FRIM TOWARDS REDUCING ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT · 2013-10-10 · FRIM TOWARDS REDUCING ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT Dr Gan Kee Seng [email protected] & Azharizan Mohd Norizan ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FRIM TOWARDS REDUCING ITS CARBON FOOTPRINTDr Gan Kee Seng [email protected]& Azharizan Mohd Norizan

ABOUT THE AUTHORDr Gan Kee Seng is currently the Head of the Green Technology Programme, Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).

Processing of wood requires fuel energy that emits GHG

Fire door testing is one of the services offerred that requires high

fuel consumption

Focus article

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Cover photo: An aerial view of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) campus. (Photo credit: Asmar Hassan)

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Editor & WriterIda Suraini Abd Shukor

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORDr Gan Kee Seng is currently the Head of the Green Technology Programme, Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).

Climate change will dominate every aspect of human lives in many years to come as non-renewable resources are continuously being depleted. Activities that consume natural resources particularly fuel, emit greenhouse gases (GHG) that are the main cause of global warming. Various green initiatives are being undertaken by concerned global citizen to reduce emission with the hope of slowing down global warming.

In order to effectively address GHG emission, it is essential to understand which activities produce GHG and the scale of emission for each activity. The GHG emissions to the atmosphere of an individual or group are referred to as the carbon footprint.

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), a R&D organisation with 900 staff members is working on various aspects of tropical rainforest research and services. FRIM aims to have as little negative impact as possible to the environment when carrying out its activities. As a R&D organisation, FRIM’s main contribution to GHG emissions is from energy use. This assumption allows FRIM

to focus only on CO2 rather than other GHGs including CH4, N2O, SF4, NF5, perfluorocarbon and hydofluorocarbon.

The first step to effectively reduce energy-related CO2 emission is to quantify how much FRIM emits through various activities. FRIM carbon footprint for years 2011 and 2012 were 5332 ton and 4701 ton carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-e) respectively. There was an 11.8% reduction in the total carbon emission in year 2012 compared to 2011. The reduction was contributed significantly by less air travelling by researchers both internationally and locally. However, reduction in the total carbon emission from electricity usage was insignificant.

FRIM will take proactive steps to reduce her carbon emission. Average carbon footprint for the last two years will be used as a baseline or reference emission for future initiatives to reduce emission. The various contributory factors will be re-evaluated in greater details and targeted for reduction through various strategies such as improved efficiency, prevention of leakages and reduction on avoidable travelling.Photos: Asmar Hassan

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute MalaysiaSeptember 2013FRIM in FOCUS2 A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

September 2013FRIM in FOCUS 3

Focus article

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Urban dwellers often look for green spaces for recreational activities such as walking, jogging, cycling and picnicking. Some, however prefer nature for leisure and relaxation purposes. More than often visiting green areas such as parks and gardens help urbanites improve physical and mental health by reducing their stress problems. Urban green spaces also help promote social contact amongst people in the neighbourhood.

One of the few established green spaces near Kuala Lumpur is the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) which is a popular spot amongst local communities, foreigners and nature lovers. FRIM with its lush green surroundings is an ideal location for recreational and educational activities. As an ecotourism site, FRIM promotes important messages for conservation by allowing visitors to learn from its biodiversity resources.

FRIM is also a significant research centre that provides knowledge and technology to scientists, as well as information to the general public. During the year 1926, the campus was established as a site for plantation trials, at the time where most of its grounds were in the form of degraded forests, vegetable farms and abandoned mining pools. Nevertheless, the 80 year-old green area is now a renowned natural site for ecotourism with its own living museum of tropical forest species. FRIM forest, thematic arboreta and gardens such as the Bambusetum, the Dipterocarp Arboretum, the Non-Dipterocarp Arboretum, the Ethnobotanical Garden and the newly developed Kepong Botanical Garden form the vegetated area measuring 502 ha from the total 544 ha of FRIM land area.

In 2012, FRIM received more than 680,000 visitors and the figure is expected to increase in 2013. With the formation of ‘Friends of FRIM’, the nearby communities especially, are encouraged to join FRIM in its efforts to safeguard and protect the forest and green areas.

The successful establishment of FRIM forests spreads the message that people are capable of nurturing the environment. Enjoying nature at FRIM motivates communities to continue conserving the lush greeneries so that they can reap the advantages of conservation for the benefit of future generations.

FRIM is an attraction to both the young and old

Delivering conservation messages to students

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORAhmad Azaruddin Mohd Noor is a Research Officer at the Ecotourism and Urban Forestry Programme, Forestry and Environment Division, FRIM.

