Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System: Toward Environmental Predictions-MFSTEP Executive Summary

Objectives: The Project aims at the further development of an operational forecasting system for the Mediterranean Sea based upon three main components: a) a Real Time-RT Observing system; b) a numerical forecasting system at the basin scale and for the sub-regional/shelf areas; c) the forecast products dissemination/exploitation system. The Observing system component consists of: • a SOOP-VOS system with RT data dissemination and test of new sensors that collect multidisciplinary data; • a moored buoy network (M3A) designed to serve the RT validation of the basin scale models and the calibration of the ecosystem models; • a satellite RT data analysis system using several satellites for sea surface elevation, sea surface temperature and sea surface winds; • a high space-time resolution network of autonomous subsurface profiling floats (Array for Real-Time Geostrophic Oceanography-ARGO); • a basin scale glider autonomous vehicle experiment; The sampling strategy is continuously assessed by the Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) activities and a RT data management and delayed mode archiving system has been organized

Phylogenetic analyses of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum and allied limestone species of China shed light on the evolution of Sino-Vietnamese karst flora

Abstract Background The picturesque limestone karsts across the Sino-Vietnamese border are renowned biodiversity hotspot, distinguished for extremely high endemism of calciphilous plants restricted to caves and cave-like microhabitats that have functioned as biological refugia on the otherwise harsh habitats. To understand evolutionary mechanisms underlying the splendid limestone flora, dated phylogeny is reconstructed for Asian Begonia, a species-rich genus on limestone substrates represented by no less than 60 species in southern China, using DNA sequences of nrITS and chloroplast rpL16 intron. The sampling includes 94 Begonia species encompassing most major Asian clades with a special emphasized on Chinese species. Results Except for two tuberous deciduous species and a species with upright stems, a majority of Sino-Vietnamese limestone Begonia (SVLB), including sect. Coelocentrum (19 species sampled) and five species of sect. Diploclinium, Leprosae, and Petermannia, are rhizomatous and grouped in a strongly supported and yet internally poorly resolved clade (Clade SVLB), suggesting a single evolutionary origin of the adaptation to limestone substrates by rhizomatous species, subsequent species radiation, and a strong tendency to retain their ancestral niche. Divergence-time estimates indicate a late Miocene diversification of Clade SVLB, coinciding with the onset of the East Asian monsoon and the period of extensive karstification in the area. Conclusions Based on our phylogenetic study, Begonia sect. Coelocentrum is recircumscribed and expanded to include other members of the Clade SVLB (sect. Diploclinium: B. cavaleriei, B. pulvinifera, and B. wangii; sect. Leprosae: B. cylindrica and B. leprosa; sect. Petermannia: B. sinofloribunda). Because species of Clade SVLB have strong niche conservatism to retain in their ancestral habitats in cave-like microhabitats and Begonia are generally poor dispersers prone to diversify allopatrically, we propose that extensive and continuous karstification of the Sino-Vietnamese limestone region facilitated by the onset of East Asian monsoon since the late Miocene has been the major driving force for species accumulation via geographic isolation in Clade SVLB. Morphologically species of Clade SVLB differ mainly in vegetative traits without apparent adaptive value, suggesting that limestone Begonia radiation is better characterized as non-adaptive, an underappreciated speciation mode crucial for rapid species accumulations in organisms of low vagility and strong niche conservatism. </jats:sec

Micropropagation of Paphiopedilum rothschildianum callus using temporary immersion bioreactor system

This research was aimed to propagate Paphiopedilum rothschildianum through protocorm like bodies (PLBs) induction from callus and shoot regeneration from PLBs using RITA® Temporary Immersion Systems. Callus were induced from seeds and protocorm explants on half-strength semi-solid MS medium supplemented with 0-22.6 M 2,4-dichlorophenoacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4.54 M 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-urea (TDZ). Approximately 0.5 g callus were inoculated in a 1L RITA® vessel containing 150 ml liquid medium with immersion time of 5 min in every 125 min. Different concentrations (15 and 58 mM) of sucrose were evaluated for PLB formation from callus. The explants produced calli as early as 30 days. The percentages of explant forming callus after 90 days of culture were 77.04.5% and 94.411.0% respectively. Callus proliferation using RITA® system showed 3-fold increase in fresh weight (as compared to that cultured on semi-solid) and 135 PLBs per gram calli were regenerated. Regeneration capacity increased to 190 PLBs per gram calli when sucrose concentration in the medium was elevated from 15 mM to 58 mM

