Leaf micro-morphological characteristics of selected Vatica species (Dipterocarpaceae) from Kubah National Park, Sarawak

Genus Vatica L. is one of the largest groups in the family Dipterocarpaceae with 71 species have been botanically described, distributed from India, Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Indochina, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines. Borneo with 35 species has the largest representative. In Sarawak, 32 species have been recorded, occurring especially in mixed and upper dipterocarp forests and also non-saline habitats from sea level up to about 1,800 m altitude. Kubah National Park is among the richest site for genus Vatica in Sarawak with 11 species recorded. The Vatica species are distinguished from other genera of Dipterocarpaceae by the absence of looped intra-marginal nerves on leaf, winged fruits encloses less than half of the nut, glabrous anthers and stout style. However, in term of inter species within its genus, Vatica is the most difficult dipterocarp to be identified, which explains why this common genus so poorly known. This study was conducted to examine leaves characteristics particularly its micro morphology to differentiate some selected Vatica species from Kubah National Park. Leaves samples were observed via Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). The characteristics and indumentums were compared between each species and noted. Results show that leaf micro morphology characteristics are significantly useful to differentiate the species level and intra-specific level

A Brief Account On The Wild Piper (Piperaceae) Of The Crocker Range, Sabah

Seven species of wild Piper namely Piper canimum Bl., P. erecticaule C.DC, P. aff. longamentum C.DC, P. magnibaccum C.DC, P. poryphyrophyllum N.E. Br., P. umbellatum Linn., P. aff. ridleyi C.DC were collected from various localities of the Crocker Range, Sabah during the expedition held on the 15-24 October 1999. Most of the species were climbers except P. erecticaule P. aff. longamentum and P. umbellate which were erect shrubby herbs. Two other Piper spp. represented by sterile specimens were also collected. Most of these species prefer shady, moist habitats with moderate light penetrating through the forest gaps. They are often seen creeping on the forest floors, fallen trunks, rocks and up on the living trees. However, the collection of the Piper species from these areas were still far from complete and extensive collection should be done in the future

Genomics studies on plantation tree species in Sarawak

Rapid socio-economic changes in the world are having profound impacts on all sectors, including forestry. The increase in global demand for wood requires increase in forest productivity. The alternative is to farm trees in plantations composed of fast-growing species with short rotation cycles (6–8 y). The rationale is that natural forests at the most produce about 3 m3 ha y-1 of commercial timber, whereas plantations can produce annually from 10 m3 ha y-1 of hardwoods to 30 m3 ha-1 of softwoods and thus, decrease the effects of human pressure on our ecosystems while increasing the competitiveness of Sarawak’s forest industry. This is in line with the state government’s aspiration to establish one million hectares of planted forests by year 2020 to meet the increasing demand from both domestic and international markets for raw materials. It is estimated at least 30 million seedlings are required for annual planting or reforestation programmes. In this regard, forest genomics research will help respond to the need to develop adequate tools that enable us to produce quality planting materials that are of faster growth, high yield and high wood quality, and also adapted to local conditions, so that we may achieve economic benefits of great significance. Realizing the need, we have centred our research on the development of tools via biotechnological innovations for tree breeders. Over the years, we have successfully developed: 1) simple sequence repeat (SSR) 173 DNA markers specific for identifying the genetic make-up of two fastgrowing indigenous tree species, i.e. kelampayan and sawih; 2) the ‘Touch-incubate-PCR’ approach for preparing plant tissues for high throughput genotyping, and 3) a kelampayan tree transcriptome database (NcdbEST aka CADAMOMICS) for wood formation. These tools will greatly facilitate the selection of quality planting materials for planted forest development in Sarawak as well as long-term tree improvement activities by integrating genomics into our breeding programme via association mapping. The overall benefit of genomics application to tree improvement programme will be in terms of greater certainty in the outcome of results, specifically the performance of the forest plantations, as well as the savings in time and cost in the production and supply of quality planting materials

Floristic Composition Of Forest Formation At Mahua, Crocker Range National Park, Sabah

The floristic composition of mixed dipterocarp forest of Mahua Crocker Range National Park Sabah was investigated with respect to plant diversity, vegetative structure and physiognomy. The assessment of above ground biomass, relative frequency, relative density, relative dominance and important values of tree species revealed that Duabanga moluccana tops the list of the tree species studied with respect to dominance. This was followed by Knema ashtonii, Agathis lanceolata, Lithocarpus cantleyanus and Litsea ochracea. The least dominant species was Xanthophyllum schizocarpum and followed by Baringtonia sarcostachys, Shorea maxwelliana, Alseodaphne insignis, Litsea resinosa, Beilsmedia pauciflora, Alseodaphne foxiana, Endiandra kingiana and Litsea machilifolia