International Experts Convene to Advance Taxonomy Knowledge of Metal-Accumulating Plants

Workshop participants

24 April 2026

SANDAKAN: The Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), via its Forest Research Centre (FRC), hosted the 2026 Workshop on the Taxonomic Review of Brackenridgea and Rinorea from Serpentine Areas in Sabah and the Philippines (BRW2026) at the FRC on 22 April 2026.

This two-day event united leading botanists and researchers from Southeast Asia and beyond.

Primarily organised by Botanickel Sabah Sdn. Bhd., with co-organisers SFD, Sabah Parks, and TANi LAB at UiTM Sabah, the workshop tackled taxonomic ambiguities in these genera.

It involved comparing herbarium specimens from Sabah and the Philippines. Botanickel CTO Dr Guillaume Echevarria noted that key species discovered during the Scientific Exploration of Serpentine Ecology (SESE) since 2024 demand rigorous review.

Brackenridgea and Rinorea thrive on ultramafic (serpentine) soils and hyperaccumulate heavy metals, offering potential for ecological restoration, phytoremediation, and metal farming.

Twenty-four experts attended from Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, France, and the Netherlands. Institutions included FRC, Botanickel Sabah, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Wageningen University & Research, University of Lorraine, Sabah Parks, and UiTM Cawangan Sabah.

The event operated under an SFD–Botanickel Memorandum of Understanding on metal hyperaccumulation research in ultramafic flora.

In welcoming remarks, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Research & Development) Dr Arthur Y. C. Chung—representing Chief Conservator Datuk Zulkifli Suara—stressed taxonomy's vital role in biodiversity conservation, ecological research, and sustainable forest management.

Datuk Zulkifli highlighted the initiative's broader impact, “This workshop underscores Sabah’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge for biodiversity protection, grounded in accuracy and evidence. The diverse expertise here showcases the strength of regional and global partnerships, deepening our grasp of these unique plants and forging networks to safeguard Southeast Asia’s natural heritage.”

Beyond taxonomy, BRW2026 set research priorities, bolstered institutional ties, and laid groundwork for joint publications and conservation strategies. SFD reaffirmed support for studies enhancing Sabah’s unique flora.

For Botanickel, it advances their goal of leading hyperaccumulator research while conserving biodiversity.

The workshop ended with a closing address by Botanickel Chairman Dr Aurélien Buteri and souvenir presentations.