Happenings

Pre-Planting

Nursery Work

200 Shorea albida (Alan) saplings were randomly selected and tagged in the nursery for planting at Badas peat swamp forest.

Our Badas Team leaders (Asri, Hazimah, Naqibah, Suhailah, and Wardah) hard at work selecting and grouping the saplings at the nursery!

Team leaders at work at the nursery (left to right: Naqibah, Suhailah, Wardah, and Asri).
Asri and Hazimah are selecting the Alan saplings for the Badas Tree Planting.
Hazimah sorting out the plant tags.
The Alan saplings ready for planting.

Planting Site Preparation

Hard labour work that includes site planning, demarcating the planting plot, digging and staking of planting holes, acclimatising the saplings, and clearing the vegetations to create trails for tree planting participants in Badas peat swamp forest.

The planting site was prepared swiftly and skilfully thanks to the experienced team from Forestry Department!

The Forestry team is having a discussion before starting site preparation.
A short briefing by Suhailah from SMART before starting site preparation.
The Forestry team ensuring the stakes are placed in a straight line.
A Forestry staff using a compass to ensure the stakes are in a line.
The Forestry team working together during staking.
The SMART and Forestry team transporting the Alan saplings from the nursery to the planting site in Badas.
Acclimatisation of Alan saplings in a partially submerged and shaded area.
Alan saplings are acclimatised at Badas for two weeks prior to planting.
Labourers digging the planting hole for the Alan saplings.
Weeding and staking by the competent Forestry team.

Tree Planting

Launching Day

Badas Tree Planting 2021 was officially launched on 25th Feb 2021 by Yang Mulia Puan Noralinda Hj Ibrahim, Acting Director of Forestry Department at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. The ceremony was also attended by Dr Abby Tan Chee Hong, Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research) at UBD, Hj Osmera Hj Othman, Head of HSE and Security, BSP and Hj Mohd Jaafar Hj Awang Bakar, Corporate Manager, BSP, and the Brunei Darussalam Climate Change Secretariat.

The launching ceremony to kick start Badas Tree Planting 2021 was a success!

Launching ceremony of the Badas Tree Planting with all the stakeholders from BSP, Forestry, SMART, and UBD.
The UBD team is in a lively mood during the launching ceremony.
Yang Mulia Puan Noralinda Hj Ibrahim, Acting Director of Forestry Department, is giving a speech before the planting commences.
VIP guests from UBD, BSP, Forestry Dept, and Brunei Darussalam Climate Change attending the launching ceremony.
Suhailah from SMART (extreme left) giving a short introduction on Badas peat swamp forest before the planting begins.
Wardah from UBD (extreme right) is demonstrating on how to plant the saplings to Puan Noralinda Hj Ibrahim and Tuan Joffre Ali Ahmad from Forestry Dept.
Dr Abby Tan Chee Hong, Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research) from UBD, is all smiles after planting the Alan sapling.
Hj Mohd Jaafar Hj Awang Bakar, Corporate Manager from BSP, is doing a great job planting the Alan sapling.
Hj Osmera Hj Othman, Head of HSE and Security from BSP, is giving a thumbs up.
Brunei Darussalam Climate Change Secretariat team is having a good time while planting.

Planting with Volunteers

Volunteers from UBD, BSP, FD, and Wetlands International (WI) came together to plant and record height and stem diameter of the Alan saplings.

Thanks to the hardworking team and the amazing volunteers, we have successfully planted 200 saplings in 7 days!

BSP team is doing a fun shot at the planting site.
UBD represent!
So grateful for the great weather 😛
Nadiah (middle) from BSP is having fun with her teammates.
The hardworking team from Wetlands International!
Naweh from Wetlands International is very focused tying the sapling to the stake.
The UBD volunteers are helping each other to plant and measure the sapling.
Yusran from UBD is measuring the height of the sapling.
Aziah from Wetlands International is measuring the stem diameter of the sapling.
A pair of volunteers from UBD is proud of the sapling that they have just planted.
Team Leader Wardah (left) is demonstrating the volunteer from Wetlands International on how to measure the height of the sapling.
Selfie session with Team Leader Hazimah (right) is always very fun!
Team Leader Asri (right) definitely knows how to hype up the planting atmosphere!
The planting activity always ends with a selfie with the volunteers. Say cheese!
Not forgetting the hardworking labourers!
Yay! Team Leader Suhailah (second from right) is giving double thumbs up for the volunteers’ effort.

