Climate Change and FRIM - Forest Research Institute Malaysia

June 2010
FRIM in Focus
FRIM
in FOCUS
A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia
JUNE 2010
ISSN 1394-5467
Climate Change
and FRIM
HIGHLIGHTS 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
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
1
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
Sambutan Jubli Perak
FRIM
Maklumat : Unit Pengurusan Korporat
Gambar : Yusni Idris
tahun
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 bahagian
2. Lawatan berpandu untuk warga emas
3. Persembahan oleh the Tree Theatre Group
4. Mencari harta karun
1
3
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.
Editorial
Board
2
4
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.
Advisors
Dato’ Dr Abdul Latif Mohmod
Dato’ Dr Abdul Rashid Ab Malik
Technical Editor
Norhara Hussein
Editor & Writer
Ida Suraini Abd Shukor
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 Focus
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
52109 Kepong, Selangor DE, Malaysia
2
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
Telephone : 603-6279 7501 | Facsimile : 603-6273 1076
E-mail : idasuraini@frim.gov.my | Website : www.frim.gov.my
Design & Printing : DeezStudio
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
We’re doing
our part.
What about
you?
Dr Christine Fletcher
cdfletch@frim.gov.my
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, microclimatic 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
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
3
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
Reduce Greenhouse
Gas to Curb Global
Warming
Dr Abdul Rahim Nik
rahimnik@frim.gov.my
The montane forest and the rainforest are among the world’s greatest ecosystem sites
Human activities are releasing into the
atmosphere, 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.
4
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
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
Focus article
(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
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
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
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
[
The Prime Minister of Malaysia delivering the
speech and announcing emission reduction
indicator at the UN Climate Change Conference
Copenhagen, 17 Dec 2009
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.
Serious effects on water supplies are
brought about by climate change
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
Increase in global temperature
will drive 20–30% species
towards extinction
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.
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”.
Focus article
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
5
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
Eligibility of Land for
A/R CDM in Malaysia
Ariff Fahmi Abu Bakar
arifffahmi@frim.gov.my
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
Afforestation of land, from bare to forest, is
one of the activities under A/R CDM
6
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
Focus article
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
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
Some potential areas for A/R CDM projects,
grassland (left), ex-tin mine land (right)
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.
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.
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.
[
Distribution of potential land areas for A/R
CDM projects in Peninsular Malaysia (top)
Focus article
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
7
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
Sambutan Jubli Perak
1
2
1
1. Aksi pasukan futsal
wanita FRIM (jersi
biru) menentang
lawan mereka
2. Jawatankuasa
penganjur dan
pasukan futsal
wanita FRIM bersama
penaung mereka
2
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 masingmasing 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.
8
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
June 2010
FRIM
FRIM
tahun
in FOCUS
Maklumat : Unit Pengurusan Korporat
Gambar : Yusni Idris
Pelancaran Buku Flora of
Peninsular Malaysia
3
1. Upacara pelancaran
buku FPM
2. Para editor buku
FPM bersama Ketua
Pengarah FRIM (tengah)
3. Seminar yang diadakan
sempena pelancaran
buku FPM
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.
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)
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.
1
2
SUKAN
RAKYAT
FRIM 2010
1. Aksi pemain bola
jaring (wanita) yang
memakai jersi kaftan
pelbagai corak
2. Pemain bola jaring
(lelaki) pula memakai
jersi kain pelikat
pelbagai warna
JOM
POCO-POCO
1. Aksi kumpulan
Hey Ladies ketika
pertandingan pocopoco peringkat FRIM
pada 23 April 2010
2. Kumpulan PESENI
FRIM juga turut
mengambil bahagian
1
2
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
9
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
Gas Exchange
and Climate Change
Yoshiko Kosugi | ykosugi@kais.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Satoru Takanashi, Makoto Tani, Dr Abdul Rahim Nik
1
2
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
10
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
3
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
Focus article
4
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.
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
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
‘Bakau forest’ motive
Designing
with Bakau
Timber
Air-dried bakau minyak logs
Verandah products
Nik Adlin Nik Mohamed Sukri | nikadlin@frim.gov.my
Dr Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin, Khairul Masseat
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 threeseater 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 PONDER
A 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
Modular verandah furniture from bakau timber (FRIM ID 10/10)
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
11
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
Chain-of-Custody
Certification in
Malaysia
Azharizan Mohd Norizan | azharizan@frim.gov.my
Azian Mohti & Tariq Mubarak Hussein
Tropical 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 nonmandatory, 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 Chainof-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,
12
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
Each processing facility along the chain from forest to sawmiller,
manufacturer, product, traders and importers must obtain a CoC certificate
CERTIFIED FOREST
SAWMILL
MANUFACTURER
PRODUCT
TRADER
CONSUMER
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.
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
IUFRO
Management
Committee Meeting
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.
Dr Lee Su See
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
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
13
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
1
2
4
5
3
6
Greening the Earth
Tree-planting at the Kepong
Herbarium Building
7
8
Chan Yoke Mui | yokemui@frim.gov.my
& Sam Yen Yen
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.
1. The staff involved in the tree-planting programme
2. Dr Saw Leng Guan, the Director of Forest Biodiversity Division officiated the event by planting
a Hopea glaucescens sapling
3. 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 Sabah
4. Diospyros brandisiana, a new record for Peninsular Malaysia was also planted (photo: Chan YC)
5. The saplings had a finishing touch of generous, refreshing shower
6. Everyone had a chance to plant his or her own tree
7. The bright red-orange flowers of Firmiana malayana (mata lembu) will add colour to the
monotonous green landscape
8. 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)
14
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
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.
9
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
A Malayan
Horned Frog Story
Is it a Myth?
The Malayan horned frog
Kaviarasu Munian | kaviarasu@frim.gov.my
Mohd Shahfiz Azman, Pan Khang Aun & Nor Azlin Mohd Fauzi
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.
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
15
June 2010
FRIM
in FOCUS
FRIM Wins Again!
The Big Win at ITEX 2010
and the APECP Award
FRIM researchers who won awards at the ITEX 2010
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.
Research projects that won the Gold
medals were:
1Oil Palm Trunk Scrimber (OPT Scrimber)
for Furniture and Interior Products led
by Dr Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin
2Super Palmply–Super Palm Plywood
from Oil Palm Trunk led by Hashim W
Samsi
3Gaharu Sense: An Intelligent
Classification System for Agarwood led
by Abd Majid Jalil
4Coconut Moulded Plywood for
Furniture Component led by Abdul
Hamid Saleh
5Organic Soil from Paper Mill Sludge led
by Dr Wan Rasidah A Kadir
APECP AWARD
Earlier 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
The other five projects were:
1Plant Derived Anti-MRSA Agent led by
Nor Datiakma Mat Amin (Silver Medal)
2Cement Board Fabricated from Pioneer
Forest Species led by Noor Azrieda Abd
Rashid (Bronze Medal)
3Resin Impregnated Oil Palm Flooring
led by Hashim W Samsi (Malaysian
Innovative Product Award)
4Environmental Friendly Drum Method
of Carbonisation led by Puad Elham
(Malaysian Innovative Product Award)
5Engineered Flooring from Oil Palm
Trunk led by Hashim W Samsi
(Malaysian Innovative Product Award)
Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod (black coat), FRIM Director General and Dr Noor Azlin Yahya (blue shawl)
with the APECP award
16
A Quarterly of the
Forest Research Institute Malaysia