Willingness to Pay For Mangroves Conservation By The Local Communities in Salut Mengkabong Lagoon, Tuaran Sabah

This research aimed to investigate the Willingness to Pay (WTP) for mangrove conservation of local communities at Salut Mengkabong Lagoon, Tuaran based on the amount of fees imposed on them. The content is based on questionnaire survey provided to local communities from Mangrove Forest Produce (MFP) to their perception in conservation programme. The survey was conducted with a priod of 7 month started from September 2016 until March 2017. Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was used to calculate the Willingness to Pay (WTP) whereby 100 respondents were asked to complete the questionnaire. From the analysis, it showed that the WTP of local communities were affected by their monthly income. Regression model analysis with WTP = -0.087* (monthly income) + 1.789 has been formed. Whereas, the value of mangrove forest produce (MFP) in Salut Mengkabong Lagoon has been calculated with atotal of RM728 for the direct product while for the non-direct products such as crab, bivalves, seashells and fishes cost about RM721 to RM2472 in a year. The study documented mangrove forest contribution to local communities in Salut Mengkabong Lagoon such as timber; Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia spp, Seafood; Scylla serrata, Geloina coaxans, various type of fishes and seashell. From the result, it was hope that this study can promote a win-win situation to both local community and stakeholders to come out with an effective supervision to ensure the long-lasting dependency of local communities to the mangrove forests without undermining their socio-economic wellbeing

Coastal processes and Geomorphologic characteristics of major coastal town in east Sabah for assesment of Tsunami impacts

The major coastal town of East Sabah, comprising of Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau are characterized by extensive mangrove swamps, narrow sandy beaches and rocky coastlines. Most of the town areas are built on reclaimed mangrove swamps. The Sandakan and Tawau town areas are exposed to the open Sulu and Celebes seas, respectively, whereas the towns of Lahad Datu and Semporna are sheltered from the open sea by the Sakar and Bum-bum islands, respectively. Numerical tsunami modeling, using worse-case scenarios indicate that all towns are exposed to tsunami waves up to 2 meters within 1 hour time. On a regional scale, Tawau area is found to be exposed to highest risk of tsunami due to its narrow shelf, followed by Sandakan and Lahad Datu areas. On a local scale, areas found to be of highest risks are settlements located along the coast, especially water villages located in all the town areas. Based on tsunami risk maps prepared for each town, a general plan for tsunami hazard mitigation is proposed, which includes tsunami hazard emergency evacuation route maps for each town area

Variations in the Physicochemical Water Parameters and Phytoplankton Community in Coastal Water of Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia

This study was conducted to observe the abundance and distribution of phytoplankton and temporal and spatial variation physico-chemical water parameters in coastal water of Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia. Water samples and in-situ water quality parameters were taken from five selected locations from May 2019 to February 2020. The sampling location was selected based on human-induced activities such as Marina Resort’s Jetty (ST1), Sabah Ports’ Jetty (ST2), aquaculture cage/pent (ST3), river’s mouth (ST4) and Landung Ayang’s water village (ST5). Water parameters: pH, salinity (ppt), dissolved oxygen (mg/L) temperature (˚C) and depth (m) were recorded once every month from the selected station. Identification of phytoplanktonic species and cell density (cell/mL) were determined from collected water samples. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between physicochemical parameters to months were observed during the study period. However, in spatial variations, significant differences (p < 0.05) of pH, dissolved oxygen (mg/L) and temperature (˚C) observed. A total of 21 phytoplankton species were identified from the study area, where 4 species belonged to Dinophyceae (HABs blooming species) and 17 species belonged to Bacillariophyceae. The influences of physicochemical water parameters were not significant in phytoplankton diversity and abundance. In addition to these parameters, the nutrients in the water might have important roles in the blooming of phytoplankton, which are essential and vital to address in this type of research

Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs Degradation at West Lombok, Indonesia

Coral reefs are one of the ecosystems that provide economic and environmental benefits to coastal communities in Indonesia. However, coral reef ecosystems are also one of the ecosystems threatened by climate change at the local scale. The waters of North Sekotong, West Lombok, Indonesia, are a tropical coastal system with beautiful coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Coral reef damage has been widespread in this area due to increased water temperatures. Increased water temperature results in coral reef degradation. Field surveys were conducted on May 23-28, 2016, in collaboration with the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and coral reef mapping using Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 during 2002 - 2016 as well as processing monthly sea surface temperature (SST) data from the AquaModis and Oi SST V2 satellites and daily SST data from the NOAA Coral Reef Watch satellite. Changes in coral cover area were compared with temperature changes due to climate change. The increase in temperature creates a hotspot phenomenon in the coral reef ecosystem, resulting in coral reef degradation. The results showed that coral reefs in this area have degraded by 17.55% or 78.21 Ha from 455.68 Ha (2002) to 367.46 Ha (2016), with a degradation rate of 2.8 Ha/year in 2002 - 2014; 8.1 Ha/year (2014 - 2014) and 36 Ha/year (2015 - 2016) caused by an increase in SST which caused a hotspot phenomenon with a high enough intensity that there was an increase in temperature in 2016 which reached 9.77oC

