Fif dec2012[1]

Focus article

GREEN PRESERVATIVE FROM WOOD EXTRACTIVES AND ESSENTIAL OIL Dr Roszaini Kadir

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roszaini@frim.gov.my

Wood extractives refer to non-structural compounds comprising a wide range of chemical compounds with different physical properties. These extractives are found in higher concentration in the bark of most woods at specialised wood cells called the resin canals and the cell lumina. Wood extractives can be useful but they can also be a severe detriment to wood and fibre processing. Their extraction from wood or bark is facilitated by polar and non-polar organic solvents. As opposed to wood extractives, essential oil is a more concentrated liquid containing volatile aromatic plant-based compounds.

transporting, CCA has been banned in many countries and soon this will include Malaysia. The recent news on withdrawal and restricted use of CCA including a number of key synthetic pesticides and wood preservatives have created a critical need for safe alternatives. In the meantime, the recent ban on the use of organoclorines as termiticides in addition to the move to green consumerism has resulted in an aggressive search for natural products as an alternative to the broadly used chemical termiticides. Organic-based termiticides can be extracted from the bark, heartwood, leaf and root of naturally durable species, herbs and medicinal plants.

The vast amount of silvichemicals available from the Malaysian forest from over 15,000 higher plant species, makes it possible to identify the chemical components for potential commercial application. Using natural resources will also help to overcome environmental pollution and health problems.

The humid condition of Malaysian weather poses significant termite hazard as well as fungal infestations.

Damages caused by termites not only affect cellulosic materials which cause heavy loss to our wood-base products and building materials, but they also involve non-cellulosic materials such as asbestos, asphalt bitumen, lead and metal foils.

Due to its diverse flora, Malaysia has many valuable tropical timber species which have not been explored.

In the past few years, many studies have focused on the relationship between wood properties and chemical constituents among tropical trees in Malaysia. Previous studies have found that tropical timber species such as Neobalanocarpus heimii (chengal), Shorea ovalis, Cinnamomum osmophloeum, Cymbopogon nardus (citronella), Tectona grandis (teak), Quercus lineate (mempening batu), Eugenia griffithii (kelat) and Artocarpus lanceifolius (keledang) possess significant antitermitic activity in the presence of their extractive content or essential oils. Another study also

To curb damages by termites and fungi, chemical such as copper chrome arsenate (CCA) is usually applied to building materials to help prolong the service of wood and other cellulosic materials. CCA which was formulated in 1933 is now the highly effective and preferred preservative for protecting wood because it surpasses other copper-based preservatives and organic fungicides in terms of high level of protection against biological agents at an economical cost. Nevertheless, due to leaching out of the chemical during handling and

Editorial Board

Advisors

Dato’ Dr Abdul Latif Mohmod Dr Mohamed Nor Mohd Yusoff

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

Telephone : 603-6279 7501 | Facsimile : 603-6273 1076 E-mail : idasuraini@frim.gov.my | Website : www.frim.gov.my Design & Printing : Concept Press Sdn Bhd

Cover pictures. Clockwise from top: A coffee table made from lesser value and non-popular wood species, FRIM photographers in action, and students participating in an environmental education programme.

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confirmed significant antitermitic activities against Coptotermes formosanus among 42 species of African tropical timbers.

Developing new termiticides and fungicides is made possible by understanding the capability of wood extractives as protection against termites and fungi. Previous studies have shown that there are compounds in the heartwood with fungicidal and termiticidal activities and that essential oils are more efficient than conventional fumigants in terms of preventing termites.

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There is still a lot of research required before optimum utilisation of wood extractives can be attained. The complex and varied components of wood extractives hold many possibilities whereby extractives having limited usage could actually have a much wider utilisation. On top of that, other related aspects such as the process of microbial colonisation and succession in tropical hardwoods are essential for developing suitable test methods for predicting the behaviour of wood and wood in construction.

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The success of wood extractives as green and natural preservative can be enhanced in several ways. A combination of different wood extractives, in addition to integrated bio-control strategies can give a wider spectrum of protection, and increased efficacy and consistency in the biological treatment administered.

1. Wooden cabinet which was attacked by Coptotermes curvignathus

Toxicological and pharmacological studies on tropical hardwoods are also required to assess the antioxidant properties of these compounds. In the future, the isolation and identification of new bioactive compounds from Malaysian tropical forest species might contribute to the development of new preservatives against termite, fungus as well as insects. Essentially, methods used to control wood deterioration must be effective without having a negative impact on the environment and public health.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr Roszaini Kadir is the Head of the Wood Entomology Laboratory (WEL), Forest Products Division, FRIM. She obtained her Bachelor and Masters Science degrees from Universiti Putra Malaysia (formerly known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia). She also has a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Bangor University, United Kingdom. The author has served FRIM since 1993 and her research areas include wood natural durability and antitermitic properties from natural products.

December 2012 FRIM in FOCUS

2. Extensive damage by Crytotermes domesticus (Haviland) attacking 4� x 4� wooden pole 3. Wood extractives from different Malaysian timber species 4. Essential oil from different species of citrus 5. Essential oil of citrus diluted in different concentrations ready for toxicity test against subterranean termites 6. Repellent test of essential oil at different concentrations

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Focus article

NATURAL DURABILITY OF MALAYSIAN TIMBER Noor Azrieda Abd Rashid, Dr Salmiah Ujang & Dr Rahim Sudin azrieda@frim.gov.my Kiln-dried wood to achieve a moisture content of 12%

Timber has a natural resistance to attack by wood destroying organisms such as wood decaying fungi and wood destroying insects. This ability also includes some degree of resistance to deterioration by various biological, chemical, mechanical and physical wood destroying agents. As such, the natural durability of timber is simply defined as the duration of which the timber can last when exposed to the wood destroying elements.

