But it was not just the sun-kissed orbs she was eager to see – the wildlife ecologist was hoping for bird activity too. Specifically, she wanted to see if the fruits tempted any birds to swallow them whole, and if so, what species they were.“No interactions,” reported Ms Fung Tze Kwan, 35, as she lowered her binoculars, and went off in search of the next fruiting tree marked out on her map.
The tropical forest is more than just a collection of trees – it is a tapestry of life, connected by complex relationships between flora and fauna. For example, nature photographers might capture a shot of a bird feeding on the fruit of a plant, or researchers may come across such a sight by chance while out in the field for some other purpose.An olive-winged bulbul. These are among the fruit-eating birds that can be found in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
For example, some plots within the nature reserve are at later stages of forest maturation, with vegetation of more complex structures, while plots in the nature parks may have remnants of fruit trees from former villages or kampungs.
Having studied the diet of and seed dispersal by common palm civets since 2011, Ms Fung has seen first-hand how information on wildlife dietary habits can aid in conservation.