In Peninsular Malaysia, in and adjacent to the coastline along the Straits of Malacca there are coastal habitats; stand or beach forests, mangroves and mudflats are found on the inner edge of the coastal zone while corals are on the outer edge. In between the mangroves and corals, coastal habitats from low tide level to the coral reef formed the main habitats for seaweeds and seagrasses. However, some of them overlap with each other in area as well as biological processes. For example mudflats are always associated with mangroves and seaweeds and seagrasses are often associated with mangroves and coral reef habitats. These habitats are inter-linked or inter-related and dependent on one another. The coastal position of these habitats makes them highly susceptible and vulnerable to both natural and man-induced stresses. The Straits of Malacca is being subjected to a high degree of resource utilization as well as pollution. Little is known on the natural or man-made threats or stresses to these habitats and its resources. Information on these habitats and their resources are important with regards to the resource derives both from the products taken directly from the habitats and from the amenities provided by the resources from within and beyond their boundaries. Lacks of information about these habitats and the need to develop techniques of better conservation and utilization necessitates the promotion of relevant research. The group project was scheduled in the second year, 1998/1999 to the year 2001. The Three broad areas of research have been identified and these studies are focus on:

• Mangrove biodiversity, plants distribution and edaphic factors and, response of plant towards heavy metal pollution,

• Taxonomy and distribution of seaweeds (macroalgae) and

• Seagrass resources and their status along the Straits of Malacca.

Objectives

• To enumerate mangroves biodiversity, study plants distribution and edaphic factors and, response of plant towards heavy metal pollution.

• To establish bibliographic database of seaweeds (macroalgae), identify the species and examine the bio-geographic distribution and

• To study the ecological aspects and distribution of seagrass species, taxonomy and phenology of important seagrass species, linkages of seagrasses beds with other marine resources such as macroalgae, invertebrates and fishes.

Activities

Mangrove ecology:- This group collected data on plant distribution and edaphic factors information through sampling of the mangrove plants and sediments along the Straits of Malacca. Data on plant dominance is analyzed by ordination in order to explain the influence of edaphic factors on plant distribution. Ecophysiology of plants is studied in control environment. The study includes effect of various concentrations of copper and aluminium on growth and production mangrove plants. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ijima while on visit (19 August to 16 September 1999) here has been conducting surveys to the mangrove forest along the Malacca Straits from Sg. Pulai in Johore to Matang in Taiping, Perak.

Seaweed ecology:- This project commence a few years after IRPA project started. Therefore the existing project was not in line with the current seaweed ecology study in the Straits of Malacca. With the limitation, the group conducted studies on seaweed communities which includes those of brown seaweed, particularly Sargassum species distribution along the Straits of Malacca, seaweed biodiversity and distribution around islands off Malacca and in degraded coral reef area at Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan and accumulation of heavy metals in two red seaweeds, Gracilaria changii and G. coronopifolia. An ancillary study was also conducted on bioremediation of treated and raw POME (palm oil effluent) using Spirulina platensis. Prof. Dr. Tadahide Noro has surveyed seaweeds the along the coast of the Straits of Malacca throughout his stay (12 May 1998 to 11 May 1999) in UPM.

Seagrass ecology:- The group conducted studies on ecology and distribution of seagrass species in at three locations along the Straits of Malacca; the northern section-Pulau Tengah, Penang, mid-section-Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan and southern section-Sungai Pulai, Johore. This will include providing the description of plant (seagrass), component flora (e.g. seaweeds) and fauna. Specimens collected through the project will be deposited in the Museum or Herbarium of the Department of Biology, Universiti Putra Malaysia for the establishment of reference collection. Different morphological variations in the same seagrass species were noted and recorded as morphological variants may be due to different ecological conditions. Associated studies also include the recording of various vegetative and reproductive structures of seagrass species. By monitoring these biological descriptors we hope to be able to categorize seagrass species as annual or perennial, whether they produce flowers, fruits and seeds continuously or periodically. Their reproductive biology is believed to be important for the propagation and maintenance of seagrass meadows or beds in a particular location. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ziyusei Kanamoto has conducted field trips at 3 locations (Middle Bank, Penang, COMAS, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan and Sungai Pulai Johore) to observe seagrasses and their habitats during the duration of his stay from 10 April to 07 May 1999.

Expected Output

Mangrove ecology:- Among the expected outputs are: biodiversity and distribution of mangroves plants of the Straits of Malacca and, tolerance of mangrove plants towards copper and aluminium.

Seaweed ecology:- The different studies will provide information on seaweed biodiversity, distribution, habitat and environmental conditions; the response of selected commercial importance seaweeds to heavy metals and the usage of seeweeds for bioremediation.

Seagrass ecology:- This project will highlight the seagrass resource identification and their habitats, where necessary provide the description of plant (seagrass), component flora (e.g. seaweeds). In addition information on temporal as well as spatial changes of flora, fauna will be provided. We hope trends or patterns can be established between seagrass areas and their floral and faunal relationships. The question on seagrass adaptive tolerance to stress due to natural or man-induced processes and, their reproductive biology which is believed to be important for the propagation and maintenance of seagrass meadows or beds in a particular location, will be addressed. Establishment of a reference collection at the Museum or Herbarium of the Department of Biology, Universiti Putra Malaysia and a database on the above subjects are the ultimate goals of this current project.

