Skip to content

About IBER
- Message from Director
- Staff
Research Centres
- KBFSC
- BRC
Research
Education
Publications
Toggle website search

About IBER
- Message from Director
- Staff
Research Centres
- KBFSC
- BRC
Research
Education
Publications

About IBER
- Message from Director
- Staff
Research Centres
- KBFSC
- BRC
Research
Education
Publications

BRC Staff

Staff under UBD Botanical Research Centre

Dr Daniele Cicuzza, Curator
Nurul Hazlina Binti Haji Zaini, Botanist
Mohammad Amiruddin Bin Haji Ruslan, Assistant Curator & Botanist
Soon Boon Yu, Assistant Curator & Botanist

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

About IBER
- Message from Director
- Staff
Research Centres
- KBFSC
- BRC
Research
Education
Publications

IBER-KBFSC Social Media

Opens in a new tab
Opens in a new tab

BRC Social Media

Opens in a new tab
Opens in a new tab

Instagram

ubd.iber.kbfsc

UBD collaborates with Brunei Energy Services & Tra

UBD collaborates with Brunei Energy Services & Trading Sdn Bhd on pitcher plant conservation.

Brunei Energy Services & Trading Sdn Bhd (BEST) is currently in the development phase to explore business opportunities in the Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) area. Recently, pitcher plants were discovered in the vicinity of the project location site in PMB. These plants are classified and protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) with some species found exclusively in the Island of Borneo.

On 23rd – 24th April 2024, BEST and Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC), which is a centre under the UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), collaborated to relocate the pitcher plants from the project site to the UBD BRC garden.

The UBD BRC is Brunei’s first botanical garden, and functions as a research centre focusing on the conservation and scientific studies of tropical flora, particularly Brunei’s native plants. The collaboration with BEST was carefully supervised by UBD BRC experts and supported by BEST, and closely followed a scientific protocol to ensure the pitcher plants are relocated safely to the UBD BRC Garden, situated at the UBD campus. The UBD BRC Garden is located within a unique and rare forest type called Kerangas forest, a natural habitat with nutrient-poor soils, which is a suitable condition for the pitcher plants to continue to thrive.

The relocation of the natural populations that face development threats to ex-situ conservation areas are crucial to safeguard these protected species. In previous conservation efforts, the UBD BRC has collaborated with the Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and have successfully relocated the pitcher plants from the Tutong white sands area to the Berakas Forest Reserve.

The collaborative effort between UBD and BEST underscores each organisation’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and UBD’s efforts in ensuring the careful management and protection of Brunei’s biodiversity, which is in line with Brunei Darussalam’s sustainable development goals.

Registration is now open! Scan QR code to register

Registration is now open! Scan QR code to register!

Join us at the Brunei Darussalam Conference on Biodiversity, in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2024 (Brunei MYCE 2024) from June 11-13, 2024.

The Brunei Darussalam Conference on Biodiversity will see two keynote sessions and exciting talks by local and international speakers. Join us to explore biodiversity’s role in sustainable development and discover Brunei’s rich biodiversity!

NEW Registration rates:
Brunei-based participants: FREE
International participants: USD 50
Further details on the conference will be shared soon!

@ubdbuzz
@forestry.brunei
@peatswamp.iber
@ubd.botanicalgarden
#myce2024 #biodiversity #symposium #brunei

A paper on the in-vivo wound healing and antioxida

A paper on the in-vivo wound healing and antioxidant activities of the medicinal plant Dillenia excelsa, co-authored by Dr Norhayati Ahmad (IBER) and researchers in Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science UBD was recently published in Advances in Traditional Medicine. The paper reports the phytochemical components, antioxidant properties, antibacterial activities, and wound healing potential of extracts from Dillenia excelsa. Using an excision wound model, the extracts have shown improvements in wound closure and healing based on the different physiological parameters assessed. There are lesser reports of scientific studies conducted on Dillenia excelsa. This study adds valuable information for potential future development and exploration of this plant for various applications.

#research #publication #plant #medicinal

A sharing session by Dk Fatin Hazirah binti Pg Hj

A sharing session by Dk Fatin Hazirah binti Pg Hj Harun, sharing her one-semester internship experience at the UBD's Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER).

#internship #student #training #conservation #biodiversity

The UBD's Institute for Biodiversity and Environme

The UBD's Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) would like to thank the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Luke Arnold and Ms Leliana Setiono for inviting IBER Director (Dr Hussein Taha) and Deputy Director (Dr Salwa Khalid) to the Australian High Commission's Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House.

Selamat Hari Raya!

@duta.oz.bn

Meraikan saudara baru, Dayang Nur Ammy Marliana bi

Meraikan saudara baru, Dayang Nur Ammy Marliana binti Liming (Pembantu Penyelidik IBER) di Masjid Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

The caterpillar of Attacus atlas, the Atlas moth,

The caterpillar of Attacus atlas, the Atlas moth, a large moth endemic to the forests of Asia.
The Atlas moth is one of the largest lepidopterans, with a wingspan measuring up to 24 cm (9.4 in) and a wing surface area of about 160 cm2. The caterpillar was photographed on kerangas forest.

