribution of langurs with the following four specific aims:(1) to investigate the home range use of T. delacouri;(2) to develop a list of food plants for Delacour’s langur andtheir availability;(3) to study langurs’ social behaviour and how they occupy
their day; and(4) to study the behaviour relationships between langurs,
especially their feeding behaviour and ranging behaviour,with ecological factors.
Second, to raise local community awareness about wildlife
conservation, emphasising Delacour’s langur and theprotection of its habitat.
Methodology
From January 2006 to December 2007, we conducted
fieldwork in the nature reserve. Our research team consistedof four researchers divided into two groups. The methods
used to collect data on behaviour were scan sampling,
one-zero sampling, and ad libitum. For the study of homerange use of the langur, the study area was gridded on
a topographic map into blocks of 100x100m. Portions ofplants eaten by the langurs were collected for identification.
Phenology was monitored every month within the study
time at botanical plots. Behavioural and ecological data are
analysed both by hand and by using statistical software
packages.
Along with interviews with local people and local authorities,
we disseminate information on langur ecology in their areaof habitation, intending to raise awareness of the necessityof the langur’s conservation.
Results(1) Population status
Along with some new neonates, several male dispersals
and an observed female transfer have been recorded

Ba Dao group57

through the study. A new male-female group wasobserved in 2007, indicating that the population has
been increasing. The loud noise produced by stone
exploitation near the nature reserve forced most oflangur groups to change their home range in 2006. Inlate 2007, more surveys to re-determine each group’s
distribution and status in Van Long will be conducted forthe final result.
(2) Home range use
For two of the groups of langur we have observed from2005-2007, the home range was from 36ha to 46ha. At
present, our focal group’s home range is being narrowed
under territorial competition between harem groups.

(5) Feeding ecology
There were at least 65 food plant species in the area.
Among them 40 species were reported as the langur’s
food by Pham Nhat (2002); we determined 25 new species
as the langur’s food in the wild from our botanical plots.
Some additional plant species are in the identification
process and potential food species are being monitored.
From May 2006 to May 2007, we collected dataof phenology for the focal group. We stopped themonitoring process in May 2007 because its home range
was changed. However, botanical surveys are continued
to find the distribution of food plants in the whole study
site.

(3) Social behaviour
There were four social unit types found in Delacour’slangur: one-male unit, multi-male unit, all-male bandand single male. We had ad libitum observations anddescribed male display, chasing between the resident
male and a neighbour-group male and an all-male band,
pre-copulation time, actual copulation and pseudocopulation process during a few months in 2007.
(4) Time budget
Scan data are weighted and calculated to provide an
accurate time budget of Delacour’s langur for theiractivities. This work will be completed at the end of 2007.
New place of stone exploitation

References
Mittermeier, R.A., Valladares-Padua, C., Rylands, A.B., Eudey, A.A., Butynski, T.M., Ganzhorn, J.U., Kormos, R., Aguiar, J.M., and Walker, S., 2006. Primates in Peril: The
World’s Most Endangered Primates 2004-2006. Primate Conservation 2006 (20):1-28.
Nadler T., 2004. Distribution and Status of the Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) and Recommendation for its long-term conservation, In: T. Nadler et al.
(eds.), Conservation of Primates in Vietnam, Vietnam, pp. 63-71.
Pham Nhat, 2002. Primates in Vietnam, Agriculture Publishing House, Hanoi.

58

Biodiversity of plant resources in homesteads: its meaning and change
Small-scale Research Grant Programme

Rashedur Rahman
Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Homestead agroforestry, known as the home garden, is an
important component of the rural economies in different
regions of the world as well as in Bangladesh. Homesteads
have special significance in the context of Bangladesh rural
areas where approximately 62% of farmers are landless.
Homestead agriculture may be a lifeboat for their survivaland existence, as a secured supply of food and petty
cash may be gained from its products (Akanda, 1994). In
homesteads, villagers understand the characteristics ofeach plant, including wild plants, are grown and utilised
to meet villagers’ daily needs. More than 120 species are
known to exist in one village of the floodplain. Keeping theabove points in mind I conducted my research to study theplants diversity and villagers’ knowledge on the plants in thehomesteads.
The study site was the Kazirshimla village of Mymensingh
district in Bangladesh. Kazirshimla is comprised of about 300
farm families (households) from which sample households
were selected from different farm categories (marginal, small
and medium). The study found that, in average, there wereabout 84 species of plants in each homestead, including
timber plants, fruit trees, seasonal vegetables, flowering
plants, medicinal plants and some other wild species ofplants. Interviews of household members revealed that
almost all timbers and some aged fruit trees had beenplanted by their ancestors, while other fruit trees andseasonal vegetables, medicinal plants were planted by theexisting household members, whereas the wild species were
spontaneously grown.
The care and management of the plants are practiced
by female members of the household, and the utilisation
patterns of the plants are based on their daily needs.
Almost all of the plants are commercially important andalso frequently used by the household members to fulfil
their daily needs. Except for some wild species, all of theother plants and trees have been grown by the household
members and they try to maintain the species diversity.
Saplings, seedlings or seeds are obtained mainly from

Wild species grown the back yard of homestead

Different seasonal vegetables grown in homesteads

59

Different timbers and fruit trees in the backyard of homested

their local market and sometimes from the relatives andneighbours. It has been found from the household samplingthat the number and diversity of plants are larger in themedium category of household than that of marginal
category due to the limited land space of the latter.
The households are interested in growing more plants intheir homestead, as they are concerned with the economic
benefits of different types of plants that are grown intheir homestead area. From interviews of the household
members, it was also evident that women were those who
were mainly interested to keep the biodiversity of plants as
they, rather then the male household members, were theones who usually remained at home and took care of andmanaged the plants.