A Preliminary Survey on the Effect of Anthropogenic Noise to Bird Community in Gaya Island

To date, there is still scarce study that has been done looking on the impact of the anthropogenic noise in influencing the bird community in Gaya Island as it acts as an important indicator for the health of the island’s ecosystem. Hence, this preliminary study aims to determine the effect of the anthropogenic noise on the bird community in Gaya Island. The data collection was conducted for three months in three of the selected sites within the island. The methods that were being used were the point count sampling and noise mapping respectively. The anthropogenic noise level that was being measured at the selected sites ranges from 29dB to 80dB. Meanwhile, descriptive analysis, diversity indexes and correlation analysis were used to analyze the obtained data. A total of 422 individuals from 24 species and 16 families were recorded during the survey in Gaya Island. The result of the Shannon Wiener index showed that the diversity of the birds in low anthropogenic noise zone is slightly higher (H’=2.559) as compared to the bird in high anthropogenic noise zone (H’= 2.558) even though there is no significant different in terms of diversity of birds between these two zones. However, the Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a very significant and negative correlation of the anthropogenic noise with the abundance and species richness of bird (r= -0.076, p=0.000). Therefore, this study shows that the bird community is negatively affected with the increasing of anthropogenic noise in Gaya Island

Mosses of Marai Parai Trail, Mount Kinabalu

A total of 109 species and three varieties in 62 genera and 26 families of mosses were collected along the Marai Parai Trail, northwestern part of Mount Kinabalu during a three-day survey in October 2023. This represents about 16% and 14% of mosses reported from Sabah and Borneo, respectively. The families with the highest number of species were Sematophyllaceae, followed by Leucobryaceae and Dicranaceae. Among the 112 taxa of mosses, six species are new records for Mount Kinabalu. In addition, several species are rarely collected in Borneo and restricted to Mount Kinabalu, showing the significant importance of the area within the Kinabalu Park

The mosses of Mount Tambuyukon, Kinabalu Park, Malaysian Borneo

A total of 103 species, two subspecies and two varieties of mosses in 55 genera and 26 families were collected from Mount Tambuyukon in August 2008. This represents ca. 16.3% of the mosses reported from Sabah and ca. 13.9% of the mosses reported for Borneo. Amongst the 107 taxa, three species of mosses are new for Sabah, namely Acroporium aciphyllum Dixon, Garovaglia baeuerlenii (Geh.) Paris and Macromitrium angustifolium Dozy & Molk. The largest moss family collected here is Sematophyllaceae (13 taxa) followed by Leucobryaceae (11 taxa), and both Dicranaceae and Orthotrichaceae (10 taxa). In conclusion, Mount Tambuyukon sustains a rich and interesting moss flora, including several rare and endemic species

The Preliminary Survey of Bird Populations in Kinabalu Park with Different Noise Level

Birdwatching activity has become one of the main attractions among tourists in Kinabalu National Park. Therefore, the number of tourists that come inside the park were directly contribute to the increasing number of vehicles inside the park. To date, there is no studies that have been done in Malaysia to investigate the response of birds on traffic noise. Therefore, this research was conducted to study the impact of traffic noise on bird population in Kinabalu Park. The study includes two methods, i.e., traffic noise mapping and bird survey. Traffic Noise Mapping involves identifying High Traffic Noise Zone and Low Traffic Noise Zone based on the existing trails by using a digital sound level meter. High Traffic Noise Zone was classified as noise level above ≥60dB and Low Traffic Noise Zone was classified as noise level below <60dB. One control site was selected which was far from the traffic noise. Bird survey was done by using point count method. A total of 1150 birds were recorded of which were 35 species and 20 families. Pearson Correlation shows very significant and negative correlation of traffic noise with bird’s species richness and bird abundance of which were (r = -0.671, p<0.000) and (r = -0.753, p<0.000), respectively. The results in this study show birds’ population in Kinabalu Park was very significantly reduce both in species richness as well as abundance in High Traffic Noise Zone. We recommend that there should be a mechanism that is established by the Park management to control the number of vehicle that enters the Park. Alternative mode of transportation inside the Park such as electric powered buggy is recommended to address the issue of traffic noise around the park

