June 2010 FRIM in Focus FRIMin FOCUS · pertandingan melukis dan mewarna untuk kanak-kanak sekolah...

A Quarterly of theForest Research Institute Malaysia

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Climate Change and FRIMHIGHLIGHTS OF THE ISSUE

1. WE’RE DOING OUR PART. WHAT ABOUT YOU? DR CHRISTINE FLETCHER

2. REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL WARMING

DR ABDUL RAHIM NIK

3. ELIGIBILITY OF LAND FOR A/R CDM IN MALAYSIA ARIFF FAHMI ABU BAKAR

4. GAS EXCHANGE AND CLIMATE CHANGE YOSHIKO KOSUGI, SATORU TAKANASHI, MAKOTO TANI, DR ABDUL RAHIM NIK

JUNE 2010ISSN 1394-5467

FRIM in FocusA Quarterly of the FoReSt ReSeaRCh INStItute MalaySIa


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Sambutan Jubli PerakFRIM tahun

EditorialBoard

AdvisorsDato’ Dr Abdul Latif MohmodDato’ Dr Abdul Rashid Ab Malik

FRIM in Focus (FIF) is distributed free of charge upon request. We welcome feedback on any of the FIF articles. Address comments and enquiries to:

The Editor & Writer of FRIM In FocusForest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)52109 Kepong, Selangor DE, Malaysia

Telephone : 603-6279 7501 | Facsimile : 603-6273 1076E-mail : [email protected] | Website : www.frim.gov.myDesign & Printing : DeezStudio

Technical EditorNorhara Hussein

Editor & WriterIda Suraini Abd Shukor

KAKI PANCING BERKUMPUL DI FRIM

Seramai 400 orang telah menyertai pertandingan memancing sempena sambutan 25 tahun Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) yang diadakan pada 2 Mei 2010 di Taman Botani Kepong. Pemenang tempat pertama pertandingan tersebut telah menerima cek berjumlah RM5000 untuk hasil tangkapan ikan kaloi seberat 3.9 kg, tempat kedua menerima RM3000 untuk ikan kap seberat 2.04 kg, dan ketiga menerima RM1000 untuk ikan keli seberat 1.83 kg.

1. Warga emas serta anak-anak yatim yang turut mengambil bahagian2. Lawatan berpandu untuk warga emas3. Persembahan oleh the Tree Theatre Group4. Mencari harta karun

Sambutan tahun ini yang bertemakan “1 Alam, 1 Suara, 1 Malaysia” telah berjaya menarik lebih daripada 200 orang peserta yang mengambil bahagian dalam pelbagai acara termasuk mencari harta karun untuk para pelajar sekolah menengah dan universiti; pertandingan melukis dan mewarna untuk kanak-kanak sekolah rendah dan tadika; dan lawatan berpandu untuk warga emas.

1 ALAM, 1 SUARA, 1 MALAYSIA

Sambutan Hari Perhutanan Sedunia di FRIM, Kepong pada 21 Mac 2010 telah dianjurkan dengan kerjasama FRIM, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) dan Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) yang telah bergabung dalam kumpulan bergelar Grass Hoppers.

Maklumat : Unit Pengurusan KorporatGambar : Yusni Idris

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We’re doing our part. What about you?

Hurricanes, violent storms, melting icebergs, long droughts in the east and hammering rains in the west, disappearing rivers and drowning polar bears–it is easy to blame them on climate change. Probably, even the reason why one comes late to work can be put on climate change for example, picture an all night rain, collapsed slopes by the roadside and overflowing drains from excessive water input which eventually blocked all means of transportation.

What is happening to the world today? Is this our doing or is it just the natural cycle of life? What can we do for the Earth to be in a better shape for the future generations? Is there anything that we can do? Have you been asking yourself any of these questions lately?

While world community leaders sort out who is to pay for our salvation, scientists are working hard to understand these changes, how to cure and to adapt. Researchers at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), one of the research and technical arms of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on forestry and climate change related issues are sourcing for funds to enable researches towards offering solutions to this global problem.

During the 25 years of FRIM research and development, at least 20 climate change related research projects have been successfully executed. Areas of research include forest structure and dynamics, biomass estimation covering terrestrial, mangrove and peatswamp ecosystems, micro-climatic processes and net sequestration activities of forest tree species. Findings, though seemingly fundamental, provide FRIM with a sound scientific foundation to deduce useful feedback.

