The effect of shade on leaf characteristics of Mikania micrantha (Compositae) and their influence on retention of Imazapyr

Shading led to changes in the leaf histological characteristics of Mikania micrantha H.B.X., leaves at higher light intensity being thicker than those at lower light intensity. There was a significant increase in the area of spread of imazapyr droplets and retention on the upper leaf surface at lower light intensity, suggesting that shading had changed the upper surface topography and the amount of epicuticular wax of the leaves

Ecology of Reservoir Park, Urban Forest of Kuching City, Sarawak: Tree Species And Soil Nutrients

TIenty five plots of 20 m x 20 m were established at both well managed park (WMP) and abandoned park (AP) of Kuching Reservoir Park for comparative study on floristic composition, biomass estimation and soil characteristics. All trees with DBH >4.5cm were enumerated and identified to species level. Total estimated above ground biomass of AP (mean - 234.95 ton/ha) was not significantly different with Wl\1P (mean ==177.64 ton/ha). Total species found in both sites were 58 species from 26 families including palms, bamboos, 12 species of ferns, five species of orchids and an ant plant were recorded from both sites. They were both native or indigenous and exotic or introduced plants such as commercial timber, protected, wild and cultivated fruit species. Alstonia angustifolia is the most important species in both sites due to its giant size as shown by its highest relative basal area (RD). The AP consisted of an understorey of small trees as a result of abandonment. WMP had clear understorey layer as a result of regular thinning of undesired plants. The mean thickness of litterfall in AP is 2.68 cm which is significantly different from WMP 1.12 cm thick. The nutrients content such as N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, B, Fe and Cu are varied between both sites. Amount of N, C, P, Zn and Fe are higher in AP than WMP and vice-versa for other elements. The total leaf area index (LAI) of trees in AP is 2.01 m2/ha and 1.76 m2/ha for WMP

Cryptocoryne aura (Araceae), a new species from West Kalimantan, Indonesia

A new species, Cryptocoryne aura Wongso & Ipor, from West Kalimantan, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. It differs from other Cryptocoryne species primarily by having a transparent, ciliate membrane along the leaf margin and a short spathe with a yellow, forward-twisted limb. It has a chromosome number of 2n = 26, which has not hitherto been recorded within the genus. The morphology of the germinating seed is unique within the genus, the embryo emerging c. ⅓ from the distal end of the seed with 3(or 4) plumulary processes (prophylls)

DNA Genotyping of Borneo Ironwood using M13 Universal Primer and SCAR Marker Development in Eusideroxylon zwageri

Borneo Ironwood, consists of two species, i.e. Eusideroxylon zwageri and Potoxylon melagangai, is the most well known durable tropical hardwood timber tree of Borneo. Both species are morphologically similar, except the wood characteristics. This has resulted in taxonomic difference between them. We used PCR with M13 universal primer to determine the genetic relatedness and SCAR marker to distinguish both species. Cluster analysis grouped both species into two major clusters, suggesting that there are two genetically distantly related species. One diagnostic band (locus M13-16) was successfully converted to SCAR marker. A single fragment (720 bp) was amplified in all E. zwageri individuals but completely absent in P. melagangai. Differentiating the species by SCAR marker is very useful for screening large numbers of Borneo Ironwood seedlings collected from natural populations. The identification of individuals at species level constitutes one of the first basics in any effective conservation programme. In fact, the Borneo Ironwood has been counted as one of the endangered species in Sarawak

From Conservation To Innovation Building Research Capacity For Planted Forest Development In Sarawak

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 cycle (6-8 years). The rationale is that natural forests at the most produce about 3m3/ha/yr of commercial timber, whereas plantations can produce annually from 10m3/ha of hardwoods to 30m3/ha 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 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, the 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 needs, we have centered our research on the development of tools via biotechnological innovations for tree breeders. We have successfully developed: 1) an array of highly informative and polymorphic DNA markers specific for identifying the genetic makeup of two fast growing indigenous tree species, i.e. Kelampayan and Sawih; 2) the one step ‗Touchincubate- PCR‘ approach for preparing plant tissues for high throughput genotyping, and 3) a genomic resource database, aka CADAMOMICS (10,368 ESTs) for wood formation in Kelampayan via high-throughput DNA sequencing. These tools will greatly facilitate the selection of quality planting materials for planted forest development in Sarawak as well as longterm 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

Evaluation of the Biodiversity of The Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak

Reported herein are the preliminary results of an evaluation of the biota of Mount Murud, Sarawak’s highest mountain massif within the Kelabit Highlands. Supported by an IRPA grant, inventories, systematic and ecological studies of selected groups of plants and animals were conducted in an attempt to evaluate the biodiversity and compile baseline data of this montane region for the management and conservation of these vital resources. This study reveals several new records of montane endemics and distribution. Several species found are new records for Mt. Murud, being reported in the past only from Mt. Kinabalu, the Crocker Range massifs, Gunung Mulu and G. Api, and in the case of macromoths, Bukit Retak, Brunei. The colubrid snake Stoliczkia borneensi, the scincid lizard Brachymeles apus and the ranoid frogs Meristogenys whiteheadi and Rhacophorus angulirostris are among these new records. Well-known endemics among the butterflies, which are previously only known from Mt. Kinabalu, Mulu and the Crocker range massifs are now also known from the Kelabit Highlands. These are Ptychandra talboti, Parantica crowleyi, Delias ninus parthenia, Kaniska canace maniliana, and Eurema tominia nabalua. All these represent range extensions of over 1,000 km to the south-west. Several new species are reported for the first time for Mt Murud and these include the amphibians and reptiles, Pelophryne sp. 1, Pelophryne sp. 2, Polypedates sp., Megophrys sp. and Sphenomorphus sp., respectively. For scarcity of previous work in Mount Murud, a large number of unidentified specimens remain, including a number of species that do not readily fit into currently recognised species. These include representatives of all the biota. An overall impression of the flora and fauna of Mount Murud as compared to Mt Kinabalu is that it is reminiscent of that of the middle elevations of Mt. Kinabalu