Bird species diversity in the padawan limestone area, sarawak.
Bird surveys were conducted in the Padawan Limestone Area for seven days at each of two study sites, Giam and Danu, from August to December 2008. The purpose of the study was to compare the area's bird species richness and abundance of bird species in other limestone areas and in other forest types. The study also compared the species richness and relative abundance of birds in undisturbed and disturbed areas at both study sites. Twenty mist nets were deployed for 12 hours daily. During this study period, direct observations of birds were also made. In all, 80 species from 34 families were recorded at both sites. At Giam, 120 birds were mist-netted. These birds represented 31 species from 16 families. The direct observations at Giam recorded 13 species from 11 families. In the undisturbed area, 21 species from 13 families were mist-netted, whereas in the disturbed area, 21 species from 10 families were mist-netted. In Danu, a total of 48 birds, representing 25 species from 12 families, were mist-netted. The observations at Danu recorded 34 species from 19 families. Twelve species from 7 families were mist-netted in the undisturbed area, whereas 18 species from 11 families were mist-netted in the disturbed area. Statistical analysis showed that the species diversity index differed significantly between undisturbed and disturbed areas.
Study on Population Size of Hirundo tahitica in UiTM Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Pilah Campus
Phenomenon of bird droppings by Hirundo sp. in UiTM Negeri Sembilan has now become a crucial issue as their droppings not only caused unsightly messes and property damages but also possed a serious threat to students’ and staff’s health. In order to overcome the problem, the actual number of the birds, especially Hirundo tahitica, needs to be assessed so that a suitable way to control the population size of the birds can be implemented. Therefore, a study on the population size of H. tahitica had been conducted by using a multiple captures of Jolly-Seber method, as this method allows natality, mortality, immigration, and emigration are suitable for assessment of open population. A variety of trapping methods were used to maximize the number of birds captured including mist nets, sweep nets, and fish nets and they were released back to population after marked. Analyses of data on 656 individual of H. tahitica captured during eight sampling periods between November 2012 and February 2013 showed that the total population size is 23, 157 birds. Five morphological traits of the species also were recorded namely wing length, tail length, body length, wing span, and body weight as they are important in sex and age determination of the birds. Among the birds captured, 255 of them are male and 401 are female. Morphological traits measurement recorded showed that only tail length have significant difference between male and female of H. tahitica (male-7.53 ± 1.26 g, female-4.96 ± 0.70 g) whereas other traits are slightly different.
Swiftlets of Borneo: Builders of Edible Nests by Lim Chan Koon and Earl of Cranbrook (2002), ix + 171 pp., Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd., Sabah, Malaysia. ISBN 983 812 060 X (hbk), price unmarked.
Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific – A Prioritization then takes a two-pronged approach, selecting from the matrix 1) highly threatened ecoregions Conservation Assessment by Eric Wikramanayake, Eric Dinerstein, Colby J. Loucks, David M. Olson, John with globally outstanding biodiversity, and 2) ecoregions with globally or regionally outstanding biodiversity Morrison, John Lamoreux, Meghan McKnight & Prashant Hedao (2002), xxix+643 pp., Island Press, Washington, that contain large areas of intact habitat (thus oCering opportunities for developing eCective proactive conCovelo & London. ISBN 1 55963 923 7 (pbk), $85.00. servation rather than fighting a rearguard action in an already seriously damaged ecoregion). By ensuring that This volume is part of an ongoing eCort by the World Wildlife Fund (USA) to assess and prioritize the ecoevery biome present in each bioregion is represented in this priority ecoregion portfolio, the broadest array regions of the world for conservation. Previous volumes dealt with terrestrial ecoregions of Latin America and of biodiversity distinctiveness as well as conservation opportunity is included. the Caribbean, of North America, and freshwater ecoregions of North America. A volume on Africa is So which ecoregions are the top priorities? Of the total of 140, 60 are identified as containing the most forthcoming. The Indo-Pacific, as defined here, extends from Pakistan important biodiversity and being either seriously threatened or suBciently intact to oCer good opportunities to Melanesia (as far as Vanuatu and New Caledonia) but excludes Polynesia and Micronesia, regions traditionally for eCective conservation. They are allocated to three urgency levels: 32 ‘‘most urgent’’, 20 ‘‘high priority’’, included in the Indo-Pacific. The northern boundary is the Chinese border along the Himalayas and Indochina; and eight (plus an additional five to fully represent all biomes at the bioregional level) ‘‘priority’’. Thus the southern boundary is the Torres Strait, thus excluding Australia. The hierarchical approach adopted first divides the book’s essential purpose is achieved: to provide a guiding framework for conservation organizations, the region into five ‘‘bioregions’’, essentially defined biogeographically. These bioregions are then divided governments, international agencies and other donors to focus their eCorts most eCectively at regional, national into 140 ‘‘ecoregions’’, defined primarily by vegetation type (taking into account climate, elevation and bioor local levels depending on their purview. Finally, suggestions are made about how to actually geography) and allocated to ‘‘biomes’’ cutting across the bioregions. For example, within the Indochina bioregion, eCect conservation in the region. This is the least compelling part of the book, but only because it is such a the Cardamom Mountains Rain Forests ecoregion is allocated to the Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf diBcult issue. ‘‘Conservation performance payments’’ – payments to local people for direct conservation Forests biome. The goal is to develop a portfolio of priority ecoregions representing all biomes in each bioregion. actions – are considered vital; they should be linked to establishment of strictly protected areas, which are also As the authors stress, all ecoregions of this spectacular and diverse region deserve to be conserved. But this is vital. ‘‘Integrated conservation and development projects’’ – projects that provide alternatives to biodiversity impossible, and so triage – the selection of those ecoregions to be focused on first – is inevitable. Prioritization consumption or destruction and hence indirect conservation – must be integrated into landscape-scale is based on two indices: ‘‘biological distinctiveness’’, derived primarily from species richness and endemism, conservation and not considered as local, one-oC eCorts. Bold, charismatic and enlightened leaders are crucial. and ‘‘conservation status’’, evaluated primarily on the amount of habitat lost or fragmented and the proportion This entire exercise, from assembling the ecoregions to prioritizing them, and to oCering approaches to currently protected. Each ecoregion is placed in a matrix, depending on its scores for these two indices. Projected regional conservation, takes up just half the book. The remaining half provides details of each ecoregion, threats, primarily logging, but also removal of wildlife for human consumption and trade (leading to the ‘silent 2–3 pages for each, including a general description, justification for its designation as a distinct ecoregion, forest’ syndrome) are then superimposed, giving a ‘‘final conservation status’’. salient features of its biodiversity (including lists of