Bukit Balingkadus Forest Reserve

The Forest Reserve (FR) location is within the Ranau district. There are two main access roads into the reserve. Both access roads pass through villages, mainly Kg. Kepangian and Kg. Kinarasan. The other access road is no longer accessible. 

Latitude/Longitude: 5° 51.749’N- 5° 52.984’N, 116° 36.734’E- 116° 38.002’E

Currently, there is no infrastructure established at the reserve.

Creations – The FR was initially gazetted in 2012, covering an area of 288 ha

Management responsibility – Ranau District Forestry Office

Boundary matters – The boundary has not been demarcated

Management plan – None

Current Use – Protection and Research

Settlements and other buildings approximately 2 km from the boundary:

• Kg. Kepangian
• Kg. Kinarasan
• Kg. Niasan
• Kg. Narambai
• Kg. Suminimpod

Topography 

Figure 1: Topography and drainage map of Bukit Balingkadus FR

Hydrology 

About five tributaries with a radial drainage pattern flow out from the reserve and feed the Melaut River and Liwagu River. The Melaut River will eventually join the Liwagu River.

Soils

Only Crocker soil associations are found in this forest reserve.

Meteorological data

See Ranau Agriculture Station rainfall data.

The upland mixed dipterocarp forest covered large area of the FR. In smaller extend, the lower montane vegetation is found on the topmost ridge of the hill. Anthropogenic disturbances are widespread and usually observed at the periphery of the reserves. These vegetation have degenerated into low diversity and structured secondary vegetation. The adjacent area are exposed to swidden agricultural systems (also known as shifting cultivation), rotational farming in which land is cleared by fire, cultivated and then left to regenerate after a few years. This farming method is practised for decades. 

Flora

A total of 412 plant taxa were recorded from the reserve. The ten most speciose families in decreasing order are the Lauraceae (36), Rubiaceae (23), Myrtaceae (17), Annonaceae & Meliaceae (14), Melastomataceae (13), Fagaceae (12), Elaeocarpaceae & Phyllanthaceae (10), Apocynaceae & Clusiaceae (9), Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae & Sapotaceae (8) and Pentaphylacaceae & Sapindaceae (6). Of the total taxa recorded, 92 are endemic to Borneo, including 15 endemic to Sabah. 

Threatened species under IUCN Red List:

• • 6 Species

Taxa under Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997: –

Schedule 1, part II – (i) Rafflesia (ii) 2 Tetrastigma

Schedule 2, part II – (i) Orchid (ii) Ginger (iii) Pitcher plants (iv) Podocarpus (v) Ramin

Species listed under Appendix II CITES: 

• • 3 Species

Prohibited Species Under Sabah Forest Enactment 1968: 

• • 23 species (mostly of fruits trees and threatened tree species)

Three high conservation value plant species, namely Agathis lenticula, Rafflesia cf. pricei and Vatica chartacea, are selected as part of the key conservation targets for monitoring biodiversity integrity in Bukit Balingkadus FR.

Avian

Eighty-six species from 37 families were recorded from this FR. The four most specious families are Pycnonotidae (10), Cuculidae (6), Megalaimidae (6), Columbidae (5), Eurylaimidae (4), and Nectariniidae (4). The most abundant bird families are Zosteropidae, Nectariniidae, Alcippeidae and Megalaimida. Of the total taxa, 13 species are Bornean endemic, namely, Blue-banded Pitta, Bornean Banded Pitta, Kinabalu Serpent Eagle, Bornean Barbet, Bornean Brown Barbet, Pale-faced Bulbul, Penan Bulbul White-crowned Shama, Bornean Green Magpie, Bornean Bulbul, Bornean Treepie, Chestnut-crested Yuhina and Dusky Munia.

Threatened species under IUCN Red List recorded from this FR include the Blue-banded Pitta (VU), Kinabalu Serpent Eagle (VU), Greater Green Leafbird (VU) and Wreathed Hornbill (VU).

Insect

About 95 nocturnal species are recorded from the FR and eight species are known as Bornean endemics. The endemics include seven moth species and two beetle species. Summary of insect sightings are as follows:

• • Butterfly – 13 species; Iconic and interesting species: Trogonoptera brookiana and Kaniska canace. Common species: Troides amphyrysus (Golden Birdwing)
  • Moth – 29 species (selectively recorded)
    Beetle – 7 families; Interesting species: Rhaphipodus (Long-horned beetle)
  • Dragonfly – 2 species
  • Other insects – At least 11 species; Cicadas, Wasps, Crickets, etc.

Mammals

A total of 12 mammals species from 10 families were recorded from this FR.

• Macaca nemestrina (VU)**
• Muntiacus muntjac (VU)***
• Rusa unicolor (VU)***
• Herpestes brachyurus (NT)**
• Trichys fasciculata (LC)**
• Martes flavigula (LC)**
• Ratufa affinis (NT)**
• Sus barbatus (VU)***
• Tupaia longipes (LC)
• Helarctos malayanus (VU)*
• Paguma larvata (LC)**
• Hemigalus derbyanus (NT)**

Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997: Schedule 1*; Schedule 2**; Schedule 3***

• Multidisciplinary studies during the Heart of Borneo Scientific Expedition (HoB) by Sabah Forestry Department in 2021.

Forest fire – Forest fire is a potential threat to the area due to entirely surrouded by agricultural landscape. 

Poaching – Poaching of bush meat and plants is a potential threat due to easy access to the area.

The reserve is an essential water catchment for surrounding communities.