Biodiversity in malaysia

Biodiversity in MalaysiaHAFIZ HIUMW

BIODIVERSITY• The term biodiversity was coined

only in the late 1980s. • Abbrev. “biological diversity” • Biodiversity combines these

concepts in one term• plants and animal as genetic resources• diversity of species and the habitats in

which they live• The present usage of the term =

biodiversity is the totality and variety of living organisms on earth

• Malaysia ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994 - 65th country to do so

DIVERSITY• Genetic diversity - variation within

and between populations of species, measured in terms of the variations of genes in the populations.

• Species diversity - number of species of living organisms on earth.

• Ecosystem diversity - variety of habitats, biotic communities and ecological processes in terrestrial, marine and other aquatic environments in a particular area• together with the processes and

interactions that take place within and between these systems.

BIODIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA• Malaysia has only 0.2% of the world’s land

mass, its diversity of flora and fauna species makes it one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity per unit area - 2nd only to Indonesia in South East Asia.

• The 2001 Global Diversity Outlook recognised Malaysia as one of the 12 mega-diversity countries in the world.

• The number of species in Malaysia uncertain especially the smaller organisms such as insects and worms.

• best estimate = more than 170,000 species in Malaysia.

• There are still many species that have not been discovered and studied.

Factors contributing to Msian Biodiversity• Large number due to

wet tropical climate, favourable conditions for the growth and evolution of plants and animals

• presence of great diversity of habitats (seas, rivers, forests and mountains)

• great age of the forests, which have existed continuously for over 130 million years

EXOTIC MALAYSIAN SPECIES• Orang Utan• Tapir / Tenuk• Binturong• Sambar Deer• Mousedeer (Kancil)• Rafflesia Flower• Irrawaddy Dolphin• Sun Bear (smallest

bear in the world

CONSERVATION IN MALAYSIAArea Species

ConservedNotes

Kabili Sepilok Sanctuary, Sabah

Orangutan orphaned orangutans are trained to survive again in the wild and are released as soon as they are ready

Danum Valley Conservation Area

Dipterocarp trees

Rafflesia Forest Reserve

Rafflesia flowers

Kuala Selangor Elephants and Fireflies

Santubong, Sarawak Dolphins Visitors can kayak alongside dolphins

Jenderak Conservation centre

Seladang (wild ox)

Threats on biodiversity• Extinct• Extinct (in the Wild)

• Critically Endangered • Endangered • Vulnerable

• At lower risk• Conservation Dependent • Near Threatened • Least Concern

Endangered Species in Malaysia• The Sumatran rhino• Hornbills – eaten, for mystic purpose• Malayan tiger – shrinking hunting ground• seladang (gaur or wild cattle)• Dhole (Wild dog)• Leopard

• clouded leopard• Wildcats

• golden cat• marbled cat• flat headed cat

• horseshoe bat• Black Shrew• serow (mountain goat)• Sirenia (dugong)• Leatherback turtle• Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)

Porbeagle (Lamna nasus), a powerful, medium-sized shark highly valued for its meat and fins

Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias), a smaller, slender white-spotted shark also known as rock salmon, used in fish and chips in the United Kingdom

Saw fish (Pristidae spp.), whose distinctive saw-like snouts are sold as souvenirs and ceremonial weapons while other body parts are used for traditional medicines

Extinction• The fundamental units of life,

the species, have been disappearing at 100 to 1,000 times the natural rates of extinction

• According to a report by the World Commission on Dams, 20% of freshwater fish have gone extinct

• 13% of all plants are endangered.

• Other scientific studies estimate that 22% to 40% of plants will be extinct by 2050

Thylacine (Tasmanian Zebra-Wolf)

Extinct Malaysian species• Javan rhinoceros• Javan tiger• Leatherback turtle • Extinct in wild and some parts of

Terengganu• Nesting areas lost

• Vietnamese rhinoceros• Clouded Leopard

Zoo Negara Written Report• At least 3 animals for each class (Aves, Mammalia,

Insecta etc)• Include• Picture• Name• Genus, species• Characteristic (habitat, morphology, behavior etc)

• Deadline : Next Friday

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