Logistic Regression to Predict Termite Occurrences with Environmental Variables in Primary Forest and Oil Palm Ecosystem: The Case Study in Sabah, Malaysia

AbstractThe aim of this research was to study the relationship between presence of termite and environmental variables in primary forest and adjacent oil palm plantation located in Sabah province, Malaysia. Termite sampling was conducted with manually dug and sorted soil pits (25cm × 25cm × 10cm) at a minimum extent of 64 m and lag of 2 m. Logistic regression technique was used to analyze the collected data. In general, termite species richness and relative abundances are lower in oil palm plantation in comparison with primary forest. The result showed that probability of termite occurrences in primary forest are mainly related to dead woods, trees and non-predatory ants. Likewise, probability of termite occurrences in oil palm plantation was affected with the appearance of dead woods, pruned stacked fronds, non- predatory ants and earthworms. This result indicated that pruned stacked fronds and dead woods play an important role of recovery of termite assemblages in oil palm plantation

Termite fauna of sg. Rawog conservation area

This paper presents a preliminary list of termite species collected from Sg. Rawog Conservation Area. Termites were manually collected using standardized 100 m x 2 m belt transect, single transect, at all selected trails. A total of 14 species of termite, belonging to 10 genera of two families (Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) were recorded within the forests sites of Sg. Rawog. The termite assemblage was dominated by the family Termitidae, comprising of wood-dwelling termites. The termite diversity is lower compared to any other primary forest and all species are commonly found in typical Malaysian forests

Termite fauna dynamics in the Sg. Rawog Conservation Area, Sabah

Termites are integral components of ecosystems, influencing soil health, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. This study investigates the species composition and distribution of termites within Sg. Rawog Conservation Area (SRCA), comparing data from 2018 and 2023. Termites were manually collected using single, standardized 100 m x 2 m belt transect, at locations consistent with the previous survey (Trail 1, 8 and 10). A total of 26 termite species of 18 genera across three families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, and Termitidae), were documented within the forest sites of SRCA. This comprises 21 species from 15 genera of three families identified in 2023, marking an increase from the 14 species represented by 10 genera of two families observed in 2018. Twelve new records were added to the 2023 survey. The majority of the species belonged to the Termitidae (69%) family, encompassing soildwelling and wood-dwelling species, inhabiting various environments such as soil, mounds, dead wood, and trees, with wood-dwellers being predominant. Functional groups revealed wood feeders as the most abundant group, 42% of the termites sampled. Disturbed areas exhibited higher wood-feeder prevalence, consistent with previous studies. The findings demonstrate shifts in termite community composition over time, emphasizing the dynamic nature of these ecosystems in response to varying degrees of disturbance. Continued monitoring and research are vital for informed conservation and management efforts

Species evenness and diversity of soil invertebrates at different agricultural lands and a forest reserve at Kota Belud, Sabah

Increasing agricultural activities can lead to changes in soil ecosystems, potentially impacting soil invertebrate communities as they are highly responsive to soil disturbances. The composition of soil invertebrates within each agricultural habitat provides insights into how these communities respond to their environmental conditions. This study aimed to investigate the evenness and diversity of soil invertebrates in agricultural areas of Kota Belud, Sabah. Soil samples were collected from three different agricultural sites, a rubber plantation, an oil palm plantation, and a paddy field, as well as a forest reserve as a control site. Pitfall traps and Berlese-Tullgren funnels were used to collect soil invertebrates. A total of 180 soil samples and 474 individuals of soil invertebrates were collected and analyzed. Physicochemical analyses, including moisture content, soil texture, pH, soil nutrient content, and organic matter, were conducted on all soil samples to assess their influence on the composition of soil invertebrates. Results indicated that Julida, Coleoptera, Gastropoda and Araneae were frequently associated with high organic matter, pH, moisture content and phosphorus. On the other hand, Haplotaxida appeared to be more sensitive to potassium levels. Notably, the Blattodea, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Isopoda, Polydesmida and Diptera, were found to be abundant in areas with lower organic matter and pH in the control site, i.e., forest reserve area. These findings underscore the significance of soil layer activities in influencing the presence and survival of soil invertebrates. Given their vital role in sustaining life, prioritizing the enhancement of soil invertebrate populations is crucial, particularly in Sabah, a prominent food crop-producing state in Malaysia

Insect diversity of Sg. Rawog Conservation Area in Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve, Sabah

Nocturnal insect diversity was assessed through light-trapping while diurnal insects were documented through sweep nets and forceps. A mean 104 species of nocturnal insects was recorded from a one-square-metre of the light-trapping cloth, with an average of 128 individuals. The mean Shannon Index was 4.52 while Simpson Index was 173.6 and Fisher Alpha Index was 266.7. When the nocturnal insect richness was compared with 24 other forest reserves in Sabah, it is interesting to note that Sg. Rawog insect richness appears to be the third highest after Crocker Range and Bukit Hampuan FRs. In terms of nocturnal insect diversity as reflected by Shannon Index, it is the second highest after Crocker Range FR. One undescribed moth species (Plutodes sp., Geometridae) and at least 13 Bornean endemic species were recorded during the survey. The endemics and other insect species recorded during the survey provide significant information to enhance the conservation of Sg. Rawog area. Continuous monitoring and enforcement at strategic locations within the conservation area are important to minimize the threats and adverse issues. This will ensure that the forest quality would be improved in order to maintain the interesting biodiversity, including insects. On-going cooperation with the relevant authorities, such as Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Wildlife Department, will enhance effort in conservation and curb future incidences of encroachment. Further biodiversity research with academic institutions, such as Universiti Malaysia Sabah as well as Forest Research Centre, Sepilok, is also encouraged. In view of the high wildlife diversity, Sg. Rawog is potentially important for nature tourism

Vector compositions change across forested to deforested ecotones in emerging areas of zoonotic malaria transmission in Malaysia

In lowland areas of Malaysia, Plasmodium knowlesi infection is associated with land use change and high proportions of the vector Anopheles balabacensis. We conducted a 15-month study in two Malaysian villages to determine the effect of habitat on vector populations in understudied high-altitude, high-incidence districts. Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled in human settlements, plantations and forest edges, and screened for Plasmodium species by PCR. We report the first An. donaldi positive for P. knowlesi. This potential vector was associated with habitat fragmentation measured as disturbed forest edge:area ratio, while An. balabacensis was not, indicating fragmented land use could favour An. donaldi. Anopheline species richness and diversity decreased from forest edge, to plantation, to human settlement. Greater numbers of An. balabacensis and An. donaldi were found in forest edges compared to human settlements, suggesting exposure to vectors and associated zoonoses may be greater for people entering this habitat

A protocol and training guidelines for mosquito sampling in remote areas with limited power supply

Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant threat in many Southeast Asian countries, particularly through the sylvatic cycle, which has a wildlife reservoir in forests and rural areas. Studying the composition and diversity of vectors and pathogen transmission is especially challenging in forests and rural areas due to their remoteness, limited accessibility, lack of power, and underdeveloped infrastructure. This study is based on the WHO mosquito sampling protocol, modifies technical details to support mosquito collection in difficult-to-access and resource-limited areas. Specifically, we describe the procedure for using rechargeable lithium batteries and solar panels to power the mosquito traps, demonstrate a workflow for processing and storing the mosquitoes in a -20 °C freezer, data management tools including microclimate data, and quality assurance processes to ensure the validity and reliability of the results. A pre- and post-test was utilized to measure participant knowledge levels. Additional research is needed to validate this protocol for monitoring vector-borne diseases in hard-to-reach areas within other countries and settings

Thresholds for adding degraded tropical forest to the conservation estate

Logged and disturbed forests are often viewed as degraded and depauperate environments compared with primary forest. However, they are dynamic ecosystems1 that provide refugia for large amounts of biodiversity2,3, so we cannot afford to underestimate their conservation value4. Here we present empirically defined thresholds for categorizing the conservation value of logged forests, using one of the most comprehensive assessments of taxon responses to habitat degradation in any tropical forest environment. We analysed the impact of logging intensity on the individual occurrence patterns of 1,681 taxa belonging to 86 taxonomic orders and 126 functional groups in Sabah, Malaysia. Our results demonstrate the existence of two conservation-relevant thresholds. First, lightly logged forests (68%) of their biomass removed, and these are likely to require more expensive measures to recover their biodiversity value. Overall, our data confirm that primary forests are irreplaceable5, but they also reinforce the message that logged forests retain considerable conservation value that should not be overlooked

New records of Odonata from the Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, Malaysia

We report here the results from two field trips to collect Odonata in the Crocker Range National Park in western Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Thirtysix species were collected. Telosticta fugispinosa had not been described at the time of collection, nor had the two Devadatta species. There was no published record of Protosticta species cf kinabaluensis before the 2012 expedition, nor of Drepanosticta species cf crenitis