#insect #moth #caterpillar #biodiversity #forest #kerangas

Dictyophara fulgaroides is a planthopper which fee

Dictyophara fulgaroides is a planthopper which feeds on plant sap. The name Dictyophara comes from the Greek words dictyon, meaning net, and phorein, meaning wear, and can be translated as "who wears a net".

#biodiversity #insect

Wishing all muslims a blessed Nuzul Al Quran.

Wishing all muslims a blessed Nuzul Al Quran.

It is scientifically called Gasteracantha diardi.

It is scientifically called Gasteracantha diardi. This spiny orb-weaver spider occurs in Southeast Asia including Brunei Darussalam.
Females of the species have very wide abdomens, much wider than long, giving them a horizontal appearance that is further accentuated by their spines.
The spider is found in a forested recreational site in the Brunei-Muara District.

#insects #biodiversity #spider

Mangrove forests are found in the sheltered areas

Mangrove forests are found in the sheltered areas of the coast or in river estuaries. Most mangrove forests in Brunei Darussalam are found in the inner Brunei Bay.

Our mangrove forests can be categorised based on the dominant plant species found within the forests i.e. Bakau forest (Rhizophora apiculata), Nyireh Bunga forest (Xylocarpus granatum), Linggadai forest (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), Nipah forest (Nypa fruiticans), Nipah-Dungun forest (Nypa fruiticans & Heritiera globosa), Pedada forest (Sonneratia caseolaris) and Nibong forest (Oncosperma tigillarium).

Our mangrove forests in the inner Brunei Bay are still largely intact and undisturbed. Let's continue to conserve and protect these unique forests!

#forests #brunei #plants #mangroves #conservation

These mother and infant silvery lutung (Trachypit

These mother and infant silvery lutung (Trachypithecus cristatus), also known as the silvered leaf monkey or the silvery langur, was photographed at a mangrove forest. The name of the Lutong town in Sarawak is derived from this monkey, indicating that it used to exist in large populations. It is mainly arboreal, living in coastal, mangrove, and riverine forests in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and other nearby islands. It seldom comes down from trees to avoid being attacked by terrestrial predators.

The silvery lutung is a medium-sized monkey with a long, non-prehensile tail. It has grey-tipped, dark brown or black fur, giving it a uniform silvery appearance. The hands and feet are hairless, with dark coloured skin.

The silvery lutung has a large three-chambered stomach to digest the cellulose found in its mainly leafy diet. This allows for fermentation of food, and has some similarities with the stomach of ruminants. The intestine is unusually long, even compared to those of other langurs, and has a number of pouches along its length, which carry out further fermentation of plant matter.

The silvery lutung is a specialist folivore (diet of leaves), including a higher proportion of leaves in its diet than any other monkey groups. Although it does also eat fruit, and some seeds and flowers, these comprise only 9% of the diet, and it is also able to feed on tougher and more mature leaves than any of its close relatives. Because of these differences, silvery lutungs do not normally live in the same parts of the forest as other monkeys. Where other species are found in the same area, silvery lutungs are more commonly found in the middle canopy of the forest, leaving the higher branches to monkeys with a more frugivorous (fruit) diet.

The social structure of silvery lutungs is matrilineal and harem based. Females remain in the group for life, while males leave shortly after reaching adulthood, living in small groups of their own until they can take over an established harem.

Infants of silvery lutung have orange fur and pale skin for six months. It is believed that the orange coloration helps the mother to identify its infant.

A recent DNA-based study found that the yellowfin

A recent DNA-based study found that the yellowfin snapper (scientifically known as Lutjanus xanthopinnis) lacks spatial population structure in the Indo-Pacific region. On the other hand, the bigeye snapper (Lutjanus lutjanus) showed a population structure associated with geographical locations, i.e., western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Maluku in Indonesia. These findings would be useful for the stock management and conservation measures of these fishes. This study, led by our Senior Professor Dr Takaomi Arai, was carried out by a team of researchers from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu including four UBD students i.e. Najihah Alidon, Juhaidah Jumat, Syakirah Azmey and Nur Dhabitah Zan.

@ubdbuzz
@ubd.iber.kbfsc

#research #collaboration #fish #geneticdiversity #sustainability #lutjanus #snapper

It looks like snowing but it is not! A tree is flo

It looks like snowing but it is not! A tree is flowering in the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical ResearchCentre (UBD BRC). The plant is known as Merbujok in Brunei but scientifically named as Symplocos polyandra.

The plant is also known as Jiak in Sabah and is also known as Bundo bundo, Mundu mundu and Salambuno.

Native to Borneo and adjacent islands, the Philippines and south-west Sulawesi. It is a small to medium-sized tree and can reach a height of 32 metres and diameter of 40 centimetre. It thrives well on poor, well-drained sandy or rocky soils, occasionally on loam or clay soils.

