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Belalongensis: Volume 2, Issue 2

Belalongensis: Volume 2, Issue 2

Post author:iber
Post published:11/12/2019
Post category:Newsletter

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Contact Info

Address:Institute For Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Universiti, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
Email:office.iber@ubd.edu.bnOpens in your application

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ubd.iber.kbfsc

🌳 Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, UBD
🌱 Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre
🌱 UBD Botanical Research Centre
#iber #kbfsc #brc

IBER was delighted to welcome delegates from Hibis

IBER was delighted to welcome delegates from Hibiscus EP (Brunei) B.V., led by Ms. Salawati Kassim and Mr. Yusrein Hady Abd Ghani. The visit opened exciting discussions on potential collaborations between our organisations. We look forward to the journey ahead together!

@hibiscuspetroleum_bn

IBER Seminar Series: Beyond the Horizon: Building

IBER Seminar Series:

Beyond the Horizon: Building a Future in the New Space Economy

Presented by:
Ms. Lynette Tan
Chief Executive Officer
Space Faculty Pte. Ltd., Singapore

#iber #iberseminar #ubd #ubd #UBDSDG #spaceeconomy

We’re delighted to welcome Mr. Sufyaan Mohammad

We’re delighted to welcome Mr. Sufyaan Mohammad Syed (far right in the photo) to Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)!

Mr. Sufyaan joins us as a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship. As a Fulbrighter, he will be spending the next few months at UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), where he will conduct exciting scientific research.

To celebrate his arrival in Brunei Darussalam, we introduced him to ambuyat — Brunei’s iconic national dish — enjoyed with its famous fermented durian sauce (tempoyak).

Welcome to IBER, Mr. Sufyaan — we look forward to the journey ahead!

@usembassybsb

Over the past 14 weeks, Nur Izznie Fikriyah Awg Ad

Over the past 14 weeks, Nur Izznie Fikriyah Awg Adnan has been part of the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, where she gained valuable insights into both fauna and plant collections at the UBD Botanical Research Centre. 🌿🐾

During her internship, Izznie had the opportunity to care for plants, work in the laboratory, participate in workshop, and contribute to office-based tasks, an experience that broadened her understanding of biodiversity research.

We extend our best wishes to Izznie as she moves forward, and we hope her journey will inspire more students to explore the learning opportunities available at IBER. 💚

#IBER #UBDBRC #UBD #UBDSustainability #SDGs #flora #nature #biodiversity #internship #Brunei

Dr Rafhiah Kahar from the Institute for Biodiversi

Dr Rafhiah Kahar from the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), UBD, attended the 5th Training Course on Marine Scientific Research in the South China Sea, held from 28 July to 1 August 2025 in Qingdao, China.

Co-organised by the First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China and Ocean University of China, the course brings together experts from China and trainees from across ASEAN countries to explore key topics on Oceanography such as SMART ocean observation, marine microplastics, climate prediction, tidal mixing, ocean circulation, and marine spatial planning.

We thank the co-organisers for the amazing opportunity.

Our students in Osaka have been making the most of

Our students in Osaka have been making the most of their research placement at Osaka University, Japan — balancing rigorous lab work with enriching academic seminars and a touch of sightseeing along the way.

From hands-on experiments to thought-provoking discussions, the experience has offered valuable insights — not only in research but also in adapting to new environments and cultures. Outside the lab, they have explored Japan’s unique blend of tradition and modern life.

Wildlife of Brunei Darussalam: Yellow-throated Mar

Wildlife of Brunei Darussalam: Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula)

The Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula) is a sleek and agile carnivore found in the forests of Southeast Asia. Its striking appearance features a golden-yellow patch on its throat and chest, which contrasts with its dark brown to black fur. This marten has a long, bushy tail and sharp features, designed for a life of climbing and hunting in the trees. It is an opportunistic predator, feeding on small mammals, birds, insects, and fruits.

Video credits: Salwa Khalid and Ulmar Grafe

22 July 2025 - A site visit to Temburong with the

22 July 2025 - A site visit to Temburong with the Ministry of Education, led by the UBD's Head of CAMPUs.

We are excited to share a new publication authored

We are excited to share a new publication authored by Mr Mohamad Farid Abdullah, a member of the IBER Forest Ecology Team, and co-authored by Assoc Prof Dr Rahayu Sukri, Dr Norhayati Ahmad and Dr Salwana Jaafar from IBER. The study, conducted as part of Mohamad Farid's MSc study at UBD, examined species diversity and assemblages of Pinanga palms in two contrasting forest types, Heath forest and Mixed Dipterocarp forest in Brunei Darussalam.