Ahmad Azaruddin Mohd Noor [email protected]& Dr Noor Azlin Yahya

A GREEN LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATION



Focus article

A study was carried out recently to quantify the aboveground carbon stock for the forested area of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) campus. Data for this study was obtained using satellite images called Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) from the Japanese Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) and a set of ground measurement data. The study covered the entire 544 ha of FRIM area, out of which 502 ha is covered with forest.

The estimated aboveground carbon stock within the forested area was between 12.95±5.45 and 284.65±5.45 t C/ha with the mean of 96.80 t C/ha. Total carbon stock for the entire forested area of

FOREST CARBON MAPPING AT FRIMHamdan [email protected]

ABOUT THE AUTHORHamdan Omar is a Research Officer at the Geoinformation Programme, Forestry and Environment Division, FRIM. He is currently active in a number of research projects relating to the carbon stock assessments in Malaysia's forest ecosystems by using spatial technologies, in addition to forests roles in combating climate change. He is also pursuing his PhD in the field of forest engineering and operations at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). His work is mostly concentrated on the use of remotely sensed data in assessing forests biomass and carbon stock.

Low carbon Medium carbon High carbon

Distribution of carbon stock at FRIM

502 ha on the other hand was estimated at 56,874.9 t C, which is equal to 208,541.3 t CO2.

This study is useful for carbon accounting and carbon credit, especially when dealing with climate change related issues. The value of carbon stock will be the baseline information for implementing the Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) projects. The carbon stock value is also useful for conservation and management of FRIM campus and its surrounding areas.

It is also possible to replicate the approach introduced by this study at the national level for forest carbon mapping purposes in addition to monitoring the changes caused by deforestation and forest degradation. The advancements on remote sensing and spatial technologies are expected to benefit the government and the community as a whole.



ABOUT THE AUTHORDr Rushdan Ibrahim is a Senior Research Officer at the Pulp and Paper Programme, FRIM. He obtained his PhD in Paper Science from University of Manchester, UK; MSc in Wood Industrial Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia and BSc in Forestry from University of Montana, USA. His specialisation is on pulp and paper. He has published and presented 130 technical papers, conducted 25 consultancy works, won 24 innovation awards and has three patent pendings.

Food container, industrial packaging and medical utensil in Malaysia are generally made from plastics, either from polylactide (PLA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PTE). Plastics are non-environmental friendly materials because of difficulties in composting and they are costly due to escalating petroleum prices. In contrast, products from developed countries are made from lignocellulosic fibres thus biodegradable in nature. Lignocellulosic fibres are abundant in Malaysia as million tonnes of agricultural residues are available as raw material for producing moulded pulp food containers such as plate, bowl, cup and spoon.

The most abundant fibre material is oil palm biomass which is readily available from oil palm plantations and palm oil mills. The oil palm industry generates approximately 13.9 million tonnes of moisture-free cellulosic materials annually. Formerly an industrial waste, these materials serve as renewable and secure feedstock raw material for paper pulp production. Oil palm biomass including oil palm trunks, oil palm fronds and empty fruit bunches are useful as supplementary sources of short fibre pulps that were traditionally obtained from hardwoods.

There are three different methods of pulping, namely the chemical, mechanical and hybrid processes. Of the three, the refiner mechanical pulp is lower in costs of production, labour and capital per tonne of product. This technology is primarily mechanical to convert biomass into fibrous material or pulp.

The pulp undergoes several processes before being made into a moulded product. Stock preparation involves water soaking, disintegration and dilution of pulp into slurry of 5% consistency. Chemical additives such as rosin, wax emulsion and dyes are added to impart desired properties such as good formation, smooth surface, water resistance, colour, fire resistance and high stiffness. Finally, the stock slurry is pumped into a moulding machine and the item produced is then dried.

Moulded food container from oil palm empty fruit bunches is an eco-label product namely because the pulp is sourced either from a sustainably managed forest (or plantation), agricultural residue, agricultural fibre or recycled fibre. Ingredients for product manufacturing are also environmental-friendly while the raw materials is of less impact to the environment when products are disposed.

Dr Rushdan [email protected]

BIODEGRADABLE FOOD CONTAINER. A WISE CHOICE

Focus article

Moulded containers

and packing materials

from oil palm biomass

Moulding machine for making paper plates

Photos: Asmar Hassan



Focus article

BIOFUEL–FRIM CAMPUS GOES GREEN

Dr Wan Asma Ibrahim [email protected] Hashim, Mohammad Edziani Rosali, Nur Atiqah Mohamad Shamsuddin & Rosdi Koter

Combating global warming and greening the environment are becoming important global issues today. Green products for instance, are increasingly popular among consumers as more investments are being channelled to develop green innovative processes in place of conventional methods.

