EcoHub

We missed the flower of our Bulbophyllum lasianthum as we were out in the field. Luckily this time, we manage to capture this beauty before it dries off....
Dendrobium lampongense. Described from the Lampung/Lampong province in Sumatra, hence it was named D. lampongense.

Sadly, I have forgotten where did i got the plant from but surely i have not bought any of this sp. The tag was lost, probably fell off, as this is among the first i planted..

Green at heart

We asked Dr Shawn Lum about his dream for NSS and received an unexpected answer! How green is your heart and mind? 💚

With the ongoing storm...fallen trees are quite unavoidable. I have noticed the hollow middle section of this tree but don't dqre to cut it as it was too big and close to building. What a miss...our new signage is safe except for one alphabet..which is repairable.

Reforestation is not just about planting trees...

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02834-3?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=nature&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3xvhPBCdo-h0tfm2nFwHlkCgQQYiQA5JH6TcpQ9iZ3HweJ1MT8lZhL11w_aem_P_785pbciNKLga2gbBCXaw =1725274184-1

Why repairing forests is not just about planting trees An exploration of deforestation and restoration shows that woods are much more than trees. They depend on — and provide for — people, animals and microbes.

We have many Pinang, Areca catechu seedlings. If anyone is interested...come n pick it up. For free. Our stateis named after this tree. It is also good for landscaping as the tree grows straight and the rooting is strong. The root also helps to hold the ground hence will help with erosion prevention.

Repurpose...thats the way

Instead of cutting down your dead or dying trees let an arborist remove any hazardous branches and create hollows for critical nesting habitat used by birds bats and gliders

We are honoured to help with the article write up regarding the birds in USM. Thanks to MPRC USM for the opportunity. Hope we can do more write up on our campus natural bidoversity heritage.

Glad to be part of this program for the second time. Hopefully the kids, who are also majoring in science, gain interest in natural sciences esp zoology...

Because they deserved to live too..not their fault they became strays.

This morning we rescued two puppies which fell into an old well (or sewerage?) within our forest trail.

Hope they will survive

Ficus vasculosa. Ara nasi/ Tampang Burung.

(Do let me know if the id is wrong)

Reaching height of more than 30 metres, this magnificent tree, as for other Ficus, is an important species in any landscape. It served as what called 'keystone species' by providing food and shelter for various species of wildlife. The individual right infront of Ecohub office is fruiting now and many species of birds are visiting the tree.

Sea turtles of the world.

Sadly...we can say that we have lost our Leatherback..

Sea Turtles of the World by Roger Hall.

Happy World Snake Day 2024!

Universiti Sains Malaysia has long been recognized as a 'University in a Garden'. When the initiative was started back in early 2000, a study on the natural heritage of the university was conducted and resulted a series of publication named as 'Siri Kampus Sejahtera'. In regards of animal studies, it was published in a book series number 10, done by Prof Ibrahim and Prof Shahrul Anuar. In the series, a study on snake diversity was also included.

In the checklist provided in that book, in total, 13 species of snakes were recorded from USM main campus. I have been trying to update the checklist for so long but not materialized. So here it is, the most updated list of snake, simplified in a poster. In total, we have 18 species no. Out of 18, only 3 are venomous and potentially fatal ( I included Tropidolaemus wagleri in this category although some author consider the venom of this species is less potent). Another 3 is considered as dangerous to human such as the reticulated python that can be dangerous due to the ability to constrict it prey (including human if the size is big enough). The other 12 species are harmless to human, so please consider not to kill all snake upon encounter. Please contact the Jabatan Keselamatan (or me) to remove the snake from your area safely. They are well trained to handle the snakes.

Happy World Snake Day 2024!

Universiti Sains Malaysia has long been recognized as a 'University in a Garden'. When the initiative was started back in early 2000, a study on the natural heritage of the university was conducted and resulted a series of publication named as 'Siri Kampus Sejahtera'. In regards of animal studies, it was published in a book series number 10, done by Prof Ibrahim and Prof Shahrul Anuar. In the series, a study on snake diversity was also included.

