Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 995 in total

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  1. Solutions to fire and shade: resprouting, growing tall and the origin of Eurasian temperate broadleaved forest
    Adie H, Lawes MJ
    Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc, 2023 Apr;98(2):643-661.
    PMID: 36444419 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12923
    Tree species of Eurasian broadleaved forest possess two divergent trait syndromes with contrasting patterns of resource allocation adapted to different selection environments: short-stature basal resprouters that divert resources to a bud bank adapted to frequent and severe disturbances such as fire and herbivory, and tall trees that delay reproduction by investing in rapid height growth to escape shading. Drawing on theory developed in savanna ecosystems, we propose a conceptual framework showing that the possession of contrasting trait syndromes is essential for the persistence of broadleaved trees in an open ecosystem that burns. Consistent with this hypothesis, trees of modern Eurasian broadleaved forest bear a suite of traits that are adaptive to surface and crown-fire regimes. We contend that limited opportunities in grassland restricts recruitment to disturbance-free refugia, and en masse establishment creates a wooded environment where shade limits the growth of light-demanding savanna plants. Rapid height growth, which involves investment in structural support and the switch from a multi-stemmed to a monopodial growth form, is adaptive in this shaded environment. Although clustering reduces surface fuel loads, these establishment nuclei are vulnerable to high-intensity crown fires. The lethal effects of canopy fire are avoided by seasonal leaf shedding, and aerial resprouting enhances rapid post-fire recovery of photosynthetic capacity. While these woody formations satisfy the structural definition of forest, their constituents are clearly derived from savanna. Contrasting trait syndromes thus represent the shift from consumer to resource regulation in savanna ecosystems. Consistent with global trends, the diversification of most contemporary broadleaved taxa coincided with the spread of grasslands, a surge in fire activity and a decline in wooded ecosystems in the late Miocene-Pliocene. Recognition that Eurasian broadleaved forest has savanna origins and persists as an alternative state with adjacent grassy ecosystems has far-reaching management implications in accordance with functional rather than structural criteria. Shade is a severe constraint to the regeneration and growth of both woody and herbaceous growth forms in consumer-regulated ecosystems. However, these ecosystems are highly resilient to disturbance, an essential process that maintains diversity especially among the species-rich herbaceous component that is vulnerable to shading when consumer behaviour is altered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  2. The rise of hyperabundant native generalists threatens both humans and nature
    Moore JH, Gibson L, Amir Z, Chanthorn W, Ahmad AH, Jansen PA, et al.
    Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc, 2023 Oct;98(5):1829-1844.
    PMID: 37311559 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12985
    In many disturbed terrestrial landscapes, a subset of native generalist vertebrates thrives. The population trends of these disturbance-tolerant species may be driven by multiple factors, including habitat preferences, foraging opportunities (including crop raiding or human refuse), lower mortality when their predators are persecuted (the 'human shield' effect) and reduced competition due to declines of disturbance-sensitive species. A pronounced elevation in the abundance of disturbance-tolerant wildlife can drive numerous cascading impacts on food webs, biodiversity, vegetation structure and people in coupled human-natural systems. There is also concern for increased risk of zoonotic disease transfer to humans and domestic animals from wildlife species with high pathogen loads as their abundance and proximity to humans increases. Here we use field data from 58 landscapes to document a supra-regional phenomenon of the hyperabundance and community dominance of Southeast Asian wild pigs and macaques. These two groups were chosen as prime candidates capable of reaching hyperabundance as they are edge adapted, with gregarious social structure, omnivorous diets, rapid reproduction and high tolerance to human proximity. Compared to intact interior forests, population densities in degraded forests were 148% and 87% higher for wild boar and macaques, respectively. In landscapes with >60% oil palm coverage, wild boar and pig-tailed macaque estimated abundances were 337% and 447% higher than landscapes with <1% oil palm coverage, respectively, suggesting marked demographic benefits accrued by crop raiding on calorie-rich food subsidies. There was extreme community dominance in forest landscapes with >20% oil palm cover where two pig and two macaque species accounted for >80% of independent camera trap detections, leaving <20% for the other 85 mammal species >1 kg considered. Establishing the population trends of pigs and macaques is imperative since they are linked to cascading impacts on the fauna and flora of local forest ecosystems, disease and human health, and economics (i.e., crop losses). The severity of potential negative cascading effects may motivate control efforts to achieve ecosystem integrity, human health and conservation objectives. Our review concludes that the rise of native generalists can be mediated by specific types of degradation, which influences the ecology and conservation of natural areas, creating both positive and detrimental impacts on intact ecosystems and human society.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  3. Fulltext Effects of Fiddler Crab Burrows on Sediment Properties in the Mangrove Mudflats of Sungai Sepang, Malaysia
    Mokhtari M, Abd Ghaffar M, Usup G, Che Cob Z
    Biology (Basel), 2016;5(1).