To ensure that FRIM has a good footing in channelling these findings into better management decisions, FRIM has memberships in various climate change related technical committees and groups in all levels. Among them is the National Steering Committee on Climate Change, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Forestry Technical Committee, and ASEAN Knowledge Network on Forests and Climate Change (ARKN-FCC). Also included in the list is the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) Thematic Programme on Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and Enhancing Environmental Services (REDDES) in Tropical Forests, just to name a few.

Climate change is an evolving issue which requires constant capacity building for FRIM and also stakeholders in the scientific, economic and political community. To facilitate this activity, FRIM researchers have attended at least 35 seminars, conferences, meetings and workshops between 2005 and 2009. The knowledge and experiences acquired were shared with members of the public and interested stakeholders through hosting various similar events back home.

At the end of the day, one does not need to be a rocket scientist or a world leader to make a difference. When the good conscience and act of selflessness are ingrained in the minds of everyone who has reaped goodness from Mother Earth, then perhaps, human will overcome their reservations and finally learn to give back.

Find out more in “ The Role of FRIM in Addressing Climate Change Issues “

Editors: AM Abdul Rashid, I Shamsudin, T Ismail & SC Fletcher

Focus article

Dr Christine [email protected]


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Reduce Greenhouse Gas to Curb Global Warming

Human activities are releasing into theatmosphere, huge amounts of six different types of gases collectively known as the greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat and raise the temperatures of the air, the ocean and the surface of the Earth. Increase in the greenhouse gas (or GHG) emission in the atmosphere enhances the greenhouse effect and thus, global warming. The biggest global warming culprit is carbon dioxide which accounted 75% of the global GHG emission, mainly contributed by the burning of coal for heat and electricity; fossil fuel such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel for transportation; as also coal, oil and natural gas for industrial activities. The remaining 20–25% of the GHG emission is released from land use change and deforestation activities.

As a result, there had been an underlying increase in the average temperature over the past century. The ten hottest years have all been recorded since 1997. Lately, we have been witnessing more frequent and intense catastrophic events such as heat waves, floods, storms, wildfires and drought.

According to the latest report of the Global Carbon Project, the global carbon dioxide concentrations have reached another new level of 385 parts per million (ppm) in 2008. If emissions continue to increase at the present rate, carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is likely to reach twice the pre-industrial levels by 2050. From 1906 to 2005, the global temperature has increased by 0.740C while the International Panel on Climate Change

(IPCC) predicted an additional rise of 1.8 to 4.00C within this century. Unless we limit the emission, global temperature could rise as much as 70C above the pre-industrial level by the next century. If that happens, many of the world’s greatest ecosystems such as the coral reef, the cloud forests and the rainforests will be on an irreversible decline. Even if the global temperatures rise by 20C, it is enough to drive up to 30% of the species towards extinction. We can also expect to experience serious effects on the environment, the food and water supplies, and our health.

GHG emissions of countries all over the world vary greatly depending on the level of socio-economic and industrial development activities. Among the top emitters in 2007 are China, the United

Focus article

Dr Abdul Rahim [email protected]

The montane forest and the rainforest are among the world’s greatest ecosystem sites



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States, EU-27, Russia and India. China alone generates nearly 15 times more carbon dioxide than Mexico. However, due to high population, China’s emission per capita is much lower than USA or Russia. Generally, developed and wealthy countries tend to emit more carbon dioxide per person than developing countries.

In the light of the 4th IPCC Report 2007 and the recent scientific findings, it is critical to establish the overall level of emission reductions, both in the short

term and over the long run. Countries are still negotiating to an agreement through the United Nations. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), endorsed by 192 national governments, has agreed to stabilise the GHG concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference on the climate system.

While earlier IPCC estimates suggested the stabilisation of GHG to 450 ppm carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq), current scientific models indicate 350 ppm CO2 eq is required to avoid dangerous climatic disruption and ocean acidification.

The Kyoto Protocol requires industrialised, or Annex 1 countries to cut their overall emissions to 5.2% below 1990 levels in the first commitment

period (2008–2012). All UNFCCC parties however, are required to submit the data and formulate mitigation and adaptation measures, under the Article 4(1). Malaysia as a non-Annex 1 party has no commitment to reduce emission under the international climate regime comprising the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, but is willing to contribute to the global efforts on climate change.

