Nexus Action for Mangroves in Selangor, Malaysia: protection through value creation for community-public-private partnerships (NexAMS)
Lead Research Organisation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Department Name: Plymouth Marine Lab
Abstract
Mangroves contribute to businesses and communities through multiple ecosystem services, yet are undervalued and under-protected in Malaysia and globally. Using outputs and lessons from NetComFish (Newton-Ungku Omar Fund project), capacity building and co-creation, NexAMS aims to advance policy and business initiatives for improved, inclusive mangrove protection through sustainable use and build public-private-community partnerships, focusing on the state of Selangor.
Using stakeholder engagement, desk work and knowledge exchange, these aims will be achieved through: (i) analysis of local, state, federal and international plans, policies and commitments to identify gaps and learn lessons on how existing initiatives impact mangroves and can be modified to support sustainable development with mangroves; (ii) assessment of past, present and potential future social, economic and environmental threats to mangroves to identify mitigating actions targeted at public and private sectors; (iii) identify achievable actions for businesses to minimise their impact on mangroves, support mangrove restoration and contribute to coastal community development; (iv) community engagement to identify optimum areas for mangrove protection for sustainable use and facilitation of business-community linkages; (v) outreach, engagement and targeted communication along the policy pathway and among business networks.
For lasting impact, NexAMS will: work with stakeholders across local, state and federal decision-making tiers, and mutlisectorally, with local communities, the private sector, government, NGOs and academia; build the capacity of stakeholders to better manage mangrove resources through sustainable use; and facilitate increased interaction between different stakeholder groups to enable partnership building. These impacts will support coastal community livelihoods and environmentally sensitive economic development in Selangor and beyond.
Using stakeholder engagement, desk work and knowledge exchange, these aims will be achieved through: (i) analysis of local, state, federal and international plans, policies and commitments to identify gaps and learn lessons on how existing initiatives impact mangroves and can be modified to support sustainable development with mangroves; (ii) assessment of past, present and potential future social, economic and environmental threats to mangroves to identify mitigating actions targeted at public and private sectors; (iii) identify achievable actions for businesses to minimise their impact on mangroves, support mangrove restoration and contribute to coastal community development; (iv) community engagement to identify optimum areas for mangrove protection for sustainable use and facilitation of business-community linkages; (v) outreach, engagement and targeted communication along the policy pathway and among business networks.
For lasting impact, NexAMS will: work with stakeholders across local, state and federal decision-making tiers, and mutlisectorally, with local communities, the private sector, government, NGOs and academia; build the capacity of stakeholders to better manage mangrove resources through sustainable use; and facilitate increased interaction between different stakeholder groups to enable partnership building. These impacts will support coastal community livelihoods and environmentally sensitive economic development in Selangor and beyond.
Organisations
Publications
Chee S
(2021)
Enhancing Uptake of Nature-Based Solutions for Informing Coastal Sustainable Development Policy and Planning: A Malaysia Case Study
in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Tsikopoulou I
(2022)
Linking Species Functional Traits to Specific Biogeochemical Processes under Trawling Pressure.