In line with the government’s aspirations, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is working towards lowering its carbon footprint by developing a sustainable green energy source in the form of biofuel. Efforts to tackle one of the major contributors of global warming, which is the transportation sector, began in 2011 with the establishment of a biodiesel plant through an MTDC funded project. The project, known as FMBiosis was initiated to develop FRIM technologies as well as to train young entrepreneurs.

Today, the biodiesel pilot plant at FRIM is operated by Xtract Tech Sdn Bhd with a maximum capacity of 20 tonnes per month. The plant produces biodiesel for its own consumption and for other interested parties. The establishment of the plant represents FRIM’s personal

contribution towards a sustainable campus. Biofuels are carbon neutral as they offset the carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel thus contribute towards a sustainable environment. For every litre of diesel fossil fuel burned, about 2.65 kg of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Combustion of the same amount of biodiesel however, prevents the release of 2.65 kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The biodiesel pilot plant launched in 2011 is now operating on industrial effluent feedstock namely grease trap oil from service contractors. Two processes, namely the esterification and transesterification are involved in producing biodiesel, in which the former is aimed at reducing the acid value of the feedstock while the latter is required for converting the feedstock into biodiesel. Although the process is very challenging due to the high free fatty acid content of the feedstock, FRIM Bioenergy Laboratory has successfully managed the conversion into biofuel. Quality wise, the biodiesel was able to satisfy the ASTM D6751 standards. Currently, FRIM vehicles are using B5 fuel which is a blend of 5% biodiesel and

The biodiesel pilot plant established at FRIM campus

FRIM 4WD vehicle fuelled with biodiesel



Focus article

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORDr Wan Asma Ibrahim is the Head of the Bioenergy Programme, Forest Products Division, FRIM. She obtained her MSc in Chemistry from University of Missouri-Rolla, USA and Phd from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her area of expertise is on biomass utilisation and she has co-written several articles on bioethanol, biodiesel, bio-oil and biopellets derived from biomass materials.

95% fossil diesel. FRIM uses about 13,000 litres of diesel annually and by replacing the consumption to 5% biodiesel, about 1.72 tonnes of carbon dioxide release is prevented annually to the environment.

Not only does the pilot plant reduces carbon dioxide release to the environment by using grease trap oil as its feedstock, it is also able to avoid waste oils from entering streams and rivers via conventional dumping of grease trap residues into the landfills. On the other hand, grease trap service contractors are also able to generate income from the otherwise waste oils.

More R&D are being conducted at FRIM to source for other feedstock for the biodiesel pilot plant. Seed oils under study include jarak pagar (Jatropha curcas L) and bintangor laut (Calophyllum inophyllum L). Jatropha curcas are being planted on a trial basis at FRIM Research Station, Setiu, Terengganu. This project is focusing on establishing good planting regimes with optimum fruit productivity on the non-fertile BRIS soil. There are about 162,000 ha of this particular soil in Peninsular Malaysia. Bintangor laut seeds are being processed at FRIM Bioenergy Laboratory to produce quality biodiesel. Other potential species in Malaysia include Hevea brasiliensis (rubber) and Elasteriospermum tapos (perah). In addition, this pilot plant is also moving towards zero waste in which the concept is realised by the purification of glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production. Recycling of catalyst is also being experimented at the pilot plant, which may reduce the plant operating costs.

Biodiesel from Jatropha curcas seeds

Biodiesel produced at FRIM are packed and ready for interested

parties

Property UnitASTM D6751 Biodiesel by

Xtract Tech Sdn Bhd limit range

Density 15oC kg/m3 860-900 876.7

Kinematic viscosity, 40oC

mm2/s 1.9-6.07.759

(@28˚C.cSt)

Flash point (closed cup)

oC 130.0 min 118

Sulfated ash % mass 0.020 max 0.012

Water and sediment

% volume 0.050 max 0.0

Cetane number - 47 min 59

Cloud point oC - 8

Carbon residue % mass 0.050 max 0.025

Acid number mg KOH/g 0.8 max 0.70

Fatty acid methyl ester

% 95 98

Cold filter plugging point

oC To report 6

Calorific value MJ/kg To report 39.718

Pour point oC To report 9

Properties of biodiesel produced by FRIM

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Pruning Jatropha curcas tree at FRIM Research Station, Setiu



Wood Entomology article

A SAD ADIEU TO AN 80 YEAR-OLD DYERA COSTULATADr Roszaini [email protected]

Jelutong or its scientific name Dyera costulata (Miq) Hook is a lesser-known Asian species from the family Apocynaceae. The timber species with its trade nickname ‘jelly’ is a fast growing indigenous timber with straight and clear boles. It can grow up to 200 metres tall and two metres in diameter and listed as threatened.