Penilaian Indek Kerentanan Sosio-Ekonomi Terhadap Kenaikan Paras Laut Sepanjang Pesisir Pantai Timur Semenanjung Malaysia

Sejak kebelakangan ini kesan kenaikan paras air laut sering dibincangkan di seluruh dunia khasnya negara-negara maritim, negara yang berada di bawah paras laut dan negara kepulauan. Kenaikan paras air laut ini mengakibatkan kemusnahan kawasan di pesisir pantai terutamanya dari segi sosio-ekonomi. Kenaikan paras air laut juga menyumbang kepada &nbsp;hakisan pantai, banjir dan kemasukan air masin ke kawasan daratan. Ini mengakibatkan penduduk pesisir pantai kehilangan punca pencarian akibat dari kemusnahan ekosistem dan kerosakan harta benda. Salah satu kedah mengukur tahap kerentanan disebabkan oleh kenaikan aras laut ialah&nbsp; dengan &nbsp;menggunakan jangkaan kenaikan paras laut tempatan tahunan dan pelbagai pembolehubah sosio-ekonomi. Tahap kerentanan dapat memberi maklumat untuk perancangan adaptasi bagi kawasan yang dinilai. Oleh itu, objektif kajian ini ialah mengenalpasti tahap indek kemusnahan dan Penilaian Indek Kerentanan sosio-ekonomi penduduk pesisir pantai. Kajian di jalankan di empat buah negeri sepanjang pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia iaitu Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang dan Johor merangkumi 15 daerah pesisir pantai bermula dari Tumpat, Kelantan sehingga ke Kota Tinggi, Johor. Tiga parameter sosio-ekonomi diambil kira iaitu kualiti kehidupan, nilai ekonomi dan infrastruktur. Ketiga-tiga parameter ini dinilai dengan menggunakan indek kemusnahan sosial dan dipetakan menggunakan perisian ArcGIS 2010. Hasil kajian mendapati Kuantan merupakan daerah yang mempunyai indek kemusnahan paling tinggi bagi keseluruhan parameter yang diukur. Langka berjaga-jaga dan &nbsp;pencegahan dari kerajaan dan bukan kerajaan perlu diambilkira&nbsp; untuk mengurangkan kerentanan sosio-ekonomi akaibat dari kesan&nbsp; kenaikan paras laut. &nbsp;&nbsp

Diversity Of Mangroves Ecosystem in Semporna Mangrove Forest

The aim of this study is to determine the diversity and density of mangrove tree species as well as to compare the diameter distribution of mangrove species in Semporna mangrove area. Two types of study area were compared the non-disturbed and disturbed mangrove areas in Semporna. The non-disturbed mangrove areas that were selected were distant from local settlements namely Sg. Sipit, Sum-sum, Tong Tabataba, Hampalan, Bantau-bantau and Sg. Gajah. While Kalumpang, Kg. Tanjung Kapur, Kg. Salimbangun, Kg. Parang Tangah, Pangkalangan, Labuan Senang and Proboscis monkey area were selected as disturbed mangrove areas due to their location close to settlements. A total of 30 rectangular plots were established randomly, each measuring 20 x 10 m. Each site consists of 3 separate plots and the minimum sampling area was 0.6 ha. From the findings, 26 species were identified at both disturbed and non-disturbed mangrove area. The mean diameter at breast height (DBH) at disturbed mangrove area ranges from 10-20 cm, as compared to 20-35 cm in non-disturbed mangrove area. Besides, the value of the mangrove species diversity in non-disturbed mangrove area is less diverse with Shannon-Weiner (H’) = 0.711 as compared to disturbed mangrove area which has a higher value with H’ = 1.725. The diameter distribution graph indicated both areas show an inverse J-curve shape which represents an even-aged tree stand structure. However, the graph showing disturbed mangrove area revealed more scattered and randomly distributed tree stands. This is due to local community activities in that area such as collection of wood and firewood for personal use. The species Rhizophora apiculata is the most common species counted in most of the disturbed mangrove area with the highest Important Value Index (IVI) value of 173.6, as opposed to Rhizophora mucronata which is most dominant in nearly all of the non-disturbed mangrove area. The results show that the disturbed mangrove area has higher tree diversity, and the tree stands are less dense as compared to non-disturbed mangrove area. It is recommended that more similar studies and longtime monitoring should be conducted in these areas in the future