Accordingly, the Prime Minister of Malaysia during the Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen announced an indicator of a voluntary

reduction which amounted to 40% of emission intensity of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020 compared to the 2005 level. The effort is also conditional on receiving the transfer of technology and adequate financing from the Annex 1 Parties, in line with the spirit and aspiration of the Convention.

Carbon intensity–the indicator used to measure voluntary emission reduction–is actually the total emission per unit of GDP. The indicator was adopted as it allows emission to grow in tandem with the economic growth, which is crucial for the developing nations. Essentially, 40% reduction of carbon intensity is equivalent to about 10% reduction of GHG emission from business-as-usual. In an absolute term, Malaysia has to reduce about 40 million tons from the projected total of 376 million tons of GHG emission by the year 2020.

To achieve the 40% reduction of carbon intensity, three mitigation options have been identified comprising renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency (EE) and solid waste management (SWM). The three areas are projected to contribute 45 million tons of GHG reduction by 2020, provided effective and efficient mitigation measures are implemented.

Nevertheless, the above scenarios have not factored in the important role of forests as carbon sink. If Malaysia can maintain its current level of forest cover, an additional 250 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent could be sequestered yearly.

Everyone on this Earth, be it the government, the private sector or the public citizen has an obligation to overcome the climate change issue. While solution to the global warming is easy to describe, it is more difficult to be put into practice. Emission of GHG must be reduced dramatically! As fast as the GHGs are being released into the atmosphere, we too must accelerate their removal and absorption, as sure as the often cited aphorism saying, “What goes up must come down”.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia delivering the speech and announcing emission reduction indicator at the UN Climate Change Conference Copenhagen, 17 Dec 2009[

Focus article

Serious effects on water supplies are brought about by climate change

Increase in global temperature will drive 20–30% species towards extinction


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Fast InFo

UnItED natIons FRaMEWoRK ConVEntIon on CLIMatE CHanGE (UnFCCC)

• an international agreement • to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations

in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system

• adopted in 1992• supports the Kyoto Protocol• signed by Malaysia in June 1993 and

ratified in July 1994• the terms Annex 1 and non-Annex 1

countries refer to the industrialised countries and non-industrialised countries, respectively

Kyoto PRotoCoL

• an agreement between the Annex 1 and non-Annex 1 countries

• adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan• sets binding emission targets for Annex 1

countries • to stabilise the greenhouse gas emission

at 5.2% below 1990 levels• the first commitment period for Annex 1

countries for meeting emission reduction targets is 2008–2012

• signed by Malaysia in March 1999 and later ratified on September 2002

Eligibility of Land for A/R CDM in Malaysia

Focus article

Ariff Fahmi Abu Bakar [email protected]

Afforestation of land, from bare to forest, is one of the activities under A/R CDM



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The Kyoto Protocol creates several flexible mechanisms known as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Joint Implementation (JI) and the International Emission Trading (IET). These mechanisms allow Annex 1 countries to finance emission reduction projects such as CDM in developing countries, and JI in other developed countries. The carbon credits gained will help project investors meet their greenhouse gas reduction targets.

One of the activities listed under CDM is afforestation and reforestation (A/R). Afforestation is the human conversion of bare land to forest for a period of at least 50 years, while reforestation is the conversion of land that was once forested into a forest before 31 December 1989 for the first commitment period. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon as tree biomass. This is a natural process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon mitigation through the establishment of forests supports the UNFCCC efforts in the fight against global warming.

As of printing time, there are 2201 CDM projects registered worldwide while only 14 are A/R CDM projects. Out of the 81 CDM projects registered in Malaysia, 26 are categorised as energy projects comprising one from energy demand, four from manufacturing industries, and 67 from waste handling and disposal. Another nine projects are from the

agriculture sector (a particular project activity may fall into more than one project scope).

Presently, there are no registered A/R CDM projects hosted by Malaysia. Therefore, demonstrating the eligibility of land areas is one of the most crucial and challenging part in qualifying for the project. An assessment of potential land areas was conducted for Peninsular Malaysia using digitised land use maps for 1990 and 2006. Results revealed that only 423,956 hectares of land area meets the required criteria.

However, ground verification conducted on four selected states namely Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor discovered that almost half of these potential areas have already been converted into other land uses leaving a fraction of less than 3% of total land area of Peninsular Malaysia as potential areas. It is obvious that there are other financially attractive land uses in Malaysia hence, limiting the eligibility of non-forested land for these projects. Probably that is why A/R is less attractive compared to other CDM project sectors in Malaysia such as the energy and the agriculture sectors.

