Momin Binti’s scientific contributions

Insect diversity of Sungai Serudong Forest Reserve in Sabah was investigated under the Heart of Borneo programme in Sabah. The nocturnal insect diversity was evaluated by using light-trap from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for three consecutive nights. Diurnal insects were sampled using sweep net. A total of nine insect orders were recorded namely Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Odonata, and Phasmida. There were four Bornean endemic species recorded during the survey, namely Chalcosoma moellenkampi (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Aethalida borneana (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), Amata prepuncta (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Calvisia sammannani (Phasmida: Diapheromeridae). The mean Shannon Index was 4.00, Simpson Index was 47.76 and Fisher Alpha Index was 83.64. The diversity is considered high, however moderate when compared to other forest reserves in Sabah, Malaysia. This study was able to identify insect communities inside the reserve. It was also able to identify the potential threats affecting the insect diversity. The documented data can serve as baseline information to be used in forest management plan and other relevant research.

Sg. Serudong Forest Reserve is located adjacent to the forests of Kalabakan and Tibow in Tawau, Sabah and it is very close to the boundary of Malaysia and Kalimantan of the Republic of Indonesia. Besides that, sweep nets and forceps were used for diurnal insect documentation. The mean Shannon Index was 4.00 while Simpson Index was 47.76 and Fisher Alpha Index was 83.64. In terms of diversity, it is moderate when compared to 28 other forest reserves in Sabah, with mean of 74 insect species recorded in a square metre of light-trapping cloth and the most recorded insect group was moth. There were five Bornean endemic species recorded during the survey. Forest fire is the main threat to the conservation area and its land use changes, such as oil palm plantation at the surrounding area may adversely affect the insect diversity. Cooperation among relevant agencies such as Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department and Fire and Rescue Department will enhance effort in conservation and curb future incidences of forest fire. Last but not least, the documented data can serve as baseline information for future research.

This insect survey was conducted from 13 th to 18 th of January, 2020 in Mount Silam forest, Lahad Datu, Sabah. An average of 108 nocturnal insect species from 148 individuals was recorded from a one-metre-square area of the light-trapping cloth. The mean Shannon Index was 4.17 while Simpson Index was 129.84 and Fisher Alpha Index was 193.36. At least 15 Bornean endemic species were recorded during the brief survey. These pioneer data will serve as baseline information for other research work in future. The data will further strengthen the management of Mount Silam within Sapagaya Forest Reserve as a Class I Forest Reserve (Protection). The information on insect diversity and the aesthetic value of some of the flagship species can be used to promote sustainable nature tourism in Mount Silam since this area is a tourist attraction in Lahad Datu.

This insect survey was conducted from 26th to 29th of August, 2019, at the base camp and nursery of TRLC-Merisuli. It was partly to train the TRLC officers and staff in conducting insect diversity and insect pest surveys, coincided with the Workshop on Introduction to Forest Insects. The information procured from the survey would contribute towards biodiversity conservation of the study area and also to gain a better understanding of the insect pest management in the nursery. Nocturnal insect diversity was assessed through light-trapping while diurnal insects were documented through sweep nets and forceps. A mean 60 species of nocturnal insects was recorded from a one-square-metre of the light-trapping cloth, with an average of 75 individuals. The mean Shannon Index was 3.86 while Simpson Index was 102 and Fisher Alpha Index was 166.8. When the nocturnal insect richness was compared with other surveyed forested sites in Sabah, it was moderately low. In terms of nocturnal insect diversity, it was moderate. This is not surprising as Merisuli Forest Reserve is a degraded forest, undergoing restoration. At least six Bornean endemic species and two endemic subspecies were recorded during the survey. The endemics and other insect species recorded during the survey provide significant information to enhance the conservation of the study area, as well as to enhance environmental awareness. The presence of Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC) at Merisuli Forest Reserve in collaboration with Sabah Forestry Department will help to restore and enhance the biodiversity in this reserve. The planting of dipterocarp trees and wild fruit trees will attract many of the wildlife from the surrounding areas in future to use this forest as their refuge or sanctuary, including insects. At the same time, monitoring and enforcement by the relevant agencies would also have to be taken into consideration so that there would not be any illegal poaching or encroachment. Seven species of seedling defoliators were recorded, five were moth caterpillars while two were beetles. All do not pose any potential outbreak as they occurred in low abundance except for the Pagoda Bagworm on Talisai Paya (Terminalia copelandii) in moderate abundance. Monitoring the presence of any insects causing damage to the seedlings is important to prevent any potential outbreak and also to keep abreast of the health status of the seedlings in TRLC nursery.

This insect diversity survey by the Sabah Forestry Department team was carried out from 16 th to 20 th of August, 2017 in Imbak Canyon-Batu Timbang area. Nocturnal insect diversity was assessed through light-trapping while diurnal insects were documented through fruit-baited traps, sweep nets and forceps. The mean nocturnal insect species richness was 48 species while the mean abundance was 55 individuals. These values were affected by the presence of many wild honeybees, Apis dorsata and the unexpectedly wet weather. Some Bornean endemic species were recorded, which included moths, beetles, dragonflies and a butterfly species. The Bornean endemic butterfly, Papilio acheron, is a rare species documented during the survey. Interesting and iconic species recorded are the Malaysia national butterfly, Trogonoptera brookiana and the world's largest bush cricket, Macrolyristes imperator. These insect data provide salient information to enhance the conservation of the Batu Timbang forest. They will serve as baseline information for other insect research work in future. Threats, such as forest fire, fragmentation, illegal clearing of vegetation and poaching are likely to indirectly affect the insect fauna. As such, continuous monitoring and enforcement at strategic locations are important to minimize these threats.

