Implementation
Technology in Conservation
Technology has become an important key component in current conservation work. The efforts to channel the conservation movement into a positive outcome for the ecosystem by using technology has become a challenge. Despite that, the continuous progression of technological innovation enables Conservation work to be done efficiently.
Bambusa Foundation has taken an approach to infuse the technology in planning and designing Forest Conservation initiatives. We will be utilizing remote sensing technology for mapping the distribution of forest ecosystems, and the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the forest.
To record & update resource inventories, manage forest & landscape and habitat planning, we will be incorporating the Geography Information System (GIS) into our Conservation activity. LIDAR technology also will be used to determine the surface characteristics of forests such as identification of tree species, canopy height, volume & density and terrain & slope classification.
Tree Inventory
A tree inventory is a systematic collection of data on the forestry resources within a given area. It allows assessment of the current status and lays the ground for analysis and planning, constituting the basis for sustainable forest management. By conducting tree inventory, we can determine its species, size, and overall health.
We are leading this effort by classifying the dipterocarp and non-dipterocarp tree species in our Conservation drive. A tree inventory is important because it helps to protect and improve the trees and forests in the Conservation area. By gathering knowledge about trees, we can place a value on the habitat of flora and preserve the endangered tree species in the Conservation area.
We make a difference by incorporating the use of technology in conducting the tree inventory. Every tree will be tagged with a microchip to ensure systematic collection of data and information of all the tree species can be accessed through an online application. AI technology will be used to identify tree species through leaf scanning.
Seed Bank
Seed bank is important to preserve the genetic diversity of trees in the future. It is also a way to increase the number of plant species especially the endangered tree species. Bambusa Foundation is driving towards preserving the tree species by conducting soil seed bank and tree seed bank in our Conservation area.
In soil seed bank, the wilding technique will be used for the production of subsequent generations of plant. The process involves collecting the seedlings that has been sprouted surrounding the mother plant. Later, the seedlings will be nurtured and managed at the nursery. Through this initiative, the seed dormancy of plant species can be enhanced.
The method of conducting a tree seed bank is by identifying the progeny of mother plants for seed selection. The seeds will be collected from the tree when they are still on bearing at trees. The replanting process will take place in the nursery to conserve the indigenous tree species and protect them from extinction.
Tissue Culture Bank
Tissue culture is an alternative method to grow a plant species under controlled environmental conditions in a sterile growth medium. Usually, the tissue culture technique is used on the seeds that are hard to be germinated through conventional method. Many endangered hardwood tree species have to be germinated through tissue culture techniques.
To support the survival of the endangered tree species, we took an initiative by propagating them through tissue culture technique. We are also collecting and storing the indigenous tree species in order to enhance their longevity.
Tree Repository Plantlet Germplasm Bank will be set up through the tissue culture technique. Native Timber, Bamboo, Medicinal plants and endangered rare Orchids will be propagated using in vitro techniques. This method can improve the natural populations of endangered heavy hardwood, medium hardwood, light hardwood and softwood tree species.
River Restoration
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In river restoration initiative, we manage the rivers to reinstate natural processes. The biodiversity will be restored, hence giving a positive impact to both people and wildlife. The river adjacent to the PIAH Forest Reserve is becoming polluted due to high-environmental impact activities in the surrounding area.
Bambusa Foundation will lead a team in the river restoration initiative at PIAH Forest Reserve with the purpose to return the watercourse to its pre-disturbed state. The villagers are highly dependent on the river as it provides water to drink, bathe and irrigation. Therefore, it is crucial to rehabilitate the river. Through this, the environmental and aesthetic value of the river can be improved.
The river type, modification extent and adjacent restrictions will decide the most appropriate river restoration technique. The river catchment management plan will be conducted in the PIAH Forest Reserve which will improve the freshwater environment and provide spawning habitat or nursery grounds for young fish.
Wildlife refuge
Almost 8,000 species of bird, mammal, reptiles, amphibians and fish are endangered due to habitat loss due to unsustainable exploitation of human activities. Sustainable management of resources can enhance biodiversity and increase the number of threatened wildlife species.
Bambusa Foundation is initiating a range of strategies to protect the wildlife animals and their habitat. We aimed to create a refuge for the Malayan Tigers, Asian Elephant, Tapir, Sambar Deer, Malayan Porcupine, Long-tailed Porcupine, Clouded Leopard, Black Panther, Sun Bear and many other vulnerable animal species.
Our initiative includes monitoring and tracking the wildlife movement to establish a buffer zone as a wildlife Migration route. A pocket grazing area will be planted with various types of vegetation along the Migration route as a food source for the animals. This will allow the natural breeding of wildlife habitat within the PIAH Forest Reserve.
Restoring Pollinators Life
Pollinators are critical to biodiversity on Earth and its ecological function. They have a mutually beneficial relationship with most species of plants where the survival of one depends on the other. Nearly 90% of wild flowering plants need pollinators like bees, bats, butterflies and birds to transfer pollen for successful sexual reproduction. A healthy pollinator population can increase yields and higher quality crops.
However, the abundance, diversity and health of pollinators are threatened, as well as the provision of pollination due to current human activities. Climatic changes also lead to alteration of range, affluence and seasonal activities of some wild pollinator species. Habitat destruction, forest fragmentation and degradation have often reduced food sources for pollinators.
Bambusa Foundation aims to restore the pollinators to aggressively disperse the pollens for propagation. Through this initiative, we can maintain the genetic diversity within a population and be able to develop adequate fruits to entice seeds dispersers.