Getting identification, plant history and counting of homestead
plant species

60Conservation Activity Programme
National conference of insect conservation in tropical landscape:opportunity and challenge
Conservation Activity Programme

Nur Hasanah
Centre for Conservation and Insect Studies/PEKA Indonesia Foundation, Indonesia

From the 27 to 30 of January 2007, the Centre for Conservation
and Insect Studies in collaboration with the Department ofPlant Protection, Entomological Society of Indonesia andIndonesia Plant Protection Student Association, co-organised
the National Conference entitled ‘Insect Conservation in
Tropical Landscape: Opportunity and Challenges,’ in Bogor,
Indonesia. This was the first national conference on insect
conservation that had ever been conducted in the country.
The topic of insect conservation was chosen because, for along time, insects had rarely been mentioned in discussionsof conservation, mainly because insects had not received
enough attention by conservationists across the globe. Thisis unfortunate, because insects play multiple roles in the foodweb. They are not only a group consisting of herbivores; many

Training

Presentation61

are carnivores, decomposers, and pollinators. In their capacity
as pollinators, insects guarantee the production of our food;as decomposers, insects help recycling nutrient acrossdifferent compartments; and as carnivores, they act as natural
enemies of many insect pests. It is indubitable that insects
play a major role in ensuring crop productivity. The otherroles of insects, such as being silk and honey producers, are
known worldwide; furthermore, their uniqueness in colours
and shapes has also inspired people in many ways. It isundebatable that insects serve important roles in ecosystemservices. However, their conservation has remained obscure.
The conference was run with the aims: (1) to develop andformulate a concept or model of insect conservation efforts
in Indonesia; (2) to provide the younger generations ofentomologists and conservationists with different topics
of insect conservation and technology to prepare them for
future challenges on insect conservation; and (3) to increase
public awareness with respect to insect conservation. A
series of activities, including a plenary session, symposia,
trainings and exhibition, was designed in order to achieve
our goals. Some speakers from various backgrounds beyond
entomology, such as ornithology, herpetology, economics
and social science, were invited to discuss broader issues of
insect conservation and its importance for sustainable life.
Approximately 285 academics, students and persons fromthe private sector from 25 provinces participated in theconference, and about 80 researchers took part in oralpresentations in the symposia covering eight aspects: (1)land use change and insect diversity in the tropics; (2) insect
systematics and entomology development in Indonesia;(3) ecosystem health and biological control; (4) the use of
information systems in insect study; (5) the role of insect
pollinators in agriculture; (6) the threat of invasive species in
the agroecosystem; (7) herbivorous insects in agroecosystem;and (8) physiology and toxicology of insects. Several trainings
were also conducted, including biodiversity analyses, GIS for
insect study, macro-photography, and insect handling andidentification. In order to achieve the goals of the conference,
74 young rising scientists from various provinces were invited
to participate in the conference and trainings. Exhibition was
one of the significant programs in the conference, with several
institutions participating, including the Wildlife Conservation
Society - Indonesia Program, National Geographic Indonesia,
the Insect Museum of Indonesia Miniature Garden, and theIndonesian Biodiversity Foundation. An impressive fact was
the total entry of 684 insect photos from 354 participants wascompeted in the Insect Photo Competition, in which about
50 of the best insect photos were honoured and displayed in
the Insect Photo Exhibition under the theme ‘Insect in Colours’
at the Oktagon Gallery, Jakarta from 23 to 25 February 2007.
The conference was funded by various institutions including
the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, the Indonesian
Biodiversity Foundation, the Wildlife Conser vation
Society, the Wildlife Trust Alliance, Croplife Indonesia,
PEKA Indonesia, Department of Plant Protection-IPB andnumerous individual donations. It was also supported by
Nasional Geografi Indonesia in providing merchandise,the Oktagon Foundation for the Insect Photo Exhibition
Gallery as a venue, Radio Ramako FM and Radio Pesona FM
for publicities. The conference has given an opportunity
for Indonesian scientists, especially from the younger
generation from various regions in Indonesia, to gather for
discussion of many issues related to insect conservationin the country. The conference enhanced the recognition
among participants that there is an urgent need to build
and strengthen a network that can facilitate potential
collaboration in future research and to develop an effective
strategy for insect conservation in Indonesia.

Photo exhibition

Award winners

Conference participants62

Schools awareness programme in Sri Lanka
Conservation Activity Programme

Jayantha Jayewardene
Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust, Sri Lanka

Introduction
The dwindling wild elephant population in Sri Lanka is a
cause for serious concern. Increasing human populations inthis small island nation have resulted in clearing more andmore jungles for human settlement and agriculture. With
this there has been a reduction of the elephant’s jungle
habitat.
From a population of 17,000 wild elephants in Sri Lanka
in the 19th century, numbers have declined, with recent
figures showing that the present population stands at
between 4,000 and 4,500. According to the Department ofWildlife Conservation, an average of 65 humans and 120
elephants are killed annually due to the human-elephantconflicts that have developed over the years. These conflicts
also cause the destruction of cultivations and dwellings byelephants.
The people of Sri Lanka have a long history of coexistencewith elephants, both tame and wild. This relationship isvisible in the religious and sociocultural traditions of thepeople, who advocate a benevolent attitude towards
wildlife. Building upon these traditions will make it possible
to take some positive action toward conserving theelephants.

