Mapping The Seagrass and Mangroves of the South of Johor

Preserving Marine Biodiversity in the South of Johor

In 2022, we were invited to collaborate to monitor seagrass meadows near Tanjung Kopok in the South of Johor. The programme aimed to understand the ecological and socio-economic significance of these habitats to local communities, especially in Perigi Acheh.

Following its success, the programme was expanded in 2023, to include communities around Pasir Gogok. This extension involved various activities, including ecosystem mapping, community consultations, and education initiatives with schools.

The programme now aims to develop a comprehensive conservation strategy for coastal marine ecosystems in Southeast Johor so it may benefit both local communities and the diverse marine life they support.

 About the South of Johor

The South of Johor, located at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, is a region rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our current focus is on the eastern side of this region, specifically Tanjung Kopok (also known as Tanjung Langsat) and Pasir Gogok (Pengerang). These areas are characterized by their vibrant coastal ecosystems, which include seagrass meadows and mangrove forests that play a crucial role in maintaining marine biodiversity.

Monitoring and Mapping of Coastal Marine Ecosystems

Our ongoing effort to monitor and map coastal marine ecosystems in the South of Johor focuses on the seagrass meadows at Tanjung Kopok and Pasir Gogok.

With an average cover of 45%, the meadow in Tanjung Kopok consists of primarily the Halophila ovalis species, making up 73% of the total cover. The transient nature of this meadow means it experiences periods of die-back, influenced by stressors such as water pollution, which significantly impacts local gleaners and fishers who depend on it for their livelihood. Due to this, we are also looking to implement necessary conservation measures.

In 2023, we launched a preliminary seagrass mapping survey at Pasir Gogok, recording 128 mapping points across predetermined transects and random sampling points.

Our findings indicate that the seagrass meadow along Pasir Gogok’s coast is made up of predominantly 'Halophila ovalis', with some patchy presence of 'Enhalus acoroides'. To fully understand the seagrass ecosystem at Pasir Gogok, a more comprehensive investigation is needed.

We are expanding our efforts to include a more holistic and comprehensive mapping of both seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. This initiative will provide invaluable data to develop targeted conservation and marine resource management strategies for the South Johor.

Education and Awareness Programmes

Our project in the South of Johor focuses on educating students and the community about the importance of marine ecosystems through collaborative school programmes. We are now engaging with both secondary and primary schools.

Our educational activities encompass classroom sessions, field trips, discussions, and guided boat tours. These initiatives are designed to introduce students to the various marine ecosystems, highlighting their significance, and addressing the threats they face. Our goal is to foster a deep understanding and a sense of responsibility towards marine conservation among the younger generation.

Community and Stakeholders' Consultation

Multiple consultations were done with the community of Kampung Pasir Gogok community to build rapport and gather socio-economic and environmental data throughout our work. These consultation focused on understanding the community's reliance on seagrass ecosystems and addressing environmental challenges.

We also consulted with local agencies to understand socio-economic development plans, establish collaborations, and secure support from these agencies. We believe that the ongoing dialogue strengthen relationships, provide valuable insights, and help to ensure the successful implementation of future conservation initiatives.

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