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IBER Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 1

IBER Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 1

Post author:iber
Post published:05/08/2019
Post category:Newsletter

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

We are pleased to announce a publication from the

We are pleased to announce a publication from the IBER Forest Ecology group on the long-term dynamics of Brunei's tropical heath (Kerangas) forests in Biodiversity Data Journal! This study was led by Irsalina Syakirah Mohd Ikbal as part of her MSc study at UBD, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr Rahayu Sukri, Dr Salwana Jaafar and Dr Norhayati Ahmad. 

The paper presents the first 30-year assessment of forest dynamics in Brunei's lowland heath forests using two IBER permanent plots established in 1992 and re-censused in 2022. The findings reveal significant changes in forest structure, tree diversity, and community composition over three decades, providing valuable insights into how these unique forests respond to natural and human-induced disturbances. 

This study highlights the importance of long-term ecological monitoring in guiding the conservation and management of Borneo's threatened heath forest ecosystems under a changing climate. 

Congratulations to all co-authors on this important contribution to tropical forest ecology and conservation!

@ubdbuzz

#BiodiversityDataJournal #ForestEcology #Kerangas #HeathForest #ForestDynamics

Environmental Research Fieldwork 🌿 Every dataset

Environmental Research Fieldwork 🌿

Every dataset begins with time spent in the field.

At the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), our researchers come from diverse backgrounds and study a wide range of ecosystems and organisms. From forest ecology and soils to herbaceous plants, sapling monitoring, fish, birds, mammals, and insects—each project contributes to a better understanding of Brunei's biodiversity and environment. 🌳

This is a glimpse behind the scenes of our fieldwork: the dedication, teamwork, and passion that drive our research, one step at a time. ✨🔥

#IBER #EnvironmentalResearch #Fieldwork #Biodiversity #Brunei ResearchInAction

We were pleased to host Ms. Yusi Cheng from The Ho

We were pleased to host Ms. Yusi Cheng from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for her internship at IBER UBD.

During her 6 week internship in IBER, Yusi focused on optimising product formulations using local plants. Thank you for your hard work and enthusiasm. We wish you all the best for your future undertakings.

#FuturingTogether #IBER #HKUST #Internship #UBD

🌱 A Wonderful End to Our Community Tree Planting W

🌱 A Wonderful End to Our Community Tree Planting Week!

On Saturday, 11 July 2026, we concluded the UBD Living Forest Project: Community Tree Planting Event with another enthusiastic group of volunteers from UBD staff and students, the general public, A-Level graduates, Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), and UBD alumni.

It was truly inspiring to see people from diverse backgrounds come together with a shared commitment to restoring native biodiversity on the UBD campus.

As we conclude this week-long community planting initiative, we extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, collaborator, and partner who joined us from 6–11 July 2026. Your time, enthusiasm, and support have enabled us to plant over 300 native tree saplings in the growing UBD Living Forest and creating a greener, more sustainable campus for future generations.

While the community planting week has come to an end, the UBD Living Forest Project continues as we monitor the dynamics of planted saplings and biodiversity recovery at our planting sites. Look out for future volunteering opportunities with us!

Together, we're growing UBD's Living Forest, one native tree at a time. 🌳🌱

#UBDLivingForest #ForestEcology #NativeTrees #EcologicalRestoration #GreenCampus

🌱 Day 4 of the UBD Living Forest Project: Communit

🌱 Day 4 of the UBD Living Forest Project: Community Tree Planting Event!

Our restoration journey continued as another group of enthusiastic volunteers came together to help restore native biodiversity on the UBD campus.

We were delighted to welcome participants from the general public, UBD staff and students, Botanic Stewards, IBER Forest Ecology Group volunteers, and internship students from The Education University of Hong Kong under UBD BRC and IBER. It was wonderful to see people from diverse backgrounds united by a shared commitment to conserving Brunei's native forests.

Beyond planting native tree saplings, volunteers learnt about the importance of native species, science-based ecological restoration, and how every planting activity contributes to long-term biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem recovery.

A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. Together, we are growing UBD's Living Forest, one native tree at a time. 🌳

🌿 One final community planting session remains on 11 July 2026. Stay tuned for more updates!

