During the five weeks course, we have to come out with three projects, at three different locations. Two independent projects (at Lambir and Maliau) and one group project (at Gaya). All the projects were done within the time frame given and analysis were done by using Statistical Platform R. Many ideas have came up during the proposal preparations, but only the feasible projects were chose.
| Project 1 – LAMBIR Co-authors: Katherine and Wulan Project
1 was executed at Lambir Hills National Park and also 52 ha CTFS-AA
ecology plot, Sarawak. My group was interested in effects of canopy
openness,
altitude and soil types on Macaranga species.
It is very interesting to note that how sunlight, elevations and
nutrients affected the abundance and species composition of Macaranga species
in the most diverse forest recorded so far, Borneo
island.
Link to project 1: Macaranga |
| Project 2 – GAYA Co-authors: Justine and Noor Project 2 was executed on Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. There are four small thickets of mangrove near Maloham Bay, Gaya Island. Mostly two major species of Rhizophora can be easily found, namely Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora mucronata. We are interested to elucidate the effect of trash on abundance and species richness of coastal mangrove communities (fishes, snails and crabs). Link to project 3: Mangrove |
| Project 3 – MALIAU Co-authors: Katherine and Karl Project 3 was executed at Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah. On the three days hike to Ginseng Camp, Seraya Camp and Maliau Falls, what I noticed the most on the trails were leeches. There are everywhere, even when you are sleeping, they can get you. This inspired our group to study on leeches behaviour, to understand, whether heat and movement, which one play more important role in attracting leeches to its prey. Link to project 3: Leeches |