For her Master’s degree in Ecology at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Siti Khadijah is conducting a 12-month study on the diversity, ecological characteristics and habitat selection of freshwater crabs that are endemic to Penang Hill. She is being supervised by a leading authority on crustaceans in Malaysia. The field research is being funded by The Habitat Foundation and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
The Malaysian Plover is a species that nests on sandy beaches and needs undisturbed coastal environments to breed successfully.
The Malaysian Plover (Charadrius peronii) is one of 12 species of plover known to breed in Malaysia, yet it is the only one that is resident. Little is known about its genetic structure, population density and spatial dispersal.
We are proud to list the recipients of the THF Research and Conservation Grants for 2019/2020. Our programme is organized around several major themes which we consider to be critical for addressing the looming climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity both in urban areas as well as in our increasingly fragmented forest landscapes. Click on the links to learn more about the respective research and conservation project.
1 Ecosystem Restoration
Community-based Mangrove Restoration in Cherating and Chendor, Pahang
This project invests in the mangrove restoration work being done by MNS Pahang in Chendor and Cherating, a popular destination for community-managed ecotourism. Besides its importance for local livelihoods, the area allows people to learn about the role of mangroves in coastal and fisheries resource protection, and as a nature-based solution to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Developing Native Tree Nurseries with Local Jahai in Royal Belum State Park
In Royal Belum State Park, The Habitat Foundation is partnering the Perak State Parks Corporation (PSPC) and Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC) to pilot an innovative programme to engage Jahai Orang Asli within the park to establish native tree nurseries from the seeds of wild fruit trees, dipterocarps, and other target species. Saplings from the nursery they will be purchased to be planted at sites important to restore connectivity to the Central Forest Spine.
2 Urban Biodiversity Initiative
Strengthening Capacity for Biodiversity Conservation Impact Among CBOs in Greater KL
Kota Damansara Community Forest Society (KDCFS) was established in 2011 to serve as the official community counterpart to the forest reserve which was gazetted for protection in 2010. Today, it is regarded as a model community-managed urban forest and a demonstration of public participation (National Policy on Biodiversity). The Society has received a grant from the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) to implement a 20-month project to establish a common platform to protect remaining green areas in the Klang Valley and create a more hospitable landscape for biodiversity in the sprawling urban metropolis. The Habitat Foundation is strengthening this initiative by providing co-funding to boost capacity for project coordination, networking and successful project delivery.
Rewilding and Restoring Native Species to the Urban Landscape
Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) is an independent collective for urban ecology research, conservation and environmental education. Based at the Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden at Universiti Malaya, they have received a THF Conservation Grant to implement a project promoting the rewilding of urban landscapes through education and community engagement. This project will lay a foundation for integrating biodiversity gardening into the wider urban greening agenda, engaging multiple stakeholders and develop resources for communities, as well as local institutions and government authorities.
Building Sustainable Schools – Engaging and Empowering Young Green Changemakers
Building on Think City’s Green Corridor initiative to encourage schools to use their fields for urban biodiversity gardens, this project will support six schools in composting, strengthening green corridors, and growing herbs and vegetables. Led by GreenSmiths, it will enlist other local organizations to help mentor the schoolchildren in establishing and maintaining edible and biodiverse gardens.
3 Collaborative Species Studies
Connecting Cats: Assessing the Population Connectivity of Apex Predators
This study led by Kate Allberry of The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent working with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) will evaluate the genetic diversity of tigers, leopards and clouded leopards in Peninsular Malaysia to assess how effectively designated forest corridors are facilitating gene flow and movement between small populations.
Conserving the Migratory Shorebirds and Wetlands of Teluk Air Tawar-Kuala Muda Coast
The Shorebirds Project of Peninsular Malaysia led by Dr Nur Munira will use its Conservation Grant to continue monitoring and documenting the abundance and diversity of birds visiting the TAT-KM Coast. This data will communicate this to shorebird researchers worldwide. Using an integrated approach combining research, community engagement, and education and outreach to engage with key agencies and stakeholders in support of the protection of the remaining mangroves of the coastline and socialize the potential value of this area for nature tourism with benefits to local livelihoods.