#UBDLivingForest #IBERUBD #ForestEcology #NativeTrees #EcologicalRestoration

🌱 Day 3 of the UBD Living Forest Project: Communit

🌱 Day 3 of the UBD Living Forest Project: Community Tree Planting Event!

We were honoured to welcome colleagues from the Forestry Department @forestry.brunei, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on 8 July 2026, who joined us to plant 36 native tree saplings, adding to the growing UBD Living Forest.

IBER’s collaboration with the Forestry Department has been central in guiding our restoration projects, in support of Brunei’s National Biodiversity Policy and Strategic Plan of Action (NBPSPA) and our national restoration goals. As a project collaborator of the UBD Living Forest Project, the Forestry Department has provided in-kind support of 66 native tree saplings, and technical advice on species selection.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Forestry Department for your enthusiastic participation and continued support of the UBD Living Forest Project. We look forward to strengthening future collaborations in ecological restoration and environmental stewardship.

#UBDLivingForest #IBERUBD #ForestEcology #NativeTrees #EcologicalRestoration

🌱 Day 2 of the UBD Living Forest Project: Communit

🌱 Day 2 of the UBD Living Forest Project: Community Tree Planting Event!

The UBD Living Forest Project restoration journey continued as 17 enthusiastic volunteers came together to plant 34 native tree saplings.

We were delighted to welcome volunteers from the general public, Politeknik Brunei, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), as well as students who had recently completed their A-Level studies. It was inspiring to see people from different backgrounds united by a shared commitment to conserving Brunei's native biodiversity.

Beyond planting trees, volunteers also learnt about the ecological importance of planting native tree species, the restoration approach adopted by the UBD Living Forest Project, and how scientific data collected during each planting session contributes to long-term biodiversity monitoring.

A sincere thank you to all our volunteers for dedicating your time, energy, and enthusiasm to this meaningful initiative. Your contribution will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

🌳 The journey continues! Community tree planting activities will continue on 8, 9 and 11 July 2026, as we welcome more volunteers to help restore native biodiversity on the UBD campus. Together, we are growing UBD's Living Forest—one native tree at a time.

#UBDLivingForest #IBERUBD #ForestEcology #NativeTrees #EcologicalRestoration

🌱 The UBD Living Forest Project is officially unde

🌱 The UBD Living Forest Project is officially underway!

Yesterday marked the successful launch of UBD Living Forest Project: Restoring Native Trees for a Sustainable and Green UBD Campus, led by IBER.

The UBD Living Forest Project is a flagship project of UBD’s Sustainability Living Lab Initiative, utilising a science-based ecological restoration approach aimed at enhancing native biodiversity on campus. Through a combined strategy focused on ecosystem restoration, long-term biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement, the project aims to plant 500 native tree saplings in permanent restoration sites within UBD for long-term biodiversity monitoring.

The programme began with welcoming remarks by Dr Sarah Hanaa Hj Ahmad Ghazali, UBD’s Deputy Director of Sustainability, who highlighted the importance of integrating research, education and community engagement to advance UBD’s sustainability goals. Participants were then introduced to the UBD Living Forest Project by Associate Professor Dr Rahayu Sukri, Principal Investigator of the project. This was followed by an interactive biodiversity awareness session led by Dr Salwana Md Jaafar, the project’s co-PI.

The event’s highlight was a hands-on tree planting session, where 25 dedicated volunteers planted 50 native tree saplings and collected scientific data to help the project team monitor the growth and survival of the planted saplings. Volunteers also learnt about the project’s restoration approach, the diversity of native saplings planted and their importance for conservation and ecological significance.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, including colleagues from OAVCRIS, UBD Sustainability Office Student Youth Ambassadors, and UBD students, for contributing your time and enthusiasm towards this meaningful initiative.

🌳 The journey continues! Community tree planting activities will continue on 7, 8, 9 and 11 July 2026, welcoming volunteers from the Forestry Department, UBD staff, students, and members of the public to help restore native biodiversity on campus. We look forward to planting many more native trees together as we grow UBD’s Living Forest, one sapling at a time. Stay

As we conclude another rewarding internship journe

As we conclude another rewarding internship journey, we would like to thank Mohammad Hasbul Hadi bin Haji Hassan from IBTE Business Campus for his dedication and contributions during his six-month Industrial Attachment at the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), UBD, under the supervision of Dr Roshanizah Rosli.