In Brunei, this species is fairly common in certain areas especially in the coastal kerangas forest such as Bukit Shahbandar Forest Reserve, Berakas Forest Reserve and Bukit Basong. Merbujok is not a commercial timber but it is used locally as light construction material. Small tree to 32 m tall. Bark deeply or finely fissured, dark grey to black, hard. Leaves spirally arranged, crowded towards the end of the twigs. Young leaves are purplish red.

This tree is resistant to forest fires.

@ubd.botanicalgarden

#plants #botanical #ubdbrc #oureach #conservation #biodiversity

IBER would like to wish you and your loved ones a

IBER would like to wish you and your loved ones a blessed Ramadan filled with joy, harmony, and countless blessings. Ramadan Mubarak!

IBER would like to thank everyone for supporting a

IBER would like to thank everyone for supporting and participating in our 6th Anniversary of Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC) events (5 to 7 March 2024). UBD BRC is one of the two centres under the management of IBER. Thank you and lets continue to conserve and protect our flora and fauna.

@ubd.botanicalgarden

#Repost @ubdbuzz with @use.repost ・・・ Sympos

#Repost @ubdbuzz with @use.repost
・・・
Symposium on plants mentioned in the Al-Quran and Hadith: seminar presentations by speakers from IBER and SOASCIS.

#Repost @ubdbuzz with @use.repost ・・・ The UB

#Repost @ubdbuzz with @use.repost
・・・
The UBD Botanical Research Centre witnessed the unveiling of the ‘Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah’ zone, serving as a haven for plants mentioned in Quranic verses and Hadith.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore the profound significance, varied uses, and dedicated conservation efforts surrounding these botanical treasures, fostering connections between research, education, and international collaboration. The ceremony progressed with a tree planting ceremony at the ‘Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah’ zone, graced by the Guest of Honour.

In a symbolic gesture, the Guest of Honour planted Pokok Bidara (scientifically known as Ziziphus), a plant mentioned in both Quranic verses and Hadith. This plant, renowned not only for its spiritual significance but also for its ethnomedicinal value, further highlighted the event’s commitment to preserving and honoring the natural heritage embedded in religious teachings.

Following the ceremonial activities, the Symposium continued with seminar presentations featuring speakers from IBER and SOASCIS, contributing to a vibrant exchange of knowledge and insights.

As part of the 6th-anniversary celebration of the

As part of the 6th-anniversary celebration of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC), a symposium on plants mentioned in the Al-Quran and Hadith was organized by the UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) in collaboration with the UBD’s Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Centre of Islamic Studies (SOASCIS). The symposium took place at the Senate Room, Chancellor Hall, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. The Guest of Honour for the symposium’s launch was Yang Mulia Dr. Haji Azman bin Ahmad, Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education. UBD Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Hazri bin Haji Kifle, and other senior officials were also in attendance.

Dr. Hussein bin Haji Taha, IBER Director, delivered the symposium’s welcoming remarks. In his speech, Dr. Hussein emphasized the pivotal role of UBD BRC in promoting conservation, research, education, and outreach in line with its mission and vision, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

One of the symposium’s objectives is to deepen the understanding of plants mentioned in the Al-Quran and Hadith from both botanical and scientific perspectives, while also highlighting the concept of nature in Islam.

As part of the symposium’s launch, the ‘Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah’ zone at the UBD Botanical Research Centre was unveiled. This zone is dedicated to showcasing selected plants mentioned in verses of the Al-Quran and narrated in Hadith, providing information on their uses and importance to garden visitors. Additionally, this section will serve as an ex-situ site for conserving these plants for research and educational purposes. IBER researchers are currently engaged in high-impact collaborative projects with international institutions related to these plants.

The launch included a plenary session and a tree-planting ceremony at the ‘Al-Hadeeqah Al-Mubaarakah’ zone. The Guest of Honour planted the Pokok Bidara (scientifically known as Ziziphus), one of the plants mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, known for its ethnomedicinal value. Following the launch event, seminar presentations were given by speakers from IBER and SOASCIS.

#sdgs #sustainability

Posted @withregram • @ubdbuzz A Special IBER Sem

Posted @withregram • @ubdbuzz A Special IBER Seminar Series was held in the afternoon and attended by invited guests, UBD staff, and students. In his talk, Mr. Zaeidi Bin Hj Berudin, Senior Forestry Officer and Head of the Heart of Borneo Centre, Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, highlighted the value of Brunei’s forests from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. Focusing on the UBD BRC, Associate Professor Dr. Rahayu Sukri from UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) took the audience through the UBD BRC’s living collections and shared the Centre’s various research projects, education programmes, and conservation initiatives. The UBD Botanical Research Centre continues to spearhead botanical research activities in Brunei Darussalam. The Centre represents UBD’s unwavering commitment to biodiversity research and stands as a testament to UBD’s journey towards sustainability.

#sdgs #sustainability #biodiversity #forest #conservation #botanical

Load More Follow on Instagram

Location

Visitors

1773

Visitors Today

3734735

Total Visitors

© 2019 IBER, UBD. All rights reserved