11
across the Sungai Telom at a cost of M$3 million.
This same reservoir was also plagued by water
hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) infestation in
mid-1989. Clearing this menace incurred a cost
of M$200,000.
The ricefi eld ecosystem too has its share of
pollution problems. The excessive use of pesticides, such as Gramoxone, Thiodan and
Malathion, has resulted in declining fi sh yield in
ricefi elds. The problem is also compounded by
the double-cropping practice which shortens the
rice-growing season and, in doing so, limits the
production of the rice–fi sh culture system.
Good planning and proper management of
water resources on the basis of an entire river
basin are, therefore, necessary in order to overcome such pollution problems so as to ensure
socio-economic development. Malaysian limnologists do, in fact, play an important role here.
1.10.5 Development of Limnology
in Malaysia
1.10.5.1 Historical Development
An account of the historical development of freshwater ecology (limnology) as a scientifi c discipline in Malaysia up to the late 1970s has been
given by Furtado ( 1980a , b ). The focus and overall trend in Malaysia during the said period have
been elaborated by Lim ( 1980a ) and Ho ( 1980a ),
respectively. Briefl y, limnology in Malaysia had
its beginning in the early 1980s. Several key scientists played important roles during the formative years. They included known personalities like
M. W. F. Tweedie, D. S. Johnson, G. A. Prowse,
M. K. Soong, C. H. Fernando and J. I. Furtado.
The period 1965–1970 witnessed the gradual
establishment of a pool of researchers, lecturers
and graduates subsequently enabled Malaysia to
host and participate actively in the joint Malaysian/
Japanese IBP/PF Tasik Bera Project in the early
1970s (Furtado and Mori 1982 ). Well-known
Japanese limnologists like S. Mori, I. Ikusima,
T. Mizuno and S. Kumano contributed to the
Tasik Bera project.
In the following years, more specialists in
aquatic biology were recruited in other local
universities like Universiti Kebangsaan Sains
Malaysia (UKM) in the country. Undergraduate
and postgraduate programmes in aquatic biology
were introduced and these invariably included a
limnology component.
1.10.5.2 Present Trend
Today, the trend towards interdisciplinary
research and training in Malaysia continues in
areas related to water resources development and
management as well as water pollution studies.
Tasks like these require a holistic approach
involving multidisciplinary inputs. With advances
in analytical techniques, computer technology
and availability of other high-tech tools like
remote-sensing technique, these have been made
less daunting and time consuming. Several Image
Processing Systems (IPS) – cum – software (e.g.
Dragon , Meridian, ERDAS) and at least ten different Geographical Information Service (GIS)
software packages, planning and management
purposes (see MACRES 1991 ) have accelerated
the pace of work. Further works include river
basin planning and management as well as environmental protection studies.
Another noteworthy change is that the number
of Malaysian scientists, whether locally or foreign trained, has increased over the year. This is
made possible through long-term human resource
development planning and improved training and
research facilities now available in the country.
For a proposed development project of a certain
scale, an EIA is mandatory in accordance with
the requirements of the Environmental Quality
(Amendment) Act (1985) and the Environment
Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental
Impact Assessment) Order (1987). It is a prerequisite for fi nal project approval.
Research funding, especially when limited,
seems to favour applied research. While studies on
plant and animal systematics seem to have been
overshadowed by the popularity of applied biological studies, the academic community remains fully
aware of the fundamental importance of a sound
knowledge on systematic in freshwater curricula.
Fortunately, basic research in these areas is still
very much alive to fi ll in the existing gaps in their
knowledge of the aquatic biota in the country.
1.10 Limnology in a Typical Developing Country
across the Sungai Telom at a cost of M$3 million.
This same reservoir was also plagued by water
hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) infestation in
mid-1989. Clearing this menace incurred a cost
of M$200,000.
The ricefi eld ecosystem too has its share of
pollution problems. The excessive use of pesticides, such as Gramoxone, Thiodan and
Malathion, has resulted in declining fi sh yield in
ricefi elds. The problem is also compounded by
the double-cropping practice which shortens the
rice-growing season and, in doing so, limits the
production of the rice–fi sh culture system.
Good planning and proper management of
water resources on the basis of an entire river
basin are, therefore, necessary in order to overcome such pollution problems so as to ensure
socio-economic development. Malaysian limnologists do, in fact, play an important role here.
1.10.5 Development of Limnology
in Malaysia
1.10.5.1 Historical Development
An account of the historical development of freshwater ecology (limnology) as a scientifi c discipline in Malaysia up to the late 1970s has been
given by Furtado ( 1980a , b ). The focus and overall trend in Malaysia during the said period have
been elaborated by Lim ( 1980a ) and Ho ( 1980a ),
respectively. Briefl y, limnology in Malaysia had
its beginning in the early 1980s. Several key scientists played important roles during the formative years. They included known personalities like
M. W. F. Tweedie, D. S. Johnson, G. A. Prowse,
M. K. Soong, C. H. Fernando and J. I. Furtado.
The period 1965–1970 witnessed the gradual
establishment of a pool of researchers, lecturers
and graduates subsequently enabled Malaysia to
host and participate actively in the joint Malaysian/
Japanese IBP/PF Tasik Bera Project in the early
1970s (Furtado and Mori 1982 ). Well-known
Japanese limnologists like S. Mori, I. Ikusima,
T. Mizuno and S. Kumano contributed to the
Tasik Bera project.
In the following years, more specialists in
aquatic biology were recruited in other local
universities like Universiti Kebangsaan Sains
Malaysia (UKM) in the country. Undergraduate
and postgraduate programmes in aquatic biology
were introduced and these invariably included a
limnology component.
1.10.5.2 Present Trend
Today, the trend towards interdisciplinary
research and training in Malaysia continues in
areas related to water resources development and
management as well as water pollution studies.
Tasks like these require a holistic approach
involving multidisciplinary inputs. With advances
in analytical techniques, computer technology
and availability of other high-tech tools like
remote-sensing technique, these have been made
less daunting and time consuming. Several Image
Processing Systems (IPS) – cum – software (e.g.
Dragon , Meridian, ERDAS) and at least ten different Geographical Information Service (GIS)
software packages, planning and management
purposes (see MACRES 1991 ) have accelerated
the pace of work. Further works include river
basin planning and management as well as environmental protection studies.
Another noteworthy change is that the number
of Malaysian scientists, whether locally or foreign trained, has increased over the year. This is
made possible through long-term human resource
development planning and improved training and
research facilities now available in the country.
For a proposed development project of a certain
scale, an EIA is mandatory in accordance with
the requirements of the Environmental Quality
(Amendment) Act (1985) and the Environment
Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental
Impact Assessment) Order (1987). It is a prerequisite for fi nal project approval.
Research funding, especially when limited,
seems to favour applied research. While studies on
plant and animal systematics seem to have been
overshadowed by the popularity of applied biological studies, the academic community remains fully
aware of the fundamental importance of a sound
knowledge on systematic in freshwater curricula.
Fortunately, basic research in these areas is still
very much alive to fi ll in the existing gaps in their
knowledge of the aquatic biota in the country.
1.10 Limnology in a Typical Developing Country