Mangroves of Malaysia

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter on Mangroves of Malaysia begins with a brief introduction on the geography of Malaysia, consisting of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak separated by the South China Sea. Information on the population, land area, and area of mangroves in Malaysia is presented. The largest area of mangroves is in Sabah, followed by Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Globally, Malaysia’s mangroves rank sixth in country area after Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Nigeria. In Malaysia, mangroves are classified into permanent forest reserves (PFRs) which consist of protection forest reserves, domestic forest reserves, mangrove forest reserves (MFRs), virgin jungle reserves (VJRs), and wildlife reserves. The other categories are state land mangroves and gazetted conservation areas. The other main sections of the chapter are Biodiversity; Livelihoods; Threats to Mangrove Ecosystems; and Restoration, Conservation, and Management. These sections are strengthened by six case studies. They include proboscis monkeys of Labuk Bay, Sabah; new genus and species of mangrove crab; mangrove wood carvings by the Mah Meri tribe; charcoal production in Matang, Peninsular Malaysia; wood vinegar production in Matang, Peninsular Malaysia; and long-term ecological research at Sepilok Laut, Sabah. These case studies highlight the sound management of mangroves in Malaysia. The section on Restoration, Conservation, and Management includes a success story of mangrove rehabilitation at Sungai ISME (International Society of Mangrove Ecosystems), a collaboration between the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and the International Society of Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME). Compared to mangrove rehabilitation projects in Kiribati and Gujarat implemented by ISME, the project in Sabah scores strongly in accessibility, collaboration, objectives, publicity, capacity building, voluntary participation, and sustainability. Learning from these examples can help in the development of a mangrove action plan (MAP) for Malaysia where a policy of integrated coastal management ensures the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems and their ecological services.KeywordsCase studiesMangrove action planMangrove rehabilitationMatangPermanent forest reservesSepilok LautSungai ISME