Key findings revealed that Pinanga abundance and species richness significantly varied between forest types. Abiotic factors such as soil properties, elevation, canopy openness and leaf litter depth were identified as influential in shaping Pinanga species assemblages. The study recorded ten Pinanga species across six study sites and revealed most of the Pinanga species recorded were habitat-specific. The rarity of two species (Pinanga chaiana and Pinanga veitchii) was highlighted, offering new insights on Pinanga conservation in Brunei Darussalam.

#UBDResearch #Palm #Pinanga #KerangasForest #ForestSoils #TropicalBiodiversity #Pinanga #IBERResearch #BruneiForests #ForestEcology #PalmConservation

The International Training Course on Molecular Mar

The International Training Course on Molecular Marker Development and Precise Identification Technology for Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources is being held in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, China from 14-28th July 2025.

Organised by the Yunan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the program aims to enhance professional skills in traditional medicines, plant and animal resources and biodiversity conservation and utilization.

Participating in this program from UBD are Dr Norhayati Ahmad (IBER) and Dr May Goh Poh Yik (IHS/Herbal research group).

The program includes theoretical knowledge and experimental techniques in molecular biology, genomics and data analysis of medicinal plants resources. During the course, participants were also given a tour of the research facilities, herbarium and exhibition gallery at the Xishuangbanna Southern Herbal Medicine Garden, and a field trip to the Xishuangbanna Tropical Flowers & Plants Garden and Yunan Institute of Tropical Crops (Germplasm Resource Bank).

We thank Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences for this opportunity.

A hammerhead flatworm glides silently beneath the

A hammerhead flatworm glides silently beneath the forest canopy — a stealthy predator in the leaf litter.

Panus fenestratus is a variety of the fungus speci

Panus fenestratus is a variety of the fungus species Panus fulvus, scientifically classified as Panus fulvus var. fenestratus Corner. This taxonomic classification was published in 1981 in the journal Beihefte zur Nova Hedwigia (Beih. Nova Hedwigia 69: 83) .

The genus Panus belongs to the family Polyporaceae within the order Polyporales, class Agaricomycetes, and phylum Basidiomycota. Members of this genus are typically wood-decaying fungi, playing significant ecological roles in nutrient cycling by decomposing lignocellulosic materials in forest ecosystems .

Taxonomically, Panus species have been subjects of debate, often being reclassified between the genera Panus and Lentinus due to overlapping morphological characteristics. However, molecular phylogenetic studies have provided clearer distinctions, supporting the separation of these genera based on genetic data .

Regarding edibility, while some Panus species are considered edible, others are not recommended for consumption due to their tough texture or lack of palatability. Specific information on the edibility of Panus fulvus var. fenestratus is limited, so caution is advised, and it is generally not considered a choice edible mushroom.

#biodiversity #mushroom #fungi #Panus #Brunei

Three of our students — Ms Raudhatun Na'emah Haj

Three of our students — Ms Raudhatun Na'emah Haji Samsul (PhD candidate), Ms Nurul Asyiqin Zulkiflee (PhD candidate), and Ms Nur'aziyah Sofriazmi (MSc candidate) — are currently undertaking research placements at Osaka University, Japan.

From June to August, they are working at the Natural Products for Drug Discovery (Chemistry) Laboratory, hosted by Professor Masayoshi Arai, as part of the Osaka University International Certificate Program (OUICP).

This opportunity follows their participation in the Osaka University ASEAN Campus, an innovative hybrid educational initiative. Over the past 9-10 months, this program provided them with a unique blend of online learning and overseas study, designed to foster international collaboration and academic growth.

We extend our gratitude to Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Osaka University for supporting our students, and we wish our students every success in their research endeavors.

We are excited to share the latest publication co-

We are excited to share the latest publication co-authored by Assoc Prof Dr Rahayu Sukri from IBER, in collaboration with researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and SMART, Singapore, and researcher from Brunei National Herbarium, Brunei.

The study, led by Dr Colton Collins as part of his PhD study at NTU, examined ecological differences between two adjacent but contrasting tropical forest ecosystems in Brunei: waterlogged peat swamp forests and free-draining kerangas (heath) forests.

Key findings revealed that while peat soils hold more total nutrients, the availability of nutrients is highest in kerangas humus—likely due to limited mineralisation in anoxic peat environments. Interestingly, despite major differences in soil conditions and species composition at the family level, both forest types showed similar levels of tree diversity, structural characteristics, and leaf functional traits.

These results suggest that the carbon accumulation typical of peatlands is driven more by belowground processes than by the traits of aboveground vegetation, offering new insights into carbon dynamics and plant-soil interactions in Southeast Asian rainforests.

