The aim of the study was to examine the spatial distribution, travel distance effects, and visitor satisfaction patterns associated with the Taliwas River Conservation Area (TRCA) in Sabah, Malaysia. Taliwas River Conservation Area (TRCA) was the study area located in Lahad Datu Districts, Sabah, Malaysia. Visitor data from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed by district of origin to assess spatial trends and distance decay using regression analysis. A structured questionnaire was distributed via social media to assess visitor experiences and satisfaction (n = 30). Most visitors originated from nearby districts, especially Lahad Datu (44.8%). Travel distance had a strong inverse effect on visitor number (R² = 0.6752). Visitor feedback indicated high appreciation for natural features (e.g., waterfalls, Pandan Lake), occasional wildlife encounters, and service quality. Cleanliness of facilities and staff friendliness were commonly mentioned as contributing to a positive experience. Spatial proximity is the dominant factor shaping visitor distribution in the TRCA, but demand and group visits from urban institutions can offset distance effects. Visitor experiences centered on natural features, occasional wildlife sightings, and service quality, underscoring key areas for improving low-visitation protected areas.
This study presents a comparative baseline assessment of soil characteristics and hydrological properties across three riparian forest types in Sabah, Malaysia: Primary Forest (PF), Old Regrowth Forest (ORF), and Logged Forest (LF). Conducted in the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area and SFERA@UMS, measurements focused on soil texture, bulk density, soil moisture, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. PF and ORF exhibited higher clay content, greater soil moisture retention, and moderate infiltration rates, indicating superior hydrological function. In contrast, LF plots, dominated by sandier textures and reduced canopy cover, showed lower moisture retention and markedly diminished hydraulic conductivity. While bulk density patterns did not strictly follow expected trends—PF and ORF had slightly higher mean values than LF—results may reflect natural variability and structural recovery stages. Relationships between soil texture and hydrological parameters highlight the influence of disturbance and forest regeneration on riparian ecohydrology. The study provides essential baseline data for future monitoring, reinforces the ecological value of undisturbed and recovering forests, and supports the prioritization of PF and ORF zones in riparian buffer planning and watershed conservation.
This study investigates local perceptions of soil degradation in eucalyptus plantations in Central Vietnam, where rapid plantation expansion has raised concerns about long‑term environmental sustainability. Using semi‑structured interviews and focus group discussions with 60 plantation growers, the study reveals an almost universal perception of soil decline: 93.3% of respondents reported degradation and 87.5% rated its severity as moderate or severe. Farmers identified monoculture forestry as the principal anthropogenic driver (87.5%), together with management practices such as clear‑cutting, residue burning, short rotation cycles, and removal of harvest residues. Reported manifestations of degradation included reduced forest productivity (100% of respondents), soil compaction and loss of friability, decreased surface organic matter, rapid soil drying, and increased erosion. While natural factors such as intense and irregular rainfall were acknowledged as contributing to degradation, respondents emphasized that human management plays the decisive role, implying that soil decline can be mitigated through improved silvicultural practices. The findings highlight the importance of integrating local ecological knowledge with scientific evidence to design multi‑level management strategies aimed at restoring soil health, enhancing the sustainability of eucalyptus plantation systems, and supporting rural livelihoods in Central Vietnam.
Amphibian populations, particularly those of the order Anura, are experiencing global declines due to habitat destruction, climate change, and emerging pathogens, such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis fungus. Captive rearing and enrichment activities have been proposed as conservation tools, however the specific effects of enrichment on anuran development and post-metamorphosis survival remain underexplored. This study investigated the metamorphosis, physiological development, and survival rates of Polypedates leucomystax (Four-lined Tree Frog) and Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Common Toad) tadpoles in captivity, with and without enrichment activities. Sixty tadpoles (30 per species) were collected from Sabah, Malaysia, and reared in controlled tanks. Half of the specimens were then subjected to environmental and feeding enrichment following metamorphosis, while the other half were maintained without enrichment. Results shows that D. melanostictus completed metamorphosis faster, while P. leucomystax exhibited higher post-metamorphosis survival rates. Enrichment activities initially led to slightly lower survival in captivity, likely due to environmental disturbance, but significantly improved performance during environmental stress trials. Enriched individuals hunted prey more efficiently and showed higher resilience to food deprivation. These findings suggest that early enrichment enhances behavioural adaptability and survival in variable environments. This study highlights the importance of incorporating enrichment strategies in captive rearing programs to improve anuran survivability during and after reintroduction. Kewords: captive rearing, Duttaphrynus melanostictus, enrichment, metamorphosis, Polypedates leucomystax, survival rate
The fragmented lowland forest of Kinarut Eco Forest Park, which serves as a habitat for mousedeer (Tragulus spp.), is heavily impacted by human activity, though the extent of its impact on this species remains unexplored. This study conducted a camera trap survey at 20 systematically established sampling points along local gravel roads and forest trails to examine the diel activity pattern of mousedeer in response to human activity on these pathways. Over 1,275 nights of camera trapping, 43 independent detections of mousedeer and 302 independent sightings of humans were documented. The present findings validated that mousedeer exhibited a nocturnal behavior, while humans showed a diurnal behavior, contributing to a very low similarity in their diel activity patterns along local human pathways (∆1 = 0.1086). The observed temporal partitioning between humans and mousedeer highlights the ability of this terrestrial mammal species to adapt to disturbances resulting from frequent human visits to these pathways, as well as the prominent impact of high human activity levels, which have triggered the shift from crepuscular to nocturnal behavior in mousedeer within the fragmented lowland forest ecosystem of this reserve.