Previously, the natural durability of Malaysian timber species was determined using a graveyard method which was established in 1918. However, the test site at Weld Hill Forest Reserve and the Timber Research Laboratory at Sentul, Kuala Lumpur were destroyed in a bombing raid during the World War Two of between 1942 and 1945. Therefore, two new test sites situated on dry and wet grounds were established in the 1950s at the Forest Research Institute, Kepong.

More than 50 years later, another graveyard site for testing preservative treated timber was established in 2005 at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Research Station, Mata Ayer, Perlis.

Durability tests were previously conducted on 30 timber species at the Weld Hill site while another 21 species were tested at the Sentul Laboratory.

Later, 84 more timber species were tested which added up to a total of 135 species, in addition to 91 timber species which were tested at FRIM. There are altogether five natural durability classes based on the EN 350 in which Class 1 is for the very durable timbers which decreased gradually down to Class 5 for the non-durable timbers. Meranti, a species for plywood manufacturing is categorised into Class 5 and since plywood is usually a mixture of wood species with unknown durability index, it is therefore considered as Durability Class 5.

Obtaining wood samples for testing purposes Wood specimens are tested according to BS EN 350

to overcome the influence of environmental differences.

It was discovered that more Malaysian timbers qualify as durable timbers when using the BS EN 350 method as compared to the conventional method of graveyard testing. BS EN method also shortens the exposure time as compared to the conventional method.

Presently, the natural durability of Malaysian wood is determined by the European standard BS EN 350-1: (1994) and EN 113 (1997). Both standards provide guidance on testing requirements for the natural durability of wood against wood decaying organisms using different rating classes. The durability rankings are comparable with other species using this standard and essential as a guide for the industry via the development of the durability rating database.

Adopting the European standard testing (EN 350-1 and EN 113) will support Malaysian timbers for acceptance into the European market.

To overcome the problem of assessing the natural durability of timber, FRIM introduced a method based on the European Standard BS EN 350. Using this method, the rate of decay of the test species is compared against a standard reference species

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ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHOR Noor Azrieda Abd Rashid is a research officer at the Wood Mycology Laboratory, Forest Products Division FRIM. The author obtained her Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees from the Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

Focus article

1. Produk menggunakan susunan venir secara selari

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2. Produk menggunakan susunan venir secara berlawanan ira

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3. Teknologi tekanan panas dengan aplikasi acuan

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PERABOT BERNILAI TINGGI DARIPADA BAHAN KAYU DAN BUKAN KAYU Abdul Hamid Saleh, Yanti Abd Kadir & Tuan Anis Nadia hamid@frim.gov.my

Bahan kayu dan bukan kayu yang dahulunya tidak sesuai bagi pembuatan perabot kini mampu dimanfaatkan bagi penghasilan produk bernilai tinggi. Daripada bahan mentah kayu dan bukan kayu yang kurang bernilai dan mempunyai kekurangan dalam bentuk asalnya ianya telah berjaya diolah menjadi produk yang menarik, berkualiti serta memenuhi piawaian yang setanding dengan bahan mentah yang biasa. Bahan-bahan mentah yang sesuai digunakan adalah seperti kayu-kayan yang kurang popular seperti kelempayan, sesendok, ludai, batai serta bahan bukan kayu seperti batang kelapa, batang kelapa sawit dan nibong. Teknologi yang digunakan ini berupaya mengubah sifat asal bahan yang kurang bernilai menjadi produk yang mempunyai kualiti, tahan lama dan boleh dikomersilkan.

Balak kayu dan bukan kayu boleh diolah menjadi pelbagai hasil akhir seperti pepapan, venir (venir kupasan dan venir hirisan), serpihan kayu dan flak, dan serat kayu. Pengolahan bahan-bahan tersebut memerlukan teknologi pembentukan produk dan penggunaan media

yang kuat bagi menghasilkan produk yang tahan lama.

Media yang biasa diguna pakai ialah gam atau perekat yang berasaskan bahan semula jadi serta sintetik.

Teknologi bagi mengubah sifat asal kayu dan bukan kayu termasuklah tekanan panas, tekanan frekuensi tinggi, tekanan sejuk, impregnasi gam dan polimer, serta bengkokan kayu padu.

Bengkokan kayu berasaskan venir pada asasnya mengguna pakai venir daripada kupasan balak bersaiz kecil bagi menghasilkan perabot dan produk dalaman yang menarik serta bernilai tinggi. Venir disusun secara selari atau berlawanan, diaplikasikan gam dan dipadatkan menggunakan tekanan panas, tekanan sejuk atau frekuensi sebelum dipotong menjadi bentuk rupa akhir. Produk yang telah dibentuk akan melalui proses memelas dan kemasiapan sebelum dibungkus.

Kecantikan produk yang dihasilkan bergantung kepada reka bentuk acuan. Produk daripada acuan ini lebih menarik dan elegan berbanding produk daripada kayu balak.

