Confidential report Indonesia: alarming emissions from peatland loss

Wetlands International

Monday, 21 September 2009 - The Indonesian government has come forward with figures that confirm that the country is the world's third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses; for 80% due to deforestation and peatland loss. Wetlands International, the NGO that has been advocating the need to address peatland degradation strongly welcomes the acknowledgement by the Indonesian government of the issue.

The governmental report of the ‘National Council on Climate Change’ shows emissions of a magnitude of 2,3 Gton carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per year; nearly all in the form of CO2. This is 8% of all global emissions. Even more alarming is the prediction of growth towards 3,6 Gton in 2030. Of all these emissions, 45% is coming from drained, degraded peatsoils and 35% from deforestation. The report of the Council also illustrates how cost-effective it is to prevent or end peatland emissions; just a few euro per tonne CO2 .

So far national reporting of Indonesia to UNFCCC overlooked these emissions, similar to the reports of many other countries with major peatlands.

Peatland degradation in Southeast Asia

The ancient soil carbon stocks of peatswamps are rapidly lost in Southeast Asia due to drainage for logging, agriculture, palm oil and pulp plantations. Once drained, microbiological processes turn the organic carbon into the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2).

Recently, the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture issued a new decree to allow further development of palm oil plantations in peatlands, which will even worsen the already severe emissions. Furthermore, the Minister of Forests also continues to issue permits to convert natural forests and peatlands to pulp wood plantations.

Marcel Silvius, Programme Manager Wetlands International: “Wetlands International welcomes the recognition by the Indonesian government of the impact of peatland degradation on greenhouse gas emissions. Now it is time to act and we therefore call on the Indonesian government to end policies that allow further deforestation and reclamation of peatlands.”

New climate treaty

Currently, peatland emissions are not addressed through the policies of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). There is a high risk that current proposals for a UNFCCC mechanism to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing countries (REDD) may still exclude the emissions from the carbon rich peatsoils. This will cause a situation where countries may even receive support for forest plantations on drained peatlands that would actually emit huge amounts of carbon.

Alex Kaat, Wetlands International: “This Indonesian report illustrates how enormous the contribution of peatland loss to climate change is, but also how cheap it is to avoid these emissions. This illustrates the need to address peatland loss in a new climate treaty.”

This release of Wetlands International is supported by

RAINFOREST ACTION NETWORK, Humane Society International, The Wilderness Society

More information:

www.wetlands.org/peatclimate

Alex Kaat

Communications Manager

Wetlands International

Alex.Kaat@wetlands.org

Tel +31 (0)6 5060 1917 (mobile)

Tel +31 (0)318 660912 (Direct)

The Effect of Tsunami in 2004 on Mangrove Forests, Nias Island, Indonesia

Wetland Science Vol. 7 No. 2 Page 130-134 (June 2009)

The Effect of Tsunami in 2004 on Mangrove Forests, Nias Island, Indonesia

Onrizal(1,2), Cecep Kusmana(3), Mashhor Mansor(2)

(1) Department of Forestry Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Univesitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia;
(2) Wetland Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia;
(3) Forest Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor 16001, Indonesia)

Abstract: The earthquake and tsunami that devastated coastal area in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province and North Sumatra Province, especially Nias Island on December 26, 2004, caused damage to most mangrove and coastal forests in the areas. Before the 2004 tsunami, there is no report or publication about mangrove and coastal vegetation in Nias Island. The aims of this research were to describe the mangrove forests and coastal vegetation after tsunami disaster and to learn the ecological functions of mangrove forests and coastal vegetation on shore protection. Field surveys, in eastern, northern and western coast of Nias Island within 10 days of the middle weeks in March 2005 and in southern coast of Nias Island within 6 days of the first weeks in November 2006, were conducted. Our research results showed that dense mangrove forests and coastal vegetation had been proven to be effective on protecting coastal area from the tsunami, while heavy damage occurred in the areas that have degraded mangrove and coastal forests. Therefore, mangrove forests play an important role on shore protection, and this protection depends on the quality of mangrove habitats. It should be noted that degraded habitats with mangrove associate species instead of true mangrove species do not provide adequate protection.

Keywords: coastal vegetation; tsunami; shore protection; Nias Island

Received date: 2008-12-15; Revised date: 2009-05-26

Environmental Impact of Timber Harvesting Systems on Peatswamp Forest in Sarawak

A research team from Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus Sarawak embarked to Batang Igan peatswamp forest in Sibu Sarawak from 11-12th July 2009. The team comprising of lecturers, undergraduate and postgraduate students will conduct various research projects at the peatswamp forest such as peat soil physical and chemical properties, carbon storage and water quality characteristics. These projects are under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) entitled Environmental Impact of Timber Harvesting Systems on Peatswamp Forest in Sarawak.

Researchers

Dr. Seca Gandeca

Dr. Osumanu Haruna Ahmed

Professor Dato’ Dr. Nik Muhamad Ab. Majid

Johan Ismail

Ahmad Sukri Mat Nuri @ Md Din

Mohd. Ismawi Salimin

Mohd. Suffian Firdaus

Muhamad Iqbal Jailan

Ahmad Taufiq Safian

Mohd. Hasbollah Suparyono

Petition against conversion of rainforest in Aceh into oil palm plantation

by Sander.Carpaij@wetlands.org

Wetlands International and a coalition of NGOs have joined forces to demand palm oil company AAL to immediately halt the conversion of the Tripa peat forest in Aceh province, Indonesia into a palm oil plantation. A joint letter is addressed to Sir Henry Keswick, chairman of Jardine Matheson, owner of AAL, which is unlawfully draining and burning the Tripa rainforest, home to the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan.

The campaign is supported by a group of 15 NGOs, varying from Greenpeace UK to the Orangutan Foundation. Everyone can join this campaign NOW by personally signing the petition that can be downloaded and sent to Jardine.

Threat to Orangutan, safety and climate

The draining and burning of the Tripa peat swamp forest puts pressure on the last remaining significant populations of the endangered Orangutan that live in this area (priority site of the Great Apes Survival Partnership - GRASP of UNEP/UNESCO). Furthermore, this area of forest is considered an essential green buffer to protect communities from the effects of future storms or a future Tsunami.

Moreover, AAL’s practices also contribute greatly to climate change due to drainage of its vulnerable peat domes. The organic carbon stored in peat is turned into huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) when drained or burned. Read more on peatlands and climate change.

Report shows destruction

The overflight report on the Tripa area released in June 2009 by Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL) shows shocking images of drainage canals and heavy clouds of smoke from burning in the area of the concession of AAL.

Violated legislation

Burning on Tripa by AAL has already been documented by Indonesian newspapers in November 2008. AAL’s practices also ignore the Indonesian Presidential Decree and Government Regulation certifying that Peat of greater than three meters depth is automatically afforded legally protected status (kawasan lindung). AAL has planted oil palms on deep peat, not only in Tripa but also in Borneo.

Moreover, the moratorium on forest logging enacted by the Governor of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam in July 2007 is also being violated. Finally, the legally required Environmental Impact Assessment was never shared nor approved by local institutions or community representatives.