Schools awareness programme
The Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust (BECT) isan organisation committed to the conservation of elephants.
They had found that there were no programmes to educate
people, especially schoolchildren, on the value of having
elephants as a part of their environment. With this in mind,
BECT started conducting awareness programmes specially
focused on schoolchildren in the rural areas where there are
human-elephant conflicts that adversely affect the lives ofthe people.
The objectives of the Schools Awareness Programme is tocreate awareness amongst the children living in these areason: (1) the value of elephants; (2) their ecology, biology
and physiology; (3) their role in the religion and culture of
the country; (4) that only a few elephants cause damage
to crops and houses, or cause human fatalities; and (5) theneed to conserve elephants for the future as part of theirand the world’s heritage.
BECT has carried out a number of sessions in schools under
this programme from about six years ago. The Nagao Natural
Environment Foundation supported this programme byproviding funds for sessions to be conducted in 30 schools.
These funds were utilised in the year of 2007 to carry out thisprogramme in 33 schools chosen from three districts.
Programme in the schools
Preparations for this programme started with obtaining
approval from the Provincial Directors of Education and theDistrict Directors of Education in each of the three districts,
as well as the central Ministry of Education. Assistance forthe programme was obtained from the Department ofWildlife Conservation with members of their regional staff
also participating in these sessions.
Each session in a school is conducted according to thefollowing agenda: (1) lighting of the traditional oil lamp;(2) prayers; (3) welcome by the principal or a teacher; (4)objectives of the programme; (5) lecture on biodiversity andelephants, both including a multimedia presentation; (6)discussion, starting with a question and answer session; (7)presentation of books for the school library; and (9) vote of
thanks.

63

The programmes funded by the Nagao Natural
Environment Foundation were held in schools from the
districts of Anuradhapura, Matale and Puttalam. A totalof 3,585 schoolchildren and 326 teachers attended these
programmes from the 33 schools, for an average of 108
participants per school session.
OutcomeMost children who participated in these programmes now
have a greater awareness of the elephant and its habits. They
know of the need to conserve wild elephants and will view
wild elephants more kindly. Some of them may get involvedin elephant conservation in the future, maybe in a small
way. They have also been advised to create an awarenessamongst the adults in their community.
Conclusion
This programme has been carried out successfully andaccording to plan. The lecturers have done a very good
job and interacted with the children well. The principalsof schools have appreciated these programmes greatly
and have sent letters of appreciation to us and to various
relevant authorities.

64

Workshop on Sulawesi biodiversity and conservation curriculum forNorth Sulawesi high school teachers
Conservation Activity Programme

Johanis Pelealu
Biology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia

Introduction
The Workshop on Sulawesi biodiversity and conservation
curriculum for North Sulawesi high school teachers was heldfrom 8 to 12 January 2007 at the Biology Study Program,
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science of Sam Ratulangi
University Manado, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Parkand Animal Rescue in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The
objectives of this program were to (1) provide training forhigh school biology teachers in North Sulawesi on Sulawesi
biodiversity and its conservation; and (2) construct a biology
curriculum on Sulawesi biodiversity and its conservation forhigh schools in North Sulawesi.
The topics of the workshop activities included thebiodiversity of Sulawesi, its threats and conservation, relevantIndonesian laws, the evaluation of the biology curriculum inhigh schools, and the development of a biology curriculum
for biodiversity and conservation. The workshop included
a field trip to the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park andAnimal Rescue. Participants included 20 teachers of biology
at North Sulawesi high school. The workshop instructors
were officials of the North Sulawesi Education Department,
the Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society IP Sulawesi(Johny Tasirin, PhD), officials of the Indonesian Forestry
Department, and Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics andScience.

Workshop outcomes
After the Workshop, we conducted a questionnaire survey
and discussion with the participants in order to ascertain
their perception of Sulawesi biodiversity and its conservationand how they would implement biodiversity in teachingprocess. Some important findings are as follows:(1) The teachers generally know little about biodiversity anddo not realise that the Sulawesi islands hold unique andrich biodiversity and that some species are endemic. They
were unaware that there have been some serious threats
upon the persistence of biodiversity because they havelearnt only little about the subject and have attended
only short courses on relevant topics.
(2) Th e te a c h e r s p e rc e i ve t h a t t h e y h ave a m o r a l
responsibility to disseminate knowledge on Sulawesi
biodiversity and its conservation to their students andcommunities. Prior to attending this workshop, in their
biology classes, they had only picked examples of either a
species not belonging to Indonesia or a species that canbe found in Indonesia but not in Sulawesi. This resulted indifficulties for the teachers and students to comprehend
local biodiversity.
(3) In the learning process in their school, the teachers plan
to incorporate the following methods to provide theirstudents with knowledge on Sulawesi biodiversity and its
conservation:• Local curricula: Some of the teachers are willing tocompile school curricula on local biodiversity and its
conservation for their school.
• Use of cases on Sulawesi biodiversity; in particular, casesaround students’ environments: many environmental
cases in North Sulawesi, especially the devastationof the forest and coral reefs, declining of wildlife
populations, and natural disasters, like floods, can beused by teachers to deliver their messages on theconservation of natural resources to their students.

Visit to a private animal rescue

65• Integration of material on Sulawesi biodiversity andits conservation into existing curricula: as the existing
biology curriculum includes a topic about biodiversity,
the teachers can incorporate Sulawesi biodiversity into
the topic.

activities. Teachers will arrange a schedule for these
activities at the end of semester or during semester
breaks to visit various conservation sites and animal
rescue sites. As there is no zoo in Sulawesi, visiting
nature would be a good experience for the students.

