CHAPTER 1 (National Policies)

• Biological Diversity is 


  variability among living organisms on earth from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part of
• Biological Diversity includes


  diversity within species, between species and of ecosystem
• National Policies on Biodiversity (NPBD) 2016-2025 objectives are


  To conserve Malaysia's biological diversity and

  To ensure that its component are utilized in a sustainable manner for the continued progress and socio-economic development of the nation.
• Principle 1 in NPBD


  Heritage.

  BioD is a national heritage that must be sustainably managed and wisely utilised today and conserve for future generations.
• Principle 2 in NPBD

  Precautionary.

  The lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to postpone measures to minimise threats of significant loss of biodiversity
• Principle 3 in NPBD

  Shared responsibility.

  The conservation and sustainable utilisation of biodiversity are the shared responsibility of all sectors and society.
• Principle 4 in NPBD 


  Participatory.

  Planning and management of biodiversity must be carried out in a participatory manner.
• Principle 5 in NPBD

  Good governance.

  Good governance, including accountability and transparency in decision-making, is crucial to biodiversity conservation.
• 1st goal of NPBD (by 2025)

  Empowerment and harnessed the commitment of all stakeholders to conserve biodiversity.

  e.g. Create awareness across all segments of our society — nurture participation amongst children and youth.
• 2nd goal of NPBD (by 2025)


  Significantly reduced direct and indirect pressures on biodiversity.

  e.g. Integrate biodiversity conservation into sectoral policies and plans — Recognise the economic value
• 3rd goal of NPBD (by 2025)

  Safeguarded all key ecosystem, species and genetic diversity.

  e.g. By 2025, at least 20% of terrestrial areas and inland waters, and 10% of coastal and marines areas, are conserved.
• 4th goal of NPBD (by 2025)

  Ensured that the benefits from the utilisation of biodiversity are accrued equitable to all

  e.g. Institutionalising a national regulatory framework — enhance capacity and awareness.
• 5th goal of NPBD (by 2025)

  Improved the capacity, knowledge and skills of all stakeholders to conserve biodiversity

  e.g. Strengthen the capacity of biodiversity-related agencies

  • Enhance the quality and quantity of research on Malaysia's biodiversity
  • Establish comprehensive databases and monitoring programmes
• Rich diversity of Malaysian (flora)

  Malaysia is widely recognised to be one of the world's few megadiversity countries. There are an estimated 15,00 species of vascular plants in Malaysia.
• Rich diversity of Malaysian (fauna)

  The country's faunal communities include 307 known species of mammals, 30 of which endemic to Malaysia

  • 785 species of birds from 85 families
  • 242 species of amphibians
  • 567 species of reptiles
  • A total of 1951 species of freshwater marine fishes
• Biodiversity Crisis


  Throughout Earth's history there have been five major Extinction Events. These extinction events concern the sudden disappearance of many species. The most 'infamous' event was the extinction of the dinosaur 65 million years ago.
• Giant ground sloths


  disappeared along with the mammoths, mastodons, and many other large animals, at the end of the Pleistocene Epoch.
• The Sixth Extinction (Holocene)


  Direct result of one species substantially modifying the planet at the expense of the other 11 million or so species. That species is US.

  At the current rate of habitat destruction it is estimated that within the next 100 years or so about half of the world's existing species may be extinct.

  The rate of species loss during 'The Sixth Extinction', is estimated to be somewhere between 100 and 1000 times greater than during any previous Extinction Events.
• Dodo bird

  One of the earlier and popularly-known examples of extinction in this period.

  The dodi bird lived in the forest of Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, but became extinct around 1663.

  It was hunted for its meat by sailors as it was easy prey because dodo, which did not evolve with humans, would approach people without fear.

  Introduced pigs, rats, and dogs, brought to the island by European ships, also killed dodo young an eggs
• Skeleton of the extinct Dodo, endemic to Mauritius, on display at the Mauritius Natural History Museum

  Dodo bird

  
• Steller's sea cow

  Become extinct in 1768.

  The sea cow, first discovered by Europeans in 1741, was hunted for meat and oil

  
• • Carribbean monk seal
  • Japanese sea lion


  Extinct species was hunted and suffered from habitat loss through the clearing of forest for farmland.

  Some are victims of hunting and overfishing.
• Biodiversity Conservation

  
• Conservation Efforts (3 types)

  Conserve

  1. Particular Species (e.g. the polar bear) or groups of animals (e.g. tigers)
  2. Entire Habitat (e.g. Amazon rainforest)
  3. Natural Resources — setting aside national parks and wildlife preserves
• In situ conservation


  Is on-site conservation or conservation of genetic resources in a natural population of plants, such as forest genetic resources in natural population of tree species.
• In situ conservation


  It is the process of protecting an endangered plant in its natural habitat either by protecting or cleaning up the habitat itself, or by defending the species from predators
• In situ conservation


  It is applied to conservation of agriculture biodiversity in agro ecosystem by farmers, especially those using unconventional farming practice.
• The advantages of in situ conservation

  The species will :

  • Have all the resources that it is adapted too
  • Continue to evolve in their environment
  • Have more space
  • Have bigger breeding populations can be kept
  • It is cheaper to keep an organism in its natural habitat
• Disadvantages of in situ conservation

  In some cases the difficulties are so great that it is unlikely that in situ conservation will be successful.

  This is particularly true when there is so little suitable habitat left to maintain a viable population of the endangered species — sometimes this is temporary in the case of the scimitar-horned Oryx, but unfortunately in some cases it may be more permanent — for example tigers may be impossible to conserve in situ as a result of hunting and habitat loss.
• Scimitar-horned Oryx

  
• Ex situ Conservation 


  Means literally, "off-site conservation". It is the process of protecting an endangered species of plant or animal outside of its natural habitat

  For example, by removing part of the population from a threatened habitat and placing it in a new location, which may be wild area or within the care of human

  
• The advantages of ex situ conservation

  The organism is assured of food, shelter and security, and hence can have longer life-span and breeding activity. Thus, increasing the possibility of having more number of offspring's.

  The chances of survival increases due to under human care and secure conditions.
• The advantages of ex situ conservation

  Provides the possibility of using genetic techniques to improve the concerned species.

  Captive breeding can provide animals for possible reintroduction to the wild at a later stage or for supplementing current populations with new stock.
• Disadvantages of ex situ conservation 


  Only a small number of individuals can be cared of.

  Can be difficult and expensive to create and maintain a sustainable environment for breeding.

  Ex situ is less successful than in situ conservation, some species do not bread successfully or cannot adapt to their environment.
• Conservation Mode

  
• Additional examples of ex situ conservation