14.5 – Maintaining a local ecosystem

14.5.2 – Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is committed to safeguarding aquatic ecosystems through comprehensive monitoring programs that assess ecosystem health, identify pollutants, and track biodiversity. By partnering with institutions like the Fisheries Research Institute, UKM conducts regular sampling and analysis of water quality and contaminants, such as heavy metals, to ensure sustainable management of aquatic environments. These initiatives reflect UKM dedication to environmental stewardship and align with global conservation goals, supporting the resilience and vitality of marine and freshwater ecosystems for future generations.

Ecomarine 

Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has taken a significant step forward through the Ecomarine initiative, which targets the protection of marine life from various human and environmental threats, including climate change, plastic marine debris, overfishing, and habitat degradation. This initiative includes the establishment of four cutting-edge Marine Monitoring Labs across Malaysia and India, co-funded by the ERASMUS+ Programme of the European Union. These labs are equipped with advanced technologies that allow for precise tracking and analysis of marine ecosystem health, providing essential data on pollution levels, biodiversity status, and the impacts of climate change. The main goal of Ecomarine is to improve the management and functionality of conservation monitoring labs within higher education institutions, ensuring they can effectively support marine conservation efforts. At UKM, this translates into an enhanced capacity for research and real-time monitoring of oceanic environments, which plays a crucial role in informing sustainable marine resource management. Ecomarine also emphasizes capacity building and knowledge exchange, offering training programs for scientists, faculty, and stakeholders across Malaysia and India. This focus on skill development ensures that participants are equipped with the latest methods and tools for monitoring and protecting marine ecosystems. By empowering staff and students, UKM not only strengthens its commitment to marine conservation but also prepares future leaders in marine science and environmental protection, expanding its impact from local waters to the broader Southeast Asian region.

Ecomarine monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems at UKM

UKM actively monitors the health of aquatic ecosystems through collaborations with both national and international institutions, utilizing advanced methodologies and consistent data collection. This involves establishing Marine Monitoring Labs as part of the ECOMARINE project and engaging with the Fisheries Research Institute to assess mercury contamination in fish populations. Additionally, UKM collaborates with agencies like the Department of Environment (DOE), which conducts regular assessments of water quality across multiple parameters, including heavy metals, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. Through these initiatives, UKM contributes to the conservation and understanding of aquatic ecosystems, striving to mitigate pollution impacts and support biodiversity preservation. 

UKM employs a multi-faceted approach to monitor and protect the health of aquatic ecosystems, leveraging advanced research partnerships, laboratory facilities, and collaboration with national environmental agencies. Key elements of UKM’s approach include:

1. Marine Monitoring Labs: As part of the ECOMARINE project, UKM has established state-of-the-art Marine Monitoring Labs to collect and analyze data on marine ecosystems. These labs are equipped to monitor critical indicators such as water quality, biodiversity, pollution levels, and the impacts of climate change. Through this initiative, UKM can track pollutants like heavy metals, assess marine biodiversity health, and observe ecosystem changes in real-time, which provides a foundation for effective conservation strategies.
2. Fish Contamination Studies: UKM collaborates with the Fisheries Research Institute to conduct fish sampling and analyze contamination levels, particularly focusing on mercury, a hazardous heavy metal. This research assesses the extent of mercury contamination within fish populations, which has direct implications for public health, biodiversity, and water quality. These findings support efforts to reduce pollution sources and guide safer marine resource management.
3. Partnership with the Department of Environment (DOE): UKM works with the DOE to assess water quality across multiple parameters essential to ecosystem health, such as dissolved oxygen, nutrient levels, salinity, and presence of heavy metals. DOE’s assessments offer baseline data for UKM’s studies, helping to monitor water quality trends over time and identify pollution hotspots.
4. Climate Change Impact Studies: UKM’s research on climate impacts, such as rising sea temperatures, acidification, and coral bleaching, plays a vital role in understanding how climate change affects marine ecosystems. By documenting these impacts, UKM helps anticipate future environmental challenges and supports the development of adaptation strategies for coastal and marine biodiversity.
5. Capacity Building and Training: Through programs like ECOMARINE, UKM trains students, faculty, and local stakeholders in marine monitoring techniques and ecosystem management. This hands-on training ensures that UKM has a skilled workforce capable of ongoing ecosystem monitoring, further strengthening conservation efforts.
6. Community and Policy Engagement: UKM actively engages with policymakers, industry, and local communities to share research findings and raise awareness about pollution prevention, sustainable fishing, and habitat conservation. This engagement helps align UKM’s research with national marine conservation policies and supports community involvement in protecting aquatic ecosystems.

By integrating research, collaboration, and capacity building, UKM contributes meaningfully to the monitoring and preservation of Malaysia’s aquatic ecosystems. These efforts help protect biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and provide critical data that can influence marine conservation policies and sustainable management practices.

Source: https://ecomarine-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/D1.1-Marine-ecosystem-monitoring-in-Malaysia-and-India_20211123.pdf