• Introduction of extracurricular programmes outsideclassroom: for example, field trips, picnics and Boy Scout

Workshop activity

Workshop opening by dean66

Development of an ecotourism plan for the Mt Pulag National Park
Conservation Activity Programme

Reynald Yawan and Emerita Tamiray
Protected Areas, Wildlife and Costal Zone Management Service, Department of Environment andNatural Resources - Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines

Ecotourism is one of the fastest evolving industries not
only here in the Philippines but also in other countries.
As the industry expands into new areas, it presents
new opportunities for host communities and naturalenvironments. Ecotourism is about connecting conservation,communities and sustainable travel. The International
Ecotourism Society defined ecotourism as ‘responsible
travel to natural areas that conserves the environment andimproves the well-being of local people.’ Accordingly, those
who will implement and participate in responsible tourism
activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
minimise impact; build environmental and culturalawareness and respect; provide positive experiences forboth visitors and hosts; provide direct financial benefits forconservation; provide financial benefits and empowerment
for local people; and raise sensitivity to host countries’
political, environmental and social climates.
The objectives of this project were to develop an ecotourism
development plan for the Mt Pulag National Park that isreflective of indigenous customs, knowledge and practices
that sustain and conserve the cultural and biologicaldiversity of the park and also meet the needs of visitors. Mt
Pulag National Park is one of the eighteen sites designatedas protected areas under the National Integrated Protected
Areas System of the Philippines for its high biodiversity.

The park is considered one of the identified emerging
ecotourism destinations in the Philippines due to its uniquenatural features and biological diversity. In accordancewith the principle of ecotourism, the Department ofEnvironment and National Resources of the Cordillera
Administrative Region (DENR-CAR), with a grant from the
Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, has prepared thisecotourism development/business plan in partnership with
the DOT-CAR, the Provincial Government of Benguet andthe Municipality of Kabayan, Benguet. This development/
business plan focuses on the ecotourism products andservices required for the development of identified
ecotourism programmes in the Mt Pulag National Park,
their benefits, operational requirements and the marketing,financial analysis and projections, action plan and thecomposition of the management team.
Information and data generated in this development/
business plan were gathered through site assessments;
public hearings and consultations; meetings with DOTCAR, the provincial government, municipal government, Mt
Pulag Indigenous Tour Guides Association, private tourism
operators and other stakeholders; workshops; and fromreferences, such as the General Management Plan of the Mt
Pulag National Park, Protected Area Suitability Assessment
and Resource Basic Inventory, available in the DENR-CAR.
In addition, the programmes in the development/businessplan were reviewed and agreed upon by the review
committee.

Trail towards the Mt Pulag summit

Crystal clear water at Eddet River67

The park is located at the main island of Luzon, a threehour ride from Baguio City. With an approximate area of
11,550ha, the park holds 528 recorded species of plants, ofwhich 42% are endemic to the area. It is also home to 76
bird species, of which 30 are endemic to the Philippinesand nine are endemic to Luzon. Several different groups ofindigenous peoples, such as the Kankanaeys, Kalanguyas,
Ibalois and Karaos inhabit this area. They are represented
in the Protected Area Management Board that takes careof the general administration of the park, while day-to-day
park management is being undertaken by a Protected Area
Superintendent.

Publication Programme
Publication of ‘Marine fishes of Palawan’
Publication Programme

Benjamin J. Gonzales
Western Philippines University, Philippines

As one of the hotspot islands for biodiversity, Palawan
features a wide range of flora and fauna listed as endangered
and threatened species or populations by IUCN. Despite
fishing and fisheries being the main industry of the province,
little information exists pertaining to the extent of fish fauna
species. Moreover, few efforts have been made to recordand document fish species in their relatively pristine marine
habitats. Accordingly, the aim of this project is to publish
an illustrated book that would record marine fish species
and serve as a guide to researchers, students and anyone
interested in fishes.
Fish specimens were collected from a total of 15 stations
across the province of Palawan. Main collection came fromfishermen and vendors in fish landing areas and markets
in municipalities and bays to the north, south, east, andwest of mainland Palawan between August 1998 and June
2001. Additional fish collections from wet markets in Puerto
Princesa City and photographing of specimens were donein November 2005. The author had the opportunity toreinforce information on fish habitats during SCUBA divetrips in St Paul Bay of Western Palawan in August 2005,
Honda Bay of Eastern Palawan in April 2006, Coral Bay ofSouthern Palawan in March 2007, and Taytay Bay in Northern
Palawan in June 2007. Some underwater photographs offishes and habitats were taken during these dives. Collected
specimens were measured, weighed, photo-documented
and identified in fresh state in the field or in the laboratory.

The author conducting ecological and biological observations

Our total specimen collection in fish catalogue of theWestern Philippines University is composed of 613 species,
belonging to 269 genera and 99 families. Results revealed
that we have added 360 species into the Palawan fishes asrecorded by Schroeder (1980).
Total records of specimen collection have estimatedthat around 50% of fishes recorded by Schroeder (1980)
appeared in our collection despite that Schroeder (1980) had
collected only from the eastern side of mainland Palawan.
This indicates that much still has to be done in terms of
documenting the marine fish species of Palawan. Anotherprobable reason may be that fish collection methods
before were easier and more varied. In the 1980s, rules andregulations on gears and methods used to gather fishes
were still lax and few, and Palawan then was considered anisolated island where law enforcement could be weak.
With reference to the total number of fish families in theworld, the Philippines has decreased in ratio from 60% in1986 (Smith and Heemstra, 1986) to 54% in 2004 (Fishbase
2004). Judging from the fish samples collected in this study,
the Palawan fish families constitute 44.4% of the fish familiesof the Philippines and 24% of the world. In this book,photographs of the above fishes will be provided with theirrespective scientific names, Tagalog names, and local names,
notes on their ecology and biology, and other relevantscientific information.