Jelutong wood is suitable for carving because of its uniformity, softness and stability. It is also used for veneer, moulding, interior joinery, paneling and furniture component purposes. The wood however has low extractive (protection agent) content and low density (about 435 kg/m3 in air dry condition and about 575 kg/m3 in green condition) hence its non-durable classification. The natural resistance of jelutong heartwood against decay is fairly low explaining its vulnerability to sap stain and susceptibility to termite and powder-post beetle attacks.

Among the 1570 timber species that contribute to the beauty and lush green conditions of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), there are rows of jelutong

stands flanking the road from the Arboretum to the Auditorium building. Jalan Jelutong is named after these trees which were planted in the mid-1920s. One of these trees however was classified as dangerous and had to be cut down. The decaying stem and causes of damage to the trunk were investigated by FRIM Wood Entomology Laboratory, Forest Products Division.

Investigations revealed that the ill-fated jelutong tree was attacked by longhorn beetles from the family of Cerambychidae. Beetles found in the infested wood were in two life stages of pupa and early larva. The species identified was Batocera rufomaculata which is a polyphagous borer species that attacks both living and dead trees. An attack by the species often leads to the death of part or the entire tree.

Beetle attacks on D. costulata have been previously reported and were similar to other trees such as Hevea brasiliensis, Cocos nucifera and Ficus spp. These beetles

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Wood Entomology article

ABOUT THE AUTHORDr 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. She is also a holder of 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.

1. The clear and straight bole of D. costulata

2. The damaged part of the bole

3. The wood is packed with coarse chips and fibres of the damaged bark caused by activities of B. rufomaculata

4. A pen or pencil will fit easily into this exit hole

5. Larva of Batocera rufomaculata

6. Adult of a Passalidae (Leptaulax sp)

7. Coptotermes curvignathus was identified as the attacker of D. costulata

8. Evidence of tunneling (arrow) by C. curvignathus on the bark of D. costulata

9. Another species of termite (Nasutitermes sp) was found at the D. costulata bole

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are nocturnal and they feed by gnawing the bark of living twigs and green tips. The female can lay up to 200 eggs within a single incision.

Wood borers may penetrate deep into the wood and cause severe damage to the entire wood, particularly for non-hardy timber species. Heavy tunneling and continuous infestation weaken the entire structure of the wood. This condition is apparent by the collection of coarse chips and wood fibres left by the larva borers in areas such as in the bark crevices and at the oviposition site. The tunnels or emergence holes of the adults are irregularly-shaped with a length of more than one inch in diameter. Infestations by secondary borers such as those from the Passalidae family were also discovered in addition to termite infestations.

The jelutong tree is known as one of the most preferred wood for termite and wood borers alike. Two species of termites have been identified in the cut logs of the tree. The main wood destroyer was Coptotermes curvignathus while the less destructive termite species was Nasutitermes sp. Both were found in and outside the bole. The attack on the tree took place both at the roots and above the ground at weak and infested areas. The termites excavated deep into the heartwood of the tree and replaced it with wood-cartoon combs. In addition to attacking homes and business premises, this type of subterranean termite species, especially the Coptotermes sp, destroy otherwise healthy and living trees to establish itself in the heartwood. Native subterranean termites however, will only attack dead trees or those injured from damage such as from a lightning strike.



Forest Products article

BAMBOO NOW IS STRONGER THAN EVER Dr Mohd Khairun Anwar [email protected] Hamdan Husain, Prof Dr Paridah Md Tahir, Siti Rafidah Mahmud, Nordahlia Abdullah Siam, Mohd Faizul Mohd Shukari, Mat Yaacob Che Wan

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORDr Mohd Khairun Anwar Uyup, a Research Officer at the Wood Composite and Wood Protection Programme, Forest Products Division with his team of FRIM researchers conducted the strengthening of the bamboo project. Prof Dr Paridah Md Tahir who is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Forestry and the Director of the Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia is also one of the project members.

Bamboo is an alternative raw material that has received tremendous attention due to its fast growing abilities. Bamboo requires only three years for maturity and its material is tough with an appearance that is both attractive and unique. In its natural form, bamboo is mainly used as a construction material for floorings, walls, household items and other utensils. Currently, it is one of the most easily available resources especially for rural areas. Fourteen out of 59 bamboo species are commonly used by the local industry for making poultry cages, vegetable baskets, incense sticks, joss papers, skewers, chopsticks, woven blinds and handicraft items.

