BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT AND UPDATED CHECKLIST OF FAUNAL DIVERSITY IN BAKO NATIONAL PARK, SARAWAK, MALAYSIAN BORNEO

Abstract

A rapid assessment was conducted in Bako National Park (BNP), Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo based on previous studies, published and unpublished reports. The habitat types in BNP can be classifed into Kerangas forest, cliff vegetation, beach vegetation, mangrove forest, riverine (alluvial) forest and mixed dipterocarp forest. Up to date, a total of 224 species comprising 54 families and 18 orders of selected taxonomic groups (butterflies, amphibians, birds and mammals) in BNP were recorded throughout the study period in 2005 to presently. The highest number of species recorded was from class Insecta with relative abundance of 42.86% while class Aves showed the highest recorded number of families with relative abundance of 48.15%. The availability of good food resources, high forest structural and vegetation diversity were the major factors that could influence the density, relative abundance and diversity of faunal diversity in BNP. Periodical biodiversity monitoring of BNP is necessary in the face of potential poaching, local extinction and loss of buffer area to protect the integrity of the park. There are several gaps in our knowledge on the biodiversity of BNP that must be addressed in the near future.