Siganus vulpinus, Taytay Bay, northern Palawan

68Survey team preparing to dive, Apulit Island, northern Palawan

Saurida gracilis, Coral Bay, southern Palawan

Coral patch where damsel fishes thrives, Coral Bay, southern Palawan

References
FishBase, 2004. A global information system on fishes. DVD, World Fish Center Philippine Office, Los Baños, Philippines, Published in May 2004.
Schroeder, R. E., 1980. Philippine shore fishes of the Western Sulu Sea. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and NMPC Books, Manila, Philippines. 266 pp.
Smith, M. M. and Heemstra, 1986. Smiths’ sea fishes. JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown, South Africa. 1047 pp.

69

Publication of ‘A field identification guide for bird banding studies
in Sumatra’
Publication Programme

Wilson Novarino
Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Andalas University, Indonesia

The manuscript, ‘A Field Identification Guide for Bird Banding
Studies in Sumatra’, has been prepared based on the resultsof fieldwork conducted in West Sumatra between 1997
and 2004. This book presents field findings from the lastphase of my study supported by the NEF. Some additional
information was collected and several editing processes
have been completed for the review of its contents. The
book includes current literature available regarding birds inIndonesia. International standards, such as “Recommended
English Bird Name” from the International Ornithologist
Union (2007), have been implemented in the book.
Additionally, we have added some subspecies names for
species specific/endemic to Sumatra. The Pusat Informasi
Lingkungan Indonesia/PILI (www.pili.or.id), an international
NGO based in Indonesia, was the major contributor to the
publishing of the book. PILI has experience in publishingand distributing books focused on environmental issues.
Currently the manuscript is undergoing its final review and isin the layout process. We intend to complete the publicationin late November and will launch in December 2007.

Black and Yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum

70

Publication of ‘Biodiversity conservation in Central Asia’
Publication Programme

Eldar Rustamov
Institute of Zoology of Academy of Science, Turkmenistan

The publishing of the book ‘Biodiversity conservation inCentral Asia’, sponsored by the NEF, was completed in 2007.
The original data were based on the results of the NEFsupported research project conducted from 2004 to 2005
for inventorying biodiversity in the southwestern part ofCentral Asia. Covering a wide range of topics, this bookincludes sections that consider general principles of natureand biodiversity conservation with respect to specificregional peculiarities. The book presents descriptions ofmodern biodiversity structure and status, explanationsof the principles of flora and fauna conservation andof their sustainable use, and also outlines the national
histor y and modern achievements concerning theprotection of nature in Turkmenistan. It is stressed thatthe conservation of biodiversity requires the joint efforts
of scientists, stakeholders, local communities and othercollaborators. Significant portions of the book are dedicatedto commercial fishery, the importance of mammals andbirds as hunting species, and the relationship between
amphibian and reptilian fauna and humans, particularly thevalue of poisonous snakes. The book also discusses the roleof strictly-protected areas for biodiversity conservation andthe importance of protecting unique and rare ecosystems.
Descriptions of the strictly-protected areas include theirstatus, history, natural conditions, inventory of flora and71

fauna, and specific works pertaining to the conservation ofrare and endangered species. A number of photographs
taken in the field is also included to help readers learn about
conservation more effectively.

72

Scholarship Scheme
The Scholarship Scheme aims to promote the training of the future generation of experts inthe protection of the natural environment. Currently, university students in six countries in the
Asia region are studying at the undergraduate or post graduate level with NEF’s support. In
2007, the NEF assisted more than 380 students. The Scholarship Scheme is operated with thecooperation of the NEF’s local counterparts.

73

List of NEF Scholars in 2007
Indonesia
Undergraduate students(150)
University of Indonesia
Eka Viantira
Erny Soraya
KholifahMeilisha P. Pertiwi
Pipit Merianingsih
Putri R. Ratri
Fika Afriani
Mariska Astrid Kusumaningtyas
Mulyati Dewi Aisyah
Nur Mutia Dewi
Suryani
Sutini
Rerin Santiana
Gita Rahayu Budiarti
Uswatun Khasanah
Asminatun
Dina Mariyanti
Anggi Puspa Nur Hidayati
Ayu Roossea Mustika Putri
Devri Ary Sinaga
Diana Agustina
Lina
Intan A Pratiwi
Rika Prihatiningsih
Anjar Prianto
Sarah Albar
Nidya SusantoEko Burhanuddin
Adhitia P
Assyafi’iyah Islamic University
Hajar Wahyudi
Isnamaini
Iswahyudi Zuliman
Yunitasari Amaliah
Andam Dewi Maelani
Dwi Widyanti Octavia
Hetty Jariah
Ridho Tahir
Sartika
Sapan
Syahrul lail
Winanjar Restu
Septika Wijayanti
Dedi Rahman
Arif Saifudin
Cut Safrina
Fadlurahman
Sukriyanti
Dahliana
Adi Saputra
Juliana
Nur Khodimah