It is undeniable that other complex technical issues such as permanence, additionality and leakage were reasons that prevented the private sector particularly, from participating.

Nevertheless, since 2006, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Forestry CDM Secretariat is trying to increase awareness among stakeholders by organising annual seminars or workshops for the public. While at the international arena, there are efforts to simplify the technical requirements and eligibility issues, continuous support from the Malaysian government is also needed to assist interested parties for example, by introducing more incentives.

Some potential areas for A/R CDM projects, grassland (left), ex-tin mine land (right)

Distribution of potential land areas for A/R CDM projects in Peninsular Malaysia (top)[

Focus article


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Sambutan Jubli Perak FRIM tahun

MeRIah! FUTSAL WANITA JEMPUTAN FRIM Nadiah Salmi Nadzri

Kejohanan Futsal Wanita Jemputan FRIM 2010 yang buat julung-julung kalinya dianjurkan di Gelanggang Amanah FRIM telah menyaksikan pasukan tuan rumah merangkul naib juara manakala johan milik pasukan Universiti Malaya. Pasukan FRIM sebelum ini adalah juara bertahan Futsal Wanita Sukan NRE dan mendapat tempat ketiga dalam Kejohanan Futsal Wanita MAKSWIP 2009. Tempat ketiga dan keempatnya pula masing-masing dimenangi oleh Lembaga Minyak Sawit Malaysia dan Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar.

Sepuluh pasukan yang terdiri daripada agensi-agensi kerajaan dari sekitar Selayang, Gombak, Sg Buloh dan Bangi telah memberikan saingan sengit terutamanya mereka yang berpengalaman beraksi di peringkat kebangsaan dan liga tempatan. Selain empat tempat teratas, hadiah turut diberikan kepada penjaring terbanyak, pemain terbaik dan pasukan dengan jaringan terbanyak.

1. Aksi pasukan futsal wanita FRIM (jersi biru) menentang lawan mereka

2. Jawatankuasa penganjur dan pasukan futsal wanita FRIM bersama penaung mereka

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Sambutan Jubli Perak FRIM tahunPELANCARAN BUKU FLORA OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Majlis pelancaran buku Flora of Peninsular Malaysia (FPM) telah dirasmikan oleh Pengerusi Lembaga Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Perhutanan Malaysia, Datuk Suboh Mohd Yassin di Auditorium FRIM, Kepong pada 30 Mac 2010. Sempena pelancaran buku tersebut yang memaparkan semakan terhadap sembilan famili, 21 genera and 100 spesies paku-pakis dan likofit di Semenanjung Malaysia, seminar “Flora of Malaysia” juga turut diadakan.

GALERI PENYELIDIKAN FRIM BERWAJAh BARU

Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar, Dato Sri Uggah Embas telah merasmikan pembukaan Galeri Penyelidikan FRIM di FRIM, Kepong pada 25 Mac 2010. Galeri ini mempamerkan lebih daripada 60 sampel, model, produk serta prototaip yang dihasilkan melalui aktiviti-aktiviti penyelidikan dan pembangunan FRIM. Bahan-bahan pamerannya termasuk sampel produk herba yang telah dikomersialkan, anak-anak pokok yang dihasilkan melalui teknik kultur tisu, biji benih pokok Dipterokarpa dan bukan Dipterokarpa dan koleksi serangga yang unik. Turut dipamerkan adalah 40 buku hasil cetakan FRIM yang terpilih serta yang paling laris dijual, 160 poster penyelidikan dan 50 sijil-sijil anugerah yang diterima oleh FRIM.

SUKAN RAKYAT FRIM 2010

1. Upacara pelancaran buku FPM

2. Para editor buku FPM bersama Ketua Pengarah FRIM (tengah)

3. Seminar yang diadakan sempena pelancaran buku FPM

1. Aksi pemain bola jaring (wanita) yang memakai jersi kaftan pelbagai corak

2. Pemain bola jaring (lelaki) pula memakai jersi kain pelikat pelbagai warna

1. Aksi kumpulan Hey Ladies ketika pertandingan poco-poco peringkat FRIM pada 23 April 2010

2. Kumpulan PESENI FRIM juga turut mengambil bahagian

Sekitar perasmian Galeri Penyelidikan FRIM oleh Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar (bertali leher biru) yang disaksikan antara lainnya oleh Ketua Pengarah FRIM (berbaju hijau)