Bamboo is also suitable for making various engineered products such as cement-bonded particleboard, particleboard, medium-density fibreboard, laminated bamboo board, plybamboo, bamboo mat board and bamboo curtain board. The dwindling supply of timber in the tropics is an important factor that contributed to the rise of interest in bamboo as raw material for construction purposes. Strengthwise, although bamboo is stronger than some timber, the high hygroscopicity of its split and strip forms may affect its potential for structural applications. Therefore, it is crucial to improve its dimensional stability to counter the adverse effects of moisture sorption characterised by bamboo materials.

Efforts to improve the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of plybamboo for outdoor applications were conducted by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) through a project which was later granted a utility patent number of MY-147974-A by MYIPO. The project was about treating bamboo strips with phenolic resin prior to plybamboo manufacturing which include evaluation of resin impregnation, establishment of suitable drying and curing techniques, and pressing of phenolic-treated bamboo strips. Testing for quality include evaluation on bonding properties, dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the phenolic-treated plybamboo.

Gigantochloa scortechinii (buluh semantan) strips from the basal and middle portions of the bamboo culm were selected for this project. Treatments applied include soaking the bamboo strips in phenolic resin before applying vacuum pressure. The samples were later oven-

dried for several hours and hot pressure was applied. Phenolic treated plybamboo materials obtained from the study showed significantly improved mechanical and physical properties compared to untreated plybamboo. Samples which were exposed to outdoor conditions for 12 months still exhibit the highest bending and compression strength properties as compared to untreated plybamboo samples. The latter even failed to withstand three months of outdoor exposure.

Treatment of bamboo strips with phenolic resin was found to significantly improve the properties of plybamboo and serves as an alternative method to enhance the characteristics of plybamboo exposed to outdoor conditions. Phenolic-treated plybamboo can be used as components in truck bodies, garden furniture or as building material for construction including flooring and decking.

The treated plybamboo after two months of exposure

Products from treated plybamboo: bamboo wagon and garden furniture



Biodiversity article

A NEW SNAKE DISCOVERY AT FRIM CAMPUSKaviarasu Munian & Mohammad Shahfiz [email protected]

Parts of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia campus are primary dipterocarp forests of the Lagong forest reserve and a natural habitat for floras and faunas. A total of 74 species of reptiles were recorded at FRIM campus and the list of faunas is still growing.

A copperhead racer or radiated cat snake (Coelognathus radiatus) was found at FRIM campus recently. This is a new record and it was the second species from the group racer which was sighted at FRIM. The other species previously recorded are Coelognathus flavolineatus and the Malayan racer or known as the black copper rat snake.

The copperhead racer is distinguished by its copper-coloured head. Three black streaks radiate from the eye with one that extends back to the narrow black band over the nape. This snake has a more compressed body compared to other commonly known snakes. Its body is grayish or yellowish-brown with distinct four black stripes on the anterior part of the body. The three streaks on the head distinguish the copperhead racer, from other Malayan racer snakes.

The copperhead racer is a diurnal reptile which hunts actively during daytime and preys on lizards and other small mammals. The snake is distributed almost all over southeast regions of Asia and inhabits from lowland up to high elevation forests. The snake is able to grow to 230 cm long and produces several clutches of about

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORKaviarasu Munian is a Research Officer at the Zoology Branch, Forest Biodiversity Division, FRIM. His area of research is mainly on reptiles. He has worked on several articles in FRIM in Focus namely “Clean Tips on How to Keep Snakes Away”, “A Malayan Horned Frog Story. Is it A Myth?”, “A Tale of the Phyton” and “Black-Bearded Flying Lizard, Draco melanopogon”.

5-12 eggs annually with hatchlings measuring 25-30 cm long.

Copperhead racer is a defensive snake when vaguely threatened. It straightens its neck, inflates its throat and vigorously strike to defend itself. The adult snake has the capability to extend its body to a considerable striking range. However, like other snakes, the racer is likely to flee rather than fight. When fleeing or fighting options are futile, the snake may either play dead or writhe, roll over and partially open its mouth to extend its tongue.

Numerous surveys were conducted at FRIM where new species are being discovered. The actual fauna diversity of FRIM is not known entirely and new records are expected. It is our responsibility to preserve the nature surrounding us including the flora and fauna which are the nation's heritage.

