Rainforest Journal

Rainforest Info, Images, and Adventures.

October 2, 2015
by JungleBoy
1 Comment

Our haze season

A phenomenon that is totally man-made and happens yearly in Malaysia, is the haze. The haze is basically smog caused by open burning due to clearing of vegetation for agriculture, and it is a practice done mainly in Indonesia and to a smaller extent, Malaysia, and other South East Asian nations. You want to clear off vegetation in order to plant your palm oil or crops? Want to get to rid of plant waste cheaply? Burn them. That is what these folks do, from small scale farmers to plantation companies (the main culprits). Continue Reading →

July 16, 2015
by JungleBoy
4 Comments

Pasoh Forest Reserve

Pasoh Forest Reserve located in Simpang Pertang, Negeri Sembilan, is an internationally recognized site for tropical forestry research. For researchers, there is a well-equipped Field Studies Center there, called the Pasoh Forestry Research Centre (PFRC) managed by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). For members of the public who are serious nature lovers, it’s a place to get acquainted with the endangered virgin lowland rainforest of Peninsular Malaysia. Continue Reading →

May 12, 2015
by JungleBoy
6 Comments

Gunung Pulai’s forest in peril

As much as we hate to admit it, we as a country, suck at protecting and preserving our forests and environment. The sad truth is, we have much less forest cover than we claim or assume; much of our “forest cover” is actually oil palm/rubber plantations. Of the current forest cover that we have, very, very little of that is virgin, unlogged forest with large trees and the highest biodiversity. Shouldn’t we be protecting what little bit that remains? Continue Reading →

October 27, 2014
by JungleBoy
4 Comments

Lower montane rainforest

In tropical regions, lower montane forest refers to the rainforest on mountain slopes that are distinctly different from the lowland rainforest that covers the plains, flatlands, and low hills. Generally, this forest formation can be considered an intermediate zone between the montane cloud forest located at much higher altitudes, generally above the persistent cloud zone, and the tall evergreen rainforest of the lowlands. Continue Reading →

September 30, 2014
by JungleBoy
6 Comments

Kuala Sepetang

Kuala Sepetang (Kuala means “estuary”, in Malay) is a small fishing village located off the Taiping, Perak state coast, and the gateway to the largest unbroken expanse of mangrove swamp forest remaining in Peninsular Malaysia – The Matang mangrove forest (40,537 ha), a truly fascinating place to observe a natural wetland ecosystem at work. Recently, I spent some time there, which included staying at one of the government built chalets. The Forestry Department has established a (well run) eco-educational centre at the Kuala Sepetang site. If you are in the vicinity of Taiping town, the Kuala Sepetang Wetlands is a must visit. Continue Reading →