TENTANG PENULIS UTAMA Abdul Hamid Saleh berpengalaman selama 21 tahun dalam bidang penyelidikan dan kini mengetuai Unit Reka Bentuk Perabot, Bahagian Keluaran Hutan, FRIM. Beliau memperoleh ijazah Sarjana Muda dalam bidang Kejuruteraan Reka Bentuk Industri dan Teknologi Perabot serta Sarjana dalam bidang bahan mentah dan reka bentuk kayu dari Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Bidang kepakaran beliau ialah bahan mentah, reka bentuk produk, teknologi perabot, ergonomik dan anthropometrik serta CAD.

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FRIM activity

FRIM WELCOMES CORPORATE BODIES FOR CSR ACTIVITIES Norhayati Nordin

nnorhayati@frim.gov.my

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept whereby companies voluntarily integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with stakeholders. CSR activities can increase the good image of an organisation and the initiatives taken are as varied as the receiving parties.

Identifying the need to highlight and create awareness on the role the corporate bodies can play in helping to mitigate climate change, as well as to reaffirm their commitment towards ensuring the sustainability of the green environment; Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has embarked on an intensive campaign to get corporate bodies to plant more trees. This two-pronged campaign also has the objective to introduce FRIM and promote the facilities and services available to potential clients.

In 2011, a total of 15 corporate bodies participated in planting 2427 trees. Most of the tree-plantings were held at Bukit Hari via Kepong Botanic Garden (for identification purposes, FRIM campus is divided into 53 areas called fields). Other planting areas were the mangrove trial planting site at Sg Hj Dorani, Kuala Selangor, Field 31 near Villa Aromatica for planting karas and the Mahang Theme Park at Field 40 adjacent to Taman Selayang Utama and Taman Bidara. As of November 2012, 17 corporate bodies had participated in tree-planting and four more are in the pipeline until the end of the year.

In line with this objective, the FRIM Corporate Management Unit (CCU) initiated with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) a treeplanting initiative for its Business Tourism Green Programme which was launched in support of the government’s commitment to offset carbon emissions by 40 percent by year 2020. The programme operated on the simple premise that the participating event’s delegates are given the opportunity to contribute a token sum for a tree to be planted as their carbon offset.

FRIM also welcomes pledges if the corporate bodies’ employees could not plant the trees themselves.

In cases such as this, the CCU will contribute the proceeds towards enrichment planting at the poor

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Chief Executive Officer of MyCEB planting cengal

forest of Field 43. Apart from high quality timber species, Field 43 will also be planted with forest fruit trees to provide a source of food to small mammals such as squirrels, wild boars and monkeys. This will help contain the animals within the forest and reduce their desire to forage for food at the surrounding housing areas thus alleviating conflicts which in the end will not favour the animals.

Apart from tree-planting, FRIM also offers other activities such as gotong-royong (community service), facility sponsorships, runs or walkathons under its Healthy Living Programme and nature education.

Gotong-royong doing river clean-up

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Norhayati Nordin is the Head of the Corporate Management Unit which is in charge of the corporate affairs at FRIM. She holds an MSc in Technology and Innovation Management from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom and the BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Hartford, Connecticut, America. Her expertise is in the areas of CSR, public relations and event management.

FRIM activity

BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS HONE THEIR SKILLS Chew Ming Yee & Tnah Lee Hong chew@frim.gov.my

The Intermediate Photography Course was conducted on 10–11 July 2012 for Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) staffs who were interested to learn useful tips on how to use a digital single lens reflex camera 1 or simply, DSLR. Participants included researchers, supporting staff as well as front liners who are in charge of promoting FRIM to the public, while the guru was Asmar Hassan who is one of the resident photographers of FRIM. During the initial part of the course, key technical principals like the exposure triangle, white balance, depth of field, colour tones were drilled in for those who are still struggling to grasp them. Further elements of photography such as composition guidelines which cover rule of thirds, symmetry and patterns, incorporating balancing elements, leading lines, foreground, background, framing and engaging different viewpoints were then introduced. Unlike the other technicalities of photography, composition is more an art than science, hence besides showing us examples of real shots, participants were encouraged to explore on their own.

More often than enough high quality pictures of life plants, specimens, products and books are needed for publication and promotional purposes. Studio photography helps to produce picture perfect shots that catch the eyes of readers and entice them to find out further by reading the text. The participants also experimented with different key light, fill light and back light positions with synchronised camera flash and softbox type lighting.

From the classroom, the participants moved outdoor to test the different effects of shooting. Shooting in high speed for example is capable of freezing a fast moving object while panning is used to illustrate motion. Next, target practice involved a patch of spider lily in full bloom being visited by tiny stingless bees collecting nectar and pollen that soon were surrounded by a bunch of trigger

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happy participants. The participants were also fortunate being able to practise photographing human portrait when one of the fellow participants put up her best smile and doubled up as a model.

Finally, the course was wrapped up with a photo sharing session, of which the sifu commented on mistakes made by the participants. None of the participants rose directly to the rank of a professional at the end of course, but everyone went back equipped with additional knowledge and skills that is pivotal in improving work quality.

1. FRIM photography guru explaining the different theories of photography 2. Setting up a simple make-shift studio to take pictures of a medicinal plant specimen 3. Studio picture of products by FRIM 4. Immediately after each theory was taught, participants engaged in ‘shot and review’ activities

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHOR Chew Ming Yee is a Botanist at the Floral Biodiversity Programme, Forest Biodiversity Division, FRIM. She obtained her BSc in Forestry from Universiti Putra Malaysia and her research focus is on the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project.

