Wood density and carbon estimates of mangrove species in Kuala Sepetang, Perak, Malaysia

Mangrove forests provide a broad array of ecosystem services including fisheries production, sediment regulation, wood production and protection from storms and waves. Mangroves also may have an important role as a pool in global carbon budgets and in mitigating climate change. Here we investigated the wood density and carbon content of the mangrove species in Kuala Sepetang, Perak. Using data from 13 mangrove species, the value for wood density and carbon were estimated. Wood density ranged from 0.33 gcm-³ to 0.64 gcm-³, where the lowest and highest values were given by Sonneratia caseolaris and Ceriops tagal, respectively. The carbon content was 42.48% on average, where Bruguiera cylindrical gave the lowest value at 45.13 % while Lumnitzera racemosa was the highest at 45%. These values suggest that Kuala Sepetang mangrove forest has the potential to sequester and store substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon

Malay customary tenure and conflict on implementation of colonial land law in Peninsular Malaysia.

Since the independence in 1957, land tenure system in the Peninsular Malaysia (PM) has changed. The land law and regulations have been frequently amended so that the provisions and rationale of the laws can be properly understood and continuously evaluated to suit the current requirements. This paper review the Malay customary land tenure and the development of colonial land system, which has be examined through its historical evident with the aid of law cases. Even though the modern system of land tenure and land law has been widely observed and has governed land dealings in the country, customary land tenure system are still much influenced and practiced especially among the rural Malay society. The Malay customary law consists of customs and traditions of the Malay, which in the course of time acquired the character of laws and can be only, enforced by the chief or elders. It must be ancient, certain and reasonable and being in derogation of the general rules of law, and construed strictly. The paper identified the mixtures and interaction of both systems, which has been developed by the colonials to displace the existing indigenous Malay customary land tenure. The development of modern land tenure system was explained in the context of the different separate entities other than historical study on the previous land law before the commencement of the current act. Therefore, by combining the ancient Malay customary tenure, the period of colonial and the post independence land tenure system, this paper highlight a concise and comprehensive form of land tenure system that is being applied in the Peninsular Malaysi

F-Chart Method For Design Domestic Hot Water Heating System In Ayer Keroh Melaka

Renewable energy is an alternative approach of energy supply that meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. One type of renewable energy is solar energy. Solar energy systems convert solar energy into useful energy. In designing a solar collector, there are predictable and unpredictable parameters that are considered. Predictable parameters include performance characteristics of collector and mainly concern weather data such as solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed, direction, and other parameters is performance characteristics of collectors. This work analysed the use of the f-chart method in design liquid solar heating systems due to its simplicity and ability to estimate the fraction of total heating load supplied by the solar heating system. This method is very commonly used in designing for both active and passive solar heating systems, especially in selecting sizes and type of solar collectors that provide the hot water and heating loads. In this research, the data of the project is analysed to calculate based on the f-chart graph. The results show that the area in Melaka around the vicinity of Ayer Keroh is suitable for the installation of the flat-plate solar collector. The total annual heating load of domestic hot water in Melaka is 9.55 GJ and the annual fraction of the load supplied by solar energy is 78.42% which is suitable for implementation and installation in Ayer Keroh, Melak

Impacts of Recreation Activities on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Upper Mountain Vegetation

This study examines the impacts of recreation activities on Mount Tahan (2187 m a.s.l); the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia by assessing tree diameter, height, leaf area, sapwood area, and chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) of selected species. Vegetation cover was also determined by counting the number of species. Two most dominant tree species in the study plots, i.e., Tristaniopsis fruticosa and Baeckea frutescens were selected as representative to assess the impacts on the vegetation growth. Both tree species dominated over 50% of total vegetation in both areas. Meanwhile, CF was determined on T. fruticosa since this species was the only broadleaf species found in both areas. Four plots sized 20 m X 20 m representing each disturbed and undisturbed were established in camping and trampling areas. The total number of plant species recorded was 29 in both camping and trampling areas but was found less in disturbed plots. Impacts of trampling and camping on all the parameters at higher altitude in disturbed plots were significantly different from those in the undisturbed plots. For trampling, all growth parameters taken in disturbed plots were found lower than in undisturbed plots. For camping, however, the mean values of vegetation cover were found lower in disturbed plots compared to undisturbed plots but the mean values of tree diameter, height, leaf area and sapwood area were found greater in disturbed than in undisturbed plots. In contrast, all CF parameters were found higher in disturbed plots for both trampling and camping areas

Aboveground Biomass of Selected Provenances of Acacia Mangium and Acacia Aulacocarpa Multiple-leadered Trees