More information:
Please contact Wetlands International on:
Tel. +31 (0)318 660912 & +31 (6) 50 60 1917 (mobile)
Alex.kaat@wetlands.org

All About Jellyfish

We received an email from Nathan about his interesting website called Jellyfish Facts, and would like to recommend it to our readers who are interested in jellyfish and those who wants to know more about them.

picture from http://www.jellyfishfacts.net

Jellyfish Facts website is the source for Jellyfish information on the Internet. Jellyfish facts aims to provide information about jellyfish, helping people to understand these beautiful and interesting creatures. Jellyfish Facts currently have 6 sections:Jellyfish Info, Jellyfish Species List, Pet Jellyfish, Jellyfish Safety, Jellyfish Pictures, Jellyfish Cooking and Cuisine. For more information contact nathan@patternmedia.com or visit (http://www.jellyfishfacts.net/)

About Jellyfish

The Jellyfish is amongst the most fascinating and intimidating creatures of the marine world. Jellyfish are found across all oceans in the world. Jellyfish exist at a wide range of depths and water conditions, from the ocean surface to floor. They look like shapeless blobs when they wash up on the shore, but look extremely graceful and dangerous when they are afloat in water. There are over 2000 species of jellyfish known in the world, with many more species being discovered as man searches the depths of the ocean.

Jellyfish are a member the phylum Cnidaria, to which the coral, sea whip and sea anemones also belong. They are simple invertebrates and are mobile unlike all other member species of the phylum Cnidaria. The movements of jellyfish are usually subject to winds and currents of the ocean, although they are capable of vertical movement.

The body parts of a jellyfish radiate from the central axis and are perfectly symmetrical. The perfectly symmetrical body of the jellyfish allows it to respond to danger from all sides. It also helps it in being able to detect food from every direction. The body of a jellyfish contains only a nervous system and the nerve receptors themselves formulate appropriate reaction to detection of light, odor, pressure and other external stimuli. The jellyfish does not have a brain or any specialized functional system;. Jellyfish has an outer layer called the epidermis, and an inner layer which is gastrodermis which lines the gut. In between is the thick, elastic-like jelly known as mesoglea. In a simple digestive cavity lies the gullet, stomach and the intestine. On one end of the cavity is the mouth; on the other is the anus. There are four to eight oral arms near the mouth that help in bring the food near the mouth, along with the tentacles. In fact, only 5% of the body of a jellyfish is solid matter.

Jellyfish have different shapes, sizes and colors. They can be smaller than an inch or larger than 7 feet in diameter, with tentacles spanning more than a 100 feet! Irrespective of their size, jellyfish can only have control over their vertical movement. Horizontally, their movement is completely controlled by the wind and the current. Their bell shape allows them contract and force outer outwards to get a push upwards.

Jellyfish have the ability to sting with their tentacles. Their tentacles have a number of capsule like apparatus that are filled with paralysis causing toxins and are fired when the tentacles comes in contact with something. Jellyfish use this facility mainly for hunting; However, jellyfish also use this facility to defend themselves. The toxins in the tentacles are powerful enough to paralyze their victim and buy enough time to escape, if not to kill it. However, in the case of humans, most jellyfish stings will only result in minor discomfort. The severity of stings is high in jellyfish found in warm and temperate oceans and these can be dangerous to humans.

Visit the site HERE

Wetland Ecology and Management in the lower Mekong Basin Course

Amir Shah Ruddin Md. Shah

A course on wetland ecology and management in the lower Mekong basin were successfullly carried out started on 27^th May to 18^th June 2009. This course has been conducted yearly since 2003 and this year is the 7^th year. The training workshop was organised by a network of 16 universities. The 7^th Regional Training Course was hosted by Champasak University, Lao PDR and Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. The course was funded and co‐organised by US Embassy (Thailand), International Cranes Foundation, USGS, Chulalongkorn University and Champasack University. A total of 21 trainees from 14 universities and six countries were selected to attend the course. The course conducted by a group of dedication and highly well known wetland scientists such as Associate Professor Dr. Natana, Associate Professor Dr.Sansanee, Dr. Triet Tran, Dr. Ni and Professor Mashhor Mansor. The course was divided into two phases i.e. phase one – an intensive class lectures and assignment at Chulalongkorn and Champasack University whereas phase two ‐ a field practical and reporting finding at the respective study areas in this Champasak Provinc in Lao PDR.

The objectives of this course are:-

1)To introduce the concepts and principles of wetland ecology and management,

2)To provide intensive academic and practical training on wetland ecosystem management, focusing on wetland biodiversity conservation in the Lower Mekong Basin,

3)To provide in-situ training and hand-on experience in designing and conducting wetlands surveys, inventory, studies and research and in wetland conservation and management by means of project fields carried out by the trainees, and

4)To introduce education and training methodology for the design and implementation of wetland academic courses and special training for communities in wetland related subjects.

There are four subjects that been main focus in the course i.e. socio‐economic study, soil and hydrology analysis and biodiversity inventory at respective identified areas. At the end of the course, the trainees should be able to grasp the overall wetland concept focus mainly on Mekong basin

1)Understand the concepts and principles of wetland ecology Have knowledge on approaches and methods, techniques and equipments commonly used in wetland biodiversity surveys and research and wetland management,

2)Understand major issues related to wetland management in the lower Mekong basin,

3)Have experience in designing and conducting wetland studies and research, and

4)Understand methods and have necessary materials to transfer knowledge on wetland ecosystems to communities and to develop and teach wetland course at university level.

It is expected that a Cambodian University (that will be nominated soon) will be hosted the 8^th training course followed by USM in 9^th training which been scheduled sometime in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

A nostalgic trip for the Old Boys

By Mashhor Mansor

Evolutionary and Integrative Responses to Feast and Famine

Abstract (RSMAS's Seminar on 15 May 2009):

"Animals exhibit a wide spectrum of feeding frequencies, from several meals a day to only a couplt in a year. Given the adaptations of the gastrointestinal tract to different food types, we hypothesize that the gut also possesses adaptive responses to the frequency of digestion. We have found that frequently feeding species of snakes modestly regulate intestinal performance with feeding and fasting, whereas infrequently species (e.g. boas and pythons) dramatically regulate gut structure and function with each meal. We have found this adaptive match between feeding frequency and digestive physiology extends to other reptiles, as well as to amphibians, and can be explained by the selective pressure to conserve energy between meals. From this comparative work we realized the advantage of the Burmese pythons as a model to explore the capacities of organ function during digestion and the underlying mechanisms of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular increases in intestinal nutrient uptake and enzyme activities, microvillus length, cardiac output, and intestinal blood flow. Both luminal nutrients and hormones trigger intestinal plasticity of intestinal performance. The large demand on cardiac performance during digestion results in rapid growth of the heart, thus providing a new model to examine the mechanisms of physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy."

