The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a global turmoil which restricted movement and consequently, diminishing domestic and international travel. One that is severely affected is ecotourism in National Parks, that involves visiting fragile, pristine and undisturbed natural areas. One of the major concerns for ecotourists in destination decision-making is travel risk that could affect their safety. This study aims to examine their risk perception and how it affects the behaviour of ecotourists in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia. The data was collected from 406 respondents and analysed using structural equation modelling. It is concluded that risk perception affects tourists’ decision-making, whereby health and safety information preference is the strongest predictor, and media’s influence has a very significant connection. This study has the potential of contributing to the management of ecotourism destinations in times of crisis. It also fills the literature gap on risk perceptions of ecotourists’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The disturbance of mangrove forests could affect climate regulation, hydrological cycles, biodiversity, and many other unique ecological functions and services. Proper biomass estimation and carbon storage potential are needed to improve forest reference on biomass accumulation. The establishment of a site-specific allometric equation is crucial to avert destructive sampling in future biomass estimation. This study aimed to develop a site-specific allometric equation for biomass estimation of a mix-mature mangrove forest at Sungai Pulai Forest Reserve, Johor. A stratified line transect was set up and a total of 1000 standing trees encompassing seven mangrove tree species were inventoried. Destructive sampling was conducted using the selective random sampling method on 15 standing trees. Five allometric equations were derived by using diameter at breast height (D), stem height (H), and wood density (ρ) which were then compared to the common equation. Simulations of each allometric equation regarding species were performed on 1000 standing trees. Results showed that the single variable (D) equation provided an accurate estimation, which was slightly improved when incorporated with the H variable. Both D and H variables, however, gave inconsistent results for large-scale data and imbalance of sampled species. Meanwhile, the best fit either for small-scale or large-scale data, as well as for imbalanced sample species was achieved following the inclusion of the ρ variable when developing the equation. Hence, excluding the H variable while including the ρ variable should be considered as an important determinant in mixed mangrove species and uneven-aged stand for aboveground biomass estimation. This valuation can both improve and influence decision-making in forest development and conservation.

Development of forest plantation is mainly intended to provide income opportunity and to ensure the improvement of the socioeconomics of society. Sabah Softwood Berhad (SSB) is one of the private companies that pioneered the development and commercialization of fast growing timber species and forest plantation. The Eucalyptus plantation in SSB was initiated in response to the emergence of fungal disease that implicated the environment. Nevertheless, the impacts of plantation to the environment regarding water use, soil erosion, nutrient loss, pest and disease, biodiversity, soil quality and hydrology are reviewed. The disputes among various scientists over the physiological and plantation aspects of Eucalyptus, especially their implication towards the environment are also discussed. This paper aims to present information on the impacts posed by the Eucalyptus plantation that will guide the planters and policy makers in facilitating a management plan to mitigate the impacts of this species to the environment.

The increasing complexity and the special characteristics of palm oil supply chain lead the companies to be exposed to more risks. Failure in managing supply chain risk can generate huge losses for organisations. In order to maintain its existence and be more sustainable, palm oil industries should not only focus on the economic aspect but also the environmental and social aspects. This research aims to establish risk management to decrease the consequences of possible risks in the palm oil plantation supply chain. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) combined with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) were used to perform risk management processes. The data were collected through a survey at the management level of a case study company. The results showed that the unsafe and dangerous working environment, natural disasters, and unreliable transportation systems are the most dangerous risk. The proposed modified approach to risk management has been able to improve accuracy in prioritising the sustainable related risk in the palm oil supply chain.