Throughout his internship, Hasbul supported various administrative and finance-related tasks, contributed to IBER’s newsletter, and participated in and assisted with IBER programmes, including the Asian Waterbird Census workshop and Nature Camp. Despite coming from a Business Management background, he embraced the opportunity to work in a research environment with professionalism, adaptability and enthusiasm to learn.

Thank you, Hasbul, for your commitment and positive contributions to IBER. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

#IBER #UBD #IndustrialAttachment #Internship #ibte

🌿 Field Expedition to Bukit Belalong, Ulu Temburon

🌿 Field Expedition to Bukit Belalong, Ulu Temburong National Park 🌿

From 18–22 June 2026, a joint research team led by Dr Salwana Md. Jaafar and Farid Abdullah from the IBER Forest Ecology group and Dr Nanette Raczka from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Japan successfully completed a field expedition to Bukit Belalong. The research team also comprised members from OIST, and the Brunei National Herbarium (BRUN), Forestry Department. The expedition to Bukit Belalong was conducted as part of the collaborative research project, “MYCOTree-Asia: Mycorrhizosphere Contributions to Tree Ecology in Asian Forests.”

Over five days, the team navigated the challenging rainforest terrain, trekking approximately 24 km (round trip) with an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 m to reach the study site. The expedition focused on locating and identifying suitable tropical tree species and establishing potential sampling sites for future ecological and mycorrhizosphere research. The reconnaissance will support subsequent field campaigns investigating belowground microbial interactions associated with tropical forest trees.

This expedition also provided an important opportunity to revisit the site, assess trail conditions, and prepare for the next phase of collaborative research in one of Brunei’s most pristine tropical forests.

Our sincere appreciation goes to the Forestry Department and BRUN for their invaluable field assistance and continued support in facilitating biodiversity research and international scientific collaboration in Brunei Darussalam.

@ubdbuzz

@forestry.brunei

@oistedu

#IBERUBD #OIST #MYCOTreeAsia #BukitBelalong #UluTemburong

We are excited to announce the discovery of a new

We are excited to announce the discovery of a new plant species, Aristolochia argilophila, known only from Brunei Darussalam. This new species was first discovered in the Belait district by a team from IBER (Dr Salwana Md. Jaafar, Mohammad Farid Abdullah and Assoc. Prof. Dr Rahayu Sukri) with collaborators from the University of Tübingen (Dominik Frank), Sabah Forestry Department (Andi Mustapeng) and the Brunei National Herbarium (Azlan Pandai).

The study, published in Kew Bulletin, combined field surveys in Brunei Darussalam and Sabah with geometric morphometric analyses and morphological studies of several closely related Aristolochia species in Borneo. Beyond the discovery of a new species, the research also revealed that specimens previously identified as Aristolochia foveolata from Borneo comprise three distinct species, Aristolochia papillifolia, Aristolochia transtillifera and Aristolochia argilophila. The findings also provide the first floral description of A. transtillifera, and highlight the importance of floral characteristics over leaf shape for accurate species identification.

The newly described A. argilophila is the first Brunei-endemic Aristolochia known from Brunei’s lowland forests and has been assessed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List criteria.

Congratulations to all co-authors on this important contribution to the understanding and conservation of Borneo’s extraordinary plant diversity! 🌱✨

@ubdbuzz

@forestry.brunei

#KewBulletin #Aristolochia #NewSpecies #PlantTaxonomy #FloraOfBorneo

We are pleased to announce the rediscovery of a my

We are pleased to announce the rediscovery of a mycoheterotrophic plant species, Thismia bifida, that was last described from a single Sarawak collection in 1963 and has now been discovered in Brunei Darussalam. Extensive field surveys in Sarawak and Brunei, including at the type locality, was conducted by an international team of researchers from Palacký University (Assoc Prof Dr Martin Dancak and his team), IBER UBD (Dr Salwana Jaafar and Assoc. Prof Dr Rahayu Sukri), the Brunei National Herbarium (Azlan Pandai), and the Sarawak Forest Department (Dr Ling Chea Yiing).

