Sediment Accretion and Variabllity of Sedimentological Characteristics of a Tropical Estuarine Mangrove: Kemaman, Terengganu

The study on the sediment accretion and variability of sedimentological characteristics were conducted on an estuarine mangrove in the Kemaman district with the aims of determining the average annual accretion rate, the monthly accretion rate variability, sediment distribution and its variability within the mangrove area. The study was conducted over a two year period starting from September 1993 to August 1995. The average accretion rate for the first and second year of study were found to be 0.66 cm/yr and 1.46 cm/yr respectively, while the average for the entire study period was 1.06 cm/yr. Accretion rate rate was found to be higher at the front mangrove and gradually becoming smaller towards the back mangrove. This trend was found to be true for both the monsoon and the non-monsoon seasons. Nevertheless, the accretion rate on the entire mangrove area was higher during the monsoon months compared to the non-monsoon months. Sedimentologically. the surface sediment of the Kemaman mangrove consists of sediment ranging from very fine sand to medium silt. The surface sediment tended to become finer, better sorted and more positively skewed towards the back mangrove. The average of mean size of surface sediment was found to be 4. 17 phi (coarse silt). The average of standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis of the surface sediment were 1.99 phi (poorly sorted), 0.05 (symmetrical) and 2.33 phi (very leptokurtic), respectively. While the parameters of mean size and skewness do not differ between the monsoon and the non-monsoon seasons, the parameters of standard deviation and kurtosis tended to become better sorted and more peaked respectively during the monsoon season. The higher accretion rates indicate that the Kemaman mangrove is still in the process of finding an equilibrium level with the major environmental forces affecting it. It is also interesting to note that the accretion rates during the monsoon season are significantly high compared to the non-monsoon season indicating the role of the monsoon in supplying sediments to the mangrove area

Harmonizing the Tenth Malaysia Plan priorities with the new economic model and the green world order

The New Economic Model (NEM) integrates innovative ideas in socio‐economic development of Malaysia. Specifically, it aims at achieving high income, sustainability and inclusiveness in the economic transformation through this new policy initiative. NEM will build resilience into the economic system for sustainable benefits to the society. The sustainability dimension of NEM will require focus on natural resources. This is achievable by aligning our activities with the new concept of ‘Green World Order’. Under this concept, there is a need for making changes in our activities. Development planning will require resetting in the light of environmental limitations to achieve the goals of NEM. With the valuation of ecosystem services becoming increasingly important, we should pursue this matter with a sense of urgency for positioning Malaysia as a major player in the global environmental governance and claimant to a substantial stake in the fund to mitigate the effects of climate change. Out of US$33 trillion per year as the economic value of world ecosystems, our resources such as forests, mangroves and seagrasses, wetlands and groundwater recharge systems, coral refs and ability to implement green technology projects should enable the country to have a significant stake and role in global environmental mitigation programs. With an effective action plan, Malaysia can take advantage of the growing carbon market and green economy. Investment in carbon sinks should be a sort of foreign direct investment free of strings and riders while supporting our national goals of food security, environmental conservation, education, health care and socio‐economic development. However, we need to develop expertise to deal with international institutions in carbon economy. We propose setting up an autonomous center to address all such matters related to human resource needs and global environmental governance to position Malaysia for a fair share of benefits that will accrue

Species diversity and abundance of Euphylliidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia) corals in Tioman, Redang and Payar Islands, Peninsular Malaysia

The number of endangered coral species is increasing over the past decades due to multiple stresses and threats. Euphylliidae corals are among the species heavily targeted for the marine aquarium trade due to their colourful appearance and aesthetic importance. However, their distribution in Peninsular Malaysia has not been thoroughly investigated. Present study aims to investigate the diversity and abundance patterns of euphylliid species at 36 reef sites in Marine Protected Areas of Tioman, Redang and Payar Islands. Video transect surveyed a total of 671 euphylliids individuals belonging to six species from three genera. The diversity and evenness indices of euphylliids were significantly higher (P<0.05) in Tioman compared to Redang and Payar Islands. Based on the total number of euphylliids recorded in the study areas, Euphyllia ancora (29.5%) was found to be the most dominant in Tioman, Plerogyra sinuosa (92.3%) in Redang and Physogyra lichtensteini (98.0%) in Payar. Current findings suggest that the combined factors of habitat heterogeneity, especially the reef morphology and substratum condition, and anthropogenic impacts have most likely influenced the distribution of this endangered coral species in Peninsular Malaysia

