Phenology and Availability of Fruit Trees and Their Influence on the Abundance of Selected Animalsi Logged and Primary Forest of Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve, Selangor

The abundance of fruit tree species as food source for wildlife in logged and primary forest was evaluated. The phenological data collection was carried out from September 1999 to October 2000 in Sungai lalang Forest Reserve, Semenyih. Selangor. Malaysia. The general objective of this study is to determine the fruit tree species that serves as food source for wildlife in logged and primary forest. The specific objectives are: to compare the availability of fruits to animals in three different compartments. To compare fruit trees distribution in three compartments within block. And to correlates the abundance of animals in relation to food availability. Three different Compartments were selected namely: Compartment 24 (VJR). Compartment 33 (10-year-old logged forest) and Compartment 18 (5-year-old logged forest). Within each Compartment, three blocks were established in different location (e.g. ridge top, midslope and valley bottom). All trees bigger than 10 em dbh were tagged and identified and monitored every month for leafing, flowering and fruiting activities. The Duncan's test indicated that the leafing pattern in Compartment 24 (VJR) was significantly different (P < 0.05) from Compartment 33 (10-year-old logged forest) and C ompartment 18 (5-year-old logged forest) (P < 0.05). The flowering pattern however, showed no significant differenc e among the three different Compartments. The percentage of fruiting was significantly lower in Compartment 18 (5-yearold logged forest) than in the pr imary f orest (VJR) (P <0.05)

Diversity of Migratory Shorebirds and their Habitat Characteristics in Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak, Malaysia

The research study was conducted in one of the primary corridors and stopover sites of the migratory shorebirds during annual migrations in Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The objective were to determine the diversity of migratory shorebirds and to assess the habitat quality, prey availability, environmental conditions, heavy metal concentrations in the sediments, macrobenthic organisms, fish and shrimps from October 2006-September 2007. Two sampling stations each covering an area of 100 x 100 m, were established to represent the whole Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary between 04º55.185’N, 100º27.8’E and 100º27.761’E. Survey of shorebirds was carried out through direct count and identification to species level. Sixty-one migratory shorebird species from 12 families were identified in both stations. The overall total of shorebirds density was found to be higher in northward migration (7913 individual/ha) than southward migration (4396 individual/ha). Similarly, the species diversity index (H’ = 3.20; p0.05) differences were found in species evenness, between southward and northward migration throughout the study period. Meanwhile, 28 species of macrobenthos in both stations were recorded and identified representing 15 families throughout the study period. The species diversity index of macrobenthos were higher (p<0.05) in station 2 (H’= 3.24) compared to station 1 (H’= 3.13). Similarly, the species richness was higher (p<0.05) in station 2 (d’= 6.22) compared to station 1 (d’ = 6.11). Among the macrobenthos, polychaetes were found to be the most abundant (204.3 ± 6.84 individual/m2), followed by molluscs (156.8 ± 6.3 individual/m2), fishes (132.8 ± 6.6 individual/m3), and shrimps (135.3 ± 4.1 individual/m3). The overall total macrobenthos density and biomass revealed a positive (r = 0.920; p<0.05) correlation with bird density, suggesting the importance of food resources to the distribution of migratory shorebirds in the area. The environmental quality in the area in terms of water quality and nutrients were maintained in healthy levels. No significant variations in the in situ water quality parameters (salinity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen) were observed in both sampling stations throughout the study period. In addition, nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the water surface were all in safe levels and maintained at minimum (SRP = 55.92 ± 7.88 μg/L; nitrate-N = 85.68 ± 24.33 μg/L; TAN = 85.91 ± 6.54 μg/L) throughout the study period. The total geochemical fractionation analysis of sediments in Station 1 and Station 2 ranged from 80.4 - 91.3%, 61.9 - 86.4%, 49.4 - 72.4%, 61.3 - 96% and 63 - 95% of the total Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were accumulated in the ‘resistant’ fractions throughout the sampling period which indicated that the mobility of these metals in Kuala Gula coastal water were low in terms of contribution or contamination from anthropogenic sources. Significant (p<0.05) and positive correlation were detected between (r = 0.578) birds density and Pb metal concentration of sediments in station 2. However, the total fraction of Cu (r = -0.591 and Ni (r = -0.513) in sediments had significant p<0.05) negative correlation with crabs density in station 1. Similarly, the Pb (r = 0.657) metal concentrations in sediments was significantly p<0.05) correlated to shrimp density in station 1. Meanwhile, positive correlation, with lesser confidence (p<0.05) was also detected between mollusc density and Cd (r = 0.492) metal concentrations in station 2. Overall, this study revealed that Kuala Gula ecosystems are still pristine with low anthropogenic sources, abundant food supply and ideal habitat for migratory shorebirds. Therefore, Kuala Gula coastal water is still in healthy condition but continuous environmental monitoring program should be implemented before it reaches alarming level as the ever increasing human activities and rapid developments in many infrastructures and industry sectors are continuously expanding. At present, the results of the study will provide important baseline data as reference for future studies on migratory shorebirds