Post-Planting

First Month (Apr 2021)

After 1 month, 58 out of 200 saplings were recorded dead. In short, the survivorship is 71% after 1 month of planting in Badas peat swamp forest. However that, there was promising growth of new leaves observed on the live saplings!

Mortality map of the Alan saplings after 1 month of planting with 58 dead (27 weeding + 31 no weeding)

At the same time, fertilisers (urea and triple super phosphate) were applied to the Alan saplings as part of the experiment.

Team Leader Wardah and her team members posing near an Alan sapling.
Suhailah from SMART and her team from BSP.
The Wetlands International team measuring and recording the sapling’s measurements.
Dr. Stefan Godeke from UBD is applying the fertilisers to the sapling plot.
Our volunteers helping one another measuring the Alan sapling.
It is a challenge to walk through this flooded part of the peat swamp.
An Alan sapling showing promising growth!
This sapling is “staying alive, staying alive!”.
New shoot!
After a hard day’s of work on the field, it’s time to rest and eat!

Third Month (Jun 2021)

A total of 105 out of 200 Alan saplings survived after 3 months of planting at Badas peat swamp forest. The dead saplings were replaced with a healthy batch of Alan saplings on the third month of post-planting. Hence, the percentage of live saplings is back to 100% after replacement.

Mortality map of the Alan saplings after 3 months of planting with 95 dead

The effects of weeding and fertiliser application on the Alan saplings planted on the deforested Badas peat swamp forest are studied in Badas Tree Planting 2021. Thus far, weeding and the fertilisers (urea and triple super phosphate) have no effect on the survivorship of the saplings after 3 months. The saplings that have survived were showing very positive signs by the growing number of new leaves. There is a sapling in the weeding and triple super phosphate fertiliser combined treatment that sprouted out 34 new leaves after 2 months. It had 0 leaves recorded during the 1st month census in April 2021 and it amazingly surpassed the other saplings with the highest number of leaves on the 3rd month of post-planting in June 2021.

In addition, the number of volunteers who took part has been encouraging as well! A total of 180 volunteers has participated in Badas Tree Planting 2021 and most of them have expressed interest to join us again for future activities 😊

Sixth Month (Sep 2021)

A total of 147 out of 200 Alan saplings was recorded alive during the 6th month post-planting census.

Mortality map of the Alan saplings after 6 months of planting with 53 dead

Fertilisers were applied for the second time after six months. Measurements such as the height, stem diameter, and number of leaves were also collected. The height and stem diameter stayed constant. The number of leaves of all the saplings was encouraging with 49 leaves as the highest number of leaves recorded.

Unfortunately, the volunteering event for the 6th month post-planting activity in September 2021 had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Despite that, the SMART-UBD team proceeded with the post-planting activities while adhering to safety measures.

Group photo of the SMART-UBD team.
A healthy-looking Alan sapling with fresh growth of green leaves.
A new leaf bud emerging.
However, some saplings are not able to survive the harsh conditions. This could be due to excessive/inadequate sun exposure or water availability.
A sapling with possibilities of a pest attack.
A possible pest culprit – the caterpillar.
An Alan sapling doing well in a waterlogged condition.
Another healthy sapling with bright green leaves.
Despite being surrounded by the competitive ferns, this sapling in the no-weeding plot is able to cope and grow new leaves.
A picture-perfect Alan sapling with the mature Alan tree at the backdrop.

First Year (Mar 2022)

In March 2022, a total of 112 out of 200 Alan saplings was recorded alive at the degraded Badas peat swamp. This number includes the saplings from the first replacement that was done during the 3rd month post-planting census. However, only 54 out of 200 saplings from the first batch of saplings that was planted back in March 2021 survived the harsh conditions of the peat swamp after a year.