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JOM POCO-POCO

Maklumat : Unit Pengurusan KorporatGambar : Yusni Idris

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When there is an abnormally high concentration of carbon dioxide and other gasses in the atmosphere, heat is trapped and causes the Earth to warm, hence global warming sets in. Unknowingly, carbon dioxide exchanges occur naturally on a daily basis between organisms and the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is absorbed during photosynthesis and released during respiration and decomposition processes during the natural life cycle of trees. If a tree could absorb more carbon dioxide than it releases, it would then make tropical forests an important tool to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. Thus, it is this understanding of gas exchange rates and the factors controlling it which will allow us to better understand how to mitigate climate change.

Using a method called Eddy Covariance (EC) flux measurements, net ecosystem exchange (NEE) or changes of carbon dioxide can be measured. This will give us an idea of the roles different

organisms may have in affecting climate change. There are relatively few such measurements conducted in tropical rainforests compared to other vegetation types.

Studies conducted in the Amazonian tropical forests which experience distinct dry and wet seasons, led us to conduct similar studies in the Pasoh Forest Reserve, a tropical forest in the Peninsular Malaysia. While the Pasoh forest is also a tropical forest, unlike the Amazonian forests, it does not experience drastic seasonal changes. As rainfall will affect the respiration and photosynthesis rates of trees, it would then be interesting to make comparisons between these two sites to determine if rainfall is an important factor in affecting the carbon dioxide changes in these forests.

We have been monitoring micro-climate changes, temperature and carbon dioxide exchanges in Pasoh Forest Reserve since 2002. Analysing the data

over a span of six years using the Eddy Covariance, we observed that the NEE in Pasoh Forest Reserve is very stable unlike the obvious fluctuations in the Amazonian forests. This brought us to conclude that rainfall pattern is indeed an important environmental factor that determines the gas exchange in tropical forests. Other environmental factors such as radiation, air temperature and vapour pressure deficit, which are also related to rainfall patterns should also be evaluated in future studies.

Gas Exchange and Climate Change

Focus article

Yoshiko Kosugi | [email protected] Takanashi, Makoto Tani, Dr Abdul Rahim Nik

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1. Carbon dioxide is absorbed during canopy photosynthesis

2. Carbon dioxide is released during respiration of the ecosystem mainly from plants, and soil decomposition

3. The aluminium walkway in Pasoh facilitates monitoring of climate changes

4. The instrument used to monitor microclimate changes in Pasoh forest



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Designing with Bakau Timber

Modular verandah furniture from bakau timber (FRIM ID 10/10)

The shortage of quality timber for manufacturing wood-based products, especially furniture is a pressing issue. The global demand for eco-labelled products, or products made of timber from sustainably managed forests is still rising. The National Timber Industry Policy (NATIP) 2009–2020 which was launched on 17 February 2009 has put forward various measures to counter this problem, such as enhancing the R&D activities towards the development of new clones and identification of more suitable species for timber products.

In response, a group of FRIM scientists comprising the writers was formed to study the ability of mangrove or bakau timber (Rhizophora spp) to be designed into the eco-labelled timber products. The study was part of the activities in the “Planting of Mangroves and Other Suitable Species on the Shorelines of the Country 2006-2010” project which also encouraged exploration of bakau timber as furniture and other wood-based products. Malaysia has a world-renowned sustainably managed mangrove forest, which is the Matang

Mangrove Forest Reserve, or Matang Mangroves. The 40,000 ha of forest has been sustainably supplying bakau timber (R. mucronata and R. apiculata) for charcoal-making and piling poles. This eco-friendly timber source should be utilised by other timber product industries too.

The inherent properties of bakau timber has to be ascertained before conducting designing activities. Bakau is a heavy hardwood grouped together with high value timber species such as chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii), balau (Shorea spp) and merbau (Intsia palembanica). However, the density of bakau is higher, which means a heavier bakau product compared to that of chengal, with similar amount of timber utilised. Bakau has another drawback feature which is it cracks when dried. For the study, R. apiculata or bakau minyak timber was dried to 16% moisture content and had cracks along the grain.

It was therefore decided that bakau timber would be suitable for chairs, benches, tables and planter boxes for

verandah and shaded garden areas. Garden environment which is normally more humid than indoors will lessen the occurrence of more cracks in the bakau product. To avoid making extremely heavy products, the amount of bakau timber used had to be minimised. The modular concept was incorporated into the design (originally based on the Puteri Dua Design by TieZek Industries) which enabled several one-seater chairs to be arranged into two-seater or three-seater benches.

