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- Message from Director
- Staff
Research Centres
- KBFSC
- BRC
Research
Education
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About IBER
- Message from Director
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- BRC
Research
Education
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IBER Newsletter: Volume 1, Issue 2

IBER Newsletter: Volume 1, Issue 2

Post author:iber
Post published:27/05/2019
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

Too many legs, too little appreciation—but this cr

Too many legs, too little appreciation—but this creepy crawler is a vital recycler keeping the rainforest healthy 🌿

Heart-shaped leaves quietly climbing the rainfores

Heart-shaped leaves quietly climbing the rainforest trunk—proof that beauty often grows where we least expect it!

Wildlife of Brunei Darussalam: Bornean Yellow Munt

Wildlife of Brunei Darussalam: Bornean Yellow Muntjac (Muntiacus atherodes)

The Bornean Yellow Muntjac (Muntiacus atherodes) is a muntjac deer species, endemic to the rainforests of Borneo. Its most striking feature is its yellowish-brown coat, which provides camouflage in the dense undergrowth. Males are equipped with short, sharp antlers, while females lack antlers entirely. Primarily diurnal and often travel in pairs. These are herbivores, feeding on leaves, fruits, and vegetation. They are named for their characteristic "barking" vocalization, often heard when they are startled.

Photo credits: Salwa Khalid and Ulmar Grafe

Does our genes and the environment impact our heal

Does our genes and the environment impact our health?

Our latest collaborative publication in Discover Medicine dives deep into the connection between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Cardiovascular disease (CVD). This expert review by Dr. Norhayati Ahmad (IBER UBD), Professor Dr. Mohammad Mansoob Khan (Faculty of Science, UBD) and Mohd Fezal Ur Rehman (Aligarh Muslim University, India) provides insights on the associations of the genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors that contribute towards the development of T2DM and CVD.

The paper gives an in-depth discussion on the common pathophysiological pathways linked with T2DM and CVD. Among these, the variations in HMGA1 gene and epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation act as switches that turn genes on or off, often triggered by our environment.

Understanding these genetic and environmental links also allows for better prediction of individuals at risk of complications.

Happy New Year from all of us at IBER including UB

Happy New Year from all of us at IBER including UBD BRC and KBFSC. Together, let’s continue conserving biodiversity and exploring nature in 2026—we couldn’t do it without you!

Photo: Fungi of Brunei Darussalam
Photo credit: Elizerberth Minggat

As we wrap up 2025, the Institute for Biodiversity

As we wrap up 2025, the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), including the UBD Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC) and the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC), extends our heartfelt thanks to our collaborators, funders, stakeholders, students, volunteers, supporters, and friends.

Your unwavering support has been vital in building IBER and advancing our work in biodiversity research, conservation, and education. Here’s to the partnerships, achievements, and our shared commitment to biodiversity and the environment—onward to an even brighter year ahead!

Proud to share our latest publication in the Journ

Proud to share our latest publication in the Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, co-authored by AP Dr Rahayu Sukri, Dr Salwana Jaafar, and the UBD Botanical Research Centre (BRC) team. This study examines seed germination and seedling survival of selected Dipterocarpaceae species collected from contrasting forest types in Brunei Darussalam.

The work provides species-specific insights into early-stage establishment of high conservation-value Dipterocarps from mixed dipterocarp, heath, and peat swamp forests.
Our findings highlight clear differences in germination success and seedling survival
across species and habitat types, offering valuable data to guide ex-situ conservation,
restoration planning, and long-term species recovery efforts in Brunei.

This pilot study represents an important step in strengthening the UBD BRC’s growing programme on Dipterocarp conservation and supports national efforts to safeguard Brunei's iconic forest species.

#Dipterocarps #BruneiForests #IBERUBD #UBDBRC #TropicalEcology

Biodiversity Awareness Programme — A two-day exper

Biodiversity Awareness Programme — A two-day experiential learning programme for Hibiscus EP (Brunei) B.V. (HEB) was held at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) from 22–23 December 2025, aimed at enhancing biodiversity awareness and environmental stewardship.

Thank you, HEB, for your continued support of KBFSC and biodiversity conservation!

@hibiscuspetroleum_bn

Tropical rainforests are filled with towering tree

Tropical rainforests are filled with towering trees, but sometimes the real beauty is found when you look down. Discovering delicate wonders like this beautiful Selaginella reminds us that nature’s magic is everywhere.

Fungi of Brunei Darussalam: Penicilliopsis clavari

Fungi of Brunei Darussalam: Penicilliopsis clavariiformis

Proud to share our latest dataset publication on a

Proud to share our latest dataset publication on ash content and elemental composition of tropical peat from the Badas Peat Swamp Forest, one of Brunei’s most significant peat dome ecosystems.

This collaborative work by Dr Salwana Jaafar and AP Dr Rahayu Sukri (IBER, UBD), AP Dr Stefan Gödeke (Geosciences, FOS), and our collaborator Dr Alex Cobb (NTU Singapore) provides new insights into how recurring fires alter peat soil chemistry. The dataset includes measurements of aluminium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and ash content across two research transects in Badas.

The dataset establishes an important baseline for assessing fire-affected tropical peatlands, documenting changes in peat physical and chemical properties, and supporting restoration planning and climate-change mitigation studies.