Mortality map of the Alan saplings after 12 months of planting with 88 dead

A second replacement was done in March 2022. Due to the shortage of saplings in the nursery, only 39 out of 88 dead saplings were replaced. After the second replacement, 151 live Alan saplings are left standing at Badas peat swamp.

According to the 12th month census, there are no changes to the height and stem diameter. However, it is noticeable that some saplings have already adapted to the harsh planting condition by looking at the number of shoots they produce. The highest number of leaves recorded so far is 93!

Yet again, the volunteering event for the 12th month post-planting activity in March 2022 had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 wave. With proper safe distancing measures, the SMART-UBD team continued to carry out the post-planting activities. All in all, everything went smoothly.

The team behind the Badas 12th month post-planting activities!
Briefing by Suhailah from SMART before post-planting activities commenced.
A labourer weeding the sapling plot using a ‘parang’ or machete.
One of the teams collecting the sapling measurements at the Badas planting site. As you can see the planting site is a degraded peat swamp with no trees and is covered with ferns.
Hazimah from UBD and her team in a positive vibe despite having to wear mask during a hot day on the field.
Wardah from UBD is placing a tag around a newly replaced Alan sapling.
Ammy from UBD is making sure that the sapling is planted in an upright position.
An Alan sapling looking taller than the surrounding ferns in a no-weeding plot.
A healthy Alan sapling with many leaves!
Black ants making a nest in the stem of a dead Alan sapling.

Eighteenth Month (Sep 2022)

Finally, the pandemic restrictions have been lifted and volunteers were able to join us this round and they were able to go to the Badas peat swamp and see how the saplings were doing. In total, 115 out of 200 Alan saplings are alive at Badas peat swamp after the two replacements on 3rd- and 12th-month censuses. From the first batch of planting in March 2021, 44 out of 200 saplings are still surviving after 1.5 years. It is no surprise that the survivorship is low due to the harsh conditions of the degraded peat swamp forest. However, the ones that survived are looking healthy with fresh growth of shoots. One sapling even had hit the 3-m mark in height and some saplings with more than 100 leaves!

Mortality map of the Alan saplings after 18 months of planting with 85 dead

Volunteers from Wetlands International (Chung Yee and Rejmi) and Nikki from Panaga Club are glad they are able to join us for this round of census after the pandemic restrictions have been lifted. Also, shout-out to Wadina from UBD for guiding the volunteers!
Tuan Hj Osmera and Puan Raedah from Brunei Shell Petroleum next to an Alan sapling. Thumbs up to them for going through the tough terrain to collect the census!
Naweh and Azwan from Wetlands International measuring height and stem diameter of the Alan sapling. Respect!
These ladies worked as a team measuring the height of the Alan sapling. Superb!
Nikki and Wadina are all smiles even when they stepped into a ‘peat’ hole!
Dina from BSP and Dr Stefan from UBD are excited that they get to volunteer again and see how the saplings are doing after 1.5 years.
Yellowing of leaves could indicate that the sapling lacks nutrient such as nitrogen.
Holes on the leaves may indicate insect attack but it seems that the sapling is doing well with new leaf buds forming.
New production of green leaves may indicate that the sapling is adapting well in this harsh habitat.
An Alan sapling growing tall and healthy with new leaf buds and fresh leaves observed. This sapling has more than 100 leaves observed after 1.5 year of planting.

Second Year (Mar 2023)

For the 2nd-year census, 97 out of 200 Alan saplings are recorded alive at Badas peat swamp after the two replacements on 3rd-month and 1st-year censuses. 40 out of 200 saplings that were originally planted in March 2021 are still surviving after 2 years. The tallest sapling is 353cm tall and coincidentally, it also has the largest stem diameter of 2.71cm. It was planted in March 2021 and is located at Planting Hole 175 that is near to the forest edge.