The cracks in the products portrayed a rustic look which is a concept that allows cracks and other natural appearances of timber such as irregular shapes, rough edges and natural holes to further enhance the overall look of the product. The ’bakau forest’ motive was also added to complement the product appearance. Perhaps, the outcome of this effort will translate into the establishment of a new niche market for verandah products from bakau timber, in addition to the existing bakau charcoal-making and piling poles industries.

POINTS to PONDERA bakau chair generates an income of RM6.25 per kg of bakau log as compared to 26 sen generated by charcoal-making.

• Is this possible? Let’s make a simple calculation, Assuming 50% material recovery, 1 kg of bakau log could produce 0.5 kg of a garden product. Thus, every 1 kg of product would require 2 kg of bakau logs.

• To produce a chair weighing 28 kg, 56 kg of bakau logs are needed. If the chair is sold ex-factory at a price of RM350, 56 kg of bakau logs generate RM350 worth of product, which is RM6.25 per kg generated.

• On the other hand, in the charcoal-making business 40 tonnes of bakau logs are required to produce 10.5 tonnes of charcoal. Therefore 1 kg of bakau logs could only produce 0.263 kg of charcoal.

• Bakau charcoal is sold ex-factory up to RM1.00 per kg, which is 26 sen per kg generated.

Note • Ex-factory price is inclusive of material

and labour costs. The ex-factory price of a similar chair from chengal is RM550

• Price of charcoal was obtained from “Matang mangroves: a century of sustainable management”. Timber Malaysia Vol 15 No 3 May–June 2009 published by Malaysian Timber Council

Nik Adlin Nik Mohamed Sukri | [email protected] Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin, Khairul Masseat

Air-dried bakau minyak logs Verandah products

‘Bakau forest’ motive


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Chain-of-Custody Certification in MalaysiaTropical forest is associated with high biological diversity and is one of our most prized inheritances. Since deforestation is an activity that threatens this priceless and invaluable asset, one of the measures used for curbing is the introduction of environmental certification. Certification is a non-mandatory, self-voluntary initiative. At present, it is the best tool used to promote good forest management for various purposes including slowing down deforestation, alleviating poverty, protecting watershed areas and water-quality, preserving nature, sustaining the supply of forest resources, and enhancing the economy. Presently, there are two international organisations focusing on certification, namely the Program for Endorsement for Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC, established in year 1999) is involved in the Certification since year 2001. Since 1 July 2008, MTCC has played the role of the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) which governs the issuance of the Forest Management Certification (FMC) and the Chain-of-Custody Certification (CoC). To date there are 148 out of 4830 wood-based industries comprising sawmills, plywood or veneer mills, moulding plants, furniture mills and trading companies related to wood products that have obtained the CoC certification.

The processes involved in the chain-of-custody timber certification include forest monitoring, timber tracing and wooden product labelling. A certified wooden product ensures consumers that the product comes from a certified sustainably managed forest. It can also be a tool for the government and the wood-based industries to overcome the boycotting of national timber products by the international green market such as Europe and United States. In other words, timber certification can be used as a marketing tool for enhancing international market share by the Malaysian wood-based industries. Procedures in the chain-of-custody certification enable tracking of the sources and processes involved in manufacturing of the certified timber. To be precise, CoC is a system that allows consumer to track back the exact tree that has been transformed into the final product starting from the distributor or the warehouse, to the manufacturer,

to the primary and secondary processor and finally to the certified sustainably managed forest. The wood that followed this procedure will qualify for the certified forest product logo and the PEFC logo. The wood product that has been sold carrying the PEFC logo is therefore accepted as the certified product.

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) through the Accreditation and Forest Certification Programme offers services to the wood-based industries such as providing consultation on the CoC certification, CoC factory design system, CoC standard operation procedure manual and internal audit (pre-audit) for the CoC system.

