Biocompatibility Between Flora and Fauna Under Simulated Outdoor and Indoor Biopark

The biocompatibility between flora and fauna in BioPark was evaluated. A group of 20 heads of Cervus timorensis (Timorensis), 5 heads respectively of Axis axis (Axis), Cervus unicolor brookei (Sambar) and Muntiacus atherodes (Muntjac) were studied in Outdoor BioPark. In Indoor BioPark, 16 heads of Callosciurus prevostii borneansis (prevost's squirrel), 10 heads of Tragulus javanicus (Kancil) and 6 heads of Tragulus napo (Pelandok) were used for the purpose of study. In Outdoor BioPark, the biocompatibility between the deer species with Acacia mangium and its natural vegetation were studied. Meanwhile in Indoor BioPark, introduced flora species were used The study found that the undergrowth vegetation of A. mangium plantation was biocompatible with the tested deer species. With monthly forage yield of 183.28 kg (DM) per ha or 1392.93 MJ ME per ha with 75% total available forage grazed, the A. mangium undergrowth could be stocked with 5 to 9 heads of Muntjac, or 1 to 3 heads of Timorensis, or 2 to 7 heads of Axis, or 1 to 2 heads of Sambar deer. Based on captive feeding habit and requirements of the Mousedeer species, the area also could be stocked with Kancil and Pelandok with allowable carrying capacity of 18 to 42 heads of Pelandok and 44 to 132 heads of Kandl, respectively. It was found that some of the deer was not biocompatible with A. mangium stands. Of all the deer species tested, it was found that only Sambar and Muntjac were biocompatible and did not cause any significant debarking damage on the matured stands of A. mangium. Biocompatibility between deer species and A . mangium was influenced by tree bark architecture (bark surface coarseness) and taxonomy (thickness), deer species, number of individual stags stocked and the animal's feed management. The biocompatibility between Prevost's squirrel, Pelandok and Kancil with introduced flora in Indoor BioPark had found that feed factor in terms of quantity and availability together with the availability of juvenile individuals were the most associated factors with the animal's herbivory. Other factors were includes the animal's stocking rate and plant's species used.

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