malaysian naturalist, june 2018
Compiled and reported by Yeap Chin Aik, MNS Senior Conservation Officer
Images by Musa Musbah & Nazeri Abghani
Images by Musa Musbah & Nazeri Abghani
THE “LITTLE GUYS” in wildlife have it tough around the world, having to compete with charismatic icons for conservation attention. It’s no different in Malaysia, with our tigers, elephants, orang utans and hornbills in the forefront when it comes to the necessary funds, knowledge and skills, as well as public awareness, for wildlife and habitat protection.
Yet, little guys often shine brightly in their own right – literally, in the case of fireflies. The fireflies of Sungai Selangor, fondly called kelip-kelip in Malay, are perhaps the most celebrated and well-known, with their presence on the berembang tree “wall” along the river at Kampung Kuantan helping launch the country’s first fireflywatching tourism industry. Now, there are many firefly-watching night tours across the country.
Fireflies are not flies, as one might think. They belong to the family Lampyridae, under one of the largest insect orders, Coleoptera. They are beetles with more than 2,000 species globally and are found in all continents except Antarctica and the Arctic. Fireflies are special, because they produce bioluminescent light, used to attract mates or prevent predation.
In Malaysia, fireflies have been found from the cool montane forests down to the coastal estuarine areas and even man-made lakes and urban green lungs. However, the distribution, ecology and conservation needs for most – if not all – species are poorly known.
This severe knowledge gap is further exacerbated by the loss and degradation of their forest and riverine habitats across the country. This is a shame, as although small in size, fireflies can be used as an umbrella species to promote and advocate for forest and wetland conservation.
Yet, little guys often shine brightly in their own right – literally, in the case of fireflies. The fireflies of Sungai Selangor, fondly called kelip-kelip in Malay, are perhaps the most celebrated and well-known, with their presence on the berembang tree “wall” along the river at Kampung Kuantan helping launch the country’s first fireflywatching tourism industry. Now, there are many firefly-watching night tours across the country.
Fireflies are not flies, as one might think. They belong to the family Lampyridae, under one of the largest insect orders, Coleoptera. They are beetles with more than 2,000 species globally and are found in all continents except Antarctica and the Arctic. Fireflies are special, because they produce bioluminescent light, used to attract mates or prevent predation.
In Malaysia, fireflies have been found from the cool montane forests down to the coastal estuarine areas and even man-made lakes and urban green lungs. However, the distribution, ecology and conservation needs for most – if not all – species are poorly known.
This severe knowledge gap is further exacerbated by the loss and degradation of their forest and riverine habitats across the country. This is a shame, as although small in size, fireflies can be used as an umbrella species to promote and advocate for forest and wetland conservation.
Light for Sarawak fireflies
In Sarawak, mangrove fireflies are not “captured” in the state’s wetland conservation policies and management strategies. Many riverbanks have been destroyed over the years by the expansion
of mono-culture cultivation, aquaculture, urbanisation and heavy industries. Time for Sarawak’s fireflies was running out.
In response to this critical situation, the Malaysian Nature Society Miri Branch conducted firefly surveys and mapped out the Congregating Firefly Zones (CFZs) of Sarawak’s northern region, which was a first for the state. The exercise was preceded by two CFZ workshops conducted by MNS Miri and MNS firefly experts to train the participants on field survey skills and outline survey plans. The participants consisted of individuals from MNS Miri, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Science Society Bintulu and the Miri and Bintulu regional offices of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).
The field surveys were carried out from 2010 to 2011, while the project also included MNS Miri developing interpretive materials and conducting community outreach activities to create awareness about mangrove fireflies and CFZs.
In Sarawak, mangrove fireflies are not “captured” in the state’s wetland conservation policies and management strategies. Many riverbanks have been destroyed over the years by the expansion
of mono-culture cultivation, aquaculture, urbanisation and heavy industries. Time for Sarawak’s fireflies was running out.
In response to this critical situation, the Malaysian Nature Society Miri Branch conducted firefly surveys and mapped out the Congregating Firefly Zones (CFZs) of Sarawak’s northern region, which was a first for the state. The exercise was preceded by two CFZ workshops conducted by MNS Miri and MNS firefly experts to train the participants on field survey skills and outline survey plans. The participants consisted of individuals from MNS Miri, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Science Society Bintulu and the Miri and Bintulu regional offices of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).
The field surveys were carried out from 2010 to 2011, while the project also included MNS Miri developing interpretive materials and conducting community outreach activities to create awareness about mangrove fireflies and CFZs.