    PMID: 26797647 DOI: 10.3390/biology5010007
    In mangrove ecosystems, litter fall accumulates as refractory organic carbon on the sediment surface and creates anoxic sediment layers. Fiddler crabs, through their burrowing activity, translocate oxygen into the anoxic layers and promote aerobic respiration, iron reduction and nitrification. In this study, the effects of four species of fiddler crabs (Uca triangularis, Uca rosea, Uca forcipata and Uca paradussumieri) on organic content, water content, porosity, redox potential and solid phase iron pools of mangrove sediments were investigated. In each crab's habitat, six cores down to 30 cm depth were taken from burrowed and non-burrowed sampling plots. Redox potential and oxidized iron pools were highest in surface sediment, while porosity, water and organic content were higher in deeper sediment. Reduced iron (Fe (II)) and redox potential were significantly different between burrowed and non-burrowed plots. Crab burrows extend the oxidized surface layer down to 4 cm depth and through the oxidation effect, reduce the organic content of sediments. The effects of burrows varied between the four species based on their shore location. The oxidation effect of burrows enhance the decomposition rate and stimulate iron reduction, which are processes that are expected to play an important role in biogeochemical properties of mangrove sediments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  4. Fulltext Biodiversity hanging by a thread: the importance of fungal litter-trapping systems in tropical rainforests
    Snaddon JL, Turner EC, Fayle TM, Khen CV, Eggleton P, Foster WA
    Biol Lett, 2012 Jun 23;8(3):397-400.
    PMID: 22188674 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.1115
    The exceptionally high species richness of arthropods in tropical rainforests hinges on the complexity of the forest itself: that is, on features such as the high plant diversity, the layered nature of the canopy and the abundance and the diversity of epiphytes and litter. We here report on one important, but almost completely neglected, piece of this complex jigsaw-the intricate network of rhizomorph-forming fungi that ramify through the vegetation of the lower canopy and intercept falling leaf litter. We show that this litter-trapping network is abundant and intercepts substantial amounts of litter (257.3 kg ha(-1)): this exceeds the amount of material recorded in any other rainforest litter-trapping system. Experimental removal of this fungal network resulted in a dramatic reduction in both the abundance (decreased by 70.2 ± 4.1%) and morphospecies richness (decreased by 57.4 ± 5.1%) of arthropods. Since the lower canopy levels can contain the highest densities of arthropods, the proportion of the rainforest fauna dependent on the fungal networks is likely to be substantial. Fungal litter-trapping systems are therefore a crucial component of habitat complexity, providing a vital resource that contributes significantly to rainforest biodiversity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  5. Fulltext Tree shrew lavatories: a novel nitrogen sequestration strategy in a tropical pitcher plant
    Clarke CM, Bauer U, Lee CC, Tuen AA, Rembold K, Moran JA
    Biol Lett, 2009 Oct 23;5(5):632-5.
    PMID: 19515656 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0311
    Nepenthes pitcher plants are typically carnivorous, producing pitchers with varying combinations of epicuticular wax crystals, viscoelastic fluids and slippery peristomes to trap arthropod prey, especially ants. However, ant densities are low in tropical montane habitats, thereby limiting the potential benefits of the carnivorous syndrome. Nepenthes lowii, a montane species from Borneo, produces two types of pitchers that differ greatly in form and function. Pitchers produced by immature plants conform to the 'typical' Nepenthes pattern, catching arthropod prey. However, pitchers produced by mature N. lowii plants lack the features associated with carnivory and are instead visited by tree shrews, which defaecate into them after feeding on exudates that accumulate on the pitcher lid. We tested the hypothesis that tree shrew faeces represent a significant nitrogen (N) source for N. lowii, finding that it accounts for between 57 and 100 per cent of foliar N in mature N. lowii plants. Thus, N. lowii employs a diversified N sequestration strategy, gaining access to a N source that is not available to sympatric congeners. The interaction between N. lowii and tree shrews appears to be a mutualism based on the exchange of food sources that are scarce in their montane habitat.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  6. Acidophilic microorganisms in remediation of contaminants present in extremely acidic conditions
    Razia S, Hadibarata T, Lau SY
    Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2023 Mar;46(3):341-358.
