Surveys on moonrat were conducted at 13 sites under 11 fragmented forest reserves of five CFS ecological corridors located in the states of Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Terengganu, Pahang and Kelantan. The surveys were conducted between February 2018 to September 2019. Not much information on moonrat is documented at these forest reserves. Therefore, the study aims to document the presence of moonrat within CFS landscape in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 100 collapsible cage traps were deployed at each surveyed site. Cumulatively, a total of eight individuals of moonrat were recorded from six forest reserves. Tanum FR and Ulu Jelai FR located in Pahang, harbour highest number of individual of moonrat, respectively with two individuals in each forest reserve. Forest conditions such as canopy closure, vegetation density and food resources may affect the presence of moonrat. Based on the information, further conservation measures can be strategized in order to conserve these fragmented forest reserves of CFS ecological corridor as a habitat for this mammal.
Surveys on Roundleaf bats (Hipposideridae) were conducted at 18 forest reserves in nine CFS ecological corridor networks namely Pedu, Bukit Saiong, Kenderong, Bintang Hijau, Sungai Betis, Sungai Brok, Tembat, Tanum, Sungai Yu, Ulu Jelai, Bukit Bujang, Angsi, Berembun, Labis Timur, Mersing, Lenggor Tengah, Panti and Ulu Sedili FRs. This study mainly aims to record the presence of Hipposideridae at the selected forest reserves. The surveys started from February 2018 until August 2020. A total of three harp traps were set up in each forest reserve, except for Ulu Jelai, Tembat and Berembun FRs with six harp traps. Overall, 67 individuals comprising seven species from genus Hipposideros were recorded in this study. Hipposideros bicolor was the most widely distributed species recorded in nine forest reserves whereas, Hipposideros larvatus is the most abundance species recorded in this study with 25 individuals. Kenderong and Bintang Hijau FRs recorded the highest number of Hipposideridae species in this study, both with four species. The presence of Hipposiderids in this study might be associated with their suitable roosting and foraging areas as well as availability of food sources. Therefore, this information gives an early insight on Hipposideridae distribution and habitat requirement at the forest reserves in CFS ecological corridor landscapes that stakeholders need to consider in establishing the corridors. More sampling efforts need to put in this study, covering more areas in the forest reserves with longer sampling periods and more number of traps used in order to really identify critical corridors for bat conservations.
Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) is vital for seeking the balance between biodiversity conservation and land use planning based on the concept of sustainable development. However, the classification of ESA in Malaysia grounded on physical attributes and the biological elements neglected. Therefore, the aim of the study is to propose a new approach of ESA for permanent forest reserve classification by integrating biological parameters based on small vertebrates with the existing physical attribute of ESA classification. Three forest reserves in northern Selangor selected and four taxa of small vertebrate e.g. small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles assessed to develop the biological parameters. Forty potential biological parameters were listed which were thoroughly screened and examined before final ten parameters were finalised. These parameters were composed of four categories including species diversity, trophic composition, origin of species and conservation status. An initial threshold values for each biological parameter were determined. The finding indicates the parameters are promising and the research need to further fine-tuned by conducting verification tests in various landscapes or regions before being integrated with physical attributes to enhance the existing classification of ESA in Malaysia.
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