Key findings A total of 17 CFZ surveys were completed by the participants, covering 18 rivers in northern Sarawak. Surveys at some rivers were not able to be carried out due to safety concerns (think crocodiles!) and logistic challenges. The exercise produced the state’s first inventory of mangrove fireflies for the rivers and distribution map of mangrove firefly display trees. Four firefly larvae were also collected, namely Pteroptyx bearnii, Luciola sp., Stenocladius sp. and Pyrocoelia sp., which were used as exhibit materials in community outreach activities. MNS Miri and its collaborators together organised five awareness and education activities that reached out to more than 400 people through exhibitions and talks. These activities marked the first introduction of mangrove fireflies and CFZ to Sarawakians. |
The study found that knowledge about the true nature of fireflies was poor among the locals, with some rural communities believing the blinking lights were the spirits of their departed congregating along the riverside. Others were convinced that fireflies destroyed their crops via desiccation caused by their bioluminescence.
One of the aims of the study was formulated as addressing these misconceptions, to prevent unnecessary destruction by local communities of firefly habitats along rivers. Through the training workshops and awareness activities, MNS Miri was able to identify and nurture local “firefly champions” that could continue the firefly/CFZ conservation work beyond the project period.
The way forward
With the completion of the surveys, MNS have now built a foundation of knowledge on the status of mangrove fireflies and CFZs in the northern region of Sarawak. Another key highlight of the project was the outreach and capacity-building component, where “awareness seeds” were planted among the public, schools, local communities, university students, SFC staff members and MNS members on firefly conservation. Further, the SFC expressed interest in publishing the firefly/CFZ surveys in their SFC Hornbill Workshop, which is hoped to capture the attention of Sarawak policy and decision-makers, therefore taking the message beyond the NGO/public domain and into the terrain of official governance.
The surveys conducted under this project could also be replicated across other parts of Sarawak and strengthen the partnership built up between NGOs and government agencies, for example other divisions of SFC. Follow-up surveys have also been discussed and several rivers in the northern region identified for additional study.
Apart from consolidating the mangrove firefly/CFZ knowledge gained to date, the project opens up opportunities to explore the potential for firefly or riverine tourism. The “Kampung Kuantan model” and lessons learnt could be replicated here, if conditions are suitable and with the support of state agencies.
One final recommendation of the project is that the mangrove firefly/CFZ surveys are replicated in Sarawak’s central and southern regions to cover the state’s remaining rivers and tributaries. This is crucial to quickly identify existing and/or potential mangrove firefly habitats and colonies.
Many riverine areas in Sarawak have undergone rapid development for agriculture, thus threatening their future survival. The completed surveys and additional study would collectively complete the CFZ distribution map for Sarawak and help draw the attention of Sarawak policy- and decision-makers to the importance of conserving a unique part of Sarawak’s biodiversity.
One of the aims of the study was formulated as addressing these misconceptions, to prevent unnecessary destruction by local communities of firefly habitats along rivers. Through the training workshops and awareness activities, MNS Miri was able to identify and nurture local “firefly champions” that could continue the firefly/CFZ conservation work beyond the project period.
The way forward
With the completion of the surveys, MNS have now built a foundation of knowledge on the status of mangrove fireflies and CFZs in the northern region of Sarawak. Another key highlight of the project was the outreach and capacity-building component, where “awareness seeds” were planted among the public, schools, local communities, university students, SFC staff members and MNS members on firefly conservation. Further, the SFC expressed interest in publishing the firefly/CFZ surveys in their SFC Hornbill Workshop, which is hoped to capture the attention of Sarawak policy and decision-makers, therefore taking the message beyond the NGO/public domain and into the terrain of official governance.
The surveys conducted under this project could also be replicated across other parts of Sarawak and strengthen the partnership built up between NGOs and government agencies, for example other divisions of SFC. Follow-up surveys have also been discussed and several rivers in the northern region identified for additional study.
Apart from consolidating the mangrove firefly/CFZ knowledge gained to date, the project opens up opportunities to explore the potential for firefly or riverine tourism. The “Kampung Kuantan model” and lessons learnt could be replicated here, if conditions are suitable and with the support of state agencies.
One final recommendation of the project is that the mangrove firefly/CFZ surveys are replicated in Sarawak’s central and southern regions to cover the state’s remaining rivers and tributaries. This is crucial to quickly identify existing and/or potential mangrove firefly habitats and colonies.
Many riverine areas in Sarawak have undergone rapid development for agriculture, thus threatening their future survival. The completed surveys and additional study would collectively complete the CFZ distribution map for Sarawak and help draw the attention of Sarawak policy- and decision-makers to the importance of conserving a unique part of Sarawak’s biodiversity.