#Peatlands #BadasPeatSwampForest #BruneiResearch #IBERUBD #TropicalEcology

Fungi of Brunei Darussalam: Cymatoderma sp

Fungi of Brunei Darussalam: Cymatoderma sp

Honoured to co-author a major international review

Honoured to co-author a major international review on flood–fire dynamics in wetlands, titled “Flood-Fire Interplays in Wetlands: The Rising of an Actionable Field of Study,” now
published in Wetlands. This paper is co-authored by Dr Salwana Md. Jaafar from the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), alongside an outstanding global team of wetland researchers.

The review brings together insights from sixteen countries to examine how floods and fires interact to shape wetland ecology, species composition, ecosystem processes, and community resilience. It highlights the urgent need for integrated knowledge to understand how hydrology, drought, fire regimes, and human activities interconnect across wetland systems. The paper also outlines key research gaps and proposes a new field of study to advance wetland management and sustainability.

#Wetlands #FloodFireInteractions #Ecology #TropicalWetlands #IBERUBD
#EnvironmentalScience #EcosystemResilience #ResearchPublication

The UBD team, led by Yang Mulia Dr Masairol Hj Mas

The UBD team, led by Yang Mulia Dr Masairol Hj Masri, Assistant Vice Chancellor (IEED), met with Rimba Garden Central to explore ideas and opportunities for future collaboration. A big thank you to Rimba Garden Central for hosting us!

@rgc.rimba.garden.central

Wellness Wednesday: Fun Run co-organised by the Fa

Wellness Wednesday: Fun Run co-organised by the Faculty of Science (FOS) and the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), the event brought together our community in the spirit of health and wellbeing.

We were honoured by the presence of Yang Mulia Dr Hazri Hj Kifle, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, who graced the occasion.

A certificate presentation ceremony was held this

A certificate presentation ceremony was held this morning for the graduating cohort of the Osaka University International Certificate Program (OUICP) at Universiti Teknologi Brunei.

Graduating in the 2024 cohort includes UBD students, Ms Raudhatun Naemah binti Haji Samsul, PhD in Biotechnology candidate, Ms Nuraziyah binti Sofriazmi, MSc in Biology candidate and Ms Nurul Asyiqin @ Nabilah binti Zulkiflee, PhD in Chemistry candidate.

The OUICP is an educational programme conducted in collaboration with the University of Osaka Joint Campus counterparts in ASEAN Countries, aimed at strengthening ties in research and education. The event also welcomed the OUICP 2025 cohort of students.

The certificates were presented by Yang Mulia Dr. Haji Azman bin Ahmad, Permanent Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education. Also present during the event was Yang Mulia Dr. Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Vice-Chancellor Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

A huge congratulations to our graduating students and all the best to the new OUICP 2025 cohort.

Following the launch of the first two books and po

Following the launch of the first two books and posters in the IBER Field Guide Series -
Mammals of Ulu Temburong and Flora of Ulu Temburong, the project leads Associate
Professor Dr Rahayu Sukri and Dr Norhayati Ahmad continued engagement and outreach
efforts in support of biodiversity collaboration and science communication.

The books and posters were presented to Dayang Noralinda Binti Haji Ibrahim, the Deputy
Permanent Secretary II of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), and to
Dyg Hazwani Jefery from the Adaptation Unit of the Brunei Climate Change Office (BCCO),
as a gesture of appreciation for their support and shared commitment towards biodiversity
conservation, environmental awareness, and policy engagement.

During the recent 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Scientific
Advisory Committee in Quang Ninh, Vietnam, AP Dr Rahayu also met with Dr Jerome L.
Montemayor, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). The books
were shared with ACB as part of ongoing efforts to highlight Brunei’s unique biodiversity
and to strengthen regional collaboration and knowledge exchange on biodiversity research
in ASEAN.

IBER would like to thank all partners and stakeholders for their continued support in
advancing research, conservation, and regional cooperation.

#IBER #UBD #Biodiversity #FieldGuideSeries #MPRT #BCCO #ACB #ASEAN
#ScienceCommunication #RegionalCollaboration #UluTemburong

From 9 to 14 December 2025, we had the pleasure of

From 9 to 14 December 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting Associate Professor Dr Philip Johns and two students from the National University of Singapore at UBD’s Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC).

Dr Johns is collaborating with our local researcher, Dr Salwa Khalid on detecting sympatric otter species using environmental DNA (eDNA) and camera traps.

IBER's Asian Waterbird Census 2026. DATES: 13–15

IBER's Asian Waterbird Census 2026.

DATES: 13–15 January 2026

Join our citizen science programme! Help count and identify migratory waterbirds while contributing to an important regional initiative.

What you'll get:
✔ Field experience in real conservation work.
✔ Skills in bird ID and survey methods.
✔ A chance to contribute to regional biodiversity data.
✔ A certificate of participation.

Sign Up & Make Your Count Matter!

Registration is open until 31 December 2025.
Open to local community members aged 18 and above.

Participants must attend all three sessions.
Slots are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Successful applicants will be notified after 6 January 2026.

On 8 December 2025, IBER hosted a seminar by Assoc

On 8 December 2025, IBER hosted a seminar by Associate Professor Dr Philip Johns from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

The talk explored group behaviours of Singapore’s smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata), offering fascinating insights into their social dynamics and ecology.

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