Research Topic

i . Conservation of Wetland for Socioecological

ii. Ecological and social–economic assessment of Wetland
 Why Wetland ?
• Malaysia is a country blessed with extensive coverage of wetlands, ranging from coastal mangroves to inland peat
swamp forests to mountainous rivers and lakes.
• Population growth has increased the demand for food and shelter and has led to agricultural expansion and land
development  wetland loss and degradation.
• Since 1900, 64% of global wetlands have been lost or significantly degraded.
Cause increase in natural hazard occurrences such as floods, peat fires, haze and biodiversity loss.
• Wetlands are important ecosystems that provide a wide range of services and benefits including resilience to climate
change, buffering against natural hazards such as floods and storms, water and food security and breeding grounds for
many animal species.
• Important role in supporting the livelihood of local communities that live around them.

• Wetlands store and distribute water in the landscape. Migratory waterbirds, freshwater fish, aquatic mammals and
reptiles are particularly vulnerable to wetland changes as they depend on wetland sites and river systems for food and
shelter.
• Wetland knowledge and awareness are key components to the conservation and management of wetlands.
Why Wetland IMPORTANT?
Besides recharging groundwater supplies and trapping floodwaters, wetlands serve a variety of important
ecological functions.

Functions of wetlands
1. Provide habitat for a wide variety and number of wildlife and plants.
2. Filter, clean, purify water and store water. In other words, acting like kidneys for other ecosystems.
3. Collect and hold flood waters.
How wetland works diagram
4. Absorb wind and tidal force.
5.provide places of beauty and many recreational activities.

-positive effects for the biologically diverse.

-natural habitat for the species of birds in the world.
-recreational aspects of adventure travel, supports
the values of ecotourism and nature conservation
programs
Objective
1. Study what kind of activities that cause harm to the Wetland
(Industrial / lodging /oil palm plantation / poaching and fishing)
2. How wetland benefits to ecosystem
3. How wetland bring benefits to the local communities

Understanding of wetland Target Participants for the

Economic growth , industrial and agriculture influences on wetland Research

Preserve & Conserve wetland biodiversity, ecosystem - Wetlands International Malaysia

- propagating the value of ecosystem service - Malaysia Nature Society (NGO)
- enhance tourism industry’s role in sustainability - stakeholders
- Providing income for surrounding communities - Local communities