Effect of water parameters on the behaviour of Indo-Pacific humpback and Irrawaddy dolphins in Cowie Bay, Sabah, Malaysia

Many dolphin species around the world are found generally in coastal areas and may be affected by water parameters. Of particular attention are two species of dolphin inhabiting the Cowie Bay on the eastern coast of Sabah; the Indo-Pacific Humpback (Sousa chinensis) and Irrawaddy (Orcaella brevirostris) dolphins. The objective of this study is to determine effects of water parameters (sea surface temperature (SST), salinity and turbidity) on the behaviour (feeding, socializing and travelling) of the two dolphin species. A boat-based survey was conducted monthly from April 2008 to March 2009 (one year) during spring and neap tides. There were 47 surveys conducted for both species. Irrawaddy dolphins were found in 43 surveys (91.5%). The feeding and socializing behaviour of Irrawaddy dolphins were positively correlated with SST and negatively correlated with turbidity. None of the water parameters affected dolphins’ travelling behaviour. The behaviour of the Irrawaddy dolphin was not correlated with salinity. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins were found only in 41 surveys (87.2%) where its behaviour did not correlate with any water parameters. The socio-economic activities such as logging, agriculture and fisheries highly contribute to suspended sediment and also contribute to high water turbidity in the bay. These are possible causes for the changing of water parameters and may affect the food chain of vast marine life including dolphins. As a recommendation, those activities should be controlled and an the application of sustainable development practices in order to sustain the dolphin population in the bay

Seagrass coverage and associated fauna at Gaya Island, Sabah, Malaysia: a pilot seagrass transplantation

Seagrasses provide a range of marine ecosystem services. These include coastal protection, biodiversity, provision of food for various organisms, breeding and nursery habitats for many marine species, and carbon storage. Increasing anthropogenic pressures have contributed to the decline of seagrass habitats. Transplantation is one of the solutions to increase seagrass coverage and resilience. What is often overlooked, however, is the ability of this tropical ecosystem to attract and support faunal assemblages that may impinge on the success of the transplantation. A pilot study on seagrass transplantation at Gaya Island (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) was intended for observing its stability and species of fauna that develop association with this vegetation. The study covered the southwest and northeast monsoons. Mixed seagrass species were planted on approximately 50% of 30 m 2 transplantation areas. Monitoring of the planted seagrass was carried out in five phases (T1-T5) from September 2016 to April 2018. Weekly observations were made by SCUBA diving. Identification of associated fauna was done on the spot and was based on morphological characteristics. During the T1 (September to December 2016) the seagrass coverage was reduced to 41% due to strong waves generated by the northeast monsoon. However, the seagrass coverage increased ( 66 %) during the southwest monsoon (T2 -T4) in 2017. In early 2018 (T5), the seagrass coverage again reduced (about 18%) due to strong waves but recovered again at the end of the monitoring period (April 2018). A total of 30 species of fauna that were identified consisted of 9 resident and 21 non-resident species. Physical structure of transplanted seagrass created a microhabitat, and increased the food availability and abundance, which attracted many species of different trophic levels

Impacts of Associated Fauna on Seagrass During The Conditioning Period In Husbandry Tanks: Gaya Island, Sabah, Malaysia Case Study

Sustainability of seagrass restoration raised concern especially limitation and condition of donor seagrass meadows. To counter this, “gardening” approach can be applied by growing seagrass shoots asexually and sexually in a nursery facility. This study was carried out to identify the fauna species associated with seagrass in the husbandry tanks at Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC), Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Associated fauna was identified to the lowest taxa, while their behaviour and potential impacts on seagrass growth were recorded weekly for 9 months (April 2016 to December 2016). Bite marks on the seagrass leaves were reconfirmed through isolation of fauna with seagrass leaves. Total of 18 species of fauna identified, mostly were mesograzers foraging on seagrass or epiphytic algae. Those are polychaeta, grammarid amphipod, sphaeromatid isopod, sea hares, nerites snails and greenspine sea urchin which left specific bite marks on the seagrass leaves. Also, there is discovery of boring bivalve residing inside the rhizome of the seagrass. Quarantine protocol should implement in the future nursery facility, by removing harmful organisms and introduce beneficial organisms as biological control, to ensure higher survival and growth of seagrass