In the checklist provided in that book, in total, 13 species of snakes were recorded from USM main campus. I have been trying to update the checklist for so long but not materialized. So here it is, the most updated list of snake, simplified in a poster. In total, we have 18 species no. Out of 18, only 3 are venomous and potentially fatal ( I included Tropidolaemus wagleri in this category although some author consider the venom of this species is less potent). Another 3 is considered as dangerous to human such as the reticulated python that can be dangerous due to the ability to constrict it prey (including human if the size is big enough). The other 12 species are harmless to human, so please consider not to kill all snake upon encounter. Please contact the Jabatan Keselamatan (or me) to remove the snake from your area safely. They are well trained to handle the snakes.

Here are the detail and comment on the old checklist and the additional species. This is mainly on the erroneous record and taxonomical update:

1. Python reticulatus- update to new taxo, Malayopython reticulatus

2. Elaphe radiata- in the book, a photo of Elaphe flavolineata, in hand, was included but in the list it was put as Elaphe radiata. Anyway, Elaphe radiata was recorded in the campus recently. The new genus is Coelognathus for both species.

3. Lycodon aulicus- taxo update. The species in Malaysia is now referred to as Lycodon capucinus as L. aulicus is restricted to its type locality.

4. Ahaetulla nasuta- Perhaps this is a misidentification as there is no confirmed record of this species in Malaysia. So this sp was excluded from the poster.

5. Naja naja. Taxo update. The species in Malaysia is now referred to as either Naja kaouthia or Naja sumatrana. The only record in the main campus for now is Naja kaouthia.

6. Trimeresurus wagleri. Taxo update. The genus is changed to Tropidolaemus now. This species is not recorded from within the main area, but it is quite common at Taman Rekreasi USM.

7. Additional species. Coelognathus flavolineata, Dryophiops rubescens, Typhlops muelleri and Enhydris plumbea.

Sorry for the long post but i hope with this, people are more aware of the diversity of snakes in the campus and appreciate them more.

I spent the whole day yesterday trying to complete this poster, to post it in conjunction with world snake day today. A very simple poster and if u guys have any comment, let me know.

note: I can't italicize the wording for the scientific names in this post..so bear with me.

Think again...u might leave some of your rubbish legacy for your grandson to endure...

🌥️ Have a blessed Friday gais 🌥️

゚viralシ

Had an opportunity to host lecturers and students from School of Developmental Studies, Thammasat University, Thailand, this morning. Thanks to Kanita USM for bringing them to Ecohub. Hope they enjoyed the visit and hopefully come back in the future.

Ecosystem services...which are claimed by some as less important

A sustainable is a friend to our precious .

Learn from EU Environment the numerous human benefits of a healthy, productive and resilient ecosystem.

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) aka Rapang Duit is a widespread and common species in Malaysia. It can be found in USM Engineering, IPPT and Health Campus but this species has never been recorded before here in USM main campus although I have seen this species nearby at Taman Tun Sardon. This is the first time this species actually came into the campus, at Minden football field. This species is known to favour open areas/grassland. I actually heard it yesterday evening at the same area and this morning i manage to see two individuals. It has a very distinct calls and will flew off if approached too close.
Sorry for the slightly shaky video, shot without tripod. Just put my cam on the ground..

Planting trees is incomplete without proper management afterwards....

When a tree starts to show sign like dead leaf in a single or few branches...its time to check and look for the root cause as at the root/base of the tree.

We manage to topple 7 termite mounds this morning..to save our trees. We realize there were at least two sp of termite were involved.

Hopefully its enough to salvage the trees...

Our new signage is up. Hopefully from now on...people will know where Ecohub is...

Go green...

https://theconversation.com/simply-looking-at-greenery-can-boost-mental-health-new-research-232071

Last friday, we were visited by students from Ma'ahad Al-Ehya' Asshariff from Gunung Semanggol, Perak. It was part of a program conducted by Biosociety, School of Biological Sciences, USM. The purpose is to give a preliminary insight and create interest among the students towards science especially natural sciences. We brought them into the Ecotrail and shared some of the natural biodiversity that we have there. Hope they learn something and hope it will spark interest amongst them to study sciences in the future. Thanks to Biosociety for including EcoHub as part of the program.

Avoid killing a tree

🎼 There must be 50 ways to kill a tree 🎼