Acacia mangium Willd. and Acacia aulacocarpa A. Cunn Ex. Benth are two important Acacias for biomass production. Being multiple-leader (ML) and fast growing species, both species are the best bet for carbon sequestration and bio-energy supplementary. The main objective of this study was to assess the aboveground biomass and to derive aboveground biomass equations of these species and provenances. Destructive sampling was carried out with 36 samples per species and diameter at breast height (Dbh) and categorized into three classes namely small (11-15 cm), medium (16-20 cm) and big (21-25 cm) for A. mangium and 6-10 cm, 11-15 cm and 16-20 cm for A. aulacocarpa respectively. A. mangium from SW of Boset WP (PNG) produced 380.83 t/ha of aboveground biomass, Captain Billy Road (QLD), Bansbach WP (PNG) (224.44 t/ha) and Russel and Gap CK (QLD) (49.63 t/ha) while for A. aulacocarpa; provenance from Arufi E Morehead WP (PNG) (171.88 t/ha), W. Morehead (PNG) (150.90 t/ha), Samford (QLD) (63.87 t/ha) and 3K S Mt. Larcom (QLD) (25.32 t/ha) respectively

Characterizing soil properties of lowland and hill dipterocarp forests at Peninsular Malaysia.

A study was conducted to characterize soil properties of a rehabilitated-degraded forestland and an adjacent natural forest in two major forest types, representing the lowland and hill-dipterocarp forests at Bidor and Kinta Forest Reserves, respectively. Twelve soil profiles were dug at both sites. At Bidor site, the soil profiles were under rehabilitated secondaiy forests (B1 and B2), an abandoned Acacia mangium plantation (B3 and B4) and natural forests (B5 and B6) of lowland dipterocarp. However, at Kinta site, the soil profiles were located in differing topography: rehabilitated secondaiy forests at 450 m (K1 and K2), rehabilitated secondaiy forests at 550 m (K3 and K4) and natural forests at 650 m (K5 and K6) above sea level. The effect of rehabilitating the forests could be seen by the accumulation of organic matter in the uppermost layer, which was assumed to be at an intermediate stage of mineralization. The soil morphology in natural forests of Bidor site exhibited a thicker and darker upper horizon than that of the rehabilitated sites, whereas, those at Kinta site had pronounced soil color in the upper horizon, though to come from decomposition of organic matter. The soils were very acid (pH <5.5), having low activity clay resulting in low (<16 cmol c kg -1) Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), available P (Av. P), total nitrogen and exchangeable bases, but high in exchangeable Al. High exchangeable A1 was the main cause of soil acidity. The main source of negative charge was the organic matter which affected the CEC, Points Zero Salt Effect (PZSE) and op values. The soils were considered as strongly weathered, devoid of 2:1 type clay minerals. Kaolinite and gibbsite dominated the clay fraction of the soils at both sites. It is recommended that soil characteristics be taken into consideration prior and during the rehabilitation of degraded forestland in tropical rainforests

New Theoretical Framework Corporate Social Responsibility: The Case Of Islamic Development Bank’s Sustainable Social Program

The concern of this study is to propose theoretical framework for corporate social responsibility. Additionally, this paper also provides the suggestions to improve the role of IDB on incorporate social responsibility and sustainability. This research brought new evidence about the impact of social programme from IDB perspective which is one of the first studies in this field. But this study stated that IDB develop standards for sustainable social programs which mix impact with positive, there is cooperation between all IDB’s related departments and cross departments committees to initiate, manage, monitor and evaluate sustainable social programs in coordinating with local government and local executing agent or NGOs; IDB’s departments know how to determine beneficiaries and the access to them through their local partners with standards and series of approvals for proposed projects and when the project complete will be transferred to local agency or government. Theoretical framework for corporate social responsibility includes corporate social responsibility, sponsors, social sustainable programs, charitable organizations & NGOs, social goals. The research is a single case study where the focus is only CSR in IDB and Abo-Halima Project. Other researchers who are interested about the research can opt to conduct the researches in other MDBs. Thus, this research developed the following objective to address this gap

Assessment of corrosion on buried metallic pipeline induced by AC interference below high transmission line

High voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission line is usually shared the same right of way with buried metallic pipeline. Long-term exposure of inductive coupling on buried metallic pipeline will cause AC corrosion at any coating defects on the pipeline. In the West Coast of Malay Peninsula, the AC-induced corrosion is not well studied, and the preventive maintenance is not taken into consideration by some of the pipeline operators. The objective of this paper is to assess AC corrosion susceptibility of the buried metallic multiproduct pipeline (MPP), which is cross or parallel to the HVAC along West Coast of Malay Peninsula. This MPP is laid from Sg. Udang, Melaka to distribution terminal in Dengkil, Selangor with approximate distance of 130 km. It was identified that along the pipeline routing, only 16 locations of MPP sections are cross and parallel to the HVAC. Standard industrial practice and equipment were used to conduct this corrosion assessment. Cathodic protection (CP) potential and AC output are measured using multimeter, clampmeter and Cu/CuSO4 reference electrode. While soil resistivity is determined by using soil resistivity meter with the native soil sample at site. Magnetic field magnitude is determined by using Biot-Savart Law formula. The current density is calculated for each MPP sections, and the pipeline sections that are in the risk of AC corrosion are determined. On the other hand, the CP system affected by stray current are further analyzed. Three locations indexed as (TP 43, TP 102 and TP105) are found under risk of AC corrosion, which is in the range of 20–100 A/m2. As per standard industry practice such as NACE SP-0169 and PTS 30.10.73.10, AC corrosion is unpredictable for AC current density in between above-stated range. These three locations have the highest AC voltage output, the lowest soil resistivity value and the CP potential measured are under protected value. However, the effect of magnitude of magnetic field has no compelling correlation on the AC corrosion activity. In conclusion, AC voltage, soil resistivity and CP potential at the crossing and parallel section to the HVAC play a significant role to the behavior and severity of the AC corrosion on the metallic buried pipeline

Assessment of corrosion on buried metallic pipeline induced by AC interference below high transmission line

High voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission line is usually shared the same right of way with buried metallic pipeline. Long-term exposure of inductive coupling on buried metallic pipeline will cause AC corrosion at any coating defects on the pipeline. In the West Coast of Malay Peninsula, the AC-induced corrosion is not well studied, and the preventive maintenance is not taken into consideration by some of the pipeline operators. The objective of this paper is to assess AC corrosion susceptibility of the buried metallic multiproduct pipeline (MPP), which is cross or parallel to the HVAC along West Coast of Malay Peninsula. This MPP is laid from Sg. Udang, Melaka to distribution terminal in Dengkil, Selangor with approximate distance of 130 km. It was identified that along the pipeline routing, only 16 locations of MPP sections are cross and parallel to the HVAC. Standard industrial practice and equipment were used to conduct this corrosion assessment. Cathodic protection (CP) potential and AC output are measured using multimeter, clampmeter and Cu/CuSO4 reference electrode. While soil resistivity is determined by using soil resistivity meter with the native soil sample at site. Magnetic field magnitude is determined by using Biot-Savart Law formula. The current density is calculated for each MPP sections, and the pipeline sections that are in the risk of AC corrosion are determined. On the other hand, the CP system affected by stray current are further analyzed. Three locations indexed as (TP 43, TP 102 and TP105) are found under risk of AC corrosion, which is in the range of 20–100 A/m2. As per standard industry practice such as NACE SP-0169 and PTS 30.10.73.10, AC corrosion is unpredictable for AC current density in between above-stated range. These three locations have the highest AC voltage output, the lowest soil resistivity value and the CP potential measured are under protected value. However, the effect of magnitude of magnetic field has no compelling correlation on the AC corrosion activity. In conclusion, AC voltage, soil resistivity and CP potential at the crossing and parallel section to the HVAC play a significant role to the behavior and severity of the AC corrosion on the metallic buried pipeline

Identification of potential species to be planted in poor forests of the central forest spine (CFS) wildlife corridor Gerik, Perak

Central Forest Spine (CFS) of Malaysia serves as a corridor for wildlife to move around from one large forest to another to find food, water and shelter. Proposed rehabilitation of pockets of poor forest stands within CFS requires sound knowledge on appropriate tree species and planting technique to ensure its success. The main objectives of this study were to elucidate the vegetation composition, and to propose potential trees species to be planted along the wildlife corridor. A total of 5 plots, each with a radius of 10 metres were set up for this study and focused on three parts of the forest: forest edge (with more-or-less an opened canopy), 'middle' forest (an area between forest edge and closed-canopy forest, and this area is a semi-opened canopy) and forest valley. All trees of more than 5 meters high were recorded in terms of tree species, DBH and number of individuals. Analyses on species composition, the Importance Value Index (IVI) and Simpson's Index Analysis were carried out. The stand is dominated by non-dipterocarps with a very high percentage of 95.88%, with a total of 97 trees and 32 species in 18 families. Dominant species in the study area include Elateriospermum tapos Pternandra echinata, Sapium baccatum and Neolamarckia cadamba with the IVI value 19.47, 14.15, 12.14, and 11.34, respectively. The soil pH of the study area ranged from 3.34 to 6.08; the canopy; closure of (Plot 1) seemed to reduce the pH level, probably due to higher rate of decomposition (after the heavy litter fall). The presence of canopy (Plot 1) also has a positive effect on soil moisture, with highest soil moisture percentage of 25.24% to 27.12%. The potential species recommended for rehabilitation are Elateriospermum tapos, Sapium baccatum, Ficus fulva, Castanopsis inermis, Castanopsis megacarpa, Garcinia nigrolineata and Macaranga hypoleuca because they are readily adapted in the study area and also known to attract wildlife