Overview

I’m a PhD student at the University of Exeter’s College of Life and Environmental Sciences. My research focuses on mammal biodiversity in the Rungan, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia and the relationship between biodiversity and landscape heterogeneity. My research interests include mammal biodiversity, tropical ecosystem dynamics, and the impacts of anthropogenic activity on biodiversity and ecosystem function. As well, I’m interested in the application of ecological knowledge to aid in the challenge of balancing environmental preservation with socio-economic growth and improving the capacity for well-informed, science-based decision making.

Prior to starting my PhD, I completed my MSc Applied Ecology at University of Exeter where I examined the impacts of forest fires on orangutan density and home range size in Sabangau, Central Kalimantan. I completed my BSc Environmental Sciences, minor in Biology at University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada.

Between my undergraduate and master’s degrees, I worked as a project coordinator in the Faculty of Forestry at UBC on the project Adaptation of Asia-Pacific Forests to Climate Change. As well, I worked on the conservation and rehabilitation orphaned howler monkeys at a sanctuary in Panama and as a research assistant for a UBC ecologist in Danum Valley, Malaysia.

Broad research specialisms:

• Mammal biodiversity
• Conservation
• Tropical ecology
• Community ecology
• Spatial analysis
• Impacts of anthropogenic activity on ecosystems

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Research

Research projects

Project Title:
Assessment of the relationship between landscape-scale habitat diversity and mammal diversity to identify areas of conservation priority and predict the consequences of land-use change on biodiversity

Supervisors: Dr Frank van Veen (University of Exeter); Dr Regan Early (University of Exeter); Dr Susan Cheyne (Borneo Nature Foundation)

Funding Body: Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for Postgraduate Research (University of Exeter); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Postgraduate Scholarship; Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Wildlife Conservation Award

Project Description:
My PhD focuses on the Rungan, an unstudied mosaic forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo). Until recently, this area was thought to have little ecological or conservation value; however, preliminary surveys found that it contains the largest remaining unprotected orangutan population, as well as numerous other species of conservation concern.

My work aims to assess the Rungan’s mammal biodiversity and understand the relationship between landscape heterogeneity and mammal diversity. I'll use camera traps to survey mammal biodiversity along with nest counts and fixed-point triangulation for Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) and white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis), respectively, to estimate their density and population size. As well, I'll identify and map the forest's sub-habitats, model the effects of land-use change, and classify areas of ecological and conservation importance.

This work is done in conjunction with the Borneo Nature Foundation. From this research, we hope to establish a conservation area in the Rungan.

Publications/Presentations:

Harrison ME, Ottay JB, D’Arcy LJ, Cheyne SM, Belcher C, Cole L, … Mang S, … & Gunawan A. 2019. Tropical forest and peatland conservation in Indonesia: Challenges and directions. People and Nature, 2: 4–28.

Wang G, Mang SL, Riehl B, Huang J, Wang G, Xu L, Huang K, Innes J. 2019. Climate change impacts and forest adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region: from regional experts’ perspectives. Journal of Forestry Research, 30: 277-293.

Wang G, Mang S, Cai H, Innes JL, Liu S, Zhang Z. 2016. Integrated watershed management: evolution, development, and emerging trends. Journal of Forestry Research, 27: 967-994.  

Pang Y, Wang G, Mang SL, Xu Z, Zhai H, Yang Z, Innes JL. 2016. Comment on “Effects of conservation policy on China’s forest recovery”. Science Advances, 2(3): e1500965.

Wang G, Wang T, Kang H, Mang S, Riehl B, Seely B, Liu S, Guo F, Li Q, Innes JL. 2016. Adaptation of Asia-Pacific Forests to Climate Change. Journal of Forestry Research, 27: 469- 488.

Mang SL, Brodie JF. 2015. Impacts of non-oil tree plantations on biodiversity in Southeast Asia. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24(14): 3431-3447.

Wang G, Mang SL, Krzyzanowski J, Guo F, Wang T, Riehl B, Kang H, Li Q, Innes JL. 2015. Climate Change and Forest Adaptation in the Asia-Pacific. Journal of Geographical Research, 63: 73-109.

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Publications

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