The research
The research
The ferns
The ferns
Tropical insider
Tropical insider
Botanic Garden
Botanic Garden
About me
My name is Daniele Cicuzza, working at the University of Brunei Darussalam. My research focuses on the ecology and the role of plants in the tropical forest ecosystems. Specifically in the beautiful tropical forest of Southeast Asia.
Over ten years ago I decided to continue my research on tropical species living in the tropics. After packing my stuff, I moved for three years at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, south of Yunnan, China, after that I moved to Brunei in the earth of Southeast Asia region and on the island of Borneo. The true experience of “tropical insider” has raised the need to share this fantastic adventure with a project which aims to disseminate knowledge, in other words: Planthology.
Assessing Magnoliaceae through time: Major global efforts to track extinction risk status and ex situ conservation
Craspedotropis gretathunbergae, a new species of Cyclophoridae
A new semi-slug of the genus Microparmarion from Brunei
Beyond the Trees: A Comparison of Nonwoody Species, and Their Ecology, in Papua New Guinea Elevational Gradient Forest.
The Red List of Dipterocarpaceae published after global assessment effort.
Tropical terrestrial and epiphytic ferns have different leaf stoichiometry with ecological implications.
Epiphyte: Aerial plants, ornamental plants, bioindicator and purifying plants… nothing special!
Papaya: the fruit of the angels
Observation, knowledge, broadcast
Mission
Planthology aims to share the extraordinary life of plants.
Biodiversity, individulas with unusual and unique form and shape, I will guide you through the hearth of tropical forest, where we can encounter a wide range of plant species, living fossils to discover and to appreciate.
Beside the forest, I will bring you in my lab to share the behind the scenes of the research activity. We will become familiar with wild plants that have been domesticated and are now part of the horìnamental plants that decorate hour homes and cities. Remember, dnstance is only a geographical factor!
Let me share with you the aim of this project:
Identify the fern species in southeast Asia,
with emphasises on Borneo. Understand how the community is driven by environmental factors and human activities.
Last but not the least, investigate the fern biomechanics,
in other words how the plants react to external stimuli as rain and wind. This is a project that I have started, experimentally, recently I will bring you through the different steps of this new fascinating endeavour.
Preserve the fern richness
of this remarkable region and engage the local community to convey the message over the rampant deforestation issue.
Understand the plant physiology within a frame of species conservation.
Many ferns are archaic and have a physiological adaptation different from the other flowering plants. Understanding their physiology will allow us to highlight those species that are more sensitive to climate change and forest degradation.
Let’s meet on my YouTube Channel!
You will be witnesses of my projects and my errors.
Broadcasting the steps, you will join the process and be part of the ‘micro’ and ‘macro’ universe of Planthology.
Therefore, do not be distracted, botany is important and it affects you!
F.A.Q.
Planthology is young in age, so young that you didn’t have the time to ask anything yet, but I am, sure during this path I’ll be able to answer you all.
However, I think I can advance some curiosities you may have about this project.
Borneo. Seven years… are you serious?
Well, deciding to move to Borneo it is not an easy step, particularly when you decide to move for such long period of time. You need a certain level of madness. The landscape in tropical region is extraordinary with amazing colours and scenery. Will be difficult to adapt again to the cold of the winter and the grey and gloomy days.
Ok conservation, protect the species etc, but why the ferns from Asia?
Why dance, why football? Because nature has always attracted me, and the tropics has always been the mysterious place to work in. They are a sort of obsession! Then I decided that Borneo could have been a good compromise, at the end why not!
“Planthology". How I ended up with this idea? Do not tell me because you study plants!
Again, not only for that. Our society is facing a tremendous climate change crisis and at the same time the biodiversity crisis. Hundreds of species go extinct every year and we do nothing, or very little, about it. At the same time little is presented from the behind the scenes, very few researchers are working in the tropics and here I am! I live in Borneo, so why not sharing my experience with those who are interested in all aspect of nature and human activities? It is a challenge and I want to engage on it.
Gli step della ricerca
Maecenas consectetur id sapien vitae suscipit.
L'orto botanico
Maecenas consectetur id sapien vitae suscipit.
Tropical insider
Maecenas consectetur id sapien vitae suscipit.
From Borneo to your house the answer is… Planthology!
Some scroll ago, I mentioned that plants are domesticated to propagate in our apartments and cities. Based on this definition, let’s divide them in three categories.
Edible plants
Ornamental plants