SumarniNasron Azizah
Dieka Pertiwi
Didi Prasetyo
Nur Asiyah
Nur Aini
Risky Darmawan
R.A.Ayu Yekti.N
N.Elis .kuraisin
Siti Fatimah aazzahra
Eka zakiah Setiawati
National University
Dina Fitria
Fauzan Abdul Mun:im Alkatiri
Rahayu Kurniangsih
Rahmalia Nurul Ahsani Amda
Etika Sayekti Hidayati
Dessy Sulistya Ashari
Fratiwi
Masyaroh
Neneng Mardianah
Shafa Noer
Dian Fajar Vitianingrum
Windrati
Melinda Octaviana Kuswandari
Rebina Urfhy Zen
Mursyidah
Wulanita Kuswotanti
Nuzuki Atara
Abdurrachman Syafiih
Devi MargarethDewi Andini Fitriani
Hesmi Rahmawati.H
Husnul Khotimah
Rima Paramita
Ririn Diah Ramadani
Siti Mardiyana Ulfah
Zahra Harifannisa
State University of Jakarta
Achmad Sobari
Anna Syachrial
Arief
Ariyani Fortuna
Conny Samir
Octavianto Sinthauly
Rince Pradana
Subhan Yuliyani
Yuyun Yusuf Harahap
Daulat Arwah
Fatyah Setiawati
Fuji
LutviahMuna Murnianjari
Mutia Hardhiyuna
Putri Kesuma Werdani
Supri
Listinayah Fajri

Maria T.P.
Evindika Upik
Nur Malasari
Tinur Chanafi
Muhammad MahmudahAfdini Rihlatul
Desy Permatasari
Norma Rahmawati
Sari Setyaningsih
Muhammd Fathoni
Retno Dyah Kumala
Siti AmanahWahyuningsih
Anis.M
Febrina Ariyanti. I
Dina Silviana
Ria Amelia
Pakuan University
Asep Yana
Dewi Agustina
Dina Agustina
Mimi Jamilah
Yunis Tias Andriani
Enri Agus Setiani
Dian Sudianto
Marlina
Mita Fajriah Ibrahim
Muhammad Ahyad
Nurdiyansah
Nur Laela Fadhila
Sanan Supriatna
Stephanie
Agustinus Sarira
Zulfikar Failasufi
Budi Triyanto
Intan Kusumaningrum
Aam Amaliah
Ayu Septina PrasantiAvia Agustian MinantiMila Setyani
Astri Anggraeni
Olivia Mersylia Tombe
Irfan Agustiawan
Taufik Hidayatullah
R.Farida

Malaysia
Postgraduate students(5)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Suzen Immit Mojiol
Alvin Azril Mahat
Jovinia Jowinis
Ivan Koh Chong Chu
Jacqueline Vincent

Myanmar
Postgraduate students(20)
Defense Services Medical
AcademyThet Su Mar
Khaing Khaing Kyi
University of Dagon
Kyaw Min Htay
Nwe Ni Win
Sao Mon Theint
University of Forestry
Win Ni Hein
Ni Ni Thin
Ye Wint Tun
Thida Swe
University of Maubin
Aye Aye Min
University of Monywa
Khin Than Oo
University of Pathein
San Tha Tun
University of West Yangon
San San Aye
Moe Kalayar Oo
University of Yangon
Kyaw Zay Moe
Wint Wint Tun
Malar Htwe
Sapai Min
Thaw Maw Moe
Yangon Institute of Education
Thanda Win

Undergraduate students(26)
University of Forestry
Kyaw Sein Win Tun
Aung Myint Myat
Khine Wut Hmone
Zaw Zaw
Thu Han Soe
Su Sandar Aung
Tet Nay Tun
Nwai Mon Mon Aung
Kay Zin ThanThant Zin
Kay Khine Thwe
Way Soe Zin
Thura Kyaw
Latt Mi Tin Win
Talun Hmone Htan
Htet Lin
Paing Htet Oo
Ma Aye Myat Ko Ko

74

Phyo Zaw Hein
Ma Ei Sandar Myint
Arr Kar Phyo
Arnt Myo Zaw
Myat Ko Ko Oo
Ma Yadanar Zaw
Ma Myat Su Mon
Ma Su Su Lwin

Megallos, Jeffrey
Cobilo, Maureen Darling Joy F.
Ollave, Bienvenido Jr. M.
Castro, Lyca Sandrea

Philippines
Undergraduate students(36)

Hanoi Agriculture University
Ta Thi Binh
Pham My Dung
Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy
Vietnam National University
Vuong Tan Cong
Nguyen Khoa Hieu
Nguyen Van Hung
Pham Van Vien
Nguyen Thuy Vinh
Le Thi Thanh Huong
Truong Ngoc Kiem
Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga
Le Nguyet Hai Ninh
Dang Thi Huong
Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong
Dang Trung Tu
Nguyen Thi Hien
Nguyen Thi Hoa
Nguyen Xuan Hoa
Ho Thu Minh
Pham Thi Hong Phuong
Nguyen Khac Son
Doan Viet Tien
Phan Quoc Toan
Nguyen Xuan Vinh
Le Thi Thanh Xuan
Luu Hoang Yen
Vinh University
Phan Thi Giang
Trinh Thi Hong
Cao Thang
Dao Thi Hang
Do Van Toan
Nguyen Thi Thu
Hue University of Sciences
Phan Tien Dung
Can Tho University
Le Diem Kieu
Hanoi Pedogogical
University
Nguyen Phuong Linh
Dinh Minh Quang
Nguyen Thi Thuy Ninh
Institute of Ecology andBiological Resources
Vuong Tan Tu
Duong Thi Hoan

