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.
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
enjoy the outdoors and have a keen sense of curiosity and interest in conducting fieldwork in the tropical rain forest
possess a Bachelor’s degree in biology, geography or any other relevant field (CGPA >2.75/4.00)
have a good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia
be self-motivated and capable of carrying out independent research
be a good team player but also able to work under minor supervision
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.
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.
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.
This research grant will support researchers from University of Nottingham, Malaysia to evaluate the presence and impact of microplastics in our river ecosystems.
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.
The Habitat Foundation Sustainable Tourism Grants have been created to strengthen the links between ecotourism and conservation. It is no surprise, therefore, that two of these grants are investing in capacity building for local communities.
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, the calls of frogs and geckos, and the vocalizations of squirrels and primates are part of the forest landscape.
Comprising 10 per cent of all the world’s flowering plants, Orchidaceae (Orchid family) is one of the world’s largest plant families, rivalled in number only by the Daisy family.
Macaca Nemestrina Project is a long-term behavioural and ecological study of Southern pig-tailed macaques which has been conducted near the Segari Melintang Forest Reserve (SMFR), Perak, Peninsular Malaysia since 2013.