The need for a greater knowledge of rainforest wildlife made a trip to Borneo essential for the HOD during the September holidays.

Sabah is in the north, where guides take visitors on trips along the rivers. The varying circadian rhythms of the animals is made clear because setting out at dawn and dusk results in seeing different wildlife.

The proboscis monkey is only found in Borneo. It stays high in the trees, while the water monitor lizards and crocodiles are within easy reach.

Orang-utans are around the feeding platforms in Sepilok, along with big birds possessing long powerful beaks, like this Storm's stork.

Further south, in Sarawak, there are more snakes and millions of cave-dwelling bats which depart in swarms each evening. You may be able to make out Sundasciurus tenuis, a mouse-size squirrel, on the trunk of the tree.

Bako National Park is a good spot for a botanist. There are several species of Nepenthes, the pitcher plant.

Year 11 IGCSE Revision               Human Influences on the Ecosystem

Using the rainforest as an example:

• describe the effects of natural deforestation resulting from the clearing of land then the planting of farms of palm-oil producing trees.

• explain why the recovery of tiny populations of primates is so difficult to achieve (especially in the case of the orang-utan).

• describe the effects of water pollution by sewage and chemical waste.