What We Can Say About Biodiversity

What We Can Say About Biodiversity 

(Extracted from www.pbiobd.blogspot.com)

By: PU 2A 2007

Haikal Hakim, Zulhusni, Farhan and others

(Maktab Sains PSBS '07) 

We define biodiversity as the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystem. 

The traditional three levels at which biodiversity has been identified: 

• genetic diversity - diversity of genes within a species. There is a genetic variability among the populations and the individuals of the same species. (See also population genetics.)  
• species diversity - diversity among species in an ecosystem. "Biodiversity hotspots" are excellent examples of species diversity.  
  
• ecosystem diversity - diversity at a higher level of organization, the ecosystem. To do with the variety of ecosystems on Earth.

      
 

Why does it play an important role to us, to the world? 

Forest Biodiversity 

In Brunei Darussalam, the tropical rainforest is occupied with flora and fauna unimaginable to mind. This beloved forest of ours that we intended to retain and conserve: holds the biodiversity itself that is the variation in animal and plant species. Our tropical rainforest can be sub-divided into 6 natural forest types. 

The natural forest types can be further categorized into subtypes (which we are going to explain later in the context), which follow closely to the geological patterns. It is interesting to say that though Brunei is a small country, it has successfully conserved all of the original natural forest types and subtypes, some of which occurring in other parts of Borneo might already been threatened. So much so, these forest entities become very significant and often rare representative of their own kinds in the world.

There are several contemporary key concerns or issues on Brunei forests which need to be addressed so that that the forests biodiversity be perpetuated and benefited. The issues include:

1. Forest Biodiversity Conversation
2. Forest Biodiversity Researh
3. National Forest Inventory (NFI)
4. Research and Development
5. Wise Use
6. Rehabilitation and Enrichment Planting
7. Forest Monitoring and Surveillance : The Need For Tighter Enforcement

      
 

 Table 1 Primary Forest Types found in Brunei Darussalam   

FORESTS TYPES	FOREST SUBTYPES	Area (hectares)	% total forest area	%total land area
1. Mangrove	Bakau, Nyireh Bunga, Linggadai, Nipah, Nipah-Dungun, Pedada, Nibong	18,481	3.9	3.2
2. Peat Swamp	Transitional Mangrove-Peatswamp, Ramin-Pulaie, Jongkong, Terentang, Alan, Alan Bunga, Padang Alan, Padang Mixed Forest, Padang Keruntum	90,884	19.4	15.6
3. Freshwater Swamp	Empran, Non- Arboel Alluvium, Sub-Arboel Alluvium	12,668	2.7	2.2
4. Kerangas	Belait-Pleisocene, Tulong, kapur Paya, Ru (Sempilau), Mountain Kerangas	3,455	0.7	0.6
5. Mixed Dipterocarp	Lowland Association, hill, Highland Mix	192,575	41.1	33.1
6. Montane	Mixed Lower Montane, Tulong Association, Shorea coriaceae, Oak Rhododentron Mix.	7,196	3.4	2.7

Some of the forest types present in Brunei Darussalam: 
Mangrrove

Merimbun Swamp

Kerangas Brunei

Mixed Dipterocarp

 

Biodiversity in Brunei Darussalam

      

A Case Study on Biodiversity

(Acknowledging researcher: Dr Zohrah Hj Sulaiman) 

Objective: To identify all the freshwater fish species present in the lake.

Location: Tasek Merimbun, Tutong District, Brunei Darussalam

Method: Fish sampling

*Keys: Tase(i)k – Lake, sungai - river       

      

Some Facts: 

Tasek Merimbun is the largest freshwater lake in Brunei Darussalam. It is connected to Sungai Tutong by Sungai Asan. The water in the lake is black because its tributary, Sungai Melunchor, flows through peat swamp forest and drains into the lake. During the drought season (El Nino in 1998), the other areas of the lake were dry except Sungai Melunchor.

Tasek Merimbun is inhabited by 43 species of freshwater fishes. The largest family is the Cyprinidae and it comprises of 16 species including the new Rasbora kottelati found in the tributary of the lake in 1992. The other 15 families of freshwater fishes in the lake are Anabantidae, Anguilidae, Belontiidae, Engraulidae, Luciocephalidae, Notopteridae, Bagridae, Channidae, Nandindae, Siluridae, Balitoridae, Helostomatidae, Clariidae, Mastacembelidae and Synbranchidae. Tasek Merimbun is declared as ASEAN Heritage Park in 1984. Fishing activities in the lake had been discouraged in the past. The objectives of this Park are: to function as a wildlife sanctuary, a recreational center, floral and faunal conservation site, and in promoting research and education. 