The paper, published in Phytotaxa, documents the remarkable rediscovery of Thismia bifida, a rare, fully mycoheterotrophic plant endemic to Borneo. Through extensive field surveys across Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak, combined with detailed morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses, the research team confirmed new populations in Brunei and Sarawak, clarified the species’ taxonomy, and revealed that it is more widespread than previously believed.

The study also highlights the ecological importance of conserving Borneo’s forests, as these unique “fairy lantern” plants rely on intact forest ecosystems and underground fungal networks to survive. By revisiting historical collection sites and conducting new biodiversity surveys, this work provides valuable insights into the evolution, distribution, and conservation of one of Borneo’s most fascinating plant groups.

Congratulations to all co-authors on this significant contribution to the taxonomy and conservation of Southeast Asia’s extraordinary plant diversity!

@ubdbuzz

@forestry.brunei

#Phytotaxa #Thismia #PlantTaxonomy #Botany #Mycoheterotroph

The UBD team attended the soft launch of the Neptu

The UBD team attended the soft launch of the Neptune Oyster Hatchery at the Department of Fisheries. The hatchery was established by Sunda Futures, a joint venture between Poni Group and Clean Valley CIC. The event was officiated by Yang Mulia Hjh Tutiaty binti Hj Abdul Wahab, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, who attended as the Guest of Honour.

@theponigroup
@fisheries.brunei

From glowing mushrooms to hidden medical marvels,

From glowing mushrooms to hidden medical marvels, Brunei Darussalam’s rainforests are holding some of nature’s best-kept secrets. 🌿🍄

We’re excited to share this stunning look at the Macrofungi of the Sungai Liang Tropical Biodiversity Centre! This poster stems from the 'Mushroom Discovery Week: Spore to Science' event, a collaborative effort with the Forestry Department, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Which macrofungi on the poster caught your eye first?

Content: Dr Norhayati Ahmad.
Identification: Associate Professor Dr Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan (ITBC, UMS).
Photo credits: Elizerberth Minggat, Joremy Tony, Dr Hanyrol H. Ahmad Sah, Syafiie Sueif and UBD Botanical Research Centre.
Design: Elizerberth Minggat.

@forestry.brunei
@umsofficial

Our research assistants and former students, Dr. A

Our research assistants and former students, Dr. Atiqah Suhaili and Ms. Ashifah Shafie presented their research work at the UBD-Snibe Symposium 2026, co-organised by the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, UBD and Snibe Diagnostic.

Congratulations to Dr. Atiqah Suhaili for receiving 2nd Prize in the Poster Pitch competition for her poster titled ‘Green-Synthesised Clinacanthus nutans-derived Silver Nanoparticles Attenuate Hepatic Steatosis Through Modulation of Lipid Metabolism and Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy in HepG2 Cells’

Well done to our young local researchers for their participation and contribution to the symposium 🎉

On 8 June 2026, research assistants and students f

On 8 June 2026, research assistants and students from the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) and the Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) participated in the one-day Pre-Clinical Toxicology Testing webinar hosted by PLANETIIUM, IIUM.

The webinar provided valuable insights into key aspects of pre-clinical toxicology studies, including toxicological principles, regulatory guidelines, study design, animal model selection, biomarkers, study endpoints, and data analysis.

An informative and engaging session, particularly for researchers working with animal models and natural product development, offering valuable knowledge to support future research and innovation.

@planetiium

🌿 Introducing Brunei Forest Guardians! 🌿 Are you

🌿 Introducing Brunei Forest Guardians! 🌿

Are you passionate about nature, wildlife, and exploring the incredible biodiversity of Brunei's forests?

Brunei Forest Guardians is a new public outreach initiative led by the IBER Forest Ecology Group, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, designed to connect communities with nature through hands-on learning, citizen science, and immersive biodiversity experiences. Whether you are a student, nature enthusiast, photographer, or simply curious about the natural world, Brunei Forest Guardians invites you to become part of a growing community dedicated to appreciating and safeguarding Brunei's rich natural heritage.

