SANDAKAN: The newest edition of Sandakania Volume 26, a scientific journal focused on plant systematics, morphology, and natural history, has been released by the Forest Research Centre of the Sabah Forestry Department in Sandakan, Malaysia.
This volume was made possible thanks to the generous funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) in Malaysia.
The online version was made available earlier in June 2025. This special issue centers on Plant Conservation in Borneo, uniting leading research and viewpoints on the region’s most notable plant groups and conservation issues.
The volume delves into the science behind conservation efforts, the significance of ongoing botanical documentation, and the advancements towards a complete Flora of Borneo.
It also covers practical elements of botanical taxonomy, along with cultural and natural history viewpoints that are crucial for enhancing public awareness of Borneo’s unique biodiversity.
The compilation and editorial management of this issue were directed by Dr. Wong Khoon Meng from the Singapore Botanic Gardens, who played a key role in coordinating contributions and ensuring the scientific integrity of the published articles.
This volume features ten scholarly articles: Dr. Wong Khoon Meng and co-authors offer insights into Dipterocarps, Sabah’s plant biodiversity hotspots, and the botanical collections of Borneo. Dr. Wong Sin Yeng from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak discusses the Flora of Borneo. Dr. S.K. Ganesan, Sebastian C. Wong, Louise Neo, and Chen Junhao from the Singapore Botanic Gardens contribute studies on durians, orchids, Borneo endemic plant genera, and the large genera Annonaceae and Rubiaceae, respectively. Dr. Peter C. Boyce from the University of Florence describes a new genus and species of Araceae, Huluarum enigmaticum. Datuk C.L. Chan shares insights on natural history publishing and conservation ideals.
The editorial committee, led by Dr. Arthur Y.C. Chung, supports the production of Sandakania. Mr. John B. Sugau serves as the Editor, Dr. Joan T. Pereira is the Assistant Editor, and Alviana Damit takes on the role of Layout and Copy Editor.
Under the leadership of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, the committee remains committed to promoting contributions that enhance scientific knowledge of Sabah and Borneo’s flora, thus furthering botanical understanding and cultivating a deeper appreciation for the region’s extraordinary biodiversity.
