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Biodiversity is a
discipline that encompasses species, genetic and ecological
diversity. There is no clear demarcation that separate the three
areas of studies, and the subject matter are always transboundary
and interchangeable.
Straits of Malacca is
an important passage of trades for centuries and it also provides
livelihood to people living along its coast. Its long stretch of
coast and its narrow straits are constant recipient of assault of
physical and chemical element either naturally or human activities.
The intensity of this assault and its impact on its environment is
more prominent in the present time.
It is of paramount
importance that resource of the straits is carefully managed and one
of the way to achieve this goal is to understand the diversity of
its species, genetic resources and also the diversity of its
ecology. Information on its diversity could be useful in the
planning and implementation of the management of the resources.
Auditing on its resources would require such information. While
information on commercial fisheries is almost established, little is
known about other lives and the ecosystems in the Straits of
Malacca. Thus this group is taking the task to spearhead the study
on the biodiversity of the Straits of Malacca. As mention earlier
on, the study of biodiversity may include research working in the
other disciplines particularly the Ecology and Genetics. |
