Research Programme

PROGRAMME 1

(1)  PHYTORESOURCES SELECTION AND PLANTATION
       Head of Programme : Dr. Ruzana Adibah binti Mohd Sanusi

INTRODUCTION

This programme covers screening and identification of superior varieties of forest plantation species with potential for wood and bio-based industries and commercialization of new forest species through the development of sustainable plantation systems.  The focus is to develop superior quality of planting materials for forest and fibre plantation crops.  Specifically, research related to screening, tissue culture, identification and characterization of the fibre resources are emphasized while performing site-specific study at the same time. In this program, response of trees and tree communities on morphological and physiological aspects to the natural environment namely solar radiation, water and nutrient availability are also considered.  forest plantation ecosystem

Research scopes:

1. Forest plantation plant resource selection, improvement and management.
2. Environmental suitability for forest plantation establishment.
3. Plant nursery management.
4. Mass propagation of quality planting materials.
5. Plant physiology and environmental interaction.
6. Plant health management.
7. Social interaction in forest plantation.
8. Environmental impact of forest plantation.

Stakeholders: Governmental agencies, private forest plantation companies, NGOs and professional associations, local authorities, international research agencies (i.e. Borneo Forestry Cooperative (BFC) and CIRAD).

Ahli pakar / Expertise:

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 1 – No poverty
• Goal 12 – Responsible consumption and production
• Goal 13 – Climate Action
• Goal 15 – Life on Land

PROGRAMME 2
(2)  TROPICAL RAINFOREST MANAGEMENT & ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
       Head of Programme : Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Puan Chong Leong

INTRODUCTION

This programme covers the application of various research approaches to improve the understanding of ecosystem processes of the tropical rainforest in order to contribute towards sustainability of bioresource management, bioresource conservation and protection. The research aspect includes ecosystem goods and services, natural forest carbon sequestration, wood and fibre resources; forest stands dynamics, and use of indigenous plant species in both natural and man-made forests. This programme also develops and applies ecosystem-based valuation approach that would support and improve directly or indirectly human survival and quality of life.

Research scopes:

1. Ecosystem goods and services.
2. Forest restoration.
3. Climate change and forest ecosystem.
4. Carbon forestry.
5. Flora & fauna conservation.
6. Planted forest management.
7. Forest and community assessment.
8. Techno-economics & policy studies on wood / fibre industry.
9. Economic valuation.
10. Forest management planning.

Stakeholders: Governmental agencies, private forest plantation companies, NGOs and professional associations, local authorities and international research agencies (i.e. Borneo Forestry Cooperative (BFC) and CIRAD).

Ahli pakar / Expertise:

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Goal 1 – No Poverty
• Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
• Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13 – Climate Action
• Goal 15 – Life on Land

PROGRAMME 3
(2)  FORESTRY DATA SCIENCE & ANALYTICS
       Head of Programme : Dr. Sheriza Mohd Razali

INTRODUCTION

This programme covers the application of advanced technology to support sustainable forest management systems of tropical rainforest to increase efficiency as well as connecting all facets of forestry information at local, national, and global levels through an organized digital network. This program includes the analysis and the long-term planning of production systems, along with their economic, organisational, business, social and innovation dimensions. Forest industrial strategy is a component of the geopolitics of natural resources and energies. It encompasses the interactions of forest and lignocellulosic biomass with various land use interactions and productions, within complex mosaic landscapes, and the power relationships and influences of trades, economics and finance. The research inherently analyses complexity and multiple scales, uses and develops methods including mathematical modelling, big data, geographic information systems, remote sensing, business analytics and various other digital technologies. Analytics are applied in various research topics in this program to quantify forest mosaics and its complexity and provide insights to the findings.

Skop penyelidikan / Research Scopes:

1. Geographic Information System (GIS) in forest management.
2. Remote sensing application.
3. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) application.
4. Internet of Things (IoT) for forest protection.
5. Artificial intelligence (AI) for monitoring.
6. Big data mining & visualisation.
7. Predictive and prescriptive analytics.
8. Behavioural analysis.
9. Financial network analysis.
10. Supply chain analysis.
11. Market analysis.
12. Bioresource economics.

Stakeholders: Governmental agencies, wood and bio-based industry, NGOs and professional associations, local authorities, local communities and international research agencies ((i.e. Borneo Forestry Cooperative (BFC) and CIRAD).

Ahli pakar / Expertise:

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13 – Climate Action
• Goal 15 – Life on Land

Updated:: 29/02/2024 [amallina.osman]