Tag Archives: biodiversity

Better Drainage Can Fight Floods

BFM recording - Drainage
Left: WIth BFM producer Juliet Jacobs (top left): Liani MK, SL Wong and Charles Bong; RIght: DID officers and consultants inspecting a drain to be widened under a flood mitigation project (Pic: Arieff Zafir)

12 November 2024: In this Earth Matters segment on BFM89.9FM Radio, we focus on how floods have been worsening in Kuching due to woefully outdated drainage.

But there are technological and funding solutions, say Assoc Prof Dr Charles Bong (urban drainage management researcher, UNIMAS),  Liani MK (journalist), and Macaranga’s Wong Siew Lyn. Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.

Based on our story Fighting Floods with Better Drainage in Kuching.

[The story is supported by Earth Journalism Network]

Co-existing with the Wild in the Valley

The Klang Valley’s rapid development threatens not only our local biodiversity but also the delicate balance required for harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife, writes wildlife conservation advocate Ashwiini Paranjothi.

WILDLIFE IS NOT limited to distant forests; it is present in our cities, adapting to urban life as green spaces shrink. Urban forests like Bukit Kiara and Bukit Gasing in the Klang Valley are home to a variety of species that now share their habitat with humans. The increased proximity has led to more frequent interactions and, unfortunately, more conflicts.

(Feature pic: When monkeys create chaos in neighbourhoods, human patience can run thin. | photo by Animal Neighbours Project)

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Shark Conservation 101 – What are ISRAs?

17 October 2024: Malaysia has new 10 Important Shark and Ray Areas, (ISRAs), critical habitats identified as critical for the conservation of shark and ray species based on scientific criteria.

To dissect the meaning of this new list are scientists Serena Adam (Marine Conservation Officer, WWF-Malaysia, member of the IUCN),  Assoc. Prof. Dr Amy Then (Senior Lecturer, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya), and Macarang’s Wong Siew Lyn (right to left in photo above). Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.

Based on our story Divers, Fishers and Scientists Map Sharks and Rays to Save Them and interactive map.

[The story is supported by a grant from Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL). The grant is administered by Justice for Wildlife Malaysia]

[Photo: BFM89.9 Radio]

The Heat on Peat – A Look at Tropical Peat Swamp Forests

17 October 2024: The Mak Jintan peat swamp forest in Terengganu is the last known virgin peat swamp in Peninsular Malaysia. When plans emerged to convert it into an oil palm plantation, it sparked significant concern among scientists, conservationists, and even an industry regulator.

Macaranga journalist Law Yao Hua speaks to Juliet Jacobs about the impact of this on biodiversity, carbon storage and water regulation on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.

Based on our  story, The climate-friendly virgin in Terengganu.

[The story is supported by a grant from Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL). The grant is administered by Justice for Wildlife Malaysia]

The Climate-friendly Virgin in Terengganu

Tropical peat swamp forests are key bastions in our defense against global warming. They store huge amounts of carbon in their soil, and their forests absorb more greenhouse gases than they release. 

Malaysia, like many other countries, has established regulations to stop the exploitation of peatland.

But private company Pure Green Development Sdn Bhd  is seeking to convert forests in Terengganu into oil palm. Its 2,228ha site includes 900 ha of virgin peat swamp forest. 

We look at the project’s catastrophic climate impact and ways to protect the forest.

Read our interactive story and share your thoughts with us below.

Nurturing a Nature Revival

Nature is trendy again. Conservationist Surin Suksuwan takes a look at the journey of colonial-era ‘Nature Study’ to the present.

NOW, PERHAPS more than ever before, Nature is becoming a concern for all rather than just to a fringe group who are labelled as tree huggers.

Unfortunately, it has taken the combined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss for people to realise that the Earth is in trouble and we cannot go on with business as usual.

(Feature pic: Nature Study was once taught to primary and secondary schoolchildren. | All photos by Surin Suksuwan)

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Popular Songbird Gets Trade Protection

As regulators tighten international trade of the White-rumped shama, local hunting and captive breeding continue.

“THIS ONE, nine-inch, a Kuala Lumpur champion for more than 5 times,” says Soo Hoo Kok Weng as he points to a bluish-black bird in a cage. The White-rumped shama is popular in bird-singing competitions and Soo Hoo breeds them for this purpose.

But this bird has not sired any chicks after more than a year of pairing. Soo Hoo reckons its previous owner had been feeding it stimulants to win the highly-competitive bird singing competitions. “Its sperm is spoilt,” he says. “That’s the price it has been made to pay.”

But for the species, the price is far higher than that: extinction.

(Photo: Birdkeepers enter their songbirds into competitions for prizes and prestige. Winning competitions also increases the selling price of the bird | Pic by Lee Kwai Han)

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Heath soil is far from basic

Interviewed: Giacomo Sellan, plant scientist (giacomo.sellan@ecofog.gf)

(Photo: Heath forest in Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sabah | Pic by Giacomo Sellan)

The Ibans call heath forests “Kerangas”, which means “lands that will not grow rice”. And it is not just rice that could not make it there. 

As one treks from the lush lowland forests into heath forests, the trees change. Tall, thick trees give way to stunted ones with gnarled branches and “gracious” leaves, looking similar to bonsai trees, says plant scientist Giacomo Sellan.

Continue reading Heath soil is far from basic