Palawan State University
Gabo, Astrid Korina
Garcellano, James A.
Jardinero, John Rex N.
Orge, Cedric Ian V.
Patigdas, Madel M.
Tenefrancia, Jonas G.
Alleda, Allan P.
Jalover, Cherry Lyn S.
Pablico, Riza Jane B.
Pagliawan, Ma. Retchie C.
Tan, Ken D.
Urquiola, Joan P.
Villamor, Irish L.
Cacho, Darelle Kaye M.
De Guzman, Arnica L.
Firmalo, Honey Rose O.
Garibay, Jessa Belle B.
Herrera, Ebenezer C.
Quinit, Winston G.
Quirino, Alison T.
Tabayag, Erickson T.
Vicente, Florence Joy B.
Apdon, Roselle T.
Argonoso, Gerold Allen S.
Alvior, Carlito D.
Altea, Jastin Robert D.
Bacani, Neliza B.
Besa, Dorcas O.
Jagmis, Jessa Mae F.
Josol, Ma. Rose Cristy B.
Palmon, Edgar R.
Rolando, Joana B.
Western Philippines University
Agsamosam, Mercy G.
Capadosa, Annielyn L.
Laxamana, Rajie Ann L.
Asis, Jonnie A.

Postgraduate students(5)
Palawan State University
Casia, Cristina T.

75

VietnamPostgraduate students(48)

Nguyen Manh Hung
Phan Xuan Binh Minh
Dao Thi Sen
University of Forestry
Do Thanh Hung
Ngo Van Mac
Pham Van Nam
Pham Anh Tam
Nguyen Toan Thang
Hue University ofAgriculture and Forestry
Ho Thi Nhu Trang

Lao PDR
Undergraduate students(92)
National University of Laos
Phonesavanh Phonnaly
Teuanchai Xaisomeboun
Bounmy LorlaithongSomsouphanh Simmanivong
Khamsamone Phanthavilay
Panhyasook Keoleuxay
Philaylak YoutthasantySengsouly Phaleukham
Laty Pangpaseuth
Phonesavanh Xayalath
Khaokeo Lorvanxay
Nongnouth Phanvongsa
Kongsy Khammavong
Khamsompong Sinthabandith
Alounsak Xayasouk
Mengxiong Xaichui
Phommachanh Phothichanh
Santy Phiyadeth
Yileng Thaochoutheng
Phetsomphone Thammavong
Somphanith Si One Chanh
Kathingthong Latsavongxay
Khamsing Xayluexiong
Vannasin Inoudom
Oulaivanh Chantjaloth
Maithor Laouyiajong
Yipheng Thayongyia
Souksakhone Chanpadith
Khamboui Soukhantha
Sisavath Phimmasone
Phaengta Bounthavangkham
Sayphin Khampanya
Mai Phonvixay
La Ong dao Sisomphou
Phetviengkham Onexaivieng
Kenemai Phengpaseuth
Bounhieng Sisavanh
Viengvilay Vanthanouvong
Chounnaphon Sibounheuang

Hongphakham Inthavong
Souksakhone Boubphavong
Sadalat Thanongsack
Bousamai Boudthavong
Sauosavanh Phavilaivong
Phoummano Khammanivong
Thipphamala Manivong
Amphaychit Boutbouathong
Somphavanh Keobouasamay
Khankeo Phathong
Phanhthoudeth Pongpanya
Khamla Phetnavongxay
Thavone Khounsida
Songkane Somsavanh
Phouthone Phapho
Kengchalith Soukvixay
Soulisack Vilayphone
Sengpasith Houng Aloune
Inthanongsone Inthavongsa
Xaisuvanh Phaxaisomebath
Bounphack Lorbreeryao
Phaivone Khounthavone
Khoun Thammavong
Yenpapha Vilavong
Khammanh Vongvansy
Somchanh Ouphanxay
Vanpaseuth Phoutthavong
Phayvieng Vongkhamheng
Vilayvanh Phaisavath
Vonesackda Phoudthavong
Soukphaphone Soudthalavong
Sivanh Vivanhxai
Bounhuong Yachongtou
Xaysavanh Khiaovongphachanh
Souksakhone Phanthoulak
Chanthala Vinthaxay
Sonnasak Phaipasith
Nilaphai Taxo
Lidthisone Kettavong
Xaiyalarth Vongsavath
Silisack Dalavong
Nouxay Bounmixay
Soudaniame Inthisane
Viengsavanh Xomvimane
Somta Siharath
Thany Phimmasone
Sadsada Inthavong
Ketsana Sirivong
Oulavanh Sinsamphanh
Soulichanh Lamxay
Bounmany Soulideth
Taykeo Somachanmavong
Chindavanh Souliyaphak

76

NEF Student International Workshop 2008 in Sabah

77

The NEF Student International Workshop 2008 was heldfrom 22 to 27 January in Sabah, Malaysia in cooperation
with the Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation of
the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (ITBC/UMS). The aims of theWorkshop were to provide NEF scholarship recipients withthe opportunity of first-hand experience in the field and topromote exchange between different cultures. Five students
representing each of the four countries chosen to receive
the NEF scholarship (Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines andVietnam) were invited to join the Workshop.