Each processing facility along the chain from forest to sawmiller, manufacturer, product, traders and importers must obtain a CoC certificate

CERTIFIED FOREST SAWMILL

MANUFACTURER

TRADER

PRODUCT

CONSUMER

Azharizan Mohd Norizan | [email protected] Mohti & Tariq Mubarak Hussein



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Members of the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) Management Committee met from 25 to 26 March 2010 at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong. This Committee meets twice annually to discuss issues related to the management and operations of the Union. Members of the current committee who hold office until August 2010 are Prof Don Koo Lee of Seoul National University (President), Prof John Innes, University of British Colombia (Vice-President Policy), Prof Niels Elers Koch, University of Copenhagen (Vice-President Science), Prof Risto Seppäla, Finnish Forest Research Institute (METLA) (Immediate Past President), Prof Michael Wingfield, University of Pretoria (Division 7 Coordinator), Dr Lee Su See, FRIM (General Board

Member), Dr John Parrotta, US Forest Service (Congress Scientific Committee Chair), Dr Jung-Hwan Park, Korea Forest Research Institute (Congress Organising Committee Chair), Dr Peter Mayer (Executive Director), and Mr Alexander Buck (Deputy Executive Director). IUFRO unites over 700 member forest organisations representing over 15,000 forest and forestry-related scientists. FRIM became a member of IUFRO in 1978 while its first Director General, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Salleh Mohd Noor was President of IUFRO from 1990 to 1995.

tHE IUFRo ManaGEMEnt CoMMIttEE WItH tHE FRIM DIRECtoR GEnERaL

Seated left to right: Prof Niels Elers Koch, Prof Don Koo Lee, Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod, Dr Peter Mayer

Standing left to right: Dr Lee Su See, Dr Jung-Hwan Park, Mr Alexander Buck, Prof Risto Seppäla, Prof Michael Wingfield, Dr John Parrotta, Marylin Sabalvaro

IUFRO Management Committee Meeting Dr Lee Su See


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The staff of the Forest Biodiversity Division spent an exciting and meaningful morning on 23 April 2010 planting trees around their office compound. The effort was to green and beautify the compound of the Herbarium building in time for its launch in July 2010 and also to mark the World Earth Day on 22 April.

A day before the event, the Kepong Botanic Garden (KBG) team assisted the activity by supplying tree saplings, marking and digging planting holes in the compound. The morning began with a short briefing and demonstration by Markandan Moorthy, a certified

arborist from KBG, on the proper planting techniques. Adnan Mohammad from the KBG, and Ahmad Azaruddin Mohd Noor and his team from the Urban Forestry Unit also helped to oversee and coordinate the event.

Joining hands with teams from the KBG and the Urban Forestry Unit, the participants excitedly grabbed and armed themselves with whatever cangkul or spades available and started to plant the saplings. Compost and fertiliser were sprinkled on the soil, and leaf litter were gathered around the newly-planted saplings.

Altogether, 57 saplings were planted during the event including 27 species of fruit trees, timber species and trees with attractive flowers or foliage. Also included were rare and interesting plants such as Durio graveolens (Bombacaceae), Sterculia megistophylla (Sterculiaceae), and a new Dehaasia species (Lauraceae) which bears unusually big fruits for the family.

The tree-planting programme was a success. It also instilled a sense of care and belonging to the trees because the participants have planted the tree themselves.

Tree-planting at the Kepong herbarium Building

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4 5

3

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1. The staff involved in the tree-planting programme2. Dr Saw Leng Guan, the Director of Forest Biodiversity Division officiated the event by planting

a Hopea glaucescens sapling3. The sapling of Durio graveolens, grown from fruits brought by Avelinah Julius (left) from her

village in Sabah. The species is found only in Brunei and Sabah4. Diospyros brandisiana, a new record for Peninsular Malaysia was also planted (photo: Chan YC)5. The saplings had a finishing touch of generous, refreshing shower6. Everyone had a chance to plant his or her own tree7. The bright red-orange flowers of Firmiana malayana (mata lembu) will add colour to the

monotonous green landscape8. The sweet, red-orange flesh of Durio graveolens (Photo: Lim CL)9. Fruits of Sterculia megistophylla up to 22 cm in diameter (photo: Saw LG)

Chan Yoke Mui | [email protected]& Sam Yen Yen

Greening the Earth



FRIM

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June 2010

A Malayan horned Frog StoryIs it a Myth?Have you seen a frog sporting a pair of horns? Probably the answer is no. Apparently, there is a frog which has horns. This queer-looking frog is named the Malayan horned frog, horned toad or Megophrys nasuta. This species falls under the family Megophryidae, or also known as the South Asian Frog. The rather stocky-built frog is readily distinguished by its wide, triangular and pointed horns which are actually projections of the skin of its eyelids.