Photo source: Dr. Stephen Secor

The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world, native to rainforest areas of Southeast Asia. This native population are considered to be "threatened" and are listed on the Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species). The captive breeeding of Burmese pythons in the America has led to some rather serious problems particularly in the Florida Everglades. These captive snakes are now appears to be an established population due to the abundance of prey available to them in teh Everglades area (such as birds and alligators) and pose a threat to the endagered populations of Florida. Researchers are now conducted surveys and document the impact of python invasions on Florida's native populations. (more information click here)

Dr. Stephen M. Secor had visited RSMAS for 2 weeks to work with Dr. Martin Grosell to study the intestinal secretion of Burmese Python (Python molurus) during the pre- and post-feeding habits. Dr. Stephen Secor had been studied the evolution of digestive physiology, energetics, feeding ecology and morphology, and the underlying mechanisms of digistive and metabolic responses in both amphibians and reptiles for many years. The Burmese python (Python molurus) exhibit much greater magniturdes of physiological responses to feeding than other animals, thereby facilitating the study of the underlying mechanisms and signals involved in digestive and metabolic responses.

The python was anesthetized before cutting off by Dr. Stephen.

Dr. Stephen was cutting off the python's stomach.

The intestine of a python.

Abstract by:

Dr. Stephen M. Secor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Alabama



Report by:

Kok Yeng Chan
Graduate Student

Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

University of Miami

Ahning Reservoir : Limnology and Primary Productivity

A preliminary study on water quality and primary productivity of the Ahning Reservoir was conducted from September 1997 to December 1997. Profile measurement of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and light penetration was done in situ at 12 stations. Water quality parameters such as turbidity, nitrate and orthophosphate concentrations, alkalinity, chlorophyll a and net productivity were also measures. Physico-chemicals properties at the surface and stratification profiles were varied at different sampling stations. Surface water temperature ranged from 28.7 - 31.5^oC, dissolved oxygen (4.8 - 7.87 mg/l), pH (4.5 -9.9), conductivity (0.646 - 1.000 mS/cm) and light penetration (1.5- 3.5 m). DO show a depletion at all sampling stations at depth 4 m. Turbidity ranged from 4.0 to 35.5 FTU, nitrate (0.01-0.06 mg/l), orthophosphate (0.010-0.485 mg/l), alkalinity (17.0-142.0 mg/l), chlorophyll a (1.00-4.17 mg/l) and net production (18.8-100.0 mgC/m3/hr). This study showed that Ahning Reservoir is eutrophic lake in trophic state.

A total of 19 species zooplankton and 6 species of phytoplankton were identified from 8 sampling stations in the study. Rotifera group was dominant in taxanomic group (11 species), followed by Cladocera (5 species) and Copepoda (3 species). However the list is no means completed yet. There were no significant difference (p>0.05) of zooplankton composition at all zone and stations. The high abundance of Oscillatoria sp. and Hidrodictyon sp. showed that Ahning Reservoir was experiencing algal bloom which might affect the reservoir water quality. However, an intensive study should be carried out to monitoring the changes of water quality and primary productivity through time and seasons before any management plan to be set up.

Amir Shah Ruddin Md Shah and Ahyaudin Ali
School of Biological Sciences
University Sains Malaysia
11800 Penang

Acheh Experience

At the end of Indonesian archipelago, on the northern side, gate way to Indonesia, is the province of Acheh. This province is closely linked to Malaysia, because before the colonial powers, we were part of the same nation. So we have Kampung Acheh, Sungai Acheh and Pantai Acheh in Malaysia itself. Most probably it started somewhere in Acheh especially during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. The princess from Pahang was his third wife. This power kingdom ruled most parts of Sumatera and Malaysia. Currently our group is working with the group from Universitas Syiah Kuala to study the effect of Tsunami based on vegetation structure and pattern. The devastating effect was so massive, until now the blown ships are part of the landscape. Some of the trees such as Tamerind, Rain Tree can stand strong current and big wave. These trees had saved many people caught in Tsunami, especially during the big flood which last only 15 mins, but killed thousands of people.



The view from the air of Banda Acheh. Focusing on the coastal zone where the site had been inundated. It was taken on 7/5/2009 while the plane was taxing down. The coastal zone was badly hit by Tsunami on 26/12/2004. It has created a number of small lagoons along the shore. Some of green patches are still thriving on the sandy shore. About 20 individuals Casuarina equitofolia are recorded growing very well on the sandy shore.



The housing area was erected along the lagoon. Most of the areas are still inundated. This is because Banda Acheh is situated on the flat coastal land, just like our Georgetown.



The bridge is connecting between two parts of the coastal zone



There are more human settlements further away from the sea. Most of them are new comers. The original inhabitants were perished during Tsunami.



The mangrove swamps were filled with other species Typha latifolia.



The boat was blown inland for 2 km and stuck on the roof of a house. Imagine the power of the wave which was traveling at 250 km/hr.



The memorial site and .tourists visit this place, just to feel the pain of Tsunami.



The ship was carried away from more than 2 km by the big wave.

Mashhor Mansor

Orang Utan Avoid Water

The only group of great ape record in Asia is Orang utan (Pongo pymeaus). Found only on Borneo and Sumatera. Of course the other one is Orang (Homo sapiens). Imagine Orang utan is an English word, not a Malay world. Literally means the man from the forest or forest man. Don't confuse with Orang Jahat, Orang Kampung or even Orang Asli (the rest can be Orang tiruan). Perhaps this is our contribution to English language. This gentle animal is solitary in nature, like to be alone, not to be disturbted. The dominant male will try his best to sir all the females' children in the group, therefore he is an alpha male. An alpha male plays a major role in the Orang utan community. He will make the community either strong or weak, therefore he is a supreme leader.
USM is fortunate to be given an opportunity to work with Orang utans at the Pulau Orang utan, Tasik Merah, Taiping. Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal is kind enough to offer the faciltiy. Those who are interested please contact our Orang group.


Orang utan is a big ape dislike to be close to water. They aviod getting wet. Takut tangkap basah?


Orang utans having fun with friends and relatives. Orang utans like to play. They swinging from trees to trees, but here they use ropes to replace vines


VC accompanied by Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal visiting the island. VC was given the honour of closing the International Symposium on ex situ conservation of Orang utan on 11th March 2009


Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal and our VC visited the Island. The two great men have all the ideas of protecting Orang utan. VC is trying hard to get USM involvement


Pulau Orang utan is 15 acres of island, is an Orang utan sanctuary. Although, the Orang utans are given freedom to roam around, however the space is limited.

Mashhor Mansor

An Iranian Experience

Amid the negative lobbying from the Americans, Iran is still an advance country, a nuclear power nation. A nation with tradition and culture where most nations can be envied. Perhaps we should be proud of their achievements and as a Muslim I have learned something useful from Iran. I enjoyed my stay in Iran due to the hospitality given by their scientists. I guess Dr.Sofiman, Dr.Khairun, Dr.Siti Azizah and Dr.Wan Maznah felt the same. There are a lot of propoganda going on in this world and it is high time for us to reject the negative perception.

Discussion on several projects to be established by USM and INFRO


One of the sturgeon caught very long time ago


Fishing of kutum along the Anzali shore


One of the oldest fish in the world is sturgeon. The fish is recorded in Caspian Sea


The research ship that sudied the ecology of Caspian Sea. Two of my Iranian students are studying; Caspian Sea ecology


Meeting with the director of INFRO, regarding MOU and receiving more graduate students.