Fungi are closely related with plant pathology as they cause the majority of plant diseases. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the macro fungi still remain to be discovered. It is important to conduct research on fungus diversity in order to understand their roles in the forest. Fungus diversity study is one of the many research activities undertaken by the Forest Research Centre of the Sabah Forestry Department, especially within the Heart of Borneo area in Sabah. Opportunistic sampling is the method used in conducting the study of fungi in the forest in which “fungal forays” or survey is conducted along the way. The fungi sighted in the field were photographed and identified. Among the common fungi that can be found in the forest reserves comprise gilled fungi (e.g. Amanita sp.), jelly (e.g. Dacryopinax sp.), shelf and bracket fungi (e.g. Fomitopsis sp.), cup fungi (e.g. Cookeina sp.) as well as tooth fungi (e.g. Hydnum sp.). In 2017, surveys conducted in five forest reserves, namely Trusan Sugut Forest Reserve, Tambulanan Forest Reserve, Batu Timbang Research Station in Imbak Canyon, Nuluhon Trusmadi (Extension) Forest Reserve, Ulu Segama Malua Forest Reserve and Danum Valley Conservation area.

Pensiangan Forest Reserve is a Class I Protection Forest Reserve and is situated in the Nabawan district in south central Sabah. An insect diversity survey was carried out from 18 th to 22 nd of July, 2016. The nocturnal insect diversity was moderate, compared to other forest reserves surveyed earlier. The mean Shannon Index was 3.62 while Simpson Index was 68.59 and Fisher Alpha Index was 99.97. The mean species richness, however, was low, with an average of 42.5 species from 53 individuals recorded from a one-square-metre of the light-trapping cloth. Some Bornean endemic species were recorded during the survey, namely Amata prepuncta, Auriculoceryx pterodactyliformis and Lyclene nr acutiseriata (all moths), Dinophasma guttigerum, Haaniella echinata and Parorthormeria alexis (all stick insects) and Coeliccia nigrohamata (damselfly). These pioneer data serve as baseline information for other research work in future. The endemic and interesting insect species recorded during the survey provide salient information to enhance the conservation of this forest which was recently being gazetted as a Class I Forest Reserve.

Insects are very diverse and are ecologically significant in the tropical rainforest ecosystems. Under the Heart of Borneo Initiative in Sabah, biodiversity documentation within selected forest reserves, including insects, has been one of the department's key priorities since the HoB Declaration in 2007. Insect diversity data and species documentation (endemic, rare and interesting species) procured from scientific expeditions will serve as baseline information to promote, support and enhance conservation efforts and sustainable forest management. The data procured are incorporated in formulation of forest management plans and high conservation value reports for forest certification. To date, more than 30 forest reserves in Sabah have been surveyed and insect fauna was documented. Besides insect diversity documentation, other conservation aspects and issues related to insects and forests were also studied, such as forest fragmentation, connectivity and corridor, forest fire, encroachment and land-use changes.

This insect diversity survey by the Sabah Forestry Department team was carried out from 16 th to 20 th of August, 2017 in Imbak Canyon-Batu Timbang area. Nocturnal insect diversity was assessed through light-trapping while diurnal insects were documented through fruit-baited traps, sweep nets and forceps. The mean Shannon Index for nocturnal insects was 3.76 while Simpson Index was 99 and Fisher Alpha Index was 167.30. The values for the diversity indices were affected by the presence of many wild honeybees, Apis dorsata and also the unexpectedly wet weather. Some Bornean endemic species were recorded, which include moths, beetles, dragonflies and a butterfly species. The Bornean endemic butterfly, Papilio acheron, is a rare species documented during the survey. Interesting and iconic species that were recorded are Malaysia national butterfly, Trogonoptera brookiana and the world's largest bush cricket, Macrolyristes imperator. The insect data provide salient information to enhance the conservation of the Batu Timbang forest. They will serve as baseline information for other insect research work in future. Poaching activities and other threats would indirectly affect the insect fauna. As such, continuous monitoring and enforcement at strategic locations are important to minimize the threats and adverse issues.

An insect survey was carried out from 12th to 14th of July, 2017 in Ulu Dusun Agricultural Forest Reserve. The forest was recently gazetted as a Virgin Jungle Reserve in 2014. Some Bornean endemic species and subspecies were recorded during the survey; one butterfly subspecies (Drupadia ravindra surindra), one beetle subspecies (Ixorida (Mecinonota) regia bicolor), one lantern bug species (Pyrops whiteheadi), and two stick insect species (Marmessoidea vinosa and Paradiacantha acanthocephala). This information provides input towards recommendations on high conservation value for this reserve. This reserve is particularly rich with stick insects, with quite a number spotted throughout the survey. The identification of one particular species, likely to be from the genus Sadyattes, is still being investigated by the expert. It is appropriate and timely having this joint management between Sabah Agriculture Department and Sabah Forestry Department to effectively manage the reserve. This scientific survey was also an activity requested from the committee formed for this joint management. The up-to-date information from the scientific survey, including those from insects, will be used to enhance the conservation and protection of this reserve. It is also crucial to inform the staff and villagers within the station on the importance of protecting the reserve and its biodiversity not only for them but also for many more generations to come.