The snout-vent length for this amphibian could reach up to 120 mm. Because of its large head and wide mouth, the frog can consume a large snail, as big as a baseball in a single gulp. This cold-blooded amphibian also includes centipede and even scorpion into its diet.

For a frog, this species is not considered a good jumper. If it senses incoming threats, it will not be able to make a rapid escape because of its shorter hind

legs compared to the front. To make up for this weakness, Mother Nature has given it special colourings that resemble dead leaves to fool its enemies. The tan or brown-like colours, as also the horns, look just like the curled and pointed shape of a leaf (though it is actually no more than a pair of eyelids).

The Malayan horned frog makes its home on the forest floor. During the day, a juvenile Megophrys nasuta hides itself under dead leaves while the adult prefers dead log or large rock. After a heavy rain and during late afternoons or evenings, one could discern its loud honk, if one happens to be in a lowland rainforest. The horned frog seeks small rivers and streams when comes breeding time. The eggs are laid at the edge of the river and after hatching, the tadpoles will find riffles or quiet side pools to live in. The tadpoles have unique feeding behaviour; they hang themselves from the surface of the water by spreading their funnel-like mouth

and filter the organic matters which are caught on the surface film.

When you have the opportunity to visit the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), you will discover that the horned frog is one of its permanent amphibian resident. At one glance, the frog is nowhere to be seen, but its loud honk can clearly be heard coming from the forest. The Canopy Walkway and the Engkabang trails are the best places to look for this unique frog. This species is currently not protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1976 and categorised as the “Least Concerned” under the IUCN 3.1. However, it is still our responsibility to keep this species alive for future benefits of the ecosystem.

Kaviarasu Munian | [email protected] Shahfiz Azman, Pan Khang Aun & Nor Azlin Mohd Fauzi

The Malayan horned frog


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June 2010

FRIM Wins Again! ThE BIG WIN AT ITEX 2010 AND ThE APECP AWARD

Research projects that won the Gold medals were: 1 Oil Palm Trunk Scrimber (OPT Scrimber)

for Furniture and Interior Products led by Dr Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin

2 Super Palmply–Super Palm Plywood from Oil Palm Trunk led by Hashim W Samsi

3 Gaharu Sense: An Intelligent Classification System for Agarwood led by Abd Majid Jalil

4 Coconut Moulded Plywood for Furniture Component led by Abdul Hamid Saleh

5 Organic Soil from Paper Mill Sludge led by Dr Wan Rasidah A Kadir

The other five projects were:1 Plant Derived Anti-MRSA Agent led by

Nor Datiakma Mat Amin (Silver Medal)2 Cement Board Fabricated from Pioneer

Forest Species led by Noor Azrieda Abd Rashid (Bronze Medal)

3 Resin Impregnated Oil Palm Flooring led by Hashim W Samsi (Malaysian Innovative Product Award)

4 Environmental Friendly Drum Method of Carbonisation led by Puad Elham (Malaysian Innovative Product Award)

5 Engineered Flooring from Oil Palm Trunk led by Hashim W Samsi (Malaysian Innovative Product Award)

THE FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA (FRIM) WON AWARDS FOR ALL 10 OF ITS RESEARCH PRODUCTS SHOWCASED AT THE 21ST INTERNATIONAL INVENTION, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION (ITEX) 2010 HELD FROM 14 TO 16 MAY IN KUALA LUMPUR. OF THE 10, FIVE WERE GOLD, ONE SILVER, ONE BRONZE AND THREE WERE THE MALAYSIAN INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AWARDS.

Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod (black coat), FRIM Director General and Dr Noor Azlin Yahya (blue shawl)with the APECP award

FRIM researchers who won awards at the ITEX 2010

APECP AWARDEarlier on, FRIM also received the APECP Excellent Child Contributor Award 2009/2010 for Child-Friendly Eco-Education Destination from the Association of Professional Early Childhood Providers Malaysia (APECP) on 31 March 2010. FRIM Director General (DG), Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod received the award from Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, Raja Puan Muda Perlis, who is also Patron of APECP. Officially registered in December 2007, the Association aims to enable members to use the Association as a platform to share ideas, innovation and new research in the field of early childhood education.

Adapted from articles by the FRIM Corporate Management Unit. For more details, visit www.frim.gov.my

June 2010 FRIM in Focus FRIMin FOCUS · pertandingan melukis dan mewarna untuk kanak-kanak sekolah...

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