They are proud of being Muslims where the Islamic principles are found everywhere and widely practiced


Along the gate, words and verses of qur'an are quoted


This grand mosque in Esfaham is one of the center of attractions


The river corridor is lined with varieties of plant species


In Esfaham, there are small Christians and Jew communities


Water has play a major role in making the landscape more atractive


Isfaham is a medieval city full of old and famous historical building


Their mathematics are so powerful. They design things based on mathematical formula.
Remember Omar Khayan was a Muslim Philosopher from Iran.


A beautiful landscape of Shah's garden. Cultivated with temperate plants and arrange according to his liking


People are still skiing and enjoy the cold winter weather in Tehran. A great place to study ecology especially in looking at temperature gradients effect on the living species


We can still experience Winter in Tehran. Although it is in April where Spring is generally
observed at most places. But in Northern Iran and some part of Tehran it is snowing.


Most of the rivers in Iran originate from icy mountains,
therefore these rivers are fed by melting snow

Mashhor Mansor

Ahning Reservoir: Fish Biodiversity and Productivity

The fish population of Ahning Reservoir is less diverse when compared to other reservoirs. A total of fourteen species consisting of four families were identified in two surveys (1997 and 2000), Barbodes schwanenfeldii, Labiobarbus sp., Rasbora sumatrana, Cyclocheilichthys apogon, Hampala macrolepidota, Osteochilus hasseltii, O. vittatus, Mystus sp. and Chela sp. However the list is only partially complete as the studies were carried in a short period of time and covers only the middle and southern areas of the lake. Catches by experimental fishing indicated that B. schwanenfeldii was the most abundant accounting for 45.3% of the mean total weight (g) caught followed by H. macrolepidota (19.4%), Labiobarbus sp. (7.1%) and O. vittatus (5.4%). The percentage total weight caught (g) varied between gillnets, species and study. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between total weight (g) caught and mesh sizes.

Most of the fish was caught at night (1801-2400 h) and early morning (0001-0600 h). Total mean catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in Ahning Reservoir is 246.4 g/net/hour where B. schwnanefeldii was the dominant species (52.1 g/net/hour) followed by H. macrolepidota (30.5 g/net/hour).

Amir Shah Ruddin Md Shah and Ahyaudin Ali
School of Biological Sciences
University Sains Malaysia
11800 Penang

A special meet with Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

On 17/11/2008 to 19/11/2008, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr.Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali visited Pulau Banding, Temengor, Perak. On arrival at the Belum Rainforest Resort, he was received by Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal. During his stay there, he visited the Pulau Banding Research Center (PBRC). There he was then briefed by Professor Mashhor and Mr. Amir Shah on restoration and conservation of endangered fish in Temengor. He also visited orang Asli complex at Tanjung Satu, accompanied by Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal and Professor Mashhor.

Tun Dr. Mahathir also spend time to share his ideas with the participants of the Managament Plans for Belum-Temengor Rainforest Workshop. Later Tun also answered some questions from the floor. Tun understands the importance of rainforest and is well aware of our environmental problems, especially subject on illegal logging. Wetecol Group is grateful to be able to share some time and thoughts with the great leader.

Wetecol

All 'Yes' for Belum-Temengor Rainforest IMP

More than 100 participants from government agencies, NGOs, universities, and corporate sectors unanimously agreed with the resolution to form and implement an Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the Belum-Temengor Rainforest. This resolution among others will be handed over to the relevant stakeholders and agencies so that the IMP would become reality. These were the conclusions from the Workshop on Management Plans for Belum-Temengor Rainforest which was held on the 17th-18th November 2008 at Belum Rainforest Resort.

Participants were also surprised to have Y. Bhg. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad joining in to speak his mind on forestry and environmental issues at a special session during the workshop. Detail reports on the workshop have been published by national newspapers.

Brainstorm on preserving Belum-Temengor rainforest (The Star online 17th November 2008)

by Christina Goh (The Star) 17th November 2008

More report on Y. Bhg. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to follow.

Wetecol

Nipah swamp community at Sungai Serapuh, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Sungai Serapuh is one of the important rivers for "udang galah" production in eastern coastal of North Sumatra. In the other rivers of North Sumatra, population of udang galah had continually decreased mostly due to ecosystem degradation, such as heavy land conversion from nipah swamp to fishpond, oil palm and coconut plantation, and sedimentation from upstream erosion.

“Udang galah” and others fish species from Sungai Serapuh have been the main source of economic commodities for many local people since a long time ago. Fishermen usually catch “udang galah” in areas of low salinity at the nipah (Nypa fruticans) swamp of Sungai Serapuh.

I will be doing my PhD research about the ecology and management of nipah swamp under the supervison of Professor Mashhor Mansor and Mr. Mohamed Hifni from School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Recently, my main supervisor, Prof. Mashhor visited the study site at Sungai Serapuh area from 14^th to 16^th November 2008.

Onrizal

Workshop on Conservation and Restoration of Fish and Fisheries in Temengor Ecosystem

A one day workshop was held at the Belum Rainforest Resort on the 20th October 2008. The workshop was jointly organized by Universiti Sains Malaysia and Belum Rainforest Resort. Dr. Daniel Baskaran Krishnapillay (Member of Pulau Banding Foundation) officiated the event. During the opening ceremony, Professor Mashhor also handed over the final report “Conservation and Restoration of Endangered Fish Species at Temengor Lake” to Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal, Chairman of EMKAY Group. A total of 23 participants from various agencies such as USM, Pulau Banding Rainforest Research Centre, Department of Fisheries, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli Gerik, Forestry Department, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Sungai Perak, Majlis Daerah Gerik, and MKN Group congregated at the resort to discuss various matters regarding the conservation and restoration of fish and fisheries in Temenggor Ecosystem. Professor Donald Jackson from Mississippi State University, a renown world expert in fish conservation, was invited to coordinate the workshop. Since the workshop, a number of articles were published in the local newspapers namely Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo.

link Utusan Online 13th November 2008
link Kosmo 13th November 2008

Workshop Findings

Challenges, Opportunities and Approaches For Managing Aquatic Natural Resources In Tasik Temengor

The future of management for aquatic resources associated with the integrated Tasik Temengor-Belum ecosystem is faced with numerous challenges. Most of these challenges reside in the realm of human dimensions, including lack of awareness regarding ecosystem functioning and lack of consistency in laws and their enforcement across the spectrum of local, state, federal and military jurisdiction. These result in unmitigated environmental perturbations to aquatic habitat from human activities in terrestrial components of the ecosystem. This ultimately relates to depressed fish stocks and associated fisheries.

The Tasik Temengor-Belum ecosystem needs an integrated management plan (IMP) that incorporates opportunities for people to benefit in consumptive (sustainable) as well as non-consumptive (e.g., via ecotourism) use of the system’s renewable natural resources. This requires standardization of laws among government entities at all levels and educational activities that help people from across the socio-economic spectrum recognize their responsibilities as well as their privileges (e.g., via new businesses, and jobs) as stewards of these resources. With the evolution of community-level participation in this stewardship and cooperation with and among law enforcement and management agencies, the Tasik Temengor-Belum ecosystem can become established on the World Map as a desirable destination for ecotourism. This process can be facilitated by promoting a charismatic species such as Ikan Kelah as its brand.