    PMID: 36602611 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02844-3
    Acidophiles are a group of microorganisms that thrive in acidic environments where pH level is far below the neutral value 7.0. They belong to a larger family called extremophiles, which is a group that thrives in various extreme environmental conditions which are normally inhospitable to other organisms. Several human activities such as mining, construction and other industrial processes release highly acidic effluents and wastes into the environment. Those acidic wastes and wastewaters contain different types of pollutants such as heavy metals, radioactive, and organic, whose have adverse effects on human being as well as on other living organisms. To protect the whole ecosystem, those pollutants containing effluents or wastes must be clean properly before releasing into environment. Physicochemical cleanup processes under extremely acidic conditions are not always successful due to high cost and release of toxic byproducts. While in case of biological methods, except acidophiles, no other microorganisms cannot survive in highly acidic conditions. Therefore, acidophiles can be a good choice for remediation of different types of contaminants present in acidic conditions. In this review article, various roles of acidophilic microorganisms responsible for removing heavy metals and radioactive pollutants from acidic environments were discussed. Bioremediation of various acidic organic pollutants by using acidophiles was also studied. Overall, this review could be helpful to extend our knowledge as well as to do further relevant novel studies in the field of acidic pollutants remediation by applying acidophilic microorganisms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  7. Groundwater contamination status in Malaysia: level of heavy metal, source, health impact, and remediation technologies
    Ismanto A, Hadibarata T, Widada S, Indrayanti E, Ismunarti DH, Safinatunnajah N, et al.
    Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2023 Mar;46(3):467-482.
    PMID: 36520279 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02826-5
    Groundwater is defined as water that exists underground in voids or gaps in sediments and is extracted for human consumption from aquifers. It is critical to our daily lives because it contributes to the sustainability of our natural ecosystem while also providing economic benefits. Heavy metals are metallic compounds with a relatively high atomic weight and density compared to water. In Malaysia, heavy metal contamination of groundwater has become a concern due to rapid population growth, economic development, and a lack of environmental awareness. Environmental factors or their behaviors, such as density, viscosity, or volume, affect the distribution and transportation of heavy metals. The article discusses the difficulties created by the presence of heavy metals in groundwater supplies and the resulting health problems. Additionally, remediation methods are discussed for managing contaminated water to preserve the ecological environment for current and future generations, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  8. Fulltext River pollution relationship to the national health indicated by under-five child mortality rate: a case study in Malaysia
    Mohd Aqmin Abdul Wahab, Adzleen Mohmood, Nur Khaliesah Jamadon, Amir Syahir
    Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2015;3(1):20-26.
    MyJurnal
    The trend of global under-five child mortality rate showed a steady decrease at -3.14% per year
    approaching the United Nations millennium development goals target (-4.0% reduction per year
    from 1990-2015). This rate is usually inversely proportional to the nations GDP. However, the
    progress in the recent years (2006-2012) in Malaysia has raised a disturbing concern with an
    annual average increment of +0.81% per year. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify the
    reasons of such risky ecosystem. By analyzing recorded data on river pollution from 2007-
    2012, we found that river pollution has high correlation with the gross domestic products, not at
    the same year, but for two years prior that indicates a lag time. We also found that under-five
    child mortality has strong correlation with the river pollutions. The development-pollutionhealth
    triangular cycle needs to be put in a balanced to ensure the nation prosperity and
    sustainability of the nation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  9. Fulltext Phenol removal via cellular immobilization: a review
    Aisami Abubakar, Mohd Yunus Shukor
    Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(2):1-7.