Checklist of trees in Crocker Range Park permanent research plot, Sabah, Malaysia

This paper presents a checklist of trees from six 0.25 ha permanent research plots in Crocker Range Park (CRP). A total of 73 tree families with 199 genera and 527 species were identified from the plots. Euphorbiaceae was the largest family, with 15 genera containing 52 species. The other dominant tree families in terms of species composition were Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Rubiaceae, Moraceae and Annonaceae. The timber tree family, Dipterocarpaceae, consisted of 19 species with Shorea being the species rich genus. There were 21 least dominant families that were respresented by only one species. At least 47 species are new records for CRP, while three species are new records for Sabah - Gonystylus nervosus, Sterculia rhynchophylla and Palaquium ferrugineum. Seventy tree species were found to be endemic to Borneo, and seven species could be Sabah endemics. The findings of this paper show that CRP is diverse is diverse and rich in terms of tree flora

In vitro seed germination of paphiopedilum lowii, an endangered slipper orchid in North Borneo

Paphiopedilum lowii (Lindl.) Stein is alarmingly decreasing in numbers due to habitat destruction and over-collection. Propagation through seed is one effort to conserve the species. In vitro method offers better results for seed germination in orchids, but the success of germination is species-specific. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate different types of media [(½ strength Murashige & Skoog and Orchimax Medium (Duchefa Biochemie)], and to determine the effects of sucrose [0% 1%, 2% and 3% (w/v)], peptone [0%, 0.1% and 0.2% (w/v)], coconut water [0%, 10%, 20% and 30% (v/v)] and fertilizer [Orchid Focus-0%, 0.1% and 0.2% (v/v)] on seed germination. The protocorm size was also determined after 12 weeks of observation. Half-strength MS media consistently gave higher seed germination, ½ MS supplemented with 1% (w/v) sucrose, 0.1% (w/v) peptone, 0% (v/v) coconut water and 0.1 % (v/v) fertilizer resulted in the highest seed germination at 5.32% ± 5.9, 19.27% ± 9.34, 11.33% ± 3.80 and 19.31% ± 9.03 respectively. Despite being 12 weeks in culture, the sizes of the protocorms are small (0.222±0.089 mm diameter, 0.703±0.280 mm circumference, and 0.045±0.043 mm2 area); this requires future investigation. These findings can serve as base information for further enhancement of seed germination and development of propagation methods of P. lowii for use in a conservation program. © 2022, Society for Indonesian Biodiversity. All rights reserved

An Update on the Bird Population in Gaya Island

The ecosystem of small islands also plays a crucial role in serving as a habitat for birds especially the endemic and migratory birds. To date, there is still limited study that has been done in documenting the avian community in small islands such as Gaya Island in Sabah. Hence, this study aims to document and update the bird population by looking at the species richness and abundance of birds in Gaya Island. The method that was being used was solely standard point count method in three selected sampling trails for six months of survey. A total number of 524 individuals from 26 species and 17 families were recorded of which adding 16 species of birds from the past study. The value of the Shannon Wiener index and Simpson diversity index for the diversity of birds were 2.607 and 0.906 respectively. Interestingly two endemic species, two near threatened and one vulnerable species namely Philippine Megapode (Megapodius cumingii), White-crowned Shama (Copsychus strickladii), White-chested Babbler (Trichastoma rostratum), Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher (Rhinomyias umbratilis) and Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus) were sighted during the survey. The result from this study showed that Gaya Island supports diverse species of birds and play a crucial transit location for migratory bird species. Hence, it indicates for the need of further bird conservation studies in the island