Dispersal pattern of coral larvae in Kuantan coastal waters, Malaysia

Understanding source and sink pattern of coral larvae is among the key elements for effective ecosystem management and future habitat restoration. This study examined dispersal pattern of coral larvae among three known inshore reefs (Pulau Ular, Balok Reef and Raja Muda reef) in Kuantan coastal waters by simulating virtual larvae trajectories during spawning event in 2018. Dispersal pathways were mod elled and constructed by incorporating biological traits (timing of spawning and pelagic larvae duration) using Langragian particle tracking module integrated with 2-dimensional, hydrodynamic, flexible network model (MIKE 21 FM). Results indicated that Acroporid larvae moved in southward direction throughout dispersal period. Source and sink dynamic suggested that Pulau Ular has high larvae retention (70%) in which most of larvae originated from natal reef. Balok reef was dominant source of larvae for Raja Muda reef. Results also indicated that patches reefs near Raja Muda was ideal sink site for coral larvae and sh ould be prioritized for future ecosystem management action

Beach Erosion Variabiltiy during a Northeast Monsoon: The Kuala Setiu Coastline, Terengganu, Malaysia

It is widely accepted that beach erosion occuning along the coastline of the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia is caused solely by the large waves of the northeast monsoon seasons. However, this study, which monitored 9 beach profile stations before and after a NE monsoon along a 25-km stretch of the Kuala Setiu coastline showed that only 2 of the 9 stations -located on both sides of the Setiu estuary river mouth - were eroded. The others showed accretion or negligible changes. Thus the assumption that the monsoon waves are the sole cause of beach erosion cannot be applied to all eroding coastlines. For some coastlines, theassumption may be only partly true. Wave refraction analyses show that, beside the large monsoon waves, the offshore bottom bathymetry and island shelters act as si~ specific factors either to help focus or disperse the energy of the monsoon waves to cause localized erosion or accretion. It is thus imperative that the modifYing effect of bottom topography and island shelters on monsoonal waves be considered if proper beach management policies and erosion mitigation measures are to be effective

Harmonizing the Tenth Malaysia Plan Priorities with the New Economic Model and the Green World Order

The New Economic Model (NEM) is a need-based concept intended to integrate innovative ideas in chartering the path of socio-economic development of Malaysia. NEM is timely for building resilience into the economic systems through the participation of all, and for the benefit of all sections of the society. In a high income society, there will have to be value for money and money for value, reduction in subsidies, efficient fiscal management to reduce unnecessary expenditure, management of value-added and market-driven products and services, revamping of the education system, reviewing of R&D priorities, enhancing staff efficiency, less discussion for more action, less paper work for more output, and realistic targets for delivery. The sustainability dimension of NEM should envisage sustainable management of natural resources. This is achievable by aligning our activities with the new concept of ‘Green World Order’ which expands the existing peace and stability mottos of the World Order to include environment and sustainability. Under this concept there is a need for making changes in our activities. For example, short-term economic gains at the expense of long-term benefits that produce footprints of irreversible damage have to be addressed. Our development planning requires resetting in the light of environmental limitations to achieve the goals of NEM. With the valuation of the ecosystem services becoming increasingly important, we should pursue this matter aggressively to seek best deals for the natural resources we are blessed with. We can claim a substantial amount of international climate change mitigation funds because some of our resources (forests, mangroves and coral reefs) are carbon sinks which international agencies are seeking for investment. This not only generates resources for conservation but also brings dividends to the custodians of the carbon sinks. With an effective action plan, Malaysia can take advantage of the growing carbon market and green economy. The main elements of the proposed action plan are discussed in this paper.   Keywords: Development plan, green perspectives, economic model.