    MyJurnal
    Environmental pollution is one of the major concerns in the 21st century; where billions of tonnes
    of harmful chemicals are produced by industries such as petroleum, paints, food, rubber, and
    plastic. Phenol and its derivatives infiltrate the ecosystems and have become one of the top major
    pollutants worldwide. This review covers the major aspects of immobilization of phenoldegrading
    bacteria as a method to improve phenol bioremediation. The use of various forms of
    immobilization matrices is discussed along with the advantages and disadvantages of each of the
    immobilization matrices especially when environmental usage is warranted. To be used as a
    bioremediation tool, the immobilized system must not only be effective, but the matrices must be
    non-toxic, non-polluting and if possible non-biodegradable. The mechanical, biological and
    chemical stability of the system is paramount for long-term activity as well as price is an
    important factor when the very large scale is a concern. The system must also be able to tolerate
    high concentration of other toxicants especially heavy metals that form as co-contaminants, and
    most immobilized systems are geared towards this last aspect as immobilization provides
    protection from other contaminants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  10. Fulltext Isolation and characterization of a heavy metal-reducing Pseudomonas sp. strain Dr.Y Kertih with the ability to assimilate phenol and diesel
    Veeraswamy Kesavan, Abdulrasheed Mansur, Mohd Syahmi Ramzi Salihan, Rahman, M.F., Suhaili, Zarizal, Shukor, M.Y.
    Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2018;6(1):14-22.
    MyJurnal
    The indiscriminate released of heavy metals and xenobiotics into soils and aquatic bodies
    severely alter soil organisms and the ecosystem. The isolation of xenobiotics degrading
    microorganisms is cost-effective and naturally pleasant approach. Lately, the toxicological effect
    of molybdenum to the spermatogenesis of several organisms has been record. This present study
    is aimed at the isolation and characterization of a bacterium capable of converting molybdenum
    to the colloidal molybdenum blue. Bacteria characterization was performed in a microplate
    format using resting cells. Thus, the reduction process can be employed as a device for
    molybdenum bioremediation. The results of the study revealed an optimum reduction at pH
    between 6.0 and 6.3 and temperatures of between 25 and 40 oC. Similarly, it was also observed
    that a phosphate concentration not greater than 5.0 mM and a sodium molybdate concentration
    at 20 mM was required for reduction. Glucose was observed as the best carbon source to support
    reduction. Following the scanning of molybdenum blue, it revealed an absorption spectrum
    indicating the characteristics of molybdenum blue as a reduced phosphomolybdate. Molybdenum
    reduction is inhibited by heavy metals like silver, lead, arsenic and mercury. Furthermore, the
    ability of the bacterium (Pseudomonas sp. strain Dr.Y Kertih) to utilize several organic
    xenobiotics such as phenol, acrylamide, nicotinamide, acetamide, iodoacetamide, propionamide,
    acetamide, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and diesel as electron donor sources for aiding
    reduction or as carbon sources for growth was also examined. Finding showed that none was
    capable of aiding molybdenum reduction, however the bacterium was capable of growing on both
    diesel and phenol as carbon sources. GC analysis was used to confirmed diesel degradation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  11. Design of biorefineries towards carbon neutrality: A critical review
    Culaba AB, Mayol AP, San Juan JLG, Ubando AT, Bandala AA, Concepcion Ii RS, et al.
    Bioresour Technol, 2023 Feb;369:128256.
    PMID: 36343780 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128256
    The increase in worldwide demand for energy is driven by the rapid increase in population and exponential economic development. This resulted in the fast depletion of fossil fuel supplies and unprecedented levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. To valorize biomass into different bioproducts, one of the popular and carbon-neutral alternatives is biorefineries. This system is an appropriate technology in the circular economy model. Various research highlighted the role of biorefineries as a centerpiece in the carbon-neutral ecosystem of technologies of the circular economy model. To fully realize this, various improvements and challenges need to be addressed. This paper presents a critical and timely review of the challenges and future direction of biorefineries as an alternative carbon-neutral energy source.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  12. Genetic engineering of microalgae for enhanced biorefinery capabilities
    Fayyaz M, Chew KW, Show PL, Ling TC, Ng IS, Chang JS
    Biotechnol Adv, 2020 11 01;43:107554.