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News article

MEETING OF EXPERTS: RAC 2012 Dr Nur Supardi Md Noor

Presentation of the RAC report by the Lead Chairperson

Penjawat awam FRIM meraikan kemenangan bersama Ketua Pengarah FRIM (berkemeja biru)

FRIM MENYERLAH LAGI!

Yusni Idris

research activities have since been implemented. Issues of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets pertaining to new plant varieties and technical knowledge were also discussed in addition to enhancement of expertise for innovation and commercialisation activities, particularly in legal, business and marketing valuation, and monitoring of post-commercialisation projects.

It is hoped that the input gained will assist FRIM in establishing a business model that will create the right ecosystem for generating wealth for the nation.

Yusni Idris

The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting was held from 4–7 December, 2012 at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). The RAC convened to advise FRIM on research and development, and commercialisation (R&D&C) issues, and to suggest the way forward for the next five years. Since established in 1987, seven RAC meetings were successfully held.

The RAC panel was represented by experts who are prominent figures in their respective global scientific circle. Among the areas observed were the diverse scope of research, activities undertaken, and worldwide intensive research collaborations. The committee was pleased that many of the recommendations in the 2007 meeting have been either addressed or fully implemented. The panel also suggested that outstanding emerging issues are addressed while other suggestions such as research priority setting, adoption of co-design, co-funding, co-production and co-implementation of

Asmar Hassan

supardi@frim.gov.my

Upacara penyampaian Anugerah Penghargaan Pengguna Malaysian Standards

suharti@frim.gov.my

ANUGERAH PENGGUNA MALAYSIAN STANDARDS

Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) telah berjaya menggondol beberapa anugerah yang dipertandingkan sempena Hari Inovasi Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar (NRE) yang diadakan pada 8 November 2012. FRIM memenangi tempat pertama bagi Anugerah Rekaan dan Hiasan Pameran Terbaik serta Pertandingan Poster Propaganda Kategori Motivasi. FRIM turut memenangi tempat ketiga bagi Pertandingan Video Inisiatif NRE Goes Green dan anugerah Kumpulan Inovatif dan Kreatif (KIK). Kumpulan KIK yang mewakili FRIM bagi kategori pengurusan ialah kumpulan Bijak Wang daripada Bahagian Kewangan manakala bagi kategori teknikal ialah Kumpulan GBS daripada Bahagian Hasilan Semula Jadi. Anugerah Complaints and Ideas in Action (CIA) pula dimenangi oleh Dr Ismail Parlan dari FRIM dengan idea beliau bagi transformasi buku pelawat manual kepada elektronik.

Pada 22 November 2012 FRIM telah mendapat Anugerah Penghargaan Pengguna Malaysian Standards melalui program memartabatkan penggunaan Standard Malaysia yang dianjurkan oleh Jabatan Standard Malaysia. Anugerah berkenaan telah disampaikan oleh Pengerusi Majlis Standard dan Akreditasi Malaysia (MSDAM), Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali kepada Ketua Pengarah FRIM, Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod dalam Majlis Anugerah Standard dan Akreditasi Kebangsaan 2012 yang telah berlangsung di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya (PICC) pada 22 November 2012. Pemenang-pemenang anugerah iaitu FRIM dan CCM Pharmaceuticals Sdn Bhd juga turut menjayakan pameran di ruang legar dewan selain daripada sekolah-sekolah yang bertanding bagi acara Speak Up dan video Social Responsibility anjuran Jabatan Standard Malaysia.

Suharti Samod

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Lagi berita di mukasurat 12

News article

INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) was honoured with another award, this time by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR). The International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality was awarded to FRIM on 2 December 2012 at Brussels in recognition of FRIM’s outstanding results in quality management at an international scale. This award is granted on the basis of the criteria outlined in the ESQR Quality Performance Model. Recipients of the award are top companies and organisations, which excelled in their services and continue to push the limits of quality with innovations.

FRIM was one of the 31 top companies and organisations from all over the world picked by ESQR to receive the award in recognition of their outstanding results in quality management. The award presentation ceremony, held in conjunction with the ESQR Convention in Brussels, Belgium, was attended by the Policy Research Planning Branch Head, Dr Nur Supardi Md Noor on behalf of the Director General.

Nur Supardi (left) handing over the Diamond Prize Award to Abd Latif (right) Yusni Idris & Asmar Hassan

Pada 29 November 2012 bertempat di Kelab Di Raja Selangor, Ketua Pengarah FRIM, Dato' Dr Abd Latif Mohmod telah menerima anugerah berprestij Persatuan Saintifik Malaysia (MSA) atas sumbangan dan kecemerlangan beliau di dalam Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi di Malaysia. Semenjak perlantikan Abd Latif sebagai Ketua Pengarah FRIM pada Mei 2008, beliau telah memperkukuhkan kedudukan FRIM sebagai sebuah institusi penyelidikan perhutanan tropika terkemuka melalui pencapaian pelbagai anugerah kebangsaan dan antarabangsa.

Yusni Idris

ANUGERAH PENCAPAIAN SAINS DAN TEKNOLOGI

Ketua Pengarah FRIM (kanan sekali) menerima Anugerah Pencapaian Sains dan Teknologi

Yusni Idris

ANUGERAH MERDEKA 2012

Penerima Anugerah Merdeka 2012, Soepadmo (tengah) selepas penyampaian anugerah tersebut

Majlis Anugerah Merdeka 2012 yang diadakan di Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) pada 3 Disember 2012 menyaksikan Dr Engkik Soepadmo dari FRIM tersenarai sebagai salah seorang penerima Anugerah Merdeka 2012 di dalam kategori Sumbangan Cemerlang kepada rakyat Malaysia. Beliau adalah seorang saintis dan ahli ekologi dalam bidang penyelidikan dan pemuliharaan kepelbagaian tumbuhan hutan Malaysia. Beliau telah menemui 56 spesies tumbuhan dan pokok tropika baru di mana enam daripadanya dinamakan bersempena nama beliau.