To achieve the goals of proactive, sustainable stewardship of the Tasik Tememgor-Belum ecosystem, it will be necessary to engage the leaders of government (e.g., Sultans, King) so that they can provide the necessary authority for integrated and cooperative relations and application of laws and regulations regarding natural resources in the area. In this regard, there will need to be enforced regulations regarding harvest of fisheries resources, development and implementation of programs for stock enhancement in the lake and adjoining rivers (e.g., via stocking and rearing programs of high value species) and new education programs (with paradigm shifts towards practical application) across socio-economic sectors regarding the importance of integrated natural resources management, including sensitivity regarding the connections between aquatic and terrestrial components of ecosystems. Success will depend on cooperation and collaboration among government, NGO, academic and private business sectors.

Challenges:

Law Enforcement – State, Fed, Local, Military

Supply and Demand – Middlemen providing illegal gear for fishere

Awareness and Education

Reduction of high value fish

Decreasing water quality, increased sedimentation

Poaching of highvalue fishes in upstream by using bombs & explosives

Gillnetting – very small mesh size

Logging near water bodies – changes water quality (acidic, sedimentation, temperature)

Overharvest of fisheries resources, illegal gear & methods, uncontrolled access

Lack of law enforcement against illegal harvest and activities

The future of management for aquatic resources associated with the integrated Tasik Temengor-Belum ecosystem is faced with numerous challenges. Most of these challenges reside in the realm of human dimensions, including lack of awareness regarding ecosystem functioning and lack of consistency in laws and their enforcement across the spectrum of local, state, federal and military jurisdiction. These result in unmitigated environmental perturbations to aquatic habitat from human activities in terrestrial components of the ecosystem. This ultimately relates to depressed fish stocks and associated fisheries.

Goals and Opportunities

Consolidate monitoring and law enforcement under one roof

Standardize laws across levels

Enhance education and awareness

Promote sustainable management of renewable resources

Develop proper management plans for upper and lower Belum (IMP)

Open opportunities (business and jobs) for local people with emphasis on income generating sustainable development

Sustainable harvest of fisheries resources

Establish Tasik Temengor in the World Map using Ikan Kelah or any other charismatic species as branding

Controlled/managed activities within the Belum Temengor Landscape

The Tasik Temengor-Belum ecosystem needs an integrated management plan (IMP) that incorporates opportunities for people to benefit in consumptive (sustainable) as well as non-consumptive (e.g., via ecotourism) use of the system’s renewable natural resources. This requires standardization of laws among government entities at all levels and educational activities that help people from across the socio-economic spectrum recognize their responsibilities as well as their privileges (e.g., via new businesses, and jobs) as stewards of these resources. With the evolution of community-level participation in this stewardship and cooperation with and among law enforcement and management agencies, the Tasik Temengor-Belum ecosystem can become established on the World Map as a desirable destination for ecotourism. This process can be facilitated by promoting a charismatic species such as Ikan Kelah as its brand.

Methods (Approach)

Royal Decree (formation of IMP)

Make education real and rewarding (collect good data, engage in paradigm shift)

Culling practice: limited number, limited size

No take zone or completely ban (immediate action) fishing for target fishes

Restockingof Kelah juveniles and other high value fishes (needs support from private sector and government hatcheries)

Development of fish cages in specific zones with focus on rearing high value fishes

Development of suitable artificial food or pellet

Educate people to raise awareness (use pilot text and community based approaches)

Tighten law enforcement for all sectors of society.

Work with all stakeholders for integrated management plan

Professor Donald Jackson

Headwater observation at Sungai Enam, Temengor, Perak

A brief visit to Sg. Enam (5^O 30’N, 101^O 27’ E) on 18 October 2008 started at 2.00 pm from the Jetty and arrived at the river mouth about 2.30 pm. This is a typical water quality of a granite bedrock river. The river is a boulder strewn river, with pools and riffles and large woody debris. The river is full of sands from the weathered granite and sands are moved and filled the pools in between boulders very fast due to the fast flowing water.

We manage to do an in situ records of the river before the water get more disturbed with rainfall. Data are tabulated as follows:

Table 1: In situ water quality of Sg. Enam

Paramater	Average	Range
Temperature (°C) pH Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Total dissolved solids (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Conductivity (µS/cm)	23.60 8.6 4.5 30 34.46 47.4	23.08 - 25.04 8.2 -8.9 3.9 - 57.5 26 – 36 11.46 – 67.00 39.5 – 57.5

Associate Prof Dr. Wan Ruslan Ismail

Geography Section

School of Humanities

Universiti Sains Malaysia

11800 Pulau Pinang

The distribution of intertidal organisms around the shores of Teluk Aling, Pulau Pinang

by Omar Ahmad & Dr Khairun Yahya

Teluk Aling is located at the north-western tip of Pulau Pinang and is part of the impressive Pulau Pinang National Park. The beach is about 2.5 km² with a slope of about 10^o on the sandy beach while the slope on the rocky beach is extremely variable. The substratum of the sandy beach consisted of medium to fine sand with less than 5% silt and clay while granite boulders and bed rock formed the rocky beach. Both beaches were regularly studies from the School of Biological Sciences during the first year biodiversity classes. However there is very little documentation on the species abundance or diversity on the beaches. The objectives of the study is to document the distribution, species abundance and diversity on both beaches and their variation in space and time. A checklist of species diversity in Muka Head Marine Research Station of the Centre For Marine & Coastal Studies, Teluk Aling will be published.

Transect lines were made on both sandy and rocky beaches at the upper (littoral fringe), middle (eulittoral) and lower (sub littoral fringe) zones for two sampling periods. Quadrates of various size were used to enumerate organisms on the rocky beach. A PVC corer was used to collect sediment samples on the sandy beach which were then sieved through a 0.5 mm sieve mesh. Samples of organisms collected were brought to the laboratory for identification.

46 species on sand shore - Echinodermata, Crustecea, Mollusca, Polychaeta.

13 species on rocky shore - Cnidaria, Crustacea, Mollusca, Polychaeta.

Read full article HERE

Monthly distribution and abundance of jellyfish (Medusae) species in the coastal waters of Penang National Park

by Sim Yee Kwang (Science Officer, M.Sc.) & Dr Khairun Yahya (Director, Ph.D)

The public and the state government of Penang is concerned with the high numbers of jellyfish now found in Penang waters as this affect the beach activities of the coastal areas. Penang and more specifically the Penang National Park at Teluk Bahang has high tourist visitation and these numbers are expected to rise over the coming years. The high infestation of poisonous jellyfish in the waters is detrimental to the tourism activities here and has also received a wide press attention. Following this concern a study has been proposed to look at the seasonal distribution and abundance pattern, identify the jellyfish species and provide the information to the public.

Recently Penang National Park Authority has assigned a research team from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to investigate the occurrences of jellyfish in the coastal waters of Penang National Park. Several sampling trips had been conducted but not sufficient to discover all the species of jellyfish in the coastal waters here because some of the species are not distributed all year round and only occurred during specific months. Furthermore, information on the types of jellyfish species was insufficient for the needs of the authority, local community and also the tourist because jellyfish (medusae) are sometimes the most noticeable and abundant members of coastal planktonic communities, yet ironically, this high conspicuousness is not reflected in our overall understanding of their seasonal distribution pattern across large expanses of Penang National Park’s water.