    PMID: 32437732 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107554
    Microalgae-based bioproducts are in limelight because of their promising future, novel characteristics, the current situation of population needs, and rising prices of rapidly depleting energy resources. Algae-based products are considered as clean sustainable energy and food resources. At present, they are not commercialized due to their high production cost and low yield. In recent years, novel genome editing tools like RNAi, ZNFs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9 are used to enhance the quality and quantity of the desired products. Genetic and metabolic engineering are frequently applied because of their rapid and precise results than random mutagenesis. Omic approaches help enhance biorefinery capabilities and are now in the developing stage for algae. The future is very bright for transgenic algae with increased biomass yield, carbon dioxide uptake rate, accumulating high-value compounds, reduction in cultivation, and production costs, thus reaching the goal in the global algal market and capital flow. However, microalgae are primary producers and any harmful exposure to the wild strains can affect the entire ecosystem. Therefore, strict regulation and monitoring are required to assess the potential risks before introducing genetically modified microalgae into the natural ecosystem.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  13. Biomass and eicosapentaenoic acid production from Amphora sp. under different environmental and nutritional conditions
    Cheah YT, Ng BW, Tan TL, Chia ZS, Chan DJC
    Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2023 Apr;70(2):568-580.
    PMID: 35767864 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2379
    Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) could be extracted from diatoms such as Amphora sp. present abundantly in the ecosystems. In view of the key environmental and nutritional factors governing the diatoms growth rate, culture conditions were optimized for the biomass yield, total lipid content, EPA yield, and fatty acid composition under two main cultivation regimes: photoautotrophic and heterotrophic. The fastest growth rate about 0.20 ± 0.02 g/L and the highest EPA yield about 9.19 ± 3.56 mg EPA/g biomass were obtained by adding 10 g/L glucose and sucrose, respectively. Under photoautotrophic culture conditions, Amphora sp. rendered higher EPA yield at 100 rpm and 16:8 light/dark cycle. Total fatty acids produced predominantly comprised of an approximate 40-70% of saturated fatty acids, followed by 10-27% of monounsaturated fatty acids and then 8-25% of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These findings were able to pave a way for huge-scale microalgal biomass production in commercial EPA production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  14. Fulltext Coral reef fish population in the western extremity of the Coral Triangle
    B. Mabel Manjaji Matsumoto, Muhammad Ali Syed Hussein, Yee, Jean-Chai
    Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2018;2(1):1-8.
    MyJurnal
    The central and north west coast of Sabah lies along the western extremity of the Coral Triangle, within which are situated several marine protected areas (MPAs). In the present study we determined in situ coral reef fish populations in several localities along the west coast of Sabah, by exploring species abundance, richness and diversity of ten economically important fish species. The underwater surveys were conducted from May to December 2015. During this eight- month period, surveys at each site were undertaken once every two months. Dives were conducted during the daylight hours. A total of 171 individuals from the targeted fish species were enumerated from the 349 still images and 220 minutes of video footage. Abundance was observed mainly in the semi-protected MPA (n=110) with only one fish species recorded with more than 2 individuals at protected MPA and unprotected sites. We observed a correlation between fish species richness and coral topographic complexity, with study sites at the semi-protected MPA having the most complex topography landscape, and accordingly recording the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H= 2.85). Higher abundance recorded at study sites in the unprotected sites and semi-protected MPA indicate that such areas could potentially become de facto MPAs. A long-term monitoring, assessment and evaluation of the multiple degrees of variables involved such as length-weight relationship, type of habitat, variation in depth, and species behaviour are recommended in order to understand better the relationship and dynamics between these variables.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  15. Fulltext Zooplankton in seagrass and adjacent non-seagrass habitats in Tun Mustapha Park, Sabah, Malaysia
    Sing, Lui Lo, Chen, Cheng Ann, Tzuen, Kiat Yap, Teruaki Yoshida
    Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2020;4(1):6-13.
    MyJurnal
    A comparison of zooplankton abundance and community in the seagrass and non-seagrass areas of Limau-limauan and Bak- Bak waters within the newly established Tun Mustapha Marine Park was made during 15-17 May 2017. Samples were collected via horizontal tow of a 140 μm plankton net. Environmental variables (temperature, salinity, DO, pH, turbidity) showed no significant differences among the study sites. However, zooplankton showed increasing abundance from non-seagrass, seagrass edge, to seagrass areas at Limau-limauan, while abundance values were comparable among the stations at Bak-bak. Overall zooplankton abundance was significantly higher at the seagrass areas relative to the non-seagrass station at Limau-limauan (p < 0.005), while no statistical difference was found at Bak-Bak (p < 0.21). Mean canopy height was 3-fold higher (p < 0.001) at Limau-limauan than Bak-Bak, suggesting the importance of seagrass bed structural complexity in habitat preference for zooplankton. Cluster analysis revealed the zooplankton community from the seagrass area at Limau-limauan was different from that at seagrass edge and non-seagrass areas, which may be attributed to the influence of seagrass meadows in forming characteristic zooplankton compositions. Marked differences in zooplankton composition and abundance even in close vicinity of sites suggest the importance of local small-scale variations in seagrass habitats in shaping the zooplankton community.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  16. Fulltext Seagrass coverage and associated fauna at Gaya Island, Sabah, Malaysia: A pilot seagrass transplantation
    Ejria Saleh, Gallagher, John Barry, Tzuen, Kiat Yap
    Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2020;4(1):14-19.
