SANDAKAN Sept 12 - The Meliau range is a treasure chest awaiting researchers to unlock the secrets of its diverse tropical flora and fauna as initial forays into the Meliau Range Forest Reserve in Ulu Tungud, Sandakan, seem to excite these scientists.

For this reason, a group of 60 people consisting of researchers, students and workers from the Tropical Biology and Conservation Institute of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (IBTP UMS), the Sabah National Park, the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SBC) and Forest Research Centre (FRC) took part recently in the second phase of an expedition to uncover the plants and animals in the reserve.

The 12 days' expedition beginning August 9 was sponsored by Keindanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF) of Japan with the cooperation of Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), Global Environment Centre (GEC) and TSH Resources Berhad.

The study covered an area of 5,203 hectares, 3,600 metres above sea level, at the west coast of the range. It took them three hours to reach the place from Sandakan town, using four-wheel drive vehicles.

The study focused on rare plants or those endemic to the area, apart from living organisms like lichens, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and insects. The study also dwelled into the medicinal values of wild plants and insects often used by locals.

FRC's research officer Anuar Mohd who was coordinator of the trip said the forest reserve around Meliau range covering an area of 33,135 hectares is strictly reserved for research.

But the trip proved that any research work here is not as easy as one may think. The researchers had to work day and night in chilly condition to collect samples, while some had to wade through the Meliau river that cuts through the range to find what they came for.

When collecting specimens, especially living organisms, patience is a virtue as the waiting game can go on and on. Furthermore, animals are very sensitive to the presence of human being and would go into hiding.

However, the beauty of nature around the range mesmerizes and provides some comfort after a hard day's work.

The second phase study, unlike the first one in the eastern side of the range, is not restricted to botany and insects only. In the first phase 336 species were identified, including 12 considered endemic species.

The study this time identified 13 orchid species in the area including two rare species. In the first phase, about 40 species of orchid were discovered including one new species.

A pensioner, Tony Lamb, who joined the expedition on his own interest said overall there are about 1,200 orchid species in Sabah, of which 800 can be found in Kinabalu Park and the other 400 in other forest areas in the state.

Tony joined the expedition to collect materials to come up with an academic book that would expose the hidden treasures of the Meliau range.

Sukarman Sukimin, a Masters' student of IBTP UMS and Sarina Mat Amin, a researcher at the same institute, collected insect specimens like ants and beetles.

According to Sukarman there are two ways to collect ant specimens, that is, the "Winkler Bag" method and "Hole With Bait". The Winkler Bag method involves the collection of soil and leaves from the forest floor and putting them inside a bag made of netting material.

"The netting would then be suspended in a white bag with alcohol at the bottom. The whole process may take up to 72 hours but at every 24 hours the bag needs to be inspected for sign of insects in the alcohol," he said.

The hole with bait method needs several baits suspended from an aluminium pole with a glass at the bottom containing detergent solution to kill the ants.

Another method is to look for ants in holes on tree trunks. The ants normally live in symbiosis with the trees as they protect the trees from other insects in return for shelter.

Those looking for beetles may set traps using baits or they can use the "Light Trapping" technique at night where a piece of white cloth is spread vertically in open area and bright lights are set behind the cloth to attract insects.

On seeing light, the beetles would lose their senses and fly in the direction of the light with some of them going vast distance to reach the light.

From the hundreds of beetle species, the male Hister beetle (Chalcosoma Moellenkampi) with its three antennas and shiny jet black sheen is most attractive.

As for lichens and ferns, the collection method used may be tiresome as they have to go along or across the river to get what they want. A lecturer in IBTP UMS, Dr Iris Mod Said, chose ferns as his research subject due to the uniqueness of the organism.

"The ferns act as parasite and destroyer on the host but there are also some which are no more than passengers. Their unique characteristics interest me and fuel my research," he said.

Dr Idris said there are also fern species that can be used for medication like "Tunjuk Langit" (Helmintho Stachys Zeylanica), often used by rural folks who are aware of its healing powers.

"In this jungle I have yet to locate the species but the ordinary species like `Resam' and "Tanduk Rusa" often used as decorative plants are easily available," he said.

All the specimens collected were brought back to Sandakan Herbarium for identification purposes and all findings from the expedition would be presented at a workshop to be held next March. - Bernama