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Biodiversity article pasti spesies ini ialah ekornya yang lebih panjang daripada badannya.

Di Semenanjung Malaysia, tikus perah merupakan spesies roden yang banyak dijumpai di hutan-hutan primer dan sekunder sama ada di tanah pamah atau di kaki bukit. Tikus ini tidak banyak dijumpai di kawasan melebihi 750 m dari aras laut namun, ia pernah ditemui pada ketinggian 1200 m dari aras laut di Bukit Larut, Perak. Di Gunung Nuang, Selangor pula sebanyak 103 spesimen tikus perah ini telah ditangkap pada ketinggian di antara 500–1350 m. Dari segi persekitaran hutan pula, tikus ini juga pernah ditangkap di kawasan hutan berair di Pasoh, Negeri Sembilan dan Gunung Inas, Kedah.

TIKUS PERAH

Roden ini merupakan haiwan nokturnal iaitu vertebrata yang aktif pada waktu malam. Dietnya terdiri daripada serangga, buah-buahan, sayur-sayuran dan siput. Ia hidup di atas tanah dan membuat sarang di dalam lubang. Namun, ia pernah juga dijumpai di kanopi pokok setinggi 5 m. Kaki belakangnya yang besar dan panjang membolehkan spesies ini bergerak pantas dan melompat dari satu dahan ke dahan yang lain.

Mohammad Shahfiz Azman shahfiz@frim.gov.my

Kumpulan tikus dan wirok adalah antara famili mamalia kecil yang mempunyai kepelbagaian spesies yang tinggi selepas tupai dan kelawar. Kedua-dua tikus dan wirok tergolong dalam famili Muridae termasuklah tikus rumah yang sering dianggap sebagai haiwan perosak oleh masyarakat umum.

Keseluruhannya sebanyak 38 spesies tikus atau roden yang telah direkodkan di seluruh Malaysia dan 73% (28 spesies) adalah di Semenanjung Malaysia.

Di Semenanjung Malaysia pula terdapat 12 daripada 13 genera yang telah direkodkan iaitu Chiropodomys, Hapalomys, Pithecheir, Mus, Rattus, Sundamys, Berylmys, Niviventer, Maxomys, Lenothrix, Leopoldamys dan Bandicota. Tikus dan wirok ini dikelaskan mengikut sistem Linneaus iaitu setiap spesies diberi nama mengikut genus dan spesies masing-masing berdasarkan beberapa faktor termasuk saiz badan, warna bulu, panjang kaki belakang, ekor dan warna ekornya. Peningkatan teknologi pada hari ini telah menyaksikan juga pengesahan identiti tikus dilakukan secara genetik melalui analisis DNA. Salah satu spesies yang sering diperoleh semasa menjalankan kajian mamalia kecil ialah tikus perah ataupun tikus mondok ekor panjang yang dikenali juga sebagai Leopoldamys sabanus. Tikus ini mempunyai struktur badan yang unik berbanding tikus-tikus yang lain. Justeru, salah satu kriteria utama bagi mengenal

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Kajian yang sedang dijalankan di beberapa kawasan FRIM mendapati tikus perah ini bergerak antara 80–120 m sehari dan memanjat hingga ke ketinggian 3 m dari tanah. Tabiat sebegini merupakan ciri-ciri bagi haiwan scansorial yang tidak sepenuhnya hidup di atas tanah (terrestrial) mahupun di atas pokok (arboreal). Kajian pola pergerakan serta peranan tikus ini dijalankan menggunakan kaedah spool-and-line yang mengaplikasikan kaedah memancing ikan. Tikus perah yang diikat dengan benang akan dilepaskan, lalu pergerakannya diperhatikan dan diukur. Kaedah ini mampu menjelaskan fungsi dan peranan tikus perah sebagai agen penyebaran biji benih.

Tikus ini membiak sepanjang tahun dan melahirkan satu hingga tujuh ekor anak pada satu-satu masa.

Penyelidikan terdahulu telah mendapati hayat tikus ini ialah empat bulan. Walaupun tikus perah tidak tertakluk di bawah mana-mana undang-undang, ia tidak boleh ditangkap atau dibunuh sewenang-wenangnya kerana ia juga turut memainkan peranan penting dalam memastikan keseimbangan ekosistem.

TENTANG PENULIS Mohammad Shahfiz Azman memegang jawatan Ketua Cawangan Zoologi, Bahagian Biodiversiti Hutan, FRIM. Kepakaran beliau ialah tentang mamalia kecil dan beliau telah menghasilkan beberapa artikel tentang the common tree shrew, tupai dan mamalia kecil di Stesen Penyelidikan FRIM Mata Ayer dalam FRIM in Focus December 2010 dan September 2011 masing-masing.

Environment article

MENDIDIK PELAJAR-PELAJAR MENANAM POKOKPOKOK HUTAN

Sharmillah Saleh & Dr Noor Azlin Yahya sharmillah@frim.gov.my

Projek penanaman pokok-pokok hutan bagi sekolah-sekolah seluruh Malaysia yang dianjurkan oleh Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) telah dimulakan pada tahun 2010.

