Forest Management Plan - Sabah Forestry Department

8.8.5 Research & Development (R&D)8.8.5.1 Research ActivitiesMany commitments in the SFD strategic directions outline the need for greaterscientific knowledge and technological innovation in the forest sector. In particular, theSFD must increase its understanding of the impacts of human and natural disturbanceson forest ecosystems, develop appropriate forest management tools and techniques, andenhance the forest sector's international competitiveness. Structuring research anddevelopment in this way, enables experts from diverse disciplines, to focus on complexproblems and supports the development of more integrated techniques and approachesto resource management. This process brings in various disciplines in the natural andsocial sciences, as well as, traditional knowledge.Ecological management of the forest develops and applies understanding of how forestecosystems sustain themselves over long periods of time. It involves examination ofgrowth, development, and the inherent disturbances that underlie the ecologicalintegrity, dynamics, biological diversity and resilience of forest ecosystems. Theknowledge enables the SFD officers to develop approaches that work with, rather thanagainst, the processes that underlie forest ecosystem sustainability.The Forest Research Centre (FRC) in Sepilok will combine their expertise and resourcesto look at a wider spectrum of issues associated with sustainable development in FMU17A particularly on the following:i. Information on wildlife in terms of their population, habitat requirements andthe impact of management activities;ii.iii.Growth performance of trees that have been planted through forestrestoration program and silviculturally treated;New studies directed at expanding knowledge on biodiversity amongst plantsand animals and the floristic, structure and dynamic of the forest especially inthe upland kerapah – ultramafic forest; andiv. To study the ecotourism potentials of FMU 17A.A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FRC and Kyoto University was signedin 2003 to work on “Tropical Forest Disturbance and Recovery” in DFR, as well as, inTangkulap FR (RIL and Conventional method of logging). The MOU expired in 2008 andhas been extended until 2013. Several research activities were carried out under theproject, which include the “Study on Sustainability of Biomass and FloristicComposition in Logged Over Forest”. The study sites are in DFR and Tangkulap FR.70