Biodiversity

Our research into the biodiversity of Kalimantan’s tropical forests is second to none. Our studies have produced extensive data from a number of forest sites that cover most major animal groups (from birds and reptiles, to butterflies and ants), plus tree and non-tree flora.

In Sebangau National Park, our records date back to 1993 and represent the most complete species inventory available for the peat-swamp forests of Central Kalimantan; our surveys have often been the first of their kind ever conducted in an area.

Our biodiversity research has two primary goals:

To document and describe biodiversity in Borneo’s forests (assessment); and
To understand how and why forest biodiversity varies over space and time, in response to both natural events and, particularly, human activities (monitoring).

This is improving our understanding of the forest’s biodiversity value, how this might be translated into benefits for society and, crucially, how human activities affect these values and benefits. Such understanding is essential for effective conservation management, in which the impacts of both human threats (e.g. illegal logging) and conservation initiatives (e.g. forest patrols) must be evaluated to improve conservation outcomes.

Our research includes investigating the effects of canopy gaps on butterflies, a doctoral study of fish to support the development of traditional fish ponds as a sustainable livelihood, plus our preliminary surveys in the Mungku Baru area of the Rungan Landscape, which were important in initiating conservation efforts in the region.

Describing and understanding the biodiversity of Borneo’s rainforests

Our extensive data from a number of forest sites

species of mammals in LAHG and KHDTK

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species of birds in LAHG and KHDTK

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species of butterfly in LAHG and KHDTK

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species of reptiles and amphibians in LAHG and KHDTK

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In addition to understanding the impacts of human activities on particular plant and animal groups, this research helps us understand how these activities affect overall forest condition through identifying a suite of ecological disturbance indicators. Suitable indicator taxa including fruit-feeding butterflies, ants, birds and certain forest flora, such as lianas, show rapid and consistent responses to changes in habitat condition. They therefore serve as early-warning indicators of change that may impact upon flagship conservation species, such as the orangutan, which respond much more slowly to ecological change.

These concepts are explained in detail in our 2012 monitoring position paper. You can also check our publications and student projects pages for our latest findings; and contact us if you wish to discuss potential research collaborations or require expert advice.