The Royal Society’s South East Asia Rainforest Research Programme (SEARRP) was established in 1985 in response to mounting concern over the future of SE Asia’s rainforests and through a conviction that by gaining a scientific understanding of tropical rainforest systems, ecology and dynamics a significant contribution could be made to their sustainable management and conservation – particularly in the context of global environmental change. Although the scope of the Programme includes all of SE Asia, our efforts are primarily focussed on Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
MISSION:
To enable excellence in collaborative research and training that makes a major contribution to the understanding of rainforests, their conservation and restoration and underpins the sustainable use of natural resources
GOALS:
- To facilitate world-class, long-term, collaborative research in the rainforests and other natural and modified habitats of Sabah
- To encourage multi-site, multi-disciplinary research – particularly that which adds value to the major projects under SEARRP management (Sabah Biodiversity Experiment, SAFE Project, CTFS 50 ha plot)
- To maintain and enhance the position of the Danum Valley Field Centre as one of the world’s leading tropical forest research stations
- To ensure, through strategic partnerships, that research findings are effectively disseminated and influence land-use and conservation planning and sustainable resource management across the SE Asian region
- To provide opportunities for Malaysian and SE Asian research students and scientists
- To facilitate and provide a base for university and other graduate-level training courses
- To continue to build a team of highly trained, skilled and motivated local research support staff
- To contribute to the environmental education programme at Danum Valley and other schools programmes in Sabah