Titles of student presentations and presenters:
Indonesia‘Sebangau National Park: a message from the impact ofclimate change on Orangutans’ habitat’
Aziza Nasron and Stephanie

The NEF and ITBC agreed to promote the high levelof involvement of students in its preparation andimplementation of the Workshop. Under supervision ofProf Datin Dr Maryati Mohamed, Director of the ITBC, andProf Madya Dr Hamid Ahmad, the UMS students were
responsible for different parts of the Workshop’s operation.
The programme included a variety of activities both indoor
and outdoor. On 22 January, upon their arrival in Kota
Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, an orientation session
was held so the participants could meet one another.
Various kinds of games helped break the ice among them,encouraged unity and teamwork, and helped to provide afoundation upon which to build new ideas through sharedexperiences over the week to come.

‘Diversity of pests in identified stored food products in Sabah’
Alvin Azril Mahat

During the following day (23 January), the opening sessionof the Workshop started with a welcome address from
Prof Datuk Dr Mohd. Noh Dalimin, Vice Chancellor of UMS,
followed by a welcoming speech by Prof Dr Yasuhiko Taki,
President of the NEF. The main session of the Workshop wascomprised of a presentation of plenary paper by Prof Datin
Dr Maryati Mohamed on the Borneo’s natural environmentand student presentations given either individually or in agroup.

Malaysia‘A survey of bird fauna in mangrove area at Menumbuk
Forest Reserve, Sabah’Suzan Immit Mojiol

Vietnam‘The Challenge of conservation of Pu Luong Nature Reserve’
Nguyen Khac Son
Philippines‘Management of a natural world heritage site: the Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River National Park’
Astrid Korina S. Gabo and James H. Garcellano
Lao PDR‘A part of biodiversity issues in Lao PDR’
Soulichanh Lamxay, Phayvieng Vonghamheng and Oulavanh
Sinsamphan

Student presentations at UMS

78

Cultural exchange

The evening of the second day was a student cultural show.
Having donned their ethnic costumes, the participants
demonstrated songs and dances from their home country;
the audience meanwhile learned some of the dances andsongs of different cultures and were able to find crosscultural similarities to their own culture.

In the early morning of 24 January, the participants enjoyedbird watching at the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Centre,
where mangroves are preserved for the purposes of birdconservation and public environmental education. Guided byan education officer of the Centre, the tour was conducted
before sunrise along the boardwalk in the wetland.

As a donor organisation intending to promote nature
conser vation, the NEF considers that fieldwork is
fundamental, particularly for students who wish to workon nature conservation as their career. NEF believes
that students’ participation in hands-on field activities isnecessary for them to develop their interest in nature byproviding access to research and conservation tools. Thus,
the main activities of the Workshop were conducted in thefield. Borneo is one of most suitable places for activities likethis Workshop.

An approximately t wo hour ’s drive then took theparticipants to the Peat Swamp Conservation Centre of Klias
Peninsula, which was established in 2007 with a fund fromthe UNDP/GEF. There the participants gained knowledge
and understanding of the ecological importance of peatswamps as well as information on monitoring activities theCentre is conducting.

Bird watching at the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Centre

Trip to Klias Peninsula

79

Learning field research skills at Kinabalu

The last field activity of the day was a boat ride in the Klias
River. Cruising in the extensive mangrove forests of the Klias
River has been one of the major ecotourism attractions ofBorneo as it allows visitors to experience the tranquillityof nature with ease of access. This area also provides animportant habitat for proboscis monkeys and other wildlife.
As the participants were enjoying spotting wildlife, they also
learned how tourism can be operated while conserving thewildlife and their habitat.
The highlight of the Workshop was a trip to the Kinabalu
National Park. Mount Kinabalu (4,095m) is the highest
mountain between the Himalayas and Mount Wilhelmina of
Irian Jaya. It has a wide range of vegetation types, from richtropical lowland and hill rainforest to tropical mountain forest,
sub-alpine forest and scrub on the higher elevations, where
exceptionally rich species of flora and fauna are observed.
Upon the recognition of its ecological and cultural importance,
in 1964, the Kinabalu National Park was established and later
inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2000.
On 25 January, the Workshop participants first visited
Poring Hot Springs. Park Rangers took them on a tour of theforest canopy walkway. Constructed high up in the forest
canopy, some 30-40m above the forest floor, the canopy
walkway enables scientists to conduct research and visitors
to appreciate nature up close. In the afternoon, the groupproceeded to the Park Headquarters where the Sabah Parks
has its research unit. Researchers there demonstrated fieldtechniques, such as trapping and mist netting, and eachparticipant set up a trap to capture a small forest mammal.
Early the following morning (26 January), the participants
retrieved their traps and checked the mist nets. Although
no animals had been captured in the traps, two fruit batsand one mugimaki flycatcher were caught in the mist
net. After returning to the lab, the Sabah Parks researchers
showed the participants how to identify and measure theanimals caught. This was followed by a demonstration of
the preparation of wet and dry specimens. As many of theparticipants had never had a chance to learn fieldwork skillsin their school, despite such fieldwork being fundamental forstudying nature, the NEF hopes that this Workshop inspired
their further interest in field-based research. (Yae Sano)
The NEF would like to extend its thanks and gratitude
toward Prof Datin Dr Maryati Mohamed, her staff and thestudents of the UMS for their enthusiastic efforts in making
the Workshop successful; and to the organisations thatkindly cooperated with the Workshop, particularly Sabah
Parks, UNDP’s Peat Swamp Conservation Project in Klias
Peninsula, the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Soceity; andthe number of individuals who helped with participants’
activities during the Workshop.

80

NEF Newsletter Issue No.17
March 2008

Published by Nagao Natural Environment Foundation
3-10-10 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0004 Japan
Editors: Yae Sano and Tomoko Oizumi

Designed by ILC Limited
Printed in Tokyo by Koubunsha Co., Ltd.