Initiatives – The Habitat Foundation

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Choo Han — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 09:48:28 +0000

Apply for The Habitat Foundation Masters Scholarship for Research in Bioacoustics

Rong — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 06:14:00 +0000

Topic

Application of bioacoustics to document and monitor wildlife diversity on Penang Hill

Insights into the rhythm of life

Bioacoustics is an exciting new research field. The sounds of the Malaysian rainforest – frogs, geckos, birds, bats, squirrels, primates, and insects create a distinctive soundscape. With emerging technology and analytic software we are now able to capture the sounds of nature and gain valuable insights into the natural world. Documenting and monitoring this soundscape also has the potential to provide indicators of species diversity and ecosystem health.

The aim of this research is to document the diversity and abundance of wildlife of Penang Hill using bioacoustics. It will build a reference library of unique sonotypes for the species of the hill. This will provide a baseline and foundation for asking important ecological questions.

The scholarship

The Habitat Foundation is funding a Masters Scholarship for Research in Bioacoustics on Penang Hill which will be offered at the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), USM. The successful candidate will have their university registration and tuition fees covered, and receive a monthly stipend of RM1,000 for 24 months. Equipment and field costs will be provided by The Habitat Foundation.

Who can apply

The scholarship is offered to Malaysian citizens and will be for 2 years. Suitable candidates are encouraged to apply by 30 August 2021. The study is expected to commence in October 2021.

Candidates should

enjoy the outdoors and have a keen sense of curiosity and interest in conducting fieldwork in the tropical rain forest
possess a Bachelor’s degree in biology, geography or any other relevant field (CGPA >2.75/4.00)
have a good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia
be self-motivated and capable of carrying out independent research
be a good team player but also able to work under minor supervision

How to apply

Applicants should submit a short statement letter (1 page) explaining their interest in the research accompanied by their (1) Curriculum Vitae, (2) academic transcript, and (3) letter of reference.

Enquiries may be addressed to Dr Nadine Ruppert . Applications for the scholarship, should be received by email not later than 30 August 2021.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The Habitat commences a long-term bioacoustics research programme

webadmin — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 14:49:19 +0000

Rainforest diversity is not just something that can be appreciated with the eyes. It is also expressed by a diversity of sounds – the song of birds, the shrill siren of cicadas, and the calls of frogs and geckos, and the vocalizations of squirrels and primates are part of the forest landscape.

Bioacoustics, a cross-disciplinary science which combines biology with acoustics is proving to be an indispensable tool for studying and interpreting our natural world. In addition to understanding wildlife ecology, it is assisting scientists in monitoring change brought about by anthropogenic pressures and climate change. For these reasons, The Habitat Foundation is embarking on a long-term bioacoustics research programme based at The Habitat Penang Hill.

In line with efforts to boost capacity in bioacoustics among local researchers, a two-day online bioacoustics/sound analysis workshop was held on the 25th and 28th January 2021 organized by the the Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS) in collaboration with the Centre for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This training was organized with the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

A total of 37 participants joined the two-day online workshop, with the option of joining the third day for consultation with Cornell. They were mainly researchers and students working in Southeast Asia who are currently using or plan to use bioacoustics for wildlife studies.

A recent workshop with the Centre for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is helping to build on a firm foundation for The Habitat Penang Hill’s Bioacoustics Research Programme.

On the first day, the participants had the opportunity to get an overview of the different ways bioacoustics can be used through the sharing of five presenters. Dr Priscilia Miard of Night Spotting Project shared her experience of using ultrasound recording devices to detect bats and colugos in Penang and Langkawi. Iza, another PhD student from USM, also shared her use of active bioacoustic survey methods to study gibbon groups in Taman Negara, Pahang.

Bioacoustics has been used to identify changes in Bornean ape calls to serve as early-warning indicators of anthropogenic change. African elephants being monitored with bioacoustics have also been found to warn their herd of the presence of poachers.

On the second day, a quick Raven Pro 1.6 tutorial was given where the participants learnt the basic functions of the software before moving on to Raven Pro 2.0, a beta version which has a powerful Template Detector tool that uses a stereotypical sound clip to detect similar sounds in a lengthy recording.

Raven Pro Software

This bioacoustics workshop is a part of the Habitat Foundation’s effort to promote ongoing learning and to build skills in research capacity. As more capacities are built, this training will be extended to more local researchers in locations where projects or project partners are supported by the Foundation.

In December 2020, Dr Priscilia Miard has also conducted a 3 days hands-on training in bioacoustic monitoring works at The Habitat Penang Hill after a similar workshop was held. The training was done during the day and night to capture both diurnal and nocturnal animal calls.

Dr. Priscillia Miard setting up the recorder

ltrasonic device used to detect bats

Sound recorded in wavelength on phone

The recordings made are in the process of being separated into different animal calls and these will then be added to the database for future research. In April 2021, The Habitat Foundation announced a new Master’s Scholarship in Bioacoustics at the School of Biological Sciences, USM. For the two-year Masters by Research, the Foundation will cover registration and tuition fees, and a monthly stipend, field costs and equipment. Suitable candidates are invited to apply by 30 May 2021.

The Habitat Commences a Long-term Bioacoustics Research Programme

Rong — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 05:55:00 +0000

Rainforest diversity is not just something that can be appreciated with the eyes. It is also expressed by a diversity of sounds – the song of birds, the shrill siren of cicadas, the calls of frogs and geckos, and the vocalizations of squirrels and primates are part of the forest landscape.

In line with efforts to boost capacity in bioacoustics among local researchers, a two-day online bioacoustics/sound analysis workshop was held on the 25th and 28th January 2021 organized by the Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS) in collaboration with the Centre for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This training was organized with the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

A recent workshop with the Centre for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is helping to build a firm foundation for The Habitat Penang Hill’s Bioacoustics Research Programme.

Raven Pro Software

Dr. Priscillia Miard setting up the recorder

Ultrasonic device used to detect bats

Sound recorded in wavelength on phone

The recordings made are in the process of being separated into different animal calls and these will then be added to the database for future research. In April 2021, The Habitat Foundation announced a new Master’s Scholarship in Bioacoustics at the School of Biological Sciences, USM. For the two-year Masters by Research, the Foundation will cover registration and tuition fees, a monthly stipend, field costs and equipment. Suitable candidates are invited to apply by 30 May 2021.