FLORISTIC COMPOSITION, STAND STRUCTURE, DIVERSITY AND BIOMASS OF TREE SPECIES IN LIMESTONE FORESTS AT GUNUNG PAYANG, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

A study was conducted to determine the tree species composition, stand structure, diversity and to estimate biomass at Gunung Payang in the Serian-Padawan-Tebedu limestone areas, Sarawak. Twenty-five plots of 20 m x 20 m (1 ha) were established and all trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥5 cm were enumerated. A total of 607 individual trees was enumerated and identified to 37 families, 89 genera and 109 species. Euphorbiaceae is the largest family comprises 10 genera and 13 species. Based on stem density, Euphorbiaceae recorded the highest density with 206 individuals/ha. The Importance Value Index (IVi) of Euphorbiaceae was 23.81%. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (H’) indicated a value of 3.81. The total above-ground biomass of trees was estimated at 278.59 t/ha. This study showed that three species were listed as vulnerable by IUCN Red Data Book and their population trends decreased. The floristic composition implies that the study area can serve as a conservation site for the threatened plant species

Scienceploration Camp 2016

The Scienceploration Camp is an initiative of the Centre for Pre-University Studies, UNIMAS, aimed to increase the interest in science among secondary school students and SPM leavers. The camp has two main objectives; to provide various fun scientific activities and to increase the visibility of the Centre for Pre-University Studies as one of the best option for post secondary education

Foundation in Science Studies - Biological Field Trip Report: Introduction to Documentation of Nepenthes Species in Bako National Park, Sarawak

In order to accomplish the learning objectives of ecology, biodiversity and environment course, in situ activities remain the finest key to complement by conducting real fieldwork experiments. The specific objectives of the fieldwork are to ensure sustainable learning, adopting best practice in scientific documentation, and implementing holistic and integrated learning approach in the course. Therefore, related field topic was given to the students and resulted with the following attributes. Four different species of pitcher plants were identified and classified throughout the study. The recent biology educational trip to Bako National Park had documented various well-known species of Nepenthes. Information on Nepenthes species present in the parks is useful for educational and research purposes, developing a conservation plan and management and also helps in promoting ecotourism. The trip was conducted to introduce a comprehensive learning experience to the students in biodiversity-related discipline

Effectiveness of Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) as a Tool for Formative Assessment of Practical and Experimental Skill for Pre-University Students in Biology Course

In many science courses or subjects, lectures (theory) and practical (hands-on) are integrated with the view that theory can be explained in the lecture and then applied and tested in the practical class (Whitworth & Wright, 2015). Similarly, in the Biology course for Centre for Pre- University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, a lecture on Introduction to Laboratory Instrumentation was conducted. Meanwhile, the practical application and demonstration for this topic were also carried out. The objectives for this practical are to describe the usage and to define the functions of basic laboratory equipment and apparatus as well as to demonstrate the correct way of handling basic laboratory equipment and apparatus

PPPU BULETIN : Special Edition Asasi Eco Ambassador

This publication will both encourage the students to continue spending the commitment of academic production and inspire juniors to follow their example. As in the past years, the write-up has demonstrated the wide variations of biodiversity, ecology, and environment study in various location of national park in Kuching, however, in this issue, you will find the study conducted within the campus area. Nevertheless, the study as far-ranging and divergent as eco-based potential plant for commercial uses, documentation of water quality, rapid wildlife survey, observation of plant-animal interaction, plant-plant interaction, fungi, gymnosperms, angiosperms, pteridophytes, Nepenthes, horticulture plant, palm species, medicinal plants, potential threat to ecosystem, and peat-swamp ecosystem. In a word, there is something for all the students

NOTE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF PTEROSPERMUM PECTENIFORME KOSTERM. (DOMBEYOIDEAE : MALVACEAE S .L.) IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

The rare species Pterospermum pecteniforme previously is only known from two herbarium collections in the late 1960 and early 1970 in Perlis and Kedah (Langkawi Islands; Pulau Timun), respectively. In this paper, we have added two additional localities from two islands of Langkawi Archipelago namely, Pulau Dayang Bunting and Pulau Singa Besar. This species is locally quite common on both islands. All fertile collections of this species are only from the fruits while the flower is still unknown

Kajian Empirikal Awal Terhadap Pola Kecenderungan Pemilihan Aliran Pengajian Peringkat Pra- Universiti oleh Pelajar Lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)

Program pengajian sains hayat dan sains fizikal pada asasnya disasarkan kepada kelompok pelajar yang berbeza. Setiap program mempunyai kelebihan dan perspektif yang tersendiri. Memandangkan program pra-universiti, asasi dan matrikulasi mengambil masa yang singkat untuk ditamatkan, maka pelajar yang mengikuti program ini perlu melalui proses kehidupan dan pembelajaran yang begitu ketat dan mencabar sepanjang tempoh pengajian. Ekoran tersebut, secara dasarnya pelajar harus mempunyai fokus dan ketetapan untuk mengikuti program pengajian sains hayat ataupun sains fizikal secara jelas kerana sukatan pelajaran pra-universiti, asasi dan matrikulasi telah disusun mengikut kursus yang tertentu untuk diikuti di peringkat ijazah pertama nanti. Selain itu, kemasukan pelajar-pelajar yang mengikuti program pengajian sains hayat dan sains fizikal di institusi terpilih ini adalah berdasarkan kepada pilihan sendiri dan memenuhi syarat syarat dan kriteria kemasukan yang telah ditetapkan. Namun, syarat yang ditentukan itu hanyalah berdasarkan kepada kelayakan akademik tanpa pertimbangan kelayakan personaliti dan minat. Justeru, kajian ini meninjau faktor faktor yang mendorong para pelajar aliran sains lepasan SPM dalam pemilihan aliran pengajian mereka di peringkat pra-universiti, asasi atau matrikulasi. Perbincangan ini melihat kepada perkaitan yang jelas antara pola kecenderungan pemilihan yang digunakan oleh pelajar menerusi faktor kehendak diri sendiri, dorongan ibu bapa, pengaruh rakan sebaya, limitasi pilihan, peluang pekerjaan, pilihan kerjaya, serta latarbelakang kemahiran dan minat

Brief Documentation of Terrestrial Ecosystem in Kubah, Bako, and Santubong National Park, Sarawak

The state of Sarawak is blessed with vast wilderness and thriving wildlife (Abu Bakar et al., 2016). The state has a flourishing biodiversity, ecology, and environment, packed with amazing national parks, which are worldrenowned. The parks are home to lush tropical rainforests and peculiar wildlife, all of which can be found in natural parks such as Kubah, Bako, and Santubong National Park. This documentation was briefly notes biodiversity, ecology, and environment-related information in the exceptionally rich ecosystems of flora and fauna of these national parks.The documentation was aimed at observing and documenting the ecosystem in Kubah, Bako and Santubong National Parks to assess future needs for ecosystem and education for a sustainable future. The documentation is also targeted at creating awareness on ecosystem and education, inspiring sustainable development goals, studying the selected flora and fauna of the area, and boosting the academic, research, and development value. Multiple perspectives for biodiversity, ecology, and environment of the parks such as scientific, historical, geography, values, cultural, and sustainability (Tan et al., 2009) are significant in the forming of a valuable framework for sustainable development. The outcome of the observation comprised a basic discovery of the mangrove ecosystem, pitcher plant, plant-animal interaction, and invertebrates in the parks. These have enabled the short and basic research documentation from the park’s ecosystem as well as presentation where valuable findings were shared