To kick-start the programme, we are excited to launch Bug Blitz — the pilot event organised in collaboration with the Forestry Department. This unique experience takes participants beyond the classroom and into the rainforest, where they will discover the hidden world of insects and learn how scientists study biodiversity in the field.

⚠️ Places are strictly limited to ensure a high-quality and immersive experience.

Ready to become a Biodiversity Researcher for a day?

Check out the poster for event details and registration information. We look forward to exploring Brunei's forests with you! 🌳✨

@ubdbuzz
@sdg_ubd
@forestry.brunei

#BruneiForestGuardians #BugBlitz #CitizenScience #Biodiversity #IBERUBD

The UBD–IBER Seminar Series, jointly organised by

The UBD–IBER Seminar Series, jointly organised by the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) and the Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Sustainability), brought together researchers, students, and members of the public to discuss pressing issues in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

The seminar featured a presentation by Associate Professor Dr Rahayu Sukri on the UBD Living Forest Project, a science-driven restoration project under the UBD Sustainability Living Lab Initiative. Through research-based native tree planting, community engagement and long-term biodiversity monitoring, the project aims to transform selected areas within the UBD campus into a thriving native forest ecosystem.

Attendees also gained valuable insights from Dr Salwana Md. Jaafar's presentation on the ecological impacts of invasive Acacia species, highlighting both global perspectives and local management strategies relevant to Brunei's tropical ecosystems. The UBD Living Forest Project will pilot a study to address the restoration of Acacia-invaded areas within the UBD campus.

The UBD Living Forest Project highlights UBD’s commitment to achieving a greener campus through scientific research, biodiversity conservation, education, and community involvement. The seminar underscored the importance of evidence-based conservation, ecological restoration, and collaborative action in safeguarding Brunei Darussalam's natural heritage for future generations.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr Wardah Hakimah binti Haji Sumardi, UBD’s Director of Sustainability, for her welcoming remarks, our speakers for sharing their expertise, and all attendees for their active engagement throughout the seminar. We gratefully acknowledge funding from OAVC RIS under the UBD Sustainability Grant for the UBD Living Forest Project.

@ubdbuzz

#IBER #UBD #UBDLivingForest #BiodiversityConservation #SustainableDevelopment

🌱 Nature Camp | 1–5 June 2026 Eleven students fro

🌱 Nature Camp | 1–5 June 2026

Eleven students from six secondary schools across Brunei recently completed a five-day immersive education programme at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) in Ulu Temburong.

Organised by the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam and funded by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), Nature Camp aimed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. The programme sought to enhance participants' knowledge and appreciation of Brunei’s biodiversity, introduce them to scientific research methods, and foster a sense of responsibility for conservation and sustainable living.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the facilitators and BSP for their support in making this enriching learning experience possible.

Congratulations to the participants on successfully completing Nature Camp! We hope that the knowledge, skills, and memories gained during the camp will inspire them to continue exploring and protecting the natural world around them. 👏🏻

@ubdbuzz
@fel.bn

#NatureCamp2026 #IBER #EnvironmentalEducation #Biodiversity #ConservationEducation #Sustainability #YouthInScience

The Borneo Studies Network (BSN) 8th Scientific Co

The Borneo Studies Network (BSN) 8th Scientific Committee Meeting convened on the 10 June 2026, at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), bringing together BSN member institutions.

Opening remarks were delivered by Dr Haji Abdul Hanif bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahadi, UBD Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Sustainability) and Chairman of the BSN Scientific Committee, followed by welcoming remarks on behalf of the UMS Vice Chancellor by Associate Professor Dr Fiffy Hanisdah binti Saikim.

The meeting focused on updates from BSN research groups including discussions for collaborative activities between member institutions.

The Borneo Studies Network (BSN) is a regional platform that unites 12 member universities across Borneo (Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia) to foster stronger collaboration in research, education, and knowledge exchange. The BSN comprises five research clusters: Biodiversity, Renewable Material and Energy, Cultural Heritage and Ethnic Groups, Economy and Business, and Sustainable Community and Transformation, providing a focused framework for addressing issues affecting Borneo and the wider region.

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