Projek tersebut melibatkan 16 buah sekolah yang mewakili setiap negeri di Malaysia dan Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya serta Labuan.

Sehingga September 2012, sebanyak 296 batang anak pokok telah berjaya ditanam oleh 15 buah sekolah. Penganjuran projek ini bertujuan untuk memperkenalkan tumbuh-tumbuhan hutan yang memberi impak kepada ekonomi negara dalam persekitaran landskap sekolah. Di samping mempelbagaikan spesies pokok-pokok di kawasan sekolah, aspek-aspek pemuliharaan juga ditekankan dengan usaha memupuk minat serta meningkatkan kesedaran pelajar tentang betapa pentingnya penanaman pokok.

Projek ini juga mempunyai nilai tambahnya tersendiri di mana para pelajar dan guru telah didedahkan kepada pelbagai isu alam sekitar dan kepentingan menanam pokok di dalam bengkel kesedaran yang berlangsung selama dua hari.

Melalui bengkel ini, para pelajar dan guru telah dibimbing tentang kaedah-kaedah pelaksanaan projek serta mengenai peranan masing-masing dalam menjayakan penanaman tersebut.

Para pelajar didedahkan kepada pelbagai maklumat tentang status dan kepentingan dirian pokok

Pelajar mengaplikasikan teori yang dipelajari di dalam bengkel

Para peserta juga berpeluang memikirkan secara lebih jauh dan terbuka tentang isu-isu alam sekitar dan global. Mereka telah mengambil bahagian dalam aktiviti permainan alam iaitu sejenis aktiviti berkumpulan yang menguji minda dan pengetahuan tentang kepentingan menanam pokok dan Para peserta telah diajar cara-cara menanam dan menjaga alam sekitar, serta kaitan di antara dirian pokok menjaga anak-anak pokok yang telah dibekalkan. dengan perubahan iklim dunia, dan peranan manusia sebagai Pada permulaannya, para peserta diajar mengenal penjaga alam. Pelajar juga telah didedahkan dengan kaedah pasti lokasi yang bersesuaian untuk penanaman pengiraan penyerapan karbon dioksida dengan menggunakan diikuti dengan teknik menanda dan menyediakan data tumbesaran pokok yang dicatatkan secara bulanan. lubang penanaman yang sesuai bagi saiz anak Secara tidak langsung, para peserta berpeluang menyedari pokok. Seterusnya, peserta telah didedahkan betapa pentingnya pokok kepada manusia dan benda hidup kepada teknik-teknik penyediaan medium campuran yang lain dalam memberi ketenangan mental dan emosi tanah, penanaman pokok serta kaedah penjagaan selain ianya diperlukan untuk keseimbangan fizikal. yang betul agar tidak mencederakan anak pokok.

Selain daripada itu, para peserta berpeluang TENTANG PENULIS UTAMA mengenali lebih banyak spesies pokok hutan yang makin dilupai oleh masyarakat. Peserta Sharmillah Saleh ialah seorang pegawai penyelidik di Program juga telah diterangkan tentang peranan pokok Ekopelancongan dan Hutan Bandar. Bidang penyelidikan beliau dalam kebudayaan negara dan fakta yang telah ialah ekopelancongan, pendidikan alam sekitar dan impak menarik minat mereka ialah kebanyakan nama rekreasi. Beliau pernah menulis beberapa artikel di dalam FRIM in tempat di Malaysia diambil bersempena dengan Focus June 2009 tentang pendidikan alam sekitar. nama-nama pokok.

December 2012 FRIM in FOCUS

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

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News article

DOWN FRI MEMORY LANE Fred H Landon’s service in Malaya started in September 1932 when he joined the Forest Department. After a period of absence during the Japanese occupation and subsequent placement in the Military Administration, he returned to the Forest Department.

He was promoted Conservator of Forest (Grade B) in 1954 and hardly four months later appointed Conservator of Forests (Grade A). With his experience as a District Forest Officer and State Forest Officer as well as an Instructor at the Forest School, his appointment as a Chief Research Officer in 1955 came as no surprise.

He was an excellent administrator, making sure that the works of Forest Research Institute (FRI) were controlled and co-ordinated. His main interests in forest research were

KEMERIAHAN SAMBUTAN HARI INOVASI FRIM 2012 Suhana Rafidah Md Yusof & Suharti Samod suhana@frim.gov.my

Abdul Rahim sedang menyampaikan ucapan perasmian majlis

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silviculture and mensuration. He is best remembered as a person responsible for the initial rehabilitation of the FRI and the plantations. His untimely death in September 1956 cut short his tenure as Chief Research Officer to less than two years.

In memory of his father, James Landon visited Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in 2001 and subsequently on 17 September 2012.

He who was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1947 brought along a photo of his late father with staff of FRI during his recent visit to FRIM. Source: Forest Research Institute Malaysia Research Gallery

Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) telah menyambut Hari Inovasi 2012 yang bertemakan “Kualiti Inovasi Budaya Kerja Kami” pada 28–29 November 2012 dengan perasmian disempurnakan oleh Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha II Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar, Datuk Dr Abd Rahim Nik. Pelbagai pertandingan telah dianjurkan termasuk pertandingan inovasi dan rekacipta; Kumpulan Inovatif dan Kreatif (KIK); crazy idea; persekitaran kerja terbaik; sudut

Photo of the late Fred H Landon with FRI staff which was brought to FRIM in 2012

James Landon (second from right) and family during his visit to FRIM this year

kualiti bahagian terbaik; juruaudit terbaik; dan zon persekitaran berkualiti QE/5S terbaik selain penyampaian ganjaran kepada pemenang ITEX, MTE, individu yang berjaya membuat pendedahan reka cipta (ID), Pemfailan Paten dan Pengiktirafan Paten. Empat anugerah khas turut disampaikan dalam majlis ini iaitu Anugerah Khas Juri, Anugerah Khas Peningkatan Kualiti, Anugerah Projek Perundingan Terbaik dan Anugerah Khas Ketua Pengarah.