in Biology
Related Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Award Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/V005758/1 | 13/05/2020 | 29/06/2020 | £60,490 | ||
| NE/V005758/2 | Transfer | NE/V005758/1 | 28/09/2020 | 30/03/2022 | £59,579 |
| Description | 1. Significant new knowledge generated on Implementing Nature based Solutions for enhancing coastal resilience in Malaysia. Loss of natural coastal protection (provided by coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves) due to coastal development is a serious threat to Malaysia's human population. One powerful way of addressing the difficult balance between coastal development and conservation is to implement Nature-based Solutions (NbS) defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits". NbS encompass the familiar traditional management practices of ecological restoration, rehabilitation, reconciliation, protection and ecological engineering, thereby increasing the resilience of coastal systems. NbS can be applied to unaltered natural habitats, to highly degraded and even artificial habitats (e.g., hard artificial structures like seawalls and rock revetments, through to artificially created habitats such as wetlands and beaches). Examples include mangrove restoration, coral reef protection, and hybrid solutions involving a combination of artificial structures and natural habitats. One powerful illustration is mangroves provide over $65 million in flood protection and protect 15 million people from flooding each year, globally. Mangrove protection, therefore, is an example of a NbS to coastal flooding. 2. Strengthened multi-stakeholder linkages in valuation studies is critical for improved decision making outcomes for valuable mangroves - The Malaysian case study This research, focusing on Malaysia, assessed the effectiveness and challenges of local ecosystem service valuation studies in informing mangrove management decisions against a set of global best practices. Valuation studies were characterized by weak multi-stakeholder engagement, non-standardized valuation units across the whole country, limited dissemination of the valuation outcome, and cursory references to the potential use of mangrove ecosystem services. Most of the studies did not exert apparent influence on mangrove management. Yet, valuation can play an important role in decision-making, when undertaken effectively and following best practices. Future valuation studies in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region should aim to build more robust engagement between valuation practitioners and key stakeholder groups, especially decision makers, at all stages of the study process and incorporate a clear dissemination strategy for sharing results. The changing forest policy landscape within Malaysia provides a window of opportunity for enabling uptake of valuation findings. However, this requires a clear operationalization of ecosystem service concepts within decision making and policy development at all levels, as well as valuation practitioners well versed in valuation best practices. 3. Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Malaysia- Status, Threats, and the Way Forward for Research and Policy Malaysia hosts some of the most productive blue carbon ecosystems globally. Based on lessons learnt from blue carbon projects worldwide, Malaysia needs to address governance and financing hurdles that include clarifying land tenureship, ensuring local community involvement and benefits, and obtaining sustainable financing for long-term success. Research to clarify uncertainties on extent of seagrass and trajectories of both seagrass and mangrove ecosystems is needed to determine baseline scenarios and demonstrate additionality in carbon projects. A clear, definitive national approach to blue carbon is essential to streamline accounting and inventory of carbon stocks and benefits. Addressing these barriers and gaps requires a whole of society approach and public-private partnerships and ultimately would allow Malaysia to fully tap into the global voluntary carbon market, local businesses, philanthropy, and multilateral carbon financing. |
| Exploitation Route | Key recommendations for policy makers include: a) Promote education of importance of tropical coastal habitats - mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds - for fisheries, coastal protection, water filtration, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity. b). Enhance protection measures for existing tropical coastal habitats, including establishment of Marine Protected Areas and Permanent Forest Reserves. c). Address underlying causes of degradation in tropical coastal habitats, such as pollution, coastal development, and overexploitation. d). Recognise links between protection and restoration of coastal and marine habitats and achievement of global policy goals including meeting Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) target of reducing greenhouse gases emission. Malaysia has globally significant blue carbon resources and there are multiple opportunities for blue carbon ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation. However, to overcome socio-political barriers requires establishing clear blue carbon monitoring and reporting mechanisms, clarifying rights to land tenureship and carbon benefits for local communities, and policy integration between local, regional, and national levels to ensure alignment. This requires collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, particularly the government agencies, local communities, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations. The government sector can do more in accelerating public investment to finance blue carbon projects. Modest and short-term targets could include establishing and promoting high quality demonstration sites, perhaps funded directly through philanthropy or grants, to help exemplify BCE restoration and build capacity. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Communities and Social Services/Policy Construction Creative Economy Education Energy Environment Financial Services and Management Consultancy Government Democracy and Justice Security and Diplomacy |
| URL | http://nexams2020.wixsite.com/nexams2020 |