Mortality map of the Alan saplings after 2 years of planting with 103 dead

Volunteers from the Forestry Department came to join us for the 2nd-year census collection. It was very delightful to see familiar faces!
Volunteers working as a team to collect the census of this Alan sapling. Great team effort!
A team of volunteers helping each other to measure the height of a very tall Alan sapling with one volunteer placing the stiff measure tape against the stem while the other ensures that the tip of the tape reaches the apical bud.
A majestic-looking Alan sapling with lush green leaves!
An Alan sapling with the Alan tree stand at the background. Hopefully, it can grow tall like the trees behind it!
Another healthy-looking Alan sapling new red leaves emerging from the tips of the branches.
Despite in a waterlogged area, this Alan sapling is still surviving. This is one tough sapling!
And that’s it, the Badas Tree Planting Team Leaders would like to thank all the volunteers for their great work!

Rare Sighting: Flowering of Shorea albida

It was such a pleasant surprise to see some of the Shorea albida or Alan trees flowering along the Badas and Lumut pipeline roads in Brunei! The sighting took place in early-mid February 2023. Shorea albida have a very rare flowering event which takes place every 20-30 years. Although it did not look like a mast flowering event, it was still a charming sight to see the tiny whitish yellow star-shaped flowers litter on the forest floor. The last flowering event occurred back in 2014 and it was a unique opportunity to collect the seeds during the rare fruiting season. That was how the Alan seeds were collected and then, grown for Badas Tree Planting. We are hoping that these Alan trees that flowered in February 2023 would fruit in the next few months so that we could collect the seeds and use for future restoration and research projects.

A low angle view of a flowering Shorea albida tree that is probably 50m tall.
A close-up view of one of the Shorea albida trees along the Badas road that is flowering. This was taken on 21 Feb 2023.
The whitish yellow Shorea albida flowers litter the forest floor of the peat swamp in Lumut. This was taken on 14 February 2023. What a wonderful sight!
A close-up view of a Shorea albida flower.

Thirtieth month (Sep 2023)

Brunei has been experiencing the El Niño effects in 2023. The planting site is unusually dry during the third quarter of 2023. However that, the established saplings seem unscathed from the hot and dry season. During the 2.5th-year census, 86 out of 200 Alan saplings survived at Badas peat swamp after the two replacements on 3rd-month and 1st-year censuses. The tallest sapling is over 380cm tall and has the largest stem diameter of 3.44cm. This sapling located in Planting Hole 175 is once again crowned as the winner for the best performance Alan sapling. It is amazing that it could grow by about 2m taller in 2.5 years! Can you imagine how tall it would be in 10 or 20 years’ time?

Mortality map of Alan saplings after 2.5 years with 114 dead

Such a beautiful Alan tree!
Of course, Suhailah and Aqilah had to take a selfie with this beautiful Alan tree!
Look at this tall Alan tree towering over the ferns. Alan sure loves the sun!
Sometimes, it is a challenge to measure a very tall Alan tree. Kudos to Ammy for trying her best!
But sometimes, it could be easy-breezy too!
The leaves of this Alan sapling has a relatively darker shade of green as compared to the other planted saplings. It could be due to the low sun exposure that leads to a high chlorophyll content (to capture more sunlight) that gives the leaves a darker green colour.
Resin production is a defence mechanism of the Alan species in response to an injury. Resin is usually reddish-brown in colour and has a gummy texture that hardens when exposed to air.
Can you spot a long and dangling brown extension from the leaf? That is apparently a bagworm moth cocoon. It is actually a pest that can damage trees by causing defoliation.
Yellowing of the leaves could be one of the symptoms of nutrient deficiency.
Shout-out to the team leaders for maintaining and collecting the 2.5th-year census 😀

Third year (Mar 2024)

The El Niño effects are still lingering in Brunei in the early quarter of 2024. Fortunately, not a lot of the saplings died during the dry season. A total of 79 out of 200 Alan saplings are still alive at Badas peat swamp during the third year census. The tallest sapling is over 530cm tall! The largest stem diameter recorded is 3.88cm!

Meanwhile, a wild fire has spread across some parts of Badas peat swamp forest in late March 2024. The good news is that it did not reach the planting site! However that, it is still a cause for concern as peat fires are known to be able to smoulder and extend across peatlands via below ground.

Mortality map of Alan saplings after 3 years with 121 dead

Let’s take a look at how one of our planted Alan saplings (20-01-13) at Planting Hole 44 transitioned from a stem with a few branches into a tree with a beautiful crown after 3 years!