AS-HOPE report

Number: AS-23-MA06

Training for wildlife research in the Conservation Areas of Sabah,

Report: SAYOKO UEDA

Date: 2011/6/20 - 2011/7/1

 The vegetation of Imback Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) that I observed was typical tropical forests of multiple storied structures. I could observe various plants as follows; Belian (Eusideroxylon), strangler figs (Ficus), vines and epiphytic plants. Belian called "iron tree" has very hard stem but its growth is slow. On the other hands, no mammals appeared at daytime, so density of mammals seemed no greater than boreal forest.

 Although managers intend to protect this area, the management plan seemed unclear, yet. So, I thought researchers should contribute to the management plan by providing managers more information on plants and animals of this area. At present, tourists use trails that have been used for logging. I thought that new trails well managed for research and tourism should be established first.

 In the next place, Mariau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA), I was interested in the altitudinal change of the vegetation. There were at least three types of forests, i.e. the mixed dipterocarp forest of lowland, beech forest and kerangas forest in the highland. The kerangas forest consisted of the short-skinny trees including some kinds of palms and beefwoods (Casuarina). In the kerangas forest, we could see various orchids and pitcher plants (Nepenthes) that adapt to dry and oligotrophic environment.

 That skinny forest looked like the boreal forest, although species were different. The fauna of MBCA was richer than that of ICCA. I thought that it is because many types of forests of MBCA provide several habitats and foods for many kinds of animals. In addition, animals of MBCA were more protected from human activity than ICCA. I hope to understand relationship between forest type and animal activity in MBCA.

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