Integrated science and integration of literacy skills are relevant issues to be investigated in science education. This research aimed at determining the validity of integrated science materials and examining the practicality and effectivity of the use of integrated science materials in the scientific approach. The type of this research was research and development. The development of integrated science materials consists of seven stages, namely identifying potentials and problems, collecting information, designing a product, validating the product, revising product, doing limited testing, and revising product. Instruments for collecting data included validity assessment, practicality assessment, written test, and performance assessment. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and paired comparison test. Based on the data analysis, there were three results of this research. First, the validity of integrated science instructional materials classified as very high with an average value of 83.2. Second, the integrated science instructional materials were practical according to the science teachers and students with an average value of 86.11 and 89.66 respectively. Third, the integrated science instructional materials were effective in the scientific approach to improving the aspects of knowledge and digital literacy including scientific, functional, and visual literacy at 95% confidence level. These results indicated that employing integrated science instructional materials could overcome the problem of integrated science teaching and improve the digital literacy of students in terms of scientific, functional, and visual literacy. These digital literacy components are also useful for students to get success in their real future life.

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The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is the most widespread feline in Asia. It has been recorded in a range of habitats, including monoculture landscapes, such as oil palm plantations. Here, we report on a study on the presence, home range, activity patterns and diet of the species in an oil palm landscape to assess their viability as biological pest controller of rats. The study took place in United Plantations/PT SSS estate in Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. From July 2014 to March 2018, we captured 11 leopard cats in purpose-built cage-traps and fitted them with VHF radio-transmitters. They were tracked for a 44 months study period, during which we collected a total of 2.031 GPS locations used for estimating the respective cats’ activities and home-ranges. The cats are strictly nocturnal and prefer to hide and rest in thick bush, primarily consisting of sword-fern (Nephrolepis sp.) during day-time, but forage both on the ground and in the palm canopy at night. The average home range (95% FK) for male leopard cats is 1.47 km2 (n = 7; SD = 0.62 km2) with slightly smaller home range for females at 1.29 km2 (n = 4; SD = 0.28 km2). All individuals studied were recorded strictly within the oil palm plantation landscape, although mangrove forest habitat makes up 7% of the greater plantation landscape. In conclusion, leopard cats survive and reproduce well in oil palm habitats and are effective biological controllers of rats that can replace the traditionally used expensive and environmentally polluting chemical rat poisons.

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