Academics and students from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) embarked on a journey to explore the rich biodiversity of Brunei through a UBD Global Discovery Programme with the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER).
The group of 24 students and four academics were first treated to an educational visit to the UBD Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC), Brunei’s first botanic garden. At the UBD BRC, the group were given a guided tour of the centre’s diverse collection of plant species, obtaining valuable insights into ongoing research projects and activities, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of Brunei’s ecosystems.
Following their visit to UBD BRC, the group were joined by four UBD graduate students from the Faculty of Science (FOS) on an intensive five-day field course at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC), under the guidance of Dr Alison Shapcott from USC. Throughout the course, students engaged in a variety of activities aimed at advancing their research skills and deepening their knowledge of tropical rainforests, using the Belalong forest as a model ecosystem offor pristine forest. From identifying Pinanga species of Pinanga to working on camera traps along the Ashton trail, participants immersed themselves in KBFSC’s natural environment. The highlight of the course was a captivating canopy walk at the Ulu Temburong National Park, offering students a rare opportunity to observe the pristine forest canopy and spot diverse wildlife, including the iconic hornbills.
The field course ended with student presentations, where they shared their preliminary findings and captivating footage captured by the camera traps. From rodent and civet sightings to enchanting encounters with mouse deer, the recorded wildlife at KBFSC underscored the remarkable biodiversity thriving within Brunei’s rainforests.
The success of the field course was a testament to ongoing collaborative efforts in biodiversity research between USC and IBER, UBD, and was made possible through funding from the New Colombo Plan for the USC students. The invaluable partnership between USC and UBD students fostered cross-cultural exchange and collaborative learning, highlighting the significance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing biodiversity research and conservation efforts.