Testing the Potential for the Effective Food Waste Composter (EFWC) to Reduce Waste on Penang Hill

THF Conservation Grant

Assc. Prof. Dr Che Zalina of UPSI’s Dept of Engineering poses with one of the EFWC prototypes and local community partners.

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.

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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, has been awarded a THF 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.

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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. 

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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.

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Rewilding and Restoring Native Species to the Urban Landscape

UBI is passionate about cultivating an appreciation for native plants which are a common part of the typical Malaysian 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.

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Strengthening Capacity for Biodiversity Conservation Impact Among CBOs in Greater KL

Kota Damansara Community Forest (KDCF) Society was established in 2011 to serve as the official community counterpart to manage KDCF, 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 2016).

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Developing Native Tree Nurseries With Local Jahai in Royal Belum State Park

The Habitat Foundation, together with the Tropical Rainforest Conservation Research Centre (TRCRC) and the Perak State Parks Corporation (PSPC), are piloting an innovative project engaging Jahai Orang Asli within Royal Belum State Park to establish native tree nurseries.

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Community-based Mangrove Restoration in Cherating and Chendor, Pahang

Mangroves are an important nature-based solution to the current climate crisis. In addition to sequestering carbon they are vital and productive ecosystems that support local economic activity.

This project invests in restoring mangroves in the wetlands of 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.

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Diversity and Ecological Characteristics of Terrestrial Freshwater Crabs on Penang Hill

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.

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