14.5 – Maintaining a local ecosystem

14.5.1 – Minimizing alteration of aquatic ecosystems (plan)

Through its Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, UKM is committed to minimizing the alteration of aquatic ecosystems by establishing a structured policy focused on preserving marine biodiversity. By implementing sustainable practices, monitoring ecosystem health, and collaborating with institutions like the Fisheries Research Institute, UKM actively protects aquatic habitats from degradation. This approach, guided by research on pollutants like mercury and informed by climate impact studies, underscores UKM’s dedication to sustainable resource management, aligning with SDG 14 to safeguard marine life for future generations.

UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030

• Creating a policy on marine ecosystem and biodiversity:

The UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 under SDG 14 emphasizes the creation of a policy dedicated to preserving marine ecosystems and biodiversity across UKM natural laboratories. This initiative, part of Objective 9: Preserving the Marine Ecosystem, sets a clear target to develop guidelines that will promote sustainable practices, prevent ecosystem degradation, and protect marine biodiversity. Led by the Head of SDG 14, this policy will establish a structured approach to managing marine resources responsibly, with a focus on minimizing human impact, supporting habitat preservation, and aligning with national and global marine conservation goals. By implementing this policy, UKM aims to foster a sustainable campus environment that actively contributes to the protection and resilience of marine life for future generations.

Source: https://www.ukm.my/kelestarian/data/publications/UKM-SUSTAINABILITY-STRATEGIC-PLAN-2030.pdf

Minimizing alteration of aquatic ecosystems at UKM 

Through collaborations with institutions like the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) and the Institute of Climate Change (IPI), UKM conducts research on aquatic ecosystem health, such as monitoring heavy metals (e.g., mercury) in fish populations. These programs provide data to inform pollution control measures and promote sustainable management.

1. Fish sampling  with the Fisheries Research Institute

In August 2023, an industrial attachment program was established between the Institute of Climate Change (IPI) at UKM and the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) of Malaysia. This collaborative initiative focused on fish sampling to monitor mercury contamination, specifically targeting heavy metals in Malaysian waters. The primary objective of the program was to assess the levels of mercury, a hazardous pollutant, in fish populations, which can have significant implications for both ecosystem health and human consumption.

Throughout this attachment, researchers and students from UKM IPI worked closely with FRI experts to collect and analyze fish samples from various locations in Malaysian waters. The sampling involved rigorous testing and data collection to detect and measure mercury levels in fish tissues, providing critical insights into the extent of contamination in marine environments. This data not only supports public health by identifying potential risks associated with mercury exposure through seafood but also contributes to broader environmental monitoring efforts. The findings from this program are expected to inform policy recommendations, helping to strengthen regulations on pollution control, especially in industries that contribute to heavy metal discharge. By engaging in this industrial attachment, UKM demonstrates its commitment to addressing climate change and pollution issues, while fostering practical research experiences for its students in real-world environmental conservation projects.

2. Teluk Bahang Water Catchment Study & Reservoir Operations Tool

The Teluk Bahang Water Catchment Study & Reservoir Operations Tool document provides an analysis of interannual rainfall variations over Penang, Malaysia, with a focus on the Teluk Bahang water catchment area. The study investigates how large-scale climate phenomena, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), impact rainfall patterns in Malaysia. ENSO influences cause variations in rainfall, leading to anomalous dry and wet years, which have implications for water management and reservoir operations.

The document explains that ENSO affects rainfall predictability on an interannual time scale across Malaysia, with varying impacts depending on the seasonal monsoon regimes. The study constructed a monthly rainfall anomaly index, using data from January 1982 to September 2020 from various rainfall stations. This index helps assess the spatial homogeneity of rainfall anomalies and their linkage to ENSO phases. The findings are essential for understanding rainfall patterns in Penang and for optimizing reservoir operations in the Teluk Bahang catchment, especially in managing water resources during fluctuating climate conditions.

Source: https://www.ukm.my/kelestarian/data/sdg14/DHI-WATER-CATCHMENT.pdf