    MyJurnal
    Seagrasses provide a range of marine ecosystem services. These include coastal protection, biodiversity, provision of food for various organisms, breeding and nursery habitats for many marine species, and carbon storage. Increasing anthropogenic pressures have contributed to the decline of seagrass habitats. Transplantation is one of the solutions to increase seagrass coverage and resilience. What is often overlooked, however, is the ability of this tropical ecosystem to attract and support faunal assemblages that may impinge on the success of the transplantation. A pilot study on seagrass transplantation at Gaya Island (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) was intended for observing its stability and species of fauna that develop association with this vegetation. The study covered the southwest and northeast monsoons. Mixed seagrass species were planted on approximately 50% of 30 m 2 transplantation areas. Monitoring of the planted seagrass was carried out in five phases (T1-T5) from September 2016 to April 2018. Weekly observations were made by SCUBA diving. Identification of associated fauna was done on the spot and was based on morphological characteristics. During the T1 (September to December 2016) the seagrass coverage was reduced to 41% due to strong waves generated by the northeast monsoon. However, the seagrass coverage increased ( 66 %) during the southwest monsoon (T2 - T4) in 2017. In early 2018 (T5), the seagrass coverage again reduced (about 18%) due to strong waves but recovered again at the end of the monitoring period (April 2018). A total of 30 species of fauna that were identified consisted of 9 resident and 21 non-resident species. Physical structure of transplanted seagrass created a microhabitat, and increased the food availability and abundance, which attracted many species of different trophic levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  17. Fulltext A comparative analysis of the effect of low-cost fish and commercially compounded feed on growth performance and organoleptic quality of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) in cage farming in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, and nutritional costs
    Wei, Kang Chor, Victor Charlie Andin, Chitra Devi Gopalakrishnan, Amierah Amer, Shaheera Mohamed, Hiroyoshi Matsumoto, et al.
    Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2020;4(1):52-56.
    MyJurnal
    A 25-week feeding trial was conducted to assess the growth performance, organoleptic quality, and to estimate the viability of nourishing hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus x Epinephelus lanceolatus) with low-cost fish (LCF) and commercially compound feed (CCF). A group of 3600 juvenile fish (182g) were released in four sea cages and fed with either LCF or CCF in duplicate. At the end of the trial, the hybrid grouper provided LCF attained a significantly higher (P0.05). Although technicalities of fish fed with LCF suggest that LCF is more efficient than CCF, feeding LCF to high-value fish is an unsustainable practice as LCF is usually obtained through trawling – a destructive fishing method for the marine ecosystem. Therefore, feeding with CCF without the use of LCF as the source of protein for its fishmeal will contribute to sustainable aquaculture. In order to convince the local farmers in Sabah to adopt the practice of feeding CCF, future research should focus on completing the species-specific diet formulation to promote optimum growth, and find ways to reduce the CCF local selling price.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  18. Fulltext Simple quality control technique to identify dissolved oxygen diffusion issues with biochemical oxygen demand bottle incubations
    Johnathan Daniel Maxey, Hartstein, Neil David, Penjinus, Dorathy, Kerroux, Alan
    Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2017;1(1):75-79.
