The Habitat Foundation Sustainable Tourism Grants are about supporting community-based tourism because it also strengthens conservation. HUGS Project received a grant in 2021 to organise specialised workshops for local cave guides from the remarkable limestone landscape of Merapoh, Pahang.
Read More “HUGS Project in Safeguarding Our Caves in Merapoh”
Fuze Ecoteer Outdoor Adventures is a Malaysian registered tour operator with experience in conservation and research. It is recognised as a social enterprise that focuses on marine conservation projects.
Read More “Fuze Ecoteer: Leading Sustainable Tourism in Marine Environments”
On World Migratory Bird Day, we recognise the very special international visitors that winter along the Teluk Ayer Tawar-Kuala Muda Coast between October and February annually. Thousands of birds from almost 150 species rely on the mudflats and mangroves of this area. For the migratory species it is a critical stopover on what is an increasingly arduous and perilous journey. Being able to host them on our shores is both a privilege and a tremendous responsibility. It makes us part of a global community that has a solemn duty to play in ensuring the survival of these remarkable species.
Read More “Hosting our international guests – a glimpse into Shorebird Peninsular Malaysia Project (SPMP)”
Topic
Application of bioacoustics to document and monitor wildlife diversity on Penang Hill
Insights into the rhythm of life
Bioacoustics is an exciting new research field. The sounds of the Malaysian rainforest – frogs, geckos, birds, bats, squirrels, primates, and insects create a distinctive soundscape. With emerging technology and analytic software we are now able to capture the sounds of nature and gain valuable insights into the natural world. Documenting and monitoring this soundscape also has the potential to provide indicators of species diversity and ecosystem health.
The aim of this research is to document the diversity and abundance of wildlife of Penang Hill using bioacoustics. It will build a reference library of unique sonotypes for the species of the hill. This will provide a baseline and foundation for asking important ecological questions.
The scholarship
The Habitat Foundation is funding a Masters Scholarship for Research in Bioacoustics on Penang Hill which will be offered at the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), USM. The successful candidate will have their university registration and tuition fees covered, and receive a monthly stipend of RM1,000 for 24 months. Equipment and field costs will be provided by The Habitat Foundation.
Who can apply
The scholarship is offered to Malaysian citizens and will be for 2 years. Suitable candidates are encouraged to apply by 30 August 2021. The study is expected to commence in October 2021.
Candidates should
How to apply
Applicants should submit a short statement letter (1 page) explaining their interest in the research accompanied by their (1) Curriculum Vitae, (2) academic transcript, and (3) letter of reference.
Enquiries may be addressed to Dr Nadine Ruppert <n.ruppert@usm.my>. Applications for the scholarship, should be received by email not later than 30 August 2021.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Rainforest diversity is not just something that can be appreciated with the eyes. It is also expressed by a diversity of sounds – the song of birds, the shrill siren of cicadas, and the calls of frogs and geckos, and the vocalizations of squirrels and primates are part of the forest landscape.
Read More “The Habitat commences a long-term bioacoustics research programme”
It is no mistake that two of the 2021 Sustainable Tourism Grants are to empower initiatives being spearheaded by young people who are conservation leaders and represent the next generation of decision makers.
Read More “Empowering the Next Generation of Community Leaders”
The study to be undertaken Dr Nurul ‘Ain of the School of Biological Sciences, USM focusses on the insectivorous bats of the Gunung Keriang area of Kedah.
Read More “Ecosystem Services Provided by Bats in Ricefields”
This research grant will support researchers from University of Nottingham, Malaysia to evaluate the presence and impact of microplastics in our river ecosystems.
Read More “Microplastic Loads in Fish and Invertebrates in Malaysian Rivers”
The Habitat Foundation is proud to provide a grant to the Malaysian Nature Society towards implementing a pilot initiative under its longstanding Hornbill Conservation Project to develop a community nursery that stocks hornbill (and other wildlife) resource plants and trees. The nurseries will be developed with Orang Asli from Kampung Chuweh in the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex.
Read More “Hornbills and Orang Asli Communities – Farmers of the Forest”
The forests of Penang Hill offer exceptional opportunities for ecosystem and sustainability studies. Here you will find an unbroken swathe of pristine yet accessible ecosystems from the hill and lower montane forests, to coastal mangroves and lowland forests, contained within Penang National Park. In 2019/2020 the Foundation provided Research Grants towards studies to describe the diversity of cyanobacteria, wild edible and medicinal fungi, and the endemic Penang Hill Vampire Crab.
