Biodiversity in Malaysia - the Kinabatangan Basin

According to the World Development Indicators, while Malaysia has only 0.2% of the land mass of the world, it has one of the richest biodiversity of fauna and flora in the world, second only to Indonesia in South East Asia. The 2001 Global Diversity Outlook recognized Malaysia as one of the 12 mega-diversity countries in the world, hosting grounds to more than 170 000 of fauna and flora species.

This is due to:

The wet tropical climate which is conducive to species growth and evolution

The great diversity of ecosystems of seas, rivers, lakes, forests, mountains and mangrove swamps

The long standing tropical rainforests, dating as far back as 130 million years facilitating evolutionary diversification. South-east Asia's rainforests are believed to be the oldest ecosystem on Earth, at 70-100 million years old according to the fossil record.

Malaysia was covered mainly by forest about 100 years ago. Present forest ecosystems comprise about 3.3 million ha of forested wetlands, which is equivalent to 10% of the country’s land area. As of 2002, 3% of these are mangroves, 7.2% peat swamp while freshwater swamps and other marsh areas make up 2.5% and 3.5% respectively. Freshwater swamps and peat swamps are the most threatened wetland habitats. In abiding to the Ramsar Convention, a global intergovernmental treaty established in 1971, 5 Ramsar sites have been designated for the sustainable conservation of wetlands and their resources.

It is noticeable that most of the high biodiversity areas are with high rainfall, and mostly centered around large rivers. Malaysia is also renowned for its fresh water aquatic ecosystems such as rivers, lakes and marine ecosystems.

The floodplain of the Kinabatangan River in Borneo, East Malaysia, is home to an abundance of wildlife species, many unique to the island itself. Habitats are Influenced by the tides of the Sulu Sea and rainfall with frequent floods in the interior. Thus over the centuries, 5 distinct habitats have evolved; waterlogged and dry forests, saline and freshwater swamps and limestone forests, each contributing towards some of the most diverse concentrations of wildlife in Borneo.

Thus over the centuries, 5 distinct habitats have evolved; each contributing towards some of the most diverse concentrations of wildlife in Borneo:

Waterlogged forests

Dry forests

Saline (mangrove) swamps

Freshwater swamps and

Limestone forests

Saline Mangrove Forest (Swamp)

Picture above shows the saline mangrove forests which are common sights along the coastal areas in Malaysia. Mangrove forests are known for their tolerance of a wide range of salinities.

Mangrove is used to describe several trees, not closely related to one another, that flourish in salty environments. While some block absorption of salt at their roots, others secrete excess salt through their leaves, allowing them to thrive where other trees would die.

These mangroves, with their impenetrable root system, help to keep waters clean and clear by slowing the flow of water, or avoiding turbulence. Their physical stability helps to prevent shoreline erosion, shielding inland areas from severe damage during hurricanes and tidal waves. Since the Tsunami Disaster at the Indian Ocean December 2004 which claimed 200 000 lives, countries in the Indian Ocean, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, have planted extensive stretches of mangrove trees along the coastline to block and to reduce the impact velocity of the waves in anticipation of catastrophe recurrence.

These roots also provide shelter and breeding grounds for many fish, crustaceans and host of marine organisms, while the trees branches above provide breeding and nesting areas for many birds, including storks and migratory birds.

The Kinabatangan River, 560 km long, is the longer river in Sabah in East Malaysia. Its water catchment area captures 16,800 sq km, about 23% of the total land area of Sabah - a vital water and food source for its people and their livelihood too. (Aerial view of the Kinabatangan River, Sabah WWF-Malaysia)

The Lower Kinabatangan region is arguably the last forested alluvial floodplain in Asia, and an area of enormous importance for wildlife and the local community. It is estimated to have the largest concentration of wildlife in Malaysia. It is renowned for its rich natural ecosystem which serves as a natural habitat of over 250 bird, 50 mammal, 20 reptile species and 1056 plant species. To mention but a few are all the 8 species of Hornbill found in Borneo, crocodiles, monitor lizards, wild pigs, otters, civets, pygmy elephants and all 10 species of primates including the island’s own proboscis monkey, gibbons and orangutan.

Due to serious human encroachment and logging, hundreds of animals like the Sumatra tiger, Javan tiger, orangutan, Asian elephant and plant species are on the brink of extinction in Southeast Asia . As part of strategies by the Malaysian government to halt these detrimental activities, by 2005, about 27,000 ha of the flood plain of Kinabatanganan have been gazetted as Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

Malaysia's first environmental legislation was enforced in the 1940s to curb animal gaming. Subsequently, the Protection of Wildlife Act, the Fisheries Act, the Forestry Act were passed. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) serves to streamline coordination between all agencies related to environment and natural resources.

Malaysia's National Policy on Biological Diversity aims to improve biodiversity management, research, mapping of the nation's biodiversity and exploring of business opportunities in Malaysia's flora and fauna products. It also includes capacity building, public awareness education and periodic review of legislations.

WWF-Malaysia is engaging stakeholders and partners (government agencies, oil palm companies, tour operators and the local community) to address the issues of reforestation, protection and management of the area, aiming towards
an integrated economy of conservation and sustainability.

References and related news:

Peat Swamp Forest Sarawak
WWF Malaysia
Biodiversity: BBC.co.uk
Biodiversity Glossary: WRI
Biodiversity in Malaysia 2nd Edition: NRE.gov.my

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Biodiversity of the Kinabatangan Basin, East Malaysia

Found in peat swamp forests, the leaves of the Serapat Angin are traditionally used to treat nerve disorders and post-natal problems.
(Pic: UNDP)

The proboscis monkey

Hornbill

Gibbon

The largest tapir, the Malayan tapir weighs up to 800 pounds. It also has the most dramatic coloration, with black shoulders, head, and legs and a distinctive white band around the body. No more than 50 of them is alive in the wild.

Peat swamp forests are significant carbon sinks. It was previously assumed that the low pH and anaerobic conditions of the tropical peat swamps meant that bacteria and fungi could not survive, but recent studies have shown diverse and abundant communities.

Mangrove swamp with trees of distinctive arching roots. Their extensive root systems protect the coast from erosion, flood and storm damage.

The endangered orangutan were once found on mainland Asia from Thailand to S.China. They feed mostly on fruit and move through the forest following the fruiting trees. There are thirteen separate species of primates in Borneo's lowland forests.

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