We proposed frequent monthly sampling study with the complete data of monthly distribution and abundance of each jellyfish species to discover the seasonal population patterns of jellyfish species in Penang National Park waters. With the water qualities collected from the sampling locations, we hope to determine and understand the associated environmental factors leading to the jellyfish blooms mechanism in here. This preliminary study also aims to provide the complete and useful information for the local authority and tourist to avoid the cases of jellyfish stings in Penang National Park.

The high infestation of poisonous jellyfish in the waters is detrimental to the tourism activities in the coastal waters of Penang National Park and has also received a wide press attention. Following this concern the monthly distribution and abundance pattern of the jellyfish species has been investigated over an 8-months period from July 2007 to February 2008.

Eight sites (Teluk Bahang, Teluk Aling, Teluk Duyung, Muka Head, Teluk Ketapang, Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Kampi and Pantai Mas), which were located around the coastal waters of Penang National Park, was selected as the sampling sites. Physical and chemical parameters of sea water around the sampling sites were collected and measured at a depth of 1.0 m to determine the effects of exogenous environmental factors on the monthly distribution and abundance of jellyfish species in the coastal waters of Penang National Park.

Read full article HERE

Zooplankton specialists visit CEMACS/USM Penang

Three zooplankton taxonomist from Japan paid a courteous 2 day visit to Penang and welcomed by Professor Mashhor Mansor (my PhD supervisor) and me. They were Professor Nishida (Tokyo University), Professor Ohtsuka (Hiroshima University) and Professor Sawamoto (Tokai University). Both Professor Noshida and Professor Ohtsuka were specialist in copepod taxonomy while Professor Sawamoto specialized in mysids taxonomy. I had the opportunity to meet them two years ago at the VCC-JSPS Zooplankton Training Workshop in Port Dickson and just recently went to Takehara Marine Science Station (Hiroshima University) to study taxonomy under Professor Ohtsuka for one month in June/July 2008.

Before the trip, they have already been staying in Kuala Lumpur for more than a week on specialized zooplankton research project with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. This trip to Penang was the first time for Professor Ohtsuka and Professor Sawamoto while Professor Nishida last visited Penang some 30 years ago. We planned for laboratory/facility visits to USM, visit to CEMACS and some sight seeing in Penang. Their visit coincided with holidays on Sunday and Monday (Deepavali) so basically most people were on holiday at USM. On arrival at Penang International Airport, we proceeded to the School of Biological Sciences, USM to visit my laboratory and meet up with Professor Mashhor. After introduction and short discussion, we proceeded to check in at Vistana Hotel, Penang and went for some sight seeing in the afternoon. Among the places we manage to visit were the Snake Temple, Ke Lok Si Temple, Botanical Garden and a tour around Georgetown (recently selected as World Heritage City). Professor Mashhor hosted us all for a delicious seafood dinner later that evening.

Our second day program was to visit CEMACS (Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies), one of the centre of excellence of Universiti Sains Malaysia. We were very fortunate to have its Director, Dr. Khairun Yahya and Research Associate, Dr. Wan Maznah Wan Omar (also my PhD co-supervisor) and team from CEMACS to be able to welcome our visiting party on a national holiday. There, the visitors were briefed on the history, functions, and the future of CEMACS by Dr. Khairun. After that, short discussions and ideas were exchanged on possible future collaborations between researchers. Among them was to conduct a special technical workshop and training by Japan specialists at CEMACS, Penang in near future. After the discussions, the visitors were invited to look at all the facilities available at CEMACS. After the visit, we had lunch with Professor Mashhor and later checked out from the hotel. We made one last stop to Queensbay Mall for some shopping before sending our special guests to Penang International Airport. They will flying to Japan later that night. In all, I was very pleased and honored to have the professors coming to visit me in Penang. I am thankful for the special plankton net gift by Professor Sawamoto. We hoped to continue a good relationship and look forward to future collaborations in research and development of marine sciences in Malaysia.

Johan Ismail

read more about CEMACS here

Ramsar Convention COP 10, Korea.

Ramsar Convention COP 10 held in Changwon City, Korea , 28/10/2008 to4/11/2008 dubbed as Environmental Olympics. About 2000 participantsfrom 165 countries, the covention has a tremendous impact on the future of global wetland. "Changwon declaration"is being drafted which focus on preserving wetlands throughout the world and also raising public awareness of their importance. Apparently the whole Changwon city is celebrating this covention. Hotels, restaurants and taxis are playing a role in helping this convention to be a successful one. Therefore the general public is aware what is happening in their city. Although Changwon is an industrial city but the city adopt the environmental concept very well, where trees are kept intact and beautifully landscape of the area, perhaps this element in most industrial cities. Wetlands are fully utilized where people can observe various species of migratory birds, while enjoying the evening stroll with families. The secretary general of the Ramsar Convention, Anada Tiega stressed that wetlands in the world still receive less attention than they deserve. He added that the current trends confirm an increasing number of Ramsar site designations but many sites are receiving neither the expected attention nor sufficient with respect to our value. Therefore we have to find ways to increase and enhance assistance to operations to cope with emerging challenges. Malaysia has made Kinabantangan in Sabah as a new Ramsar site. Seemingly it is the biggest Ramsar site in Malaysia. Congratualation! In June. 2008, 20 Asian countries signed '2008 Hanoi call to action onwetlands", a joint declaration in search of more effective andefficient ways to support the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Striking a balance between environmental protection and development is one of the most urgent tasks for a better environment in future.

From Changwon, Korea

Mashhor Mansor

31/10/2008

Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science

Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, University of Miami

In August 2008, Chan KY, administrator of WETECOL has begun her journey to pursuit PhD at Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), University of Miami (UM). Chan is the ASTS student sponsoring by Universiti Sains Malaysia and Malaysia Higher Education Department.

RSMAS dock

The first UM Marine Laboratory was established in 1943. Today, the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami is one of the premier oceanographic research and education institutions in the world. The research interests at RSMAS including atmospheric science, geosciences, marine biology, oceanography and also marine policy. RSMAS is well known for the hurricanes research and Aplysia research.

Aplysia californica

The National Resource for Aplysia on the RSMAS is the only place in the world where Aplysia californica are cultured and raised for research purposes. Aplysia from the facility serve in research on genomics, human brain function, toxicology for developmental studies, natural products, chemistry for isolation of novel anti-tumor and antibacterial compounds, in the study of transport by digestive tissues and have potential for use in studies of substance addiction and nerve senescence and regeneration. Some researchers use the oversized Aplysia californica neuron as the model for the study of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other common brain diseases.