Three black streaks radiate from the eye which is a distinguishing feature between copperhead

racer and black copper rat snake

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News article

KENALI KAYU-KAYAN TROPIKA KITANordahlia Abdullah [email protected] Lim Seng Choon, Mohd Zahari Mohd Noor & Rohana Idris

Setiap tahun, sebilangan penjawat awam daripada kumpulan pelaksana Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) akan menduduki kursus pengecaman kayu bagi persiapan menduduki peperiksaan di samping memenuhi keperluan mereka yang terlibat secara langsung dengan kayu. Namun bermula tahun 2013, FRIM telah mewajibkan kursus ini khususnya kepada pegawai baharu bertujuan mendedahkan mereka kepada asas-asas pengecaman kayu. Sebanyak tiga siri kursus telah diadakan pada tahun ini iaitu 3–4 April, 12–13 Jun dan 28–29 Ogos. Sesi kursus tersebut mengambil masa dua hari dengan kehadiran peserta antara 25 hingga 30 orang dan dikendalikan oleh tenaga pengajar dari Makmal Anatomi Kayu, FRIM.

Pada mulanya peserta didedahkan kepada latar belakang perkayuan seperti kumpulan, kegunaan dan bahagian-bahagian utama kayu diikuti oleh aspek-aspek teknikal seperti mengenali kayu menggunakan struktur anatominya. Sesi amali selanjutnya diadakan bagi mengenal pasti beberapa jenis kayu

komersial menerusi kaedah makroskopik menggunakan kanta tangan dengan faktor pembesaran x10. Pengecaman menggunakan anatomi kayu agak sukar bagi peserta yang tiada latar belakang yang berkaitan, namun kebanyakan mereka telah menunjukkan kesungguhan dan minat terhadap apa yang dipelajari.

Peperiksaan amali pengecaman kayu diadakan pada hari terakhir yang melibatkan 20 jenis kayu. Perbincangan diadakan selanjutnya bagi menilai tahap kefahaman dan kebolehan peserta untuk mengaplikasi apa yang dipelajari.

TENTANG PENULIS UTAMANordahlia Abdullah Siam ialah seorang Pegawai Penyelidik di Makmal Anatomi Kayu, Program Kualiti Kayu dan Hasil Bukan Kayu, Bahagian Keluaran Hutan, FRIM. Beliau menjalankan penyelidikan dalam bidang anatomi kayu dan turut memberikan perkhidmatan pengecaman kayu kepada pihak industri.

Pegawai dari Makmal Anatomi Kayu sedang memberikan penerangan

Peserta diberikan sampel kayu untuk melakukan pengecaman kayu



News article

TAMAN DI DALAM HUTANNik Adlin Nik Mohamed [email protected] Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin & Muhammad Hafiz Zainal

TENTANG PENULIS UTAMANik Adlin Nik Mohamed Sukri ialah Pegawai Penyelidik berkelulusan Seni Bina Landskap di Cawangan Hutan Bandar, FRIM. Antara tugas beliau ialah menguruskan projek landskap FRIM, projek perundingan luar dan menghiasi ruang pameran yang disertai FRIM. Suntikan kepakaran dan inovasi beliau telah membantu FRIM memenangi pelbagai anugerah, antaranya Reka Bentuk Pameran Terbaik (WHAT Medicine Conference 2007), Pameran Terbaik (Hari Inovasi NRE 2010) dan Anugerah Khas Juri (FLORIA 2012).

‘Taman di dalam Hutan’ merupakan konsep reka bentuk landskap yang telah diketengahkan oleh Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) bagi pertandingan Festival Bunga dan Taman Putrajaya 2013 (FLORIA Putrajaya 2013). Festival yang bertemakan ‘Orkid—Khazanah Tropika’ itu berlangsung dari 22–30 Jun di Persisiran Tasik, Presint 2, Putrajaya.

Konsep landskap FRIM ialah menggunakan spesies tempatan bagi meningkatkan kesedaran dan minat di kalangan masyarakat untuk mengutamakan pokok-pokok hutan dalam seni reka taman. Kawasan landskap FRIM telah dihiasi pokok-pokok hutan dan palma seperti tembusu padang (Fagraea fragrans), jelutong (Dyera costulata), merawan siput jantan (Hopea odorata), beruas (Garcinia hombroniana) dan keladan (Dryobalanops oblongifolia). Pokok-pokok sal (Johannesteijsmannia altifrons), rapis (Raphis excels), palas kipas (Licuala grandis) dan nibung (Oncospermum tigillarium) juga turut menyerlahkan lagi penampilan pameran landskap FRIM.

Pokok-pokok dipilih kerana saiznya yang sederhana besar, rendang dan mempunyai batang yang tegak, lurus serta boleh ditanam secara rapat. Penanaman rapat ini mewujudkan suasana yang redup dan sejuk seperti berada di dalam hutan.