The status of heavy metal levels in a Ramsar Site, Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary: the impact of the anthropogenic inputs.

Distributions of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from two sites of the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Malaysia were monitored for a period of 6 months from October 2006 to March 2007. In December 2006, the concentration of Zn in one location was significantly ( p50.05) higher (3.91.3 mgkg1) than the other metals at both sites, but in the oxidizable organic fraction it was highest at both sites during October; with mean concentrations of 18mg kg1 at both locations. In the acid-reducible fraction, high concentrations of Pb (2.3 mg kg1) were detected at station 2 in February 2007, being highest among all four metals at both stations. The acid-reducible fraction found in Pb ranged from 0.10% to 3.1% in both stations. Percentages ranging from 51% to 96% were observed for all four metals in the resistant fraction throughout the sampling period. These results indicate low contributions from anthropogenic sources. The findings constitute a baseline data archive for future reference

Nitrate, ammonia and phosphate concentrations in the surface water of Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, West. Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

This study was undertaken to compare the concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO2-N), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the surface intertidal waters of Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary over a four-month period (June to September, 2007). Three sampling stations were established in the Gula river estuary, labelled as Station 1, Station 2 and Station 3. The highest concentrations of SRP (55.92±7.88 μg/L), nitrate-N (85.68±24.33 μg/L) and TAN (85.91±6.54 μg/L) were recorded in the months of June, July and August, respectively whereas, the lowest concentrations of all the nutrients were recorded in September. The highest concentrations of the nutrients observed for the three months (June, July and August) coincided with the planting season of the nearby paddy fields in Kuala Kurau, Kuala Gula, Salinsing and some parts of Bagan Serai. This might indicate contamination of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients from fertilizer run-off. Therefore, a continuous monitoring, for the content of nutrient in the surface intertidal waters of the bird sanctuary, is recommended to observe any significant changes which may take place in the area. The results of this study would serve as an important baseline information for future reference

The status of migratory shorebirds diversity in ramsar site during southward and northward migration in Kuala Gula Birds Sanctuary

Kuala Gula 04º 55. 60’N E 100º 28.0’E is a well established bird sanctuary in Malaysia and the Asian region. It is one of the primary corridors or stopover sites of migratory shorebirds during annual migrations and considered one of the major routes of the East Asian – Australasian flyway. Two sampling stations each measuring 100 x 100 meters squared were established within the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary. The first station (station 1) was located at the mouth of Ban-Zhu-Kao River estuary (104° 55.185’N, 100° 27.840’E) adjacent to a fishing village. The other station (station 2) was located at the inner mouth of Teluk Rubiah River estuary (104° 55.00’N, 100° 27.761’E) surrounded with mangrove forest. The study was undertaken to compare the migratory shore bird species diversity, species richness, evenness, density and the species relative abundance during southward and northward migration in Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary over a one-year period. Sixty-one migratory shorebirds species representing 12 families were identified. No significant (P>0.05) difference in the migratory shorebirds relative abundance and density was observed during northward and southward migration. However, species diversity index (H’= 3.6) of northward migration was significantly higher (P0.05) difference in both stations

Espanol nivel 1 practicos/ejercicios

Español Nivel1: Prácticos y Ejercicios is a workbook designed to help the beginner develop the basic language skills necessary to communicate in Spanish in most everyday situations. It is intended for any learner as a supplementary material to help him/her improve and master the basic grammatical structures of the language as well as vocabulary needed at this level, the lessons that are covered in the textbook being used. This exercise book contains a variety of drills and exercises that may help the learners build his/her grammar repertoire through constant practice for the authors believe in the popular saying that goes “Practice makes perfect”, that the more you practice, the better your skills are