Chan is working in her office

Lab memebers 2008

Front left: Ed Mager, Chan KY, Cameron, Janet Genz, Dr. Martin Grosell & Kevin Brix

Behind left: Bob Gerdes, Josi Taylor & Sue Ebanks

Chan is now working in Dr. Martin Grosell laboratory under the Marine and Biology Fisheries Division at RSMAS. The research activities include the studies of comparative fish physiology and aquatic toxicology. Osmoregulation in freshwater, marine and euryhaline fish is a particular area of interest in the study of comparative physiology. Toxicity of metals to both freshwater and seawater invertebrates and fish is also at focus with special emphasis on physiological mechanisms of metal toxicity.

Chan KY

kchan@rsmas.miami.edu

The almost disappearing of Aral Sea

left: A 1987 USGS image of the Aral Sea.

right: An October 2008 NASA image, showing the Aral with about 10% of its original water volume.

CNN (Oct 15, 2008) - The latest satellite image of the Aral Sea shows a disappearing body of water. What was the world’s fourth-largest freshwater lake is almost gone due to an engineering project gone wrong, despite a last-ditch effort to save it.

The Aral Sea straddles the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the former Soviet Union. Its water was mainly supplied by two rivers, the Syr Darya (the Persian word for sea) and the Amu Darya. In 1960, the sea covered 25,600 square miles, about 10 percent larger than Lake Michigan.

Under a Stalin-era plan, the Aral started to shrink as the former Soviet Union drastically diverted the two feeding rivers for irrigation of cotton and other crops. Today, the lake’s water is about 10 percent of its original volume and its surface area has shrunk by 74 percent, according to a report published in the Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences in 2007. And the lake’s salinity has increased tenfold.

The interruption of the Aral ecosystem has led to many serious problems. The local fishery collapsed. Respiratory and other diseases began to spread. And increased salt and dust storms have taken their toll on both people and property.

Read full article here

More information here

Now, we are Wetland Ecologist

WETECOL, previously known as Wetland Ecology Research Group, is now known as Wetland Ecologist. The new brand name was recently launched in conjunction with PRAGMA15 (Pacific Rim Application and Middleware Assembly), WETECOL will continue to pursue its objectives to be established as an online free knowledge sharing network. WETECOL was jointly created by researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia. This website is created and maintained by administrators from purely biological science background using primarily end user knowledge. WETECOL primarily functions from a Google platform and incorporates all other freely available web applications on the internet.

WETECOL presented a poster paper at PRAGMA 15, entitled "WETECOL (Wetland Ecologist) : Knowledge Sharing and Networking Initiative". Abstract : WETECOL (Wetland Ecologist) was launched on 10th April 2008 as an online knowledge sharing network for wetland researchers, scientists and enthusiasts. WETECOL aims to provide avenues for exchanging of wetland information, ideas and covers wide range of subject matters from plankton, fishes, weeds, bryophytes, higher plants, rice paddies agro systems, migratory birds, and mammals. WETECOL also aims to promote awareness among the public particularly on pressing environmental issues such as global warming and eroding of biodiversity. WETECOL is currently based at School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. At present, WETECOL has 53 online members from 13 countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, India, Japan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Vietnam, Netherlands, Australia and USA). All the professional information of the WETECOL members is published in a special website which functions as a database. The WETECOL websites use a blogger interface platform from Google (blog, gmail, googlepages). The main section comprised the ‘blog post’ where selected articles and reviews from members and subscribed feeds are published. WETECOL also incorporate many other web service applications such as statcounter, photobucket, widgetbox, feedburner and globetracker. In all, WETECOL thus far have operated using free online web services.

Johan I.1,2, Dzul Fahmi M.A.1, Shah ASRM1, Chan K.Y.1 and Mashhor M.1
1School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
2Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Bintulu Campus, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

A sanctuary for the Kelah (Malaysian Mahseer)

left: Tor Tambroides, Kelah (Malaysian Mahseer)
right: The fruit of Dysoxylum angustifolium (Maris) serve as natural food for the Kelah

The Kelah (Malaysian Mahseer) is a protected riverine fish of Malaysia. The population of Kelah has been threatened due to their habitat destruction and and over exploitation. Recent years, the government has been working to conserve and protect the Kelah. Several Kelah sanctuaries has been established and the population of Kelah has been increasing. Some of the established Kelah sanctuaries are located in Perlok, National Park, Pahang and Petang River, Kenyir Lake, Terengganu. The more recent effort to conserve and restore the Kelah is by EMKAY Group with collaboration with USAINS, USM. The sanctuary is targeted to be in the Temengor Lake (Perak).

left: at the Kelah sanctuary base camp
right: going to Kelah sanctuary, Mr. Mohd Fauzi seated right at the last row

Wetecol members (Robaeha, Syaiful, Taufiq, Hamzah and Adawiyah) had the opportunity to visit the Petang River Kelah Sanctuary (PRKS) in Kenyir Lake, Terengganu. The trip was conducted from 9-10 August 2008. PRKS is being managed by Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH) and Kelah sanctuary visit package are provided by Petang Island Resort. The resort manager, Mr. Mohd Fauzi Salleh welcomed the team and joined the team to the Kelah sanctuary.










left: beautiful scenery on the way to Petang river
right: boathouse hotel on the lake












left: Mr. Sulaiman, the caretaker of the Kelah in the Kelah pond
right: Robaeha and the team having a feel inside the Kelah pond surrounded by hundreds of fish

The estimated population of Kelah there is more than 500o healthy adult fishes located in two fish pools visited by the team. The Kelah are taken care by Mr. Sulaiman. The journey to the sanctuary took about 1 hours to reach the sanctuary. The team stayed the resort boathouse. The experience was uniquely special for the visitors. The Kelah sanctuary has become a successful product for Aqua Eco Tourism of KETENGAH. Caring for the fishes and their habitats now proved to be worthwhile effort for man and sustainable future for the fishes.

Tasik Temengor Expedition Gallery

Click here if you have problems seeing the pictures

Recently, for the past three months, Universiti Sains Malaysia researchers, Professor Mashhor Mansor, Dr. Khoo Khay Huat and Mr. Amir Shah Ruddin together with other researchers have been working together on "Conservation and Restoration of Endangered Riverine Fish " project at Temengor, Perak. The project was a collaboration between USAINS and EMKAY group. The first phase of the project has been completed. Uploaded here are some of the pictures of Tasik Temengor Expedition which were participated by many Wetecol members from USM.

Silent Streams? Escalating Endangerment For North American Freshwater Fish

Published online on 10 September 2008 Science Daily

Nearly 40 percent of fish species in North American streams, rivers and lakes are now in jeopardy, according to the most detailed evaluation of the conservation status of freshwater fishes in the last 20 years.

An endangered holiday darter (Amicola population). Darters are among the most threatened Southeastern fish; they have been likened to aquatic canaries. (Credit: Photo by Noel Burkhead, USGS)

The 700 fishes now listed represent a staggering 92 percent increase over the 364 listed as "imperiled" in the previous 1989 study published by the American Fisheries Society. Researchers classified each of the 700 fishes listed as either vulnerable (230), threatened (190), or endangered (280). In addition, 61 fishes are presumed extinct.

The new report, published in Fisheries, was conducted by a U.S. Geological Survey-led team of scientists from the United States, Canada and Mexico, who examined the status of continental freshwater and diadromous (those that migrate between rivers and oceans) fish.