Abdul Rahim (tengah kiri) dan Abd Latif (tengah kanan) bergambar bersama pemenang pertandingan serta penerima anugerah

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

December 2012

FRIM in FOCUS

Book review

WILD ORCHIDS OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Dr Francis SP Ng

francisng@frim.gov.my

Book Title Wild Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia Authors PT Ong, P O’Bryne, WSY Yong and LG Saw Publisher Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) & MPH Group Publishing Sdn Bhd, 2012 Price RM120/USD72 This book won the national book award early this year. The first edition which was published by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in 2011 was quickly sold out. The present edition is published by special arrangement with MPH Group Publishing, which is also responsible for its distribution.

South East Asia is home to 10,000 species of orchids.

In Peninsular Malaysia, 905 species have been described.

Incredibly, over 450 species are pictured in this book, making it the most useful pictorial resource available for the identification of Malayan wild orchids.

Coffee table books are produced in the belief that a picture is worth a thousand words, but most coffee table books fail to live up to their promise, because pictures alone usually cannot tell a story. Text is needed to complement the pictures, and both must be of equally high quality. The pictures must make readers think “Wow, this is amazing!” Simultaneously, the blocks of text must be brief and accurate, yet come across as literary gems.

Finally, the book must have the feel of a well-designed book: firm binding, pages opening flat, weight and dimensions comfortable, font type and size easy on the eyes. This book excels in all the above criteria.

With 22,500 species, orchids make up 10% of the world’s flowering plants, and they are found everywhere except in Antarctica. Orchids are believed to have originated from a single ancestral population perhaps 100 million years ago, from which descendants have spread out everywhere, evolving to fit different environments and different pollinators. In this book the form and structure of orchids and their adaptations, especially adaptations for pollination, are described and illustrated.

The relationships between orchids, formerly based on comparative studies in plant form (morphology) have recently been improved through the analysis of orchid DNAs. This has resulted in many improvements in orchid classification. The modern classification system of orchids is explained in this book with illustrative examples.

Dr Francis Ng was the former Deputy Director General of Forest Research Institute Malaysia in which he has served for 26 years.

from page 16

BEYOND THE RED MERANTI: Fresh Perspectives on Malaysia’s Pasoh Forest Reserve and Climate Change

Authors: C Fletcher, M Abrams, I Shamsudin, M Samsudin & K Abdul Rahman Order Code: Meranti Price: RM60/USD36 ISBN: 978-967-5221-87-3 Pages: 72 pp

Historical information gathered over 30 years at the Pasoh Forest Reserve is used to help us understand climate change, a current and pertinent global issue that is affecting us. This book focuses on how Malaysia's tropical forests are responding to the changing climate.

December 2012 FRIM in FOCUS

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

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EAS Strategic Options 2012/December No:15

BRIC, CEILING AND BASE ISSUE The acronym of BRIC is becoming widely-known as its use by the media increases. BRIC stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and it is the acronym that captures the new importance and effect of these new big engines of globalisation. These giant countries with their dynamics, thirst of resources and industrial development are now reshaping the international trade.

The BRIC dynamics now creates major ripple effects in all economic sectors. The exponential growth of BRIC economic activities have been recorded and commented since the mid-nineties, but what about BRIC issues in the timber sector and its effect on Malaysia?

BRIC wood imports (raw wood and semi finished products under the The major characteristics of the BRIC code HS44, Figure 2). While China’s dynamics can be summarised into dynamic seems to be overwhelming three aspects. First, these countries at a global scale and for all experienced exponential increase timbers, it has a more contrasted in their imports of raw material and reality pertaining to its imports of semi-finished products. Second, Malaysian forest products (HS44). they became the global factories The increase of Chinese imports which tap on cheap labour reservoirs of the Malaysian forest products and floods the world markets with began during the mid-nineties and finished products according to their culminated at over USD600 million respective comparative advantages. in 2004 before decreasing to a stable Third, with their unprecedented base of yearly imports of between economic growth and giant size, they USD 300–400 million. Meanwhile, became the siege of huge middle the Indian imports of the Malaysian class markets which craves to forest products steadily increased consume all kinds of products, thus and surpassed Chinese imports creating new and vast markets for (Figure 3). In Malaysia, India is slowly these nouveaux or new riches. but surely becoming the main engine of the ‘BRIC effect’.

BRIC as new markets for raw materials have proven to be huge.