Tumbuh-tumbuhan dengan bunga dan daun berwarna-warni seperti Pisonia alba, Bromeliad spp, Calathea spp, Loropetalum chinense var rubrum, Heliconia spp dan Costus spp juga diperkenalkan bagi menerbitkan warna dan menceriakan suasana yang redup. Tumbuhan berwarna ini ditanam di bawah dan di celah-celah pokok-pokok hutan dan palma sebagai tanaman semak dan litup bumi. Pokok-pokok orkid berbunga pula dilekatkan pada dirian pokok-pokok hutan yakni sesuai dengan tabiat semula jadinya.

Spesies tanaman yang mengeluarkan bauan harum seperti harum sundal malam (Polianthes tuberosa) dan orkid hutan (Phalaenopsis bellina) turut diselitkan bagi menyegarkan pengunjung taman. Setiap pokok

dilabel bagi membantu orang ramai mengenali lantas menghargai pokok-pokok tersebut.

“Taman di dalam Hutan” FRIM turut dihiasi dengan landskap kejur seperti chalet, titian kayu, pergola, kerusi taman dan pagar yang memberi kemudahan dan keselesaan bergerak kepada pengguna terutamanya bagi golongan kurang upaya. Struktur landskap kejur diperbuat daripada pelbagai jenis kayu seperti balau (Shorea spp), pain (Pinus spp), meranti (Shorea spp) dan bakau (Rhizophora spp) yang direka bentuk supaya harmoni dengan konsep yang diketengahkan.

Keseimbangan elemen dalam reka bentuk taman seperti bentuk, tekstur, warna dan saiz pokok, dan pemilihan landskap kejur yang sesuai telah mencetuskan rekaan taman dan identiti FRIM yang tersendiri. Hasil daripada idea dan reka bentuk ini, FRIM telah berjaya meraih tempat ketiga dalam Anugerah Taman FLORIA (Kategori Kerajaan).

Chalet kayu yang dipamerkan oleh FRIM di 'Taman di Dalam Hutan'

Laluan pejalan kaki ‘boardwalk’ yang dihiasi dengan susun atur tanaman yang berwarna menarik



EAS Strategic Options

2013/September 2013 No: 18

MALAYSIA'S COMPETITIVENESS IN THE EUROPEAN TIMBER MARKET

PROBLEM / OPPORTUNITY

Malaysia’s timber product export continues to experience increasing export trend. Major regional destinations of the Malaysian timber and timber products are East Asia, ASEAN and West Asia (Figure 1). While the export volume to Europe is decreasing (Figure 1), the value is actually increasing by 3.6% from 2010 to 2011 (Figure 2).

Malaysia's export to Europe experienced a fall in 2009 due to the financial crisis and global recession that affected the European import market. Malaysian competitors in the timber export market have cost advantage—Brazil is closer to Europe while China is a low cost producer. Brazil emerged as a new timber export market in 1992 when its pulp exports were blocked to make way for regional plywood enterprise. Brazil started plantation and upland forest in 1997 and 2000 respectively. In year 2002 Brazil gained its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and previously in 2000, its export reached 2.7% of total world wood products and ranked fifth place in exports of plywood. China's huge market potential has spearheaded the country into becoming an important player in the world timber and wood products trade. China experienced rapid economic growth as also its timber market which increased by 12.8% annually in five years (2007-2012).

In the first nine months of 2012, demand for Brazilian pine (Pinus elliottii) plywood has improved and in Europe the prices have increased.

China however, had a share of 56% of the hardwood plywood exports to Europe. Figure 3 shows the rapid growth of the Chinese and the Brazilian's exports of major timber products to the European Union.

Malaysia's export value has increased along with the rise in price of timber products exports of RM2100 and RM2300 per m3 in 2009 and 2011 respectively. The increase is related to Malaysia’s efforts in upkeeping its market image in sustainable forest management (SFM) as well as its participation in exhibitions and trade fairs to promote Malaysian timber products. Despite the difficult market conditions in Europe and the United States, the MTCC Global Woodmart (MGW) 2012 organised by the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) managed to attract more than 1800 high quality visitors from 61 countries.

OPTIONS

Marketing theory indicates that Malaysia has to diversify its market. Ansoff matrix or the product-market expansion grid is a framework for detecting new intensive growth opportunity. Theoretically, the first three strategies; market penetration, product development and market development are usually pursued with the same technical, financial and merchandising resources used for the original product line. Diversification however, requires the company to acquire new skills, techniques and facilities.