Achievement

Topics on mangroves

1. Saberi Othman. 2000. Management ecosystem and its environment along Malacca Straits. MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000, 18-20 April 2000. PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

2. Saberi Othman. 2000. Management of mangrove forest in Malaysia. A paper presented at Tokyo University of Agriculture 18 July 2000, in conjunction with the Training Awards in Japan.

 

Topics on seaweeds

1. Hishamuddin, O. and A. Jermani. 2000. Accumulation of heavy metals in red seaweeds (Gracilaria changii and G. coronopifolia). In Towards Sustainable Management of the Straits of Malacca. M. Shariff, F.M. Yusoff, N. Gopinath, H.M. Ibrahim & R.A. Nik Mustapha (eds.). p. 561-569. Malacca Straits Research and Development Centre (MASDEC), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.

2. Kennedy, A.A. and O. Hishamuddin. 2000. Bioremediation of treated and raw POME (palm oil effluent) using Spirulina platensis. Paper presented at MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000, 18-20 April 2000, PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

3. Lim Lye Har, O. Hishamuddin, B. Japar Sidik and Tadahide Noro. 2000. Survey on seaweeds community in degraded coral reef area at Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. Paper presented at MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000, 18-20 April 2000, PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

4. Noro, T., A. Kurihara and H. Omar. 2000. Brown Alga Genus Sargassum in the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In Towards Sustainable Management of the Straits of Malacca. M. Shariff, F.M. Yusoff, N. Gopinath, H.M. Ibrahim & R.A. Nik Mustapha (eds.). p. 221-231. Malacca Straits Research and Development Centre (MASDEC), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.

Topics on seagrasses

1. Japar Sidik Bujang, Z. Muta Harah, A. Mohd. Pauzi and Suleika Madhavan. 1999. Halodule species from Malaysia-distribution and morphological variation. Aquatic Botany 65: 33-45.

2. Japar Sidik, B. 1999. Public Lecture on Seagrasses at Lot 10-Photo Panel Exhibition on JICA Project in Malaysia, 26-28 August 1999.

3. Japar Sidik, B., Z. Muta Harah, M. Kusnan and H. Omar. 2000. The seagrass, Halophila decipiens (Hydrocharitaceae) from Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan: an update. In Towards Sustainable Management of the Straits of Malacca. M. Shariff, F.M. Yusoff, N. Gopinath, H.M. Ibrahim & R.A. Nik Mustapha (eds.). p. 233-238. Malacca Straits Research and Development Centre (MASDEC), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.

4. Japar Sidik, B., Z. Muta Harah, A.R. Fadzrullah and B. Kamin. 2000. New observations on Halophila spinulosa (R. Br.) Aschers. in Neumayer, Malaysia. Bio. Mar. Medit. 7(2): 67-70.

5. Japar Sidik B., Z. Muta Harah, Z. Kanamoto and A. Mohd. Pauzi. 2000. The status of seagrass communities of the Straits of Malacca. MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000. 18-20 April 2000, PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

6. Japar Sidik B., Z. Muta Harah, A. Aziz and A. Mohd. Pauzi. 2000. Responses of Halophila ovalis and Cymodocea serrulata under the shade of Enhalus acoroides. MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000. 18-20 April 2000, PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

7. Japar Sidik B., N. Satoshi and M. Vijay. 2000. On morphology of Halophila stipulacea (Forrsk.) Aschers., Halophila minor (Zoll.) den Hartog from Mauritus and Halophila sp. from Amakusa, Kyushu, Japan. MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000. 18-20 April 2000, PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

8. Aziz A., Japar Sidik, B. and Z. Muta Harah. 2000. Fishes associated with seagrass habitat. MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000. 18-20 April 2000, PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

9. Abu Hena, M.K., K., Misri, B. Japar Sidik, O. Hishamuddin and H. Hashim. 2000. A study of leaf growth and productivity of tropical eelgrass Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. In Towards Sustainable Management of the Straits of Malacca. M. Shariff, F.M. Yusoff, N. Gopinath, H.M. Ibrahim & R.A. Nik Mustapha (eds.). p. 277-284. Malacca Straits Research and Development Centre (MASDEC), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.

10. Abu Hena, M.K., K., Misri, B. Japar Sidik, O. Hishamuddin and H. Hidir. 2000. Photosynthetic Responses and Depth Distribution of Dugong Grass Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers. at Teluk Kemang Seagrass Bed, Malaysia. MASDEC-JICA Project Workshop 2000. 18-20 April 2000, PEL, UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

 

Thesis

1. Lee Chii Nuo. 1999. Seagrasses and macroalgae communities in the intertidal and subtidal waters of Teluk kemang, 7^th mile Port Dickson. Bachelor of Science, Final Year Project, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies. 146 pp.

2. Lim Lye Har. 2000. Survey of seaweeds in shallow coastal intertidal area, islands off Malacca and Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan. Bachelor of Science, Final Year Project, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.

3. Ng Lay Choo. 1999. The morphology and anatomy of Cymodocea serrulata (R.Br.) Aschers. & Magnus and Cymodocea rotundata Ehrenb. Hempr. Ex Aschers. Bachelor of Science, Final Year Project, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies. 114 pp.

4. Thum Lee Yong. 1999. A study on Enhalus acoroides (l.f.) Royle and its starch content. Bachelor of Science, Final Year Project, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies. 77 pp.

5. Tiang Sung Ann. 2000. The morphology and anatomy of Halophila ovalis (R. Brown Hooker), Halophila minor (Zollinger) Den Hartog and Halophila stipulacea (Forsskal) Ascherson. Bachelor of Science, Final Year Project, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies. 99 pp.

Researcher