ICF 8.0 advocates the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems

In an effort to uphold Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land, the International Collaboration Forum (ICF) was jointly organised by the Office of International Affairs (OIA) and the Faculty of Science on 29 April 2024 via Zoom. Besides promoting awareness, the eighth ICF aimed to provide a platform for speakers, participants, academics and experts to propose possible actions for the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.

UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat said in his opening speech, “The importance of awareness and taking decisive action for the preservation of our planet, terrestrial, and ecosystem cannot be overstated. These ecosystems are not only vital for our diversity, but also play a crucial role in supporting life on earth. Our UTAR SDG and ESG committee underscore the University’s commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goals and responsible governance practices. UTAR not only imparts knowledge, but also takes proactive measures to engage with the community to enhance awareness and contribute meaningfully to the global agenda for a more sustainable and equitable world. Through this committee, UTAR has transformed the lives of its students, inspiring future generations to make a positive impact on the environment. Today we are promoting SDG 15: Life on Land, to disseminate the message for sustainable use of the terrestrial ecosystem, responsible forest management, combatting desertification, reversing land degradation, and halting biodiversity loss.”

Furthermore, ICF 8.0 served as a platform to explore collaborative opportunities with participating institutions, namely Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Mahidol University in Thailand, and Brawijaya University in Indonesia, which were represented by speakers, namely Dr Hamidah binti Mamat, Dr Watchara Arthan, and Ms Yeni Rahayu, respectively.  Also joining them was Prof Dr Wong Chin Yoong from UTAR Faculty of Business and Finance.

Additionally, Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, the Director of OIA, as well as staff and attendees, were also in attendance.

Dr Hamidah’s presentation was titled “Identification of vulnerable ecosystems in Malaysia: Towards a Malaysia red list of ecosystems”. Participants noted that the conservation status facilitates the systematic management of habitats and ecosystems to ensure the sustainability of the country’s natural resources. Her concluding remark also mentioned that the Malaysia RLE supports the country’s development and physical planning by providing baseline information to the Town and Country Planning Department at both federal and state levels. Another information highlighted by the speaker was that the RLE provides input on ecosystems to support the country’s conservation efforts.

Dr Watchara’s presentation titled “Southeast Asian savannas: The forgotten but highly diverse habitats” have enabled participants to learn more about the fate of Asian savannas. He explained that the misperception of Asian savannas as degraded forests challenges appropriate management plans. He further elucidated that the understudied nature of Asian savannas, especially the effect of fire and herbivores, impedes proper conservation schemes. The speaker provided several instances of understudied topics, such as the lack of understanding regarding the roles of fire and herbivores in Asian savannas, the indistinguishable states between derived savannas/degraded forests and ancient savannas, and the introduction of exotic species that alter the characteristics of Asian savannas.

Puan Yeni’s presentation titled “Harnessing Sumatran bamboo: A path towards sustainable development” delved into how the increasing emphasis on sustainable living and eco-awareness has led to a significant demand for bamboo crafts and goods. She highlighted the emergence of new technologies aimed at enhancing bamboo processing and integrating them into mainstream markets. However, she noted that the lack of regulation in the bamboo industry has led to unsustainable harvesting practices, as bamboo components are still primarily sourced from the wild.

Yeni emphasised the importance of organisations dedicating efforts to promote bamboo cultivation and safeguarding natural bamboo habitats. She stressed the necessity for collaboration among local governments, communities and private bamboo industries to achieve sustainable development goals.

In the last presentation titled “When biodiversity preservation meets carbon credits: Releasing the market power for Mother Earth” by Prof Wong, participants learnt that while the benefit of deforestation is measurable, the cost of deforestation is not, resulting in the value of nature being determined by the value of damaging it, rather than the value of not damaging it. He then listed some examples of projects that can aid in the conservation efforts, such as the “Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR)” project, Improved Forest Management (IFM), and Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD).

The forum concluded after an interactive discussion and Q&A session among the speakers and participants.