Fascinating Malaysia Biodiversity - Research Motivation
Introduction
The story all starts from here, in east Malaysia Borneo island. In Chinese, there is an old quote saying that “天地有大美而不言” by the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, which means the universe and the mother earth have their natural beauty, but they won’t say any word to others. There is such a word in English: Extraordinary meaning beyond normal and surpassing ordinary. Also, in Bahasa Melayu, “Luarbiasa” contains the same meaning: luar means further away, and biasa means ordinary.
The first time I visited the tropical rainforest, I was amazed by the HUGE things there. For instance, anything is big here: trees, leaves, flowers, fruits, and creatures (like ants, orangutans, birds, and so on). My 5-day rainforest journey, organized by Society of Wilderness Malaysia, began from the 1st to 5th March 2023, and this also motivates me to engage more in nature conservation efforts.
Insights
There are many beautiful parts of the Malaysian rainforest. In this article, I am going to talk about three parts: “Tree Canopy,” “Creatures,” and “My Observation.”
Malaysia is well known for its rich biodiversity. Let’s be ready and dive into it together!
Tree Canopy
When it comes to rainforests, the lungs of the earth and the “broccoli” tree pop up in my mind.
Usually, the tree structure of a rainforest can be divided into emergents, canopy, under canopy, and shrub layers. Thus, most reserve areas set up a canopy walkway to make it easier for people to observe nature; as Figure 2 displays, the trunks of the trees are typically thin in the rainforest. Let me give a quick overview of the Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC) in Sepilok. Situated on the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve in Sandakan, RDC has been operating since 1996, focusing on environmental education. Today, it’s a 3-in-1 park catering to wildlife, bird, and plant enthusiasts, offering a glimpse of Borneo’s distinctive biodiversity for nature lovers and bird watchers.
There are some interesting points to note from Figure 3. Tropical canopies, reaching heights of up to over 50 meters (about 16-17 floors high), showcase their competitive nature in absorbing sunlight for rapid growth. This is reflected in their thin trunks, making them become giant umbrella-like forms. The canopy layer, constituting the second rainforest level, serves as a shield, intercepting light penetrating from the emergent layer above. Approximately 75-98% of light is absorbed here, effectively blocking it from reaching the lower layers.
Moreover, the canopy layer acts as a natural reservoir, capturing most rainfall, which limits the amount that reaches the plants in the lower strata. Therefore, life predominantly thrives in this layer, while vegetation below relies on the scant rainfall that trickles down from above.
For more study, please refer to Rainforest - A rainforest is an area of tall trees and a high amount of rainfall by National Geographic.
Unique Creatures
Biodiversity is undoubtedly amazing in Malaysia, which is also the most exciting part of this nature observation journey. In the following, I will show some pictures of signature creatures. As I was using binoculars as my second eye to enjoy the beauty of nature, it would be more engaging to look through from my point of view and describe how amazing it is in this beautiful heaven.
The Kinabatangan River (Malay: Sungai Kinabatangan) stands as Malaysian second-longest river, stretching across 560 kilometers from its origins in the southwest Sabah mountains to its convergence with the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan. This region is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, boasting a rich tapestry of natural wonders, including limestone caves nestled in Gomantong Hill, expansive dryland dipterocarp forests, lush riverine and freshwater swamp forests, picturesque oxbow lakes, and the brackish mangrove swamps hugging the coastal areas.
Note that images were taken through binoculars. Please bear with the quality. 😃
We spent two days on the Kinabatangan River to observe the unique creatures in Malaysia. The first two superstars, the orangutan and proboscis monkey, are well known worldwide and stand as symbols for Malaysia. I will showcase the pictures of these two creatures in the conservation area to compare each other.
Hornbills are known as Malaysia National Birds. There are 10 species of hornbills found in Malaysia, and they typically come together as a couple. The Borneo elephant is found on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. They are a type of Asian elephant, but smaller in size, about half the size of an Asian elephant. Borneo elephants inhabit tropical rainforests and swampy areas, feeding on leaves, grass, and fruits.
Sun bears, also called the ‘Malayan Sun bear,’ are the smallest member of the bear family with a long tongue and experience in climbing trees. They lumber through the forests by night, snacking on fruits, berries, roots, insects, small birds, lizards, and rodents.
From what I heard from Calvin Soh, the President of the Society of Wilderness Malaysia, we can find more than 20 species of kingfishers across Malaysia if we keep putting effort into observing nature.
By contrast, it is more exciting for me to observe the animals in the wild since we have to be focused and enjoy every moment when doing a safari. I noticed that wild animals, such as orangutans and proboscis monkeys, are more active and lively than those in the conversation area. Most importantly, wild animals grow bigger than animals in conserved regions.
To sum up, rich biodiversity is the only word that pops up in my mind, and many pictures are still stored on my device and memorized in my mind. Thus, rainforests and canopies play an essential role in their habitat. One of the purposes of writing this article is to raise awareness among the public and be informed of the beauty of nature.
My Observation
Deforestation in Borneo Island
After those lovely animals, let’s discuss some serious issues as I try to engage more in this topic. Unavoidably, when it comes to global warming, trees and forests often come to the discussion table.
There are some significant data to show.
In Malaysia, the primary forest and tree cover data showcases distinct perspectives on forest landscapes. The primary forest cover in 2001 stood at 10,611,815 hectares, whereas by 2020, it had declined to 8,708,737 hectares, indicating a significant loss of 1,903,078 hectares or approximately 17.9%. This reduction is a cause for concern, representing a considerable portion of Malaysia’s original forested areas.