    MyJurnal
    Stratified estuaries are home to expanding aquaculture activities whose ecological footprints can be observed through trends in microbial community respiration in the water column. Bottle incubations are widely used to measure water column community respiration in marine and freshwater ecosystems by measuring the flux of dissolved oxygen occurring in the bottle over a period of time. When in situ dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are markedly different than DO concentration of the incubation medium the potential for diffusion of oxygen across the bottle opening is great and may be especially pronounced in strongly stratified systems with relatively low rates of pelagic oxygen consumption. We incubated 60 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) bottles filled with sterilized water with DO concentrations ranging from 2.51 mg O2 L-1 to 10.03 mg O2 L-1 for 24 hours in a temperature controlled water bath. There was a significant relationship when DO flux was set as a function of initial DO (DO Flux = -0.0017x + 0.0085, r2 = 0.72, p < 2.2 e-16). DO fluxes ranged from -0.012 mg O2 L-1 hour-1 to 0.005 mg O2 L-1 hour-1 for bottles incubated with initial DO ranging from 10.03 mg O2 L-1 to 3.31 mg O2 L-1, respectively. These results suggest that diffusion across the ground glass seal of BOD bottles is possible and that extra precaution through parallel diffusion controls should be considered when measuring pelagic respiration using BOD bottle incubations in systems with relatively low or relatively high in situ DO concentrations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  19. Fulltext Pittosporum peridoticola (Pittosporaceae), a new ultramafic obligate species restricted to Kinabalu Park (Sabah, Malaysia)
    Sugau JB, van der Ent A
    Bot Stud, 2015 Dec;57(1):4.
    PMID: 28510789 DOI: 10.1186/s40529-016-0119-9
    BACKGROUND: Kinabalu Park, in Sabah (Malaysia) on Borneo Island, is renowned for the exceptionally high plant diversity it protects, with at least 5000 plant species enumerated to date. Discoveries of plant novelties continue to be made in Sabah, especially on isolated ultramafic outcrops, including in the genus Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae) with P. linearifolium from Bukit Hampuan on the southern border of the Park, and P. silamense from Bukit Silam in Eastern Sabah, both narrow endemics restricted to ultramafic soils.

    RESULTS: A distinctive new species of Pittosporum (P. peridoticola J.B.Sugau and Ent, sp. nov.) was discovered on Mount Tambuyukon in the north of Kinabalu Park during ecological fieldwork. The diagnostic morphological characters of this taxon are discussed and information about the habitat in which it grows is provided. The soil chemistry in the rooting zone of P. peridoticola has high magnesium to calcium quotients, high extractable nickel and manganese concentrations, but low potassium and phosphorus concentrations, as is typical for ultramafic soils. Analysis of foliar samples of various Pittosporum-species originating from ultramafic and non-ultramafic soils showed a comparable foliar elemental stoichiometry that is suggestive of 'Excluder-type' ecophysiology.

    CONCLUSION: Pittosporum peridoticola is an ultramafic obligate species restricted to Kinabalu Park with only two known populations within the boundaries of the protected area. It is vulnerable to any future stochastic landscape disturbance events, such as forest fires or severe droughts, and therefore its conservation status is 'Near Threatened'.

    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  20. Fulltext Riverine forest as a significant habitat to harbor a wide range of bird species
    Rajpar MN, Rajpar AH, Zakaria M
    Braz J Biol, 2022;84:e256160.
    PMID: 35137773 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.256160
    Riverine forests are unique and highly significant ecosystems that are globally important for diverse and threatened avian species. Apart from being a cradle of life, it also serves as a gene pool that harbors a variety of flora and fauna species (repeated below). Despite the fact, this fragile ecosystem harbored avian assemblages; it is now disappearing daily as a result of human activity. Determining habitat productivity using bird species is critical for conservation and better management in the future. Multiple surveys were conducted over a 15-month period, from January to March 2019, using the distance sampling point count method. A total of 250 point count stations were fixed systematically at 300 m intervals. In total, 9929 bird individuals were recorded, representing 57 species and 34 families. Out of 57 bird species, two were vulnerable, one was data deficient, one was nearly threatened, and the remaining 53 species were of least concern. The Eurasian Collard Dove - Streptopelia decaocto (14.641 ± 2.532/ha), White-eared Bulbul - Pycnonotus leucotis (13.398 ± 4.342/ha) and Common Babbler - Turdoides caudata (10.244 ± 2.345/ha) were the three first plenteous species having higher densities. However, the densities of three species, i.e., Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca, Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea and Pallas Fish Eagle - Haliaeetus leucoryphus, were not analyzed due to the small sample size. The findings of diversity indices revealed that riverine forest has harbored the diverse avian species that are uniformly dispersed across the forest. Moreover, recording the ten foraging guilds indicated that riverine forest is rich in food resources. In addition, the floristic structure importance value index results indicated that riverine forest is diverse and rich in flora, i.e. trees, shrubs, weeds and grass, making it an attractive and productive habitat for bird species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
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