Fieldwork in the Peat Swamp Forests of Brunei Darussalam

The Tropical Ecology and Entomology (TEE) Lab at the Asian School of the Environment, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University recently conducted fieldwork in the peat swamp forests of Brunei Darussalam—an ecosystem that is both ecologically unique and critically important for carbon storage and biodiversity conservation.

Left: Retrieving the leaf-litter bag from the peat swamp forest; Right: Behind every dataset is a strong field team. Thankful for the dedication of our field assistants in challenging field condition. Photo 2026, Chiew Li Yuen

This field work focused on retrieving our leaf-litter bag decomposition experiment, an approach that allows us to quantify rates of organic matter breakdown and nutrient cycling. Fieldwork in peat swamps is never simple—navigating saturated soils, high humidity, and challenging terrain requires teamwork, patience, and resilience. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated volunteers for their invaluable assistance throughout the field.

Careful cleaning and sorting of retrieved litter bags before drying process in the laboratory. Photo 2026 Chiew Li Yuen

Following collection, the samples were carefully transported back to the laboratory for sorting and processing. Each leaf-litter bag was gently cleaned, dried, and weighed to quantify mass loss, allowing us to estimate decomposition rates under peat swamp conditions. The contents were meticulously sorted to separate fine roots, invertebrates, and untargeted debris from the leaf content. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our local collaborators and volunteers at the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, for their support and collaboration.

Post-field discussion on refining and adapting the FIA tool to better reflect peat swamp condition and local realities. Photo 2026, Chiew Li Yuen

Beyond data collection, this trip also provided valuable opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. We engaged in constructive discussions during the FIA tool field testing and adaptation, which are essential for refining monitoring frameworks tailored specifically to peat swamp landscapes. Adapting ecological assessment tools to fit local environmental conditions ensures that conservation planning is grounded in ecological reality.

As we continue analyzing the samples and refining our monitoring tools, we are reminded that peat swamp forest ecosystem is crucial in climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. We hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of these ecosystems and support their long-term protection for future generations.