@coltonleicollins
@forestry.brunei

#UBDResearch #PeatlandEcology #KerangasForest #ForestSoils #TropicalBiodiversity #CarbonSequestration #ForestFunction #IBERResearch #BruneiForests #ForestEcology #NTUcollaboration

IBER at the UBD retreat and team building session.

IBER at the UBD retreat and team building session.

Mushroom Discovery Week | 3–5 June 2025 The UBD

Mushroom Discovery Week | 3–5 June 2025

The UBD Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC), IBER, UBD in collaboration with the Forestry Department, MPRT, and the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) held an exciting three-day workshop dedicated to the fascinating world of mushrooms!

Guided by mushroom experts Associate Prof. Dr Jaya Seelan (UMS) and members from UBD BRC and Forestry Department, here are some of the activities during the mushroom foray at the Tropical Biodiversity Centre in Sg Liang, where participants were immersed in the diversity and hidden wonders of fungi.

@umsofficial

Ms Bazilah Fakhri, our former intern at the Instit

Ms Bazilah Fakhri, our former intern at the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) and also our former Biology student (graduated in 2024) from the Faculty of Science, recently completed the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship Program under the Spring 2025 cohort, hosted by the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, from 17 April to 22 May 2025.

With a focus on natural resources, the five-week program brought together young leaders from across Southeast Asia to engage in academic discourse, field visits, community projects, and cultural exchange across three U.S. states: Hawai‘i, New Mexico, and Washington, D.C.

In Hawai‘i, Bazilah participated in a wide range of activities addressing the themes of regeneration, community, and ocean, including lectures, site investigations, cultural workshops, and community service. In New Mexico, the cohort explored innovation in natural resource management, such as sustaining water sources, flourishing tourism industry, and Indigenous resilience reflected in historic cliff dwellings. The program concluded in Washington, D.C., where fellows engaged in group sharing sessions to present their community project ideas and reflect on their learning journey.

Drawing from her background in environmental research during her internship at IBER, Bazilah found the fellowship to be both inspiring and eye-opening, strengthening her commitment to conservation, community engagement, and leadership.

Special thanks to the U.S. Embassy in Brunei Darussalam @usembassybsb, @east.west.center, and @ysealibn for making this impactful experience possible.

On June 20, 2025, IBER was honoured to welcome del

On June 20, 2025, IBER was honoured to welcome delegates from the Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia.

Representing IBSD were Prof Dr Mohd Nazip Suratman, IBSD Principal Fellow (UiTM Main Campus Shah Alam) and Dr Nurul Ain Mohd Zaki, IBSD Associate Fellow (UiTM Perlis Branch), who are currently in Brunei Darussalam as invited speakers for the Brunei Darussalam Conference on Forest to Reef.

Thank you for visiting IBER — we look forward to future collaborations between IBSD and IBER in advancing research and education on biodiversity and sustainability.

@uitm.official
@uitmperlis_official

🪸🌳 From Forest to Reef 🌿🌊 Thematic Top

🪸🌳 From Forest to Reef 🌿🌊
Thematic Topic 6: Expedition on Forest to Reef - Findings
📅 Date: 19 June 2025

IBER researchers took centre stage at the “Expedition on Forest to Reef – Findings” session held on 19 June 2025 as part of the Brunei Darussalam Conference on Forest to Reef.

Moderated by Associate Professor Dr Rahayu Sukmaria Sukri, the session showcased eight research projects conducted by UBD researchers at Pulau Selirong, from tree and microbial diversity, insect, fish and mammal surveys, to studies on leaf chemical composition and marine biodiversity.

Congratulations to all speakers for sharing insights that highlight the ecological value and conservation potential of Brunei’s mangrove ecosystems! 🌿🇧🇳

@fisheries.brunei
@forestry.brunei
@ponidivers

#IBER #PulauSelirong #MangroveResearch #ForestToReef #BiodiversityBrunei #ConservationScience #FromForestToReef2025 #BruneiDarussalam

The Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) delegation,

The Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Dr Hazri Hj Kifle, was honoured to attend a dinner meeting hosted by Acting British High Commissioner, Catherine Pochkhanavala-Cleeve, at the official Residence of the British High Commissioner.

Also present were representatives from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the UK Mission to ASEAN, who are currently visiting Brunei Darussalam for the Brunei Darussalam Conference on Forest to Reef.

We extend our sincere thanks to the British High Commission for the warm hospitality and meaningful discussions. We look forward to strengthening future collaborations.

@ukinbrunei
@catherinecleeve

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