Land use conversion from peat swamp forest to oil palm agriculture greatly modifies microclimate and soil conditions

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) agriculture is rapidly expanding and requires large areas of land in the tropics to meet the global demand for palm oil products. Land cover conversion of peat swamp forest to oil palm (large- and small-scale oil palm production) is likely to have negative impacts on microhabitat conditions. This study assessed the impact of peat swamp forest conversion to oil palm plantation on microclimate conditions and soil characteristics. The measurement of microclimate (air temperature, wind speed, light intensity and relative humidity) and soil characteristics (soil surface temperature, soil pH, soil moisture, and ground cover vegetation temperature) were compared at a peat swamp forest, smallholdings and a large-scale plantation. Results showed that the peat swamp forest was 1.5–2.3 °C cooler with significantly greater relative humidity, lower light intensities and wind speed compared to the smallholdings and large-scale plantations. Soil characteristics were also significantly different between the peat swamp forest and both types of oil palm plantations with lower soil pH, soil and ground cover vegetation surface temperatures and greater soil moisture in the peat swamp forest. These results suggest that peat swamp forests have greater ecosystem benefits compared to oil palm plantations with smallholdings agricultural approach as a promising management practice to improve microhabitat conditions. Our findings also justify the conservation of remaining peat swamp forest as it provides a refuge from harsh microclimatic conditions that characterize large plantations and smallholdings

The impact of Covid-19 pandemic: A review on maritime sectors in Malaysia

The coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19 pandemic has affected many operations worldwide. This predicament also owes to the lockdown measures imposed by the affected countries. The total lockdown or partial lockdown devised by countries all over the world meant that most economic activities, be put on hold until the outbreak is contained. The decisions made by authorities of each affected country differs according to various factors, including the country's financial stability. This paper reviews the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on maritime sectors, specifically shipping, fisheries, maritime tourism, and oil and gas sector. The period of this study covers economic activities between the month of January towards the end of July 2020. Also discussed in this journal, is the analysis of the potential post-outbreak situation and the economic stimulus package. This paper serves as a reference for future research on this topic

Variation within fields of potentially available soil nitrogen using hot KCI technique

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The potential and environmental ramifications of palm biodiesel: Evidence from Malaysia

© 2018 Malaysia finds itself in a unique position. The large flourishing palm oil industry could produce enough biodiesel to completely offset Malaysia's entire diesel consumption. Consequently, we employ a dynamic, partial equilibrium model of the Malaysian agricultural sector to predict whether palm biodiesel can offset diesel fuel. The model indicates palm biodiesel cannot compete with diesel's price because of the high cost of palm oil. Nevertheless, the government could subsidize biodiesel production at Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 1.09 per liter (or United States Dollar 0.28/liter) since biodiesel could help the government achieves its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets in the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, the government should implement two new regulations to boost the GHG efficiency of its agriculture. First, the palm oil mills should treat their palm oil mill effluents (POME) because POMEs emit methane, a potent GHG gas. Second, the government should prevent deforestation. The destruction of rainforests reduces the carbon storage because oil palm trees store half the carbon as pristine rainforests per hectare. Finally, palm biodiesel could lead to greater agricultural employment but induce higher agricultural prices, loss of export revenue, and rising imports

An overview of genetically modified crop governance, issues and challenges in Malaysia

The application of agricultural biotechnology attracts the interest of many stakeholders. Genetically modified (GM) crops, for example, have been rapidly increasing in production for the last 20 years. Despite their known benefits, GM crops also pose many concerns not only to human and animal health but also to the environment. Malaysia, in general, allows the use of GM technology applications but it has to come with precautionary and safety measures consistent with the international obligations and domestic legal frameworks. This paper provides an overview of GM crop technology from international and national context and explores the governance and issues surrounding this technology application in Malaysia. Basically, GM research activities in Malaysia are still at an early stage of research and development and most of the GM crops approved for release are limited for food, feed and processing purposes. Even though Malaysia has not planted any GM crops commercially, actions toward such a direction seem promising. Several issues concerning GM crops as discussed in this paper will become more complex as the number of GM crops and varieties commercialised globally increase and Malaysia starts to plant GM crops. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry