BUKU ABSTRAK - Universiti Putra Malaysia

Occupancy Modelling of the Leopard (Panthera Pardus) as a Function of Human
and Natural Factors in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor
Assoc.Prof. Dr. Mohamed Zakaria Hussin
Arezoo Sanei
Faculty of Forestry, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 7161; mzakaria@putra.upm.edu.my
Acacia Mangium Tannin as Formaldehyde Scavenger for Low Molecular Weight
Phenol-formaldehyde Resin in Bonding Tropical Plywood
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paridah Md. Tahir
Yeoh Beng Hoong, Loh Yueh Feng, Luqman Chuah Abdullah and Koh Mok Poh
Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 6997; parida@putra.upm.edu.my
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Forestry & Environment
Very little is known about the leopard (Panthera pardus) in South-East Asia particularly Malaysian tropical
rain forests where intensive deforestations have taken place in recent years. Current study has been carried out in
a highly fragmented secondary forest namely Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve and its neighboring farm located within
Klang Valley, fastest growing agglomeration in Malaysia. Objective of this study was to bring an understanding
to the impacts of human disturbances and natural factors on occupancy status of the leopards and their potential
prey species in the study area. Detection/non-detection data from leopards, their four priori identified prey species
that were wild boar, lesser mouse deer, long tailed macaque and pig tailed macaque, a feral species (i.e. stray
dogs) and human factors such as deforestation, plantation, local and indigenous people camping and construction
activities have been recorded from February 2008 over a period of 13 months. Occupancy modelling of leopards
and their potential prey species had been done using single season subprogram of PRESENCE software and
Jacobs Preference Index. Correlations of leopard presence with disturbance factors, preys and feral species were
tested using Spearman correlation coefficient test. Results indicated that habitat is constantly fully occupied by
leopards and there is no evidence of lack of prey sufficiency. Presence of wild boar was the main factor affecting
leopard movements in the area. Leopard distribution was clearly adapted to settlement location, while construction
activities and dogs grouping life style inside the forest had the most negative impact on leopard movements. Preys
were mostly affected by deforestations and construction activities conducted during field surveys. Since leopards
are the top predator species of this isolated forest, findings of this study could be used to promote practices of
environmentally friendly forest management.
Keywords: Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, human disturbances, jacobs preference Index, occupancy modelling, panthera
pardus
One of the limitations in using low molecular weight phenol-formaldehyde (LmwPF) resin as a binder for
wood-based panels is the amount of the free formaldehyde being emitted during soaking, pressing and sometimes
during the earlier stage of application. Tannin from bark extracts is rich in phenolic compounds, and thus may
be able to absorb this free formaldehyde and at the same time provide strength to the joint. In this study, tanninphenol-formaldehyde
adhesives were prepared by blending Acacia mangium bark extracts (40% solids) with low
molecular weight phenol-formaldehyde (40% solids at 1:1 ratio). The tannin-LmwPF adhesive produced cured
within 4 min at 130 o c, reduced the free formaldehyde to level E1 of European norm EN-120. The 3-ply plywood
had acceptable shear strength (> 1.0 MPa) exceeding the minimum requirements of European norms EN-314-1
and EN-314-2:1993 for interior and exterior applications. The study has shown that Acacia mangium tannin can
be used as formaldehyde scavenger in LmwPF resin without compromising the strength of the joints.
Keywords: Formaldehyde scavanger, tannin, acacia mangium, plywood, low molecular weight phenol-formaldehyde