"Freshwater fish have continued to decline since the late 1970s, with the primary causes being habitat loss, dwindling range and introduction of non-native species," said Mark Myers, director of the USGS. "In addition, climate change may further affect these fish."

Most Vulnerable Groups

The groups of fish most at risk are the highly valuable salmon and trout of the Pacific Coast and western mountain regions; minnows, suckers and catfishes throughout the continent; darters in the Southeastern United States; and pupfish, livebearers, and goodeids, a large, native fish family in Mexico and the Southwestern United States.

Nearly half of the carp and minnow family and the Percidae (family of darters, perches and their relatives) are in jeopardy. Fish families important for sport or commercial fisheries also had many populations at risk. More than 60 percent of the salmon and trout had at least one population or subspecies in trouble, while 22 percent of sunfishes — which includes the well-known species such as black bass, bluegill and rock bass — were listed. Even one of the most popular game species in the United States, striped bass, has populations on the list.

link to full article (Science Daily)

Algae versus algae

Published online 20 August 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.1041

'Red tides' might be staunched by harmless algae.

Matt Kaplan

Diverse species of algae are proving to be unlikely allies in the fight against the lethal toxins created by red tides.












Red tides can kill marine life and ruin beaches.
Alejandro Díaz

Red tides are large algal blooms that can release powerful neurotoxins into both marine and freshwaters. They are a serious problem for conservation, fisheries and tourism, killing wildlife, contaminating shellfish and making otherwise warm and alluring beaches unusable. Controlling them would have obvious benefits. But not knowing what initiates and terminates the blooms has stymied efforts in that direction.

In an attempt to better understand red tides, Julia Kubanek at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and her colleagues examined harmless species of algae that grow in the same environment as Karenia brevis, the organism responsible for the red tides that occur off the Florida coast every year. Earlier research had revealed that many of these benign algae can survive in the presence of red-tide toxins, and Kubanek and her team wanted to find out why they were so resilient.

The researchers added five different algal species — all commonly found near K. brevis in the wild — one by one to samples of water with toxins in it, and monitored both their survival and the concentrations of the toxins over the course of 24 hours. One species, Skeletonema costatum, was studied further because of its abundance in the Gulf of Mexico and frequent proximity to K. brevis. It was raised with K. brevis in conditions that allowed both algal species exponential growth, and over the course of nine days the water was regularly analysed for algal population densities of both species and toxins.

The researchers report in Harmful Algae1 that all five species of harmless algae can remove the toxins from water. They found that S. costatum performed the best, growing at a rate that kept pace with K. brevis and reduced waterborne toxin levels by 80%.

Link to full article (Nature News)

Importance of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and Fisheries

Smithville Lock & Dam

Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway which transverses from northeast Mississippi (Pickwick Lake) to west-central Alabama (Warrior-Tombigbee River) was constructedby the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to shortened the commercial transportation route from Tennessee to the Gulf Coast of Mexico (Pugh et al. 2003; Ward et al. 2005). Completed in December 1984 and opened to the public a month later, Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway consists of 10 locks and dams with 175 foot deep canal which connecting Tennessee River with the upper Tombigbee River Watershed. With a total length of 234 miles (376.6 km) and a total lifting or lowering barges of 341 feet (104 m), this waterway is the first large water resource project constructed in accordance with the provision of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that accommodate nearly 50 miles (80.5 km) levee to prevent the destruction of prime wildlife habitat along the upper reaches of Tombigbee River caused by permanent flooding from the five impoundments ([1]).

Location of Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Mississippi, USA

With basin area of 18,800 km², upper Tombigbee River consists of 122 fish species (Ward et al. 2005). However, due to comprehensive and severe impacts of damming, clearing and dredging along the course of original Tombigbee River, the stream fisheries were eliminated (Jackson and Dillard 1991). Eventually, Marler and Jackson (1992) reported that multispecies have become established in the riverine enviroments of the waterway with largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) contributing approximately 10% to the harvest by weight.

Columbus Lock & Dam

Fishery production in a water body is generally directly related to its plankton production, which later supports lower trophic fishery or planktivorous species and accordingly, the whole aquatic food web. In tailwater ecosystem, the fishery production depends on the nutrients and seston discharge from upper reservoir (Jackson et al. 1991). However, due to supplies interruption by the impoundment and physical destruction during the discharged (Jackson et al. 1991), tailwater and downstream areas faced a big challenge to provide enough seston to its community. Without any seston source or replenishment, the water body is not productive and thus will not naturally support fish production.

Amory Lock & Dam

Dams have, however, resulted in development of many highly productive tailwater fisheries (Jackson and Marmulla 2001). For example, in Tygart Lake, West Virginia, Jernejcic (1986) reported that walleye (Stizostedium vitreum vitreum) fishing success was higher in the tailwater than in the lake (0.56 vs. 0.32 fish caught per hour). Fry (1965) reported that tailwater fisheries below Table Rock and Taneycomo dams on the White River (Missouri, USA), and Clearwater Dam on the Black River (Missouri, USA) received 7, 10 and 16 times, respectively, more fishing effort per unit area (angler-hours/ha/y) than their associated upstream reservoir. For the Taneycomo and Clearwater systems, the tailwaters also provided greater total harvests by weight than did their respective reservoirs.

Aberdeen Lock & Dam

Tailwater productivity is due primarily to seston (e.g., plankton) transport from the upstream reservoir, through the dam, and into the downstream receiving waters (Jackson et al. 1991). Seston transport supports secondary production of filter-feeding benthic macroinvertebrates below dams (Jackson 1985; Barwick and Hudson 1988; Ney and Mauney 1981) and, in some situations, principal forage fishes in the system (e.g., shads, Dorosoma spp.) (Jackson et al. 1989). Both of these pathways can influence stock dynamics of important sport fisheries resources (e.g., centrarchids and ictalurids).

Seston transport in a tailwater is, however, attenuated rapidly downstream as filter feeding invertebrate consumers and planktivorous fishes consume the seston, or as moribound plankters settle to stream substrates (Jackson 1985; Jackson et al. 1991; Sarnita 1991; Jackson and Marmulla 2001). Subsequently, tailwater influences on fisheries extended only about 4 km below Aberdeen and Columbus dams (Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Mississippi, U.S.A.) (Sarnita 1991; Jackson and Dillard 1993; Marler and Jackson 1994; Jackson 1995). In the Coosa River tailwater below Jordan Dam (Alabama, U.S.A.), tailwater influences on the fisheries also extended only 4 km downstream under low flow regimes, but nearly 15 km downstream under high flow regimes (Jackson and Davies 1988a, 1988b; Jackson et al. 1991). In laboratory and natural stream experiments, Webster et al. (1987) found that seston concentration was correlated strongly with discharge. However, after peak discharge, seston concentration dropped exponentially and was independent of discharge.

The discreetness of individual tailwater fisheries and their close association with the immediate upstream reservoir, provide opportunity to investigate the concepts of fragmentation and serial discontinuity (sensu Dynesius and Nilsson 1994; Standford and Ward 2001) in an integrated river-reservoir system such as the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway that has dams placed in series.

Zarul Hazrin Hashim
PhD Candidate
Mississippi State University