Map of Brunei Darussalam and its neighbouring states 

Map of the Borneo Island

In general, biodiversity of freshwater fishes of Brunei Darussalam is not as rich as its neighbouring Sarawak (East Malaysia), Sabah (East Malaysia), and Kalimantan (part of Indonesia). The two main reasons are as follows:

1. Brunei does not have many inland waters
2. It is very likely that a number of freshwater fishes have not been fully discovered especially in inaccessible area or area which has not yet been exploited.

       

Some of the fish species found in Tasek Merimbun 

Anguillidae 

Bracki4-Anabantidae

Clariidae 

Cobitidae 

Eel-Synbranchidae 

Engraulidae 

Rasbora Kalochroma 
 

Rasbora Kottelati 

Siluridae (Silurus Glanis)

Aquatic life Biodiversity 

The most recent programs emphasized by our government is conserving and managing the biodiversities of our freshwater fishes and marine turtles, which will decline if not properly taken care of. These increases, not only the environmentalists’ awareness, but the public as well.  

THE ROLES OF THE PUBLIC

Anybody can become turtle volunteers. But they have to be physically fit as they have to walk a distance during turtle nesting season to patrol the beach. For those under the age of eighteen, parental consent to become members is required. As volunteers, they will be assisting staff in the department to monitor beach at night for turtles nesting.

 

Realising the plight of the turtles locally, regionally and internationally, the National on Turtle Management and Conservation has adopted a slogan to meet the objectives of the Committee. The slogan is called:

‘SAYANGI PENYU KITANI ’

This slogan encompasses the feelings to ensure the giants of the sea, the turtles, will not disappear from the face of the earth. When translated, it means that everybody should protect, care and love turtles through our actions.  
 

Threats to biodiversity 

 

During the last century, erosion of biodiversity has been increasingly observed. Some studies show that about one of eight known plant species is threatened with extinction. Some estimates put the loss at up to 140,000 species per year (based on Species-area theory) and subject to discussion. This figure indicates unsustainable ecological practices, because only a small number of species come into being each year. Almost all scientists acknowledge that the rate of species loss is greater now than at any time in human history, with extinctions occurring at rates hundreds of times higher than background extinction rates. 
 

1) Destruction of habitats

2) Exotic species 

 

Benefits of biodiversity 

      General ideas of why we should maintain biodiversity  
 

There are a multitude of benefits of biodiversity in the sense of one diverse group aiding another such as: 

Resistance to Catastrophe 
Monoculture, the lack of biodiversity, was a contributing factor to several agricultural disasters in history, including the Irish Potato Famine, the European wine industry collapse in the late 1800s, and the US Southern Corn Leaf Blight epidemic of 1970.  

Food and drink 
Biodiversity provides food for humans. About 80 percent of our food supply comes from just 20 kinds of plants. Although many kinds of animals are utilized as food, again most consumption is focused on a few species. 
There is vast untapped potential for increasing the range of food products suitable for human consumption, provided that the high present extinction rate can be halted. 

Medicines 

A significant proportion of drugs are derived, directly or indirectly, from biological sources; in most cases these medicines can not presently be synthesized in a laboratory setting. Moreover, only a small proportion of the total diversity of plants has been thoroughly investigated for potential sources of new drugs. Many medicines and antibiotics are also derived from microorganisms. 

Industrial materials 

A wide range of industrial materials are derived directly from biological resources. These include building materials, fibers, dyes, resins, gums, adhesives, rubber and oil. There is enormous potential for further research into sustainably utilizing materials from a wider diversity of organisms. 

Other ecological services 
Biodiversity provides many ecosystem services that are often not readily visible. It plays a part in regulating the chemistry of our atmosphere and water supply. Biodiversity is directly involved in recycling nutrients and providing fertile soils. Experiments with controlled environments have shown that humans cannot easily build ecosystems to support human needs; for example insect pollination cannot be mimicked by man-made construction, and that activity alone represents tens of billions of dollars in ecosystem services per annum to mankind. 

Leisure, cultural and aesthetic value 

Many people derive value from biodiversity through leisure activities such as enjoying a walk in the countryside, birdwatching or natural history programs on television. 

Biodiversity has inspired musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and other artists. Many cultural groups view themselves as an integral part of the natural world and show respect for other living organisms.