Conversely, when assessing the broader tree cover across Malaysia, the figures reflect a similar trend but encompass a larger expanse. In 2001, the total tree cover was noted at 18,164,118 hectares, which then diminished to 15,243,971 hectares by 2020, revealing a loss of 4,403,860 hectares or around 24.2% over the period between 2002 and 2019.
The primary forest remains undisturbed, vital for biodiversity and ecosystem stability, while tree cover includes disturbed areas like logged or altered land. Deforestation due to agriculture, logging, and urbanization primarily affects primary forests. Yet, changes in tree cover may involve reforestation or secondary growth, offsetting some losses. Distinguishing between them is crucial: primary forest loss poses an immediate threat to ecosystems, needing targeted conservation. Meanwhile, broader tree cover changes encompass various land use shifts, demanding comprehensive forest management strategies. Both are vital for understanding forest dynamics and their impact on biodiversity and the environment.
Trees play an essential role in carbon storage
Now, after discussing the deforestation issue around Borneo Island, let’s dive into how important it is for trees to absorb carbon. I must say trees and the ocean are critically crucial for carbon stock regarding global warming. We will prove it in Figure 12 below.
From both images, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed mainly by land sinks, which are trees, grass, and earth, and then the ocean sink plays a secondary role in digesting CO2.
As we notice, plants and the ocean can use photosynthesis to recycle CO2. After photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is stored in the earth as fossil carbon in geological reservoirs.
However, during the ten years (2007-2016), human release of carbon dioxide was far more than land and ocean stores. Fossil fuels and industry contain most of it, three times more than trees store for carbon stock.
Overall, the importance of photosynthesis from trees allows the planet to recycle carbon dioxide and release oxygen back. In the tropical rainforest regions, the logging industry and industry development are the main issues to be solved.
After understanding the carbon recycle flow figure, let’s explain more about the components of the tree. This is also related to above-ground biomass density (AGBD), which refers to the weight of living things like trees and plants above the soil. It’s a measure of how much greenery exists in a specific area. AGB helps us understand the amount of carbon stored in forests, which is crucial for fighting climate change. Measuring AGB is like weighing the ‘green power’ of trees, showing how much they help keep our planet healthy.
As the pictures show, it’s obvious that half of the tree’s biomass is carbon, followed by oxygen, at around 44%. This is also said by Ralph Dubayah (NASA GEDI Mission Principal Investigator). The green power of trees contains carbon not only in the wood but also in their leaves, twigs, branches, roots, and so on.
Understanding the tree’s above-ground biomass density (AGBD) becomes essential—it measures the greenery’s weight, indicative of carbon storage critical for addressing climate change. Trees’ green power, containing roughly half of their biomass as carbon, underscores their immense contribution to our planet’s health and fight against climate change.
Satellite Imageries can help with this matter
Nowadays, as technology and computation power grow, it is possible to rely on big data processing to deal with in-time abundant satellite image data with high-resolution quality.
NASA’s GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation) mission is a groundbreaking initiative employing advanced laser technology aboard the International Space Station. GEDI precisely measures the height of Earth’s forests, providing accurate data on L2A canopy top height. This technology revolutionizes forest monitoring by offering detailed information on forest structure and biomass. Traditional methods for measuring canopy height and above-ground biomass density (AGBD) involved ground-based measurements or aerial surveys, which were time-consuming and less comprehensive.
GEDI’s innovative approach allows for global coverage, overcoming the limitations of ground-based techniques. By using lasers to measure canopy height, GEDI generates highly accurate 3D maps of forests, offering insights into their structure and carbon storage potential. This satellite-based method significantly enhances our understanding of forests’ carbon storage capacity and their role in mitigating climate change.
Comparing traditional methods to GEDI’s satellite approach, the latter provides a broader, more consistent, and cost-effective way to assess forests globally. It offers continuous monitoring, whereas ground-based methods often cover limited areas and can be labor-intensive. GEDI’s data allows scientists to track changes in canopy height and AGBD over time, enabling better forest management strategies crucial for preserving our planet’s health.
This is also an intriguing way for me to figure out a new way to measure carbon stock instead of human power needed and time-consuming. Exploring this innovative method to measure carbon stock is not just about replacing labor-intensive processes; it represents a leap forward in efficiency and accuracy. With GEDI’s precise data on canopy height and biomass, assessing carbon storage becomes streamlined, allowing for more comprehensive and timely monitoring. This shift from traditional methods to satellite-based technology is not only forward-thinking but also empowers us to better protect and sustain our planet’s invaluable forests.
Summary
Reflecting on my journey in Malaysia, it’s the blend of cultures and rich biodiversity that makes this country unique. With influences from East and West—Chinese, Islamic, Indian, and Western—the mix of traditions and natural beauty creates a diverse and fascinating landscape.
Exploring this diverse and nature-rich country has been an eye-opening experience. Nature acts as our best teacher, guiding and teaching us invaluable lessons through its vast biodiversity—towering rainforests and captivating wildlife.
The topic, “Fascinating Malaysia Biodiversity,” encourages us to eagerly anticipate and cherish each moment. It’s a reminder to value and protect the delicate balance of life on our planet, nurturing a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. In this connection, we find not just fascination but a deep sense of appreciation and responsibility toward our incredible natural world.