It is increasingly recognized that invasion by alien plant species such as Acacia spp. can impact tropical forest ecosystems, although quantifications of nutrient fluxes for invaded lowland tropical rain forests in aseasonal climates remain understudied. This paper describes the methodology and presents data collected during a year-long study of litterfall production and leaf litter decomposition rates in two distinct tropical lowland forests in Borneo affected by Acacia invasion. The study is the first to present a comprehensive dataset on the impacts of invasive Acacia species on Bornean forests and can be further used for future research to assess the long-term impact of Acacia invasion in these forest ecosystems. Extensive studies of nutrient cycling processes in aseasonal tropical lowland rainforests occurring on different soil types remain limited. Therefore, this dataset improves understanding of nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes in tropical forests and can be utilized by the wider scientific community to examine ecosystem responses in tropical forests.

Participation is the engagement of people as social actors in using their abilities to make decisions and control activities affecting their lives. In the political world, it reflects whether individuals or groups are portrayed as active or passive social actor. In Laporan Tujuh Serangkai (L7S), political participation refers to the inclusivity of rakyat Brunei in the establishment of a writen constitution known as the Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei 1959. Written in 1954, L7S encapsulates opinions, suggestions, and aspirations of rakyat Brunei regarding the state's progress at that time. Linguistically, L7S is subjected to analysis using van Leeuwen's (2008) critical discourse analysis (CDA)'s model, with a specific focus on the term rakyat based on the model of Social Actors Representation, and the use of transitive verbs with the meN- prefix based on the Social Actions Representation. Consequently, this study aims to represent the political participation of rakyat Brunei in L7S through three objectives: i) to identify linguistic markers representing social actors and social actions, ii) to explain discursive strategies revealing the relationship between social actors and social actions, and (iii) to critically discuss the extent of inclusivity of rakyat Brunei in L7S. The research methodology employs a qualitative-descriptive design with data collection procedures based on the the Discourse Historical Approach by Reisigl and Wodak (2009). Findings indicate that the transitive verbs with the meN-prefix has represented rakyat Brunei as both active and passive social actors in the text. Out of the thirteen identified transitive verbs, eight represent social actions of rakyat Brunei: four in reactive forms (mempersetujui, menghendaki, memileh, and mengemukakan), and four in semiotic forms (meminta, menyatakan, memberi, and memileki). Additionally, five verbs represents social actions of the state's government in material forms (mengadakan, menulong, menubohkan, mengatorkan, and membenarkan), thereby portraying the rakyat Brunei as passive social actors. Overall, this study suggests that the political participation of rakyat Brunei is evaluated based on their inclusivity in the decision-making process for the formation of a written constitution. This inclusivity underscores the role of rakyat Brunei passivated as reactive contributors, recipients of consequences, and beneficiaries providing elements of hope, suggestions, and aspirations in material terms. In conclusion, this study aims to contribute to a new perspective in examining social phenomena in Brunei through the lens of language. It also hopes to broaden the views of future researchers in exploring historical discourse linguistically, particularly through the CDA framework.

Tropical peatlands are estimated to hold carbon stocks of 70 Pg C or more as partly decomposed organic matter, or peat. Peat may accumulate over thousands of years into gently mounded deposits called peat domes with a relief of several meters over distances of kilometers. The mounded shapes of tropical peat domes account for much of the carbon storage in these landscapes, but their subtle topographic relief is difficult to measure. As many of the world’s tropical peatlands are remote and inaccessible, spaceborne laser altimetry data from missions such as NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) on the International Space Station (ISS) and the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument on the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) observatory could help to describe these deposits. We evaluate retrieval of ground elevations derived from GEDI waveform data, as well as single-photon data from ATLAS, with reference to an airborne lidar dataset covering an area of over 300 km2 in the Belait District of Brunei Darussalam on the island of Borneo. Spatial filtering of GEDI L2A version 2, algorithm 1 quality data reduced mean absolute deviations from airborne-lidar-derived ground elevations from 8.35 m to 1.83 m, root-mean-squared error from 15.98 m to 1.97 m, and unbiased root-mean-squared error from 13.62 m to 0.72 m. Similarly, spatial filtering of ATLAS ATL08 version 3 ground photons from strong beams at night reduced mean absolute deviations from 1.51 m to 0.64 m, root-mean-squared error from 3.85 m to 0.77 m, and unbiased root-mean-squared error from 3.54 m to 0.44 m. We conclude that despite sparse ground retrievals, these spaceborne platforms can provide useful data for tropical peatland surface altimetry if postprocessed with a spatial filter.

The rare clariid catfish genus Encheloclarias is recorded for the first time from the peat swamp habitat in Brunei Darussalam, representing its northernmost record on the island of Borneo. Upon detailed examination, the Brunei species is keyed out to E. baculum. Using fresh material from Brunei and Sarawak (Malaysia, Borneo), the taxonomic status of E. prolatus is reviewed, and is herein synonymised with E. baculum, as first reviser’s action. An updated key for all Encheloclarias species is provided, and ecological notes on the Brunei material discussed.

Invasive alien Acacia trees have become a serious environmental problem in Brunei Darussalam, spreading into the vulnerable heath and mixed dipterocarp forest ecosystem where it has started replacing the native flora and contributing to forest fire. In this work, we study the spread of Acacia trees by analyzing images taken by drones along a newly developed highway within the vicinity of Andulau Forest Reserve in Brunei Darussalam. Based on the analysis, we aim to understand the Acacia spread and its habitat preference, which will be a critical factor in planning the future roadmap to maintain a sustainable and healthy forest ecosystem, and safety from potential forest fires. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were utilized to capture high-resolution images along the Telisai-Lumut highway and were subsequently analyzed images using ArcGIS software, to map and study the Acacia’s distribution and habitat preferences, which will aid in understanding of Acacia’s rapid dispersion. Our preliminary results show highest Acacia density and numbers closer to the highway. The barren loose sandy soil combined with the open terrain limits local forest tree growth but seems to provide good habitat for Acacia trees. Our results suggest that the highway provides an important dispersal opportunity for Acacia trees, bringing them in direct proximity of an undisturbed forest reserve. This may increase the risk of spread of this species into the forest, and importantly, given the fire proneness of Acacia, may lead to wildfires that threaten the neighbouring forest reserve. Keeping vegetation short and removing Acacia’s close to the highway may mitigate these risks. Efforts such as spreading awareness on Acacia’s invasiveness, identification and removal of Acacia trees, habitat restoration projects and meticulous evaluation for any introduced species should be done.

The growth of invasive Acacia Mangium has presented a new biodiversity threat to Brunei, which is situated on the biologically diverse island of Borneo. Hazards to the native flora due to Acacia’s fast invasion and threats to forest fires have resulted in increased risks of burnable oil. In line with Brunei’s National Climate Change Policy, which is reflected in Brunei Vision 2035, it is crucial to conserve Brunei’s extensive forest cover by proactive management of the Acacia population in the country’s tropical rainforests. Therefore, In line with Brunei’s National Climate Change Policy, which is reflected in the Brunei vision, active management of the Acacia population in Brunei’s rainforests is considered crucial as it can determine and scope out the country’s extensive forest cover. In order to identify the species of Acacia tree and the coverage, this study uses UAV-based, high-resolution RGB photos that have been analysed by machine learning software. The images captured are tested and analysed using a convolutional neural network (CNN) model which is trained to detect the Acacia tree species highlighting regions that indicated a maximum accuracy of 84% based on the manually annotated datasets.