Population and Ecology of the Malaysian Plover (Charadrius peronii)
Al-Kautsar Hidayanto and Nurul Syafiqa of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) will gather data on the ecology and population health of the Malaysian Plover. This information is necessary to to guide effective conservation actions for Malaysia’s only resident plover.
4 Research on Penang Hill and Support for the Nomination of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO MAB Programme
THF is continuing to support the Malaysian’s government’s nomination of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man & the Biosphere Programme. Becoming one of the 670 MAB areas around the world would firmly establish Penang as an important learning centre in the global quest to find balance between human society and natural heritage areas of international significance.
The pristine forests of Penang Hill are a wonderful trove of biodiversity and offer much in the way of insights into new species and rainforest ecology.
Diversity and Ecological Characteristics of Terrestrial Freshwater Crabs on Penang Hill
Only discovered and scientifically described in 2016, little remains known about the Penang Hill Vampire Crab. This research will add new understanding, providing insights into their potential threats and conservation needs. The field research is being conducted by Siti Khadijah for her Master’s Research. It is funded by The Habitat Foundation and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
Ethnomycological Study of Local Wild Edible and Medicinal Fungi
A research team from the School of Biological Sciences at USM, led by Dr Rosnida Tajuddin, received a THF Penang Hill Research Grant to document the historical uses and sociological value of local wild edible and medicinal fungi. They will also analyse the mycotoxin potentially present in wild fungi growing in association with the roots of dipterocarp trees, to help determine whether it is safe for human consumption. This study will enhance our understanding of the conservation status of mushrooms in Malaysia and the significance of the biological relationships of fungi within the surrounding forest.
The Hidden Diversity of Subaerophytic Cyanobacteria on Penang Hill
During the Penang Hill BioBlitz in October 2017, many rare and relatively unknown cyanobacteria species were detected among the algae samples collected. To understand their contribution to ecosystem functioning, and potential role in biotechnological developments, further study is necessary. This research, led by Dr Faradina Merican of the School of Biological Sciences at USM will compare the diversity of cyanobacteria at the study site with existing records from comparable environments. It is expected to draw attention to rare, endemic and little understood taxa whose presence, abundance and biological conditions may be used to make inferences about the quality of the environment.
Clemens’ Research Gets off the Ground
Our location alongside the beautiful Bukit Kerajaan Virgin Jungle Reserve provides abundant opportunitites for students of tropical forest ecology to do research. Clemens received a Penang Hill Research Grant to conduct research to better understand the inner-workings of the forest canopy. He is a student at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development in Germany where he is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in International Forest Ecosystem Management.
Aside from conservation biology, we are also supporting work which explores embracing new systems and innovations which help to reduce human impact. Under our sustainability pillar, we are teaming up with UPSI enginners to introduce simple technology to help accelerate the processing of food waste into compost.
Testing the Potential for the Effective Food Waste Composter (EFWC) to Reduce Waste on Penang Hill
This EFWC is an invention of Assoc. Prof Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and is designed to provide an efficient option to accelerate the transformation of food waste into compost. This project is being supported as an innovation under our sustainability pillar. It aims to provide a solution to reduce the amount of food waste produced on Penang Hill that is disposed as general waste and finds itself in the state landfill. It will involve working closely with Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) to install two Food Waste Composters (EFWCs) which will serve food vendors, cafes and restaurants on the hill.
5 Marine Conservation Programme in Cebu
In 2019, The Habitat Foundation is conducting a detailed feasibility to establish the framework for its new Marine Conservation Programme in Cebu, Philippines. The programme will focus on best practice in ecotourism, the conservation of coral reefs, research and environmental education, and active engagement with local communities and stakeholders.
