Mangrove ecosystem of Malaysia: Status, challenges and management strategies

Abstract

Unlike other types of forests which are more spatially widespread and can be found on varied soil types, the mangrove swamp forests are restricted to sheltered coasts, islands, lagoons, estuaries and rivers on muddy substrates. As an ecosystem it is an important habitat for diverse wildlife, including fishes, shells and microbes and a number of specialized plant forms. It is also of great socio-economic importance as a hydrological regulator, playing an important role in flood mitigation, buffering against saline intrusion and waves. It is also an important source for fuelwood, timber resources and provides a variety of produce used by local inhabitants. Despite these values, mangrove swamp forests are rapidly being cleared, degraded and transformed to other land-uses, especially for agriculture, aquaculture, resettlement, industrial and ecotourism infrastructures. In view of the recognized values, it is urgent that more suitable areas are protected for not only the biodiversity conservation purposes but also as a special and unique forest type. In Malaysia, a working plan for the Matang mangrove forest reserve, Perak (fifth revision) provides a comprehensive overview of the management and conservation of the mangrove ecosystem in Malaysia, which could also be a model for other mangrove areas in other states for their protection and management. In the long term, systematic and holistic planning represent the best means of achieving sustainable mangrove swamp forest management by incorporating conservation principles and forestry objectives.