Marketing strategy theory is inappropriate since market diversification does not apply in this situation

ISSUE

Europe has been in prolonged debt crisis and the markets including timber products were badly affected. Since the 1970’s, European market has been one of the traditional markets for Malaysian timber products, particularly sawntimber. Currently, Malaysia is facing many competitors (especially Brazil and China) in the export of timber products to the European market. To what extent is Malaysia affected by the increasing international competition and what are the steps neccessary to remain competitive?



EAS Strategic Options

FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Noor Hazmira Merous Ismariah Ahmad PhDLim Hin Fui PhD

Innovation & Commercialization Division,Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM),52109 Kepong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Tel : +603 6279 7544 / 7541 / 7714 / 7549Fax : +603 6275 0925Email : [email protected] : http://www.frim.gov.my

ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC ANALYSIS PROGRAMME (EAS)

mainly because Europe is a niche market for Malaysian sawntimber. It is a long-term effort for Malaysia to establish itself as a niche market in terms of sustainable forest management such as the Forestry Management Certification (FMC) and the Chain of Custody (COC).

As more consumers are demanding sustainably managed timber, Malaysia needs to uphold its image in forest management. Malaysia also has to overcome the accusations of illegal logging to sustain the marketing image, thus remain competitive in its own way.

Figure 1 Export of major timber products by major regions, 2001–2011 (m3) Source Forestry Statistic Peninsular Malaysia (FSPM)

Figure 2 Export of major timber products by major regions, 2001–2011 (RM) Source Forestry Statistic Peninsular Malaysia (FSPM)

Figure 3 Export value of major timber products by Brazil and China, 1990–2010 (USD) Source UN ComTrade

Dr Rahim Sudin, the Director of the Forest Products Division, explaining FRIM's

timber technology to European visitors

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This is the first comprehensive checklist of Malaysian fungi to have been compiled since that of Chipp (1921), though there have been lists of plant pathogens and various special lists. The number of species recorded has swelled from 861 to around 4000 over that time. The new list covers all fungal groups and fungal analogues, including myxomycetes and oomycetes, and fungi with all biologies are embraced, including the lichen-forming fungi. The checklist itself is preceded by a series of eight succinct overviews the exploration and diversity of the various phyla, which also in most cases incorporate a disposition of the accepted species by family, although the asexual fungi were listed separately from sexual ones.

The main body of the work, however is a checklist in which all species are, conveniently, listed alphabetically. For each species the current name is given where that differs from that reported, and there are columns detailing the substrate/ host, location, and literature reference. The bibliography comprises 441 publications, and also references to four websites. The authors have clearly been at pains to check the names, with which Paul M Kirk evidently assisted. There is also a CD slipped into the inside back cover Paul prepared which holds a 410-page PDF with information on the 12,000 Malaysian collections held in the living collections of CABI Bioscience and reference specimens of the former International

collections were made by Anthony P Johnston who served as a plant pathologist in Malaysia from 1946–64, prior to moving to IMI of which he was the Director from 1968–83.

The authors stress that this is only the starting point to an inventory of the fungi of Malaysia; with some

15,000 recorded vascular plants, the real total could be as much as 90,000 so there is much still to be done. Perhaps to tempt future mycologists to undertake work in the region, there are 12 plates, mostly in colour, showing selected species. This fine compilation is an excellent example of what can be achieved by a dedicated team with appropriate resources and merits emulation more widely in tropical countries to provide a spring-board for future exploration and documentation of the mycobiota.

Book review

Book Title Checklist of Fungi of Malaysia

Author SS Lee, SA Alias, EBG Jones, N Zainudin & HT Chan. 2012

Series Research Pamphlet No 132

ISBN 978-967-5221-82-8

Publisher Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

Price RM95 / USD57

CHECKLIST OF FUNGI OF MALAYSIARESEARCH PAMPHLET NO 132

More on FRIM publications visit www.frim.gov.my (Publications).

For purchase/enquiries contact [email protected]


September 2013FRIM in FOCUS PB

http://www.imafungus.org/

Mycological Institute (IMI; now housed at the Royal Chipp TF (1921) A list of fungi of the Malay Peninsula. Garden's

systematically with full details of substrate/host, year of collection, locality, and collector. Many of the IMI David L Hawksworth ([email protected])

Botanic Gardens, Kew); the collections are arranged Bulletin, Straits Settlements 2: 311-418.

This review was published in the IMA Fungus 4(1): 28.

Documents

FRIM TOWARDS REDUCING ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT · 2013-10-10 · FRIM TOWARDS REDUCING ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT Dr Gan Kee Seng [email protected] & Azharizan Mohd Norizan ABOUT THE AUTHOR