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SITES
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Greatham, Teesside, UK |
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West Site, Billingham, UK |
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Grimsby, Humberside, UK |
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Calais, France |
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Huelva, Spain |
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Scarlino, Italy |
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Teluk Kalung, Malaysia |
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Umbogintwini, South Africa |
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Lake Charles, USA |
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Burnie, Tasmania |
Index
by Category
Appendices
References
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Teluk Kalung, Malaysia
Recommendations for Future Biodiversity Management
The potential for making a significant contribution to biodiversity
conservation is probably greater on the Teluk Kalung site than on
other Tioxide’s landholdings worldwide. Merely by maintaining
the status quo the site will continue to be of considerable local
conservation value and by establishing a modest and cost effective
programme of ecological management the nature conservation interest
of the site could be further increased. This would benefit not only
local and regional wildlife but also enhance Tioxide’s environmental
reputation not only in Malaysia but also around the world. It is
therefore recommended that consideration be given to (i) continue
and expand ecological surveys on and around the site, (ii) where
possible maintain and ecologically manage the most valuable wildlife
habitats on the site, (iii) create additional wildlife habitats,
especially if existing ones are to be lost to operational use, (iv)
species specific to conservation projects and (v) conservation in
the wider environment in the region or in eastern Malaysia as a whole.
Wildlife Surveys
The more information that is available on flora and fauna on and adjacent
to the site has a greater chance that it will be protected in the
future. Accidental, non-intentional impacts are certainly reduced
by greater understanding of the local natural biodiversity. Such
data are also invaluable when preparing environmental assessments
for future commercial development. It is recommended that:
- Further detailed botanical surveys are carried out on both the
production site and in the forests around Tiger Bay. Indigenous plant
species
recorded in these surveys should be conserved whenever possible with
particular attention being given to those species that support diverse
populations of other wildlife such as useful insects and birds.
- Invertebrate populations on the Tioxide property, both on the
production site and in the forest areas should be surveyed with particular
reference
to butterflies and dragonflies. The former are highly regarded
as biological indicators of the health of the overall environment
and
dragonflies
are good indicators of water quality and the ecological value of
wetlands.
- Bird surveys on the site should continue, especially
during the migration periods. Further information on the species
and the dates
on which
migrant birds use the wetland habitats is of particular interest.
Similarly the bird life of the forested areas around Tiger Bay
is very poorly
known and requires further study, as do the breeding birds of
the entire site.
Maintaining and Managing Existing Habitats
As discussed in Section Habitats
on the Teluk Kalung Site there are
a number of very valuable wildlife habitats already on the site,
in particular the wetland areas and
the forests around Tiger Bay.
Forest Habitats
In the past most of Malaysia was covered with tropical rainforest,
but outside of specially protected areas even much of this has been
cleared. Isolated pockets however, remain in agricultural, industrial
and even urban areas. Whilst these remnants cannot support all the
species present in larger forests they are nevertheless extremely
valuable habitats for smaller mammals, birds and invertebrates. Tioxide
and other landowners and land managers can assist by conserving remnant
forest areas under their control. In the future it might be possible
through habitat rehabilitation to link some of these isolated sites
and re-create a larger, more valuable ecosystem. It is recommended
that whenever possible Tioxide should avoid ecological damage to
any forest areas on or adjacent to their site. Any unavoidable adverse
impacts resulting from future developments should be minimised. Habitat
restoration and re-creation should also be seriously considered when
existing habitat is impacted.
In forest areas in Singapore it has been found that important features
for bird populations are (i) plant species diversity, (ii) good ground
cover and adequate low vegetation and (iii) structural complexity
and tree size diversity. For many Malaysian birds long grass and
herbaceous ground cover are very important elements in their habitat.
The edge effect between forests and more open habitats are also important
and when not considered hazardous dead trees, dead branches and fallen
logs should also be left in the forest areas since these are vital
components of the ecosystem.
Wetlands
The open wetland habitats on the site are of considerable local importance
especially for migrant waterbird. The site’s reedbeds are also
potential nesting habitats for a number of species such as Purple
Heron, Cinnamon Bittern and Common Moorhen. The latter is of considerable
interest for although globally widespread it is nevertheless declining
in Malaysia, and is particularly uncommon on the east coast. Whilst
reedbeds and other dense growths of aquatic vegetation are important
for bitterns, rails etc. other species require more open water. Shallow
lagoons with muddy edges are important for migrant waders such as Marsh
Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints as well as for ducks and Chinese Pond
Herons.
The wetlands towards the western boundary are particularly overgrown
and whilst White-breasted Moorhen and other birds that like thick
cover have been found in this area limited management to create some
open
water would be desirable.
Vegetated drainage ditches are also important habitats for birds,
dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles such as Monitor Lizards. These
habitats should
be retained when ever possible.
Site Landscaping and Tree Planting
It is strongly recommended that any landscaping or planting schemes
undertaken on company property are ecologically planned to maintain,
and possibly increase biodiversity. It is accepted that plantings
around main office buildings and visitor reception areas will need
to be more formal. Nevertheless even garden type habitats can have
considerable biodiversity potential if the correct plant species
are used. If possible some Malaysian should be used together with
exotic and horticultural species. Wild figs (Fiscus spp.) are very
good trees for wildlife and such species as jermerlang (Peltophorum
pterocarpum), rhu laut (Casuarina eqistetifolia) and semorakapi (Delonix
regia) are very attractive to insects. D. regia is a very beautiful
tree with bright red flowers that is mush frequented by sunbirds
and flowerpeckers. Like American hummingbirds red and orange flowers
seem to be particularly favoured by sunbirds. Species such as Erythrina
orientalis, Hibiscus spp., Ixora spp. and Saraca spp. are all very
attractive plants that are regularly visited by birds (Hails 1990).
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