Being appropriately nicknamed Figure 1 shows that Brazil, India ‘factories of the world’ the BRIC and China now constitute half of the countries have continued their yearly world consumption of tropical increase of imports of raw and timbers in terms of roundwood semi-finished forest products equivalent. globally. Their imports from Malaysia however, didn’t increase in the same However, tropical timbers represent proportion and remained stagnant only a fraction of the international (Figure 4). Malaysia does not benefit trade of timbers, whereby the from the ‘BRIC effect’ as much as increase of trade are essentially due other countries, especially Africa. to temperate timbers. China has been The reason behind the scenario is the main engine for the increase of that the factories of the world are PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY

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primarily looking for cheap raw materials and resources. Being a middle-income country, Malaysia may not be as competitive as lower income tropical forest countries in terms of prices. The Chinese market for instance, shifted towards other cheaper resources after reaching a reasonable level of imports from Malaysia. The Indian market for the Malaysian products on the other hand is more complex whereby it is experiencing a slower increase and has not reached its climax compared to forest products trades from other countries. Essentially, Malaysia is losing its market shares amongst the BRIC markets.

OPTIONS The relative stagnation of the BRIC effect on the Malaysian forest products reveals deeper concerns on the competitiveness of the Malaysian production system.

One could argue that Malaysia being engaged in a path of higher value, it is only normal that its exports of raw and semi-finished products do not meet the demand of the BRIC markets. Indeed, the exports of the Malaysian forest products (HS44) to the world in

EAS Strategic Options Figure 1: World consumption of tropical timber (roundwood equivalent) 2011

Other, 17%

Figure 2: BRIC nations world imports of forest products (million m³), 2001–2011

Brazil, 20%

India, 11%

Source: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United States (2012)

Figure 3: BRIC countries imports of timber products (HS44) from Malaysia (2001–2011)

Other Asia, 35%

China, 16% Source: Roda, JM (2012)

2006 reached an apparent ceiling of between USD4500–5000 million per year (Figure 5). The worrying fact is that even the exports of wooden finished products (furniture, HS9403) seemed to have reached the ceiling at around USD2000 million per year (Figure 5), the apparent ceiling maybe temporary but if it is realised in 2012 and 2013, then the infamous and feared ‘middle-income trap’ may have applied itself to the wooden industry.

It is uncertain if the Malaysian wooden timber products exports to the world would resume their growth.

However, it is obvious that the pace should be significantly improved in order to follow the global dynamics, as shown with the BRIC effect.

The production base for Malaysia needs to be reevaluated to meet the necessities of the growing global competition.

Source: UN Commodity Trade Statistics (2012)

Figure 4: BRIC nations imports of forest products from Malaysia relative to world (Billion USD), 2001–2011

Source: United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics (2012)

Figure 5: Malaysia world exports of timber products (HS44) and wooden furniture (HS9403) (2001–2011)

Source: UN Commodity Trade Statistics (2012)

FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jean-Marc Roda, PhD Noor Aini Zakaria, PhD Lim Hin Fui, PhD Ismariah Ahmad, PhD

ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC ANALYSIS PROGRAMME (EAS) Tel : +603 6279 7544 / 7541 / 7714 / 7549 Innovation & Commercialization Division, Fax : +603 6275 0925 Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Email : frim_eas@frim.gov.my 52109 Kepong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Website : http://www.frim.gov.my Malaysia

December 2012 FRIM in FOCUS

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

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Highlights of 2012 Publications

WILD ORCHIDS OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

CHECKLIST OF FUNGI OF MALAYSIA Authors: SS Lee, SA Alias, EGB Jones, N Zainuddin & HT Chan Order Code: RP132 Price: RM95/ USD57 ISBN: 978-967-5221-82-8 Pages: 556 pp This book aims to provide the latest information on the fungi known to occur in Malaysia and is compiled from published documents scattered in the literature.

It has taken five years to prepare and document the rich diversity of fungi to be found in the country. It is aimed at those involved in research, and teaching of mycology, and related fields such as forestry, agriculture, ecology, biogeography and systematics.

It is hoped that this book will become an essential part of the mycologist’s and plant pathologist’s library and serve as a catalyst to continued fungal biodiversity studies in Malaysia.

ONE AND A HALF DECADES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS RESEARCH AT FRIM

This book contains six chapters and provides the history behind the formation of the Medicinal Plants Division. It also highlights the natural products discovery research programmes and activities in the division, its strengths and strategic advantages, some success stories and its future development plan.

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Wild Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia is a comprehensive, richly illustrated book showcasing the diversity of the country's orchid flora. It includes chapters on the biology, ecology, taxonomy, botanical research and conservation. More than 450 accurately named indigenous species (c. 50% of the total orchid flora in Peninsular Malaysia) are illustrated in high quality and full colour in this sumptuous volume.

Conservation issues, particularly critical for the orchid family, are discussed and realistic solutions proposed to combat the depletion of the nation's wild orchids.

99 SPESIES BUAH DI FRIM Authors: N Zawiah & H Othaman Order Code: 99 Price: RM120/USD72 ISBN: 978-967-5221-85-9 Pages: 256 pp In Malay language

Editors: MA Rasadah & BK Ong Order Code: DECADES Price: RM35/USD21 ISBN: 978-967-5221-77-4 Pages: 66 pp

More on page 13...

Authors: PT Ong, P O'Byrne, WSY Yong & LG Saw Order Code: WILDORCHIDS-MPH Price: RM120/USD72 ISBN: 978-967-415-076-1 Pages: 196 pp Jointly published with MPH Group Publishing Sdn Bhd: 2012

This book showcases the different types of fruits at FRIM. Fruit trees at FRIM can be found growing wild or cultivated as decorative plants or as trees in the fruit tree arboretum as well as in compounds of houses.

The planting of fruit trees will ensure that these trees will remain as our heritage.

For enquiries, please contact frim_publications@frim.gov.my December 2012

FRIM in FOCUS