Land snails are not cute or cuddly. They are also slimy. This might make them a hard sell for conservation. Fortunately, they do grow on you. The deeper you delve into the world of snails, slugs and semi-slugs, the more fascinating they become!
Read More “What It Takes to Uncover the Hidden World of Land Snails”
Continuing the sustainability initiative by the Foundation which started last year, the Effective Food Waste Composter (EFWC) developed by Professor Dr. Che Zalina from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has now been installed at The Habitat Penang Hill, where the machine is monitored by the staff.
Read more: SMART-Effective Food Waste Composter Pilot Project for Penang HillCurrently, the brown waste such as leaves, twigs and coffee ground and the green waste such as egg shells, fruit and vegetable peels are collected from the Penang Hill park, the staff working at The Habitat and some nearby food vendors. Thus far, two batches of composts, rich in nutrients, were produced with the machine.
The process of composting has gone through a few rounds of trials. Our team has provided some feedback to Prof Dr Zalina on the functionality of the prototype and the quality of the composts produced. Meanwhile, the staff are working diligently on obtaining the ideal proportion of the brown and green waste to yield compost, with the ideal humidity and texture, regularly.
Once the process is streamlined, The Habitat aims to expand our waste collection to the residential community around Penang Hill as well as other stakeholders on the hill.
The Habitat Foundation is pleased to support a research on the diversity of dragonflies and damselflies through our 2021 Research Grant. Dragonflies and damselflies are categorized under the order of Odonata and they are one of the least known species of Penang Island. This study aims to document the diversity of Odonata within the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve and to produce an Odonata species list for the Biosphere Reserve.
Read More “Diversity of Dragonflies and Damselflies on Penang Island”
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”
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”