| Description | Influence/Impact on Policy: Publication of Policy Analysis Mr. Andrew Edwards-Jones, a social science researcher at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, led policy analysis work using a Rapid Policy Network Mapping (RPNM) approach, focusing on mangrove management in Selangor. This method identified policy actors and instruments, mapping them against criteria and levels of operation. The policy report was published on PML Publishing on November 22nd, 2023. Physical copies were disseminated to project partners and stakeholders, including the Selangor State Forestry Department, Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), and the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM). Link to publication: https://doi.org/10.17031/e25n-j815 Dr Goh Hong Ching was approached by delegates from British High Commission KL in early 2024 to discuss the project's impact and future collaboration on expanding NexAMS work to cover more areas. Notable mangrove hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia, such as Sungai Pulai in Johor, Matang and Sepetang in Perak, and Teluk Air Tawar-Kuala Muda coast in Kedah, are recognized for their high ecosystem services value. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Security and Diplomacy |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | EU Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.bluepartnership.eu/news/paving-way-blue-transformation |
| Description | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) External Expert Identification Committee (June 2024-) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has used fecommendations to improve and support their processes |
| Description | • Defra's Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Conference 2023 (Birmingham, October 2023) Panel Member in session: How, when, and why should natural capital evidence and approaches be used in policy and decision making? |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-capital-and-ecosystem-assessment-programme/natura... |
| Description | A Systems Analysis Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste in Indonesian Societies (PISCES) |
| Amount | £3,611,375 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/V006428/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 07/2024 |
| Description | Centre for doctoral training in sustainable management of UK marine resources (SuMMeR) |
| Amount | £836,936 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/W007215/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2022 |
| End | 09/2028 |
| Description | ODA Challenge-Oriented Research Grants 2024 |
| Amount | £199,990 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IOCRG\101444 |
| Organisation | The British Academy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2024 |
| End | 12/2025 |
| Title | Coastal Communities Questionnaire for Cultural Ecosystem Study, 2021-2022 |
| Description | Using outputs and lesson from NetComFish (the initial project), this follow-up project, NexAMS, aims to advance community engagement to identify optimum areas for mangroves protection for sustainable use and facilitation of business-community linkages. Provisioning and regulating services such as timber and coastal protection are globally known when people talk about mangroves importance. In terms of research initiatives, there are many studies conducted for these two types of ecosystem services due to their economic values. However, there is a growing need to study cultural ecosystem services so that policymakers and decisionmakers will understand that this type of services is crucial for natural resource management such mangroves. This is because cultural ecosystem services are important to understand the connection and the interaction local communities have towards an ecosystem. This research findings will be valuable for the local government and policymakers to make informed decision and help to identify potential mangroves replanting effort in Selangor. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Local communities identified and learned about importance of mangroves |
| URL | https://reshare.ukdataservice.ac.uk/855837/ |
| Title | Incentivising Businesses to Adopt Action for the Protection of Coastal Nature and Biodiversity in Malaysia, 2021-2022 |
| Description | Nexus Action for Mangroves in Selangor, Malaysia: Protection Through Value Creation for Community-Public-Private Partnerships (NexAMS) is an 18-month project aimed at advancing policy and business initiatives for improved, inclusive mangrove protection through sustainable use, and building public-private-community partnerships, focusing on the state of Selangor. When it comes to natural climate solutions, the private sector is uniquely positioned as both a catalyst and accelerator. It is considered to have the resources to invest in mangrove protection and mitigation. This study will build a business case for mangrove interactions including how businesses can alter actions to mitigate and offset future impacts and initiate new interactions with mangroves (including details of value creation and competitive advantage, as well as factors needed for success and returns on investment). The business case will explore the idea of businesses being more conscious of mangroves in their decision-making. These include actions such as adopting a natural capital approach / considering nature-based solutions, in all that they do and in pursuit of their own aims and objectives. While the focus is on private sector impacts on mangroves, this study also looks at policy assessments, such as SWOT analysis of existing policies and plans that influence mangroves, including their contribution to the biodiversity impact mitigation hierarchy. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | used in newsletters and social media and for dissemination of information about mangrove to business and government. Research paper in preparation |
| URL | https://reshare.ukdataservice.ac.uk/855865/ |
| Description | COP 27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt: attended, hosted University of Plymouth Stand, gave presentations on a panel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Attended COP 27, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, Manned University of Plymouth Stand explaining research to a wide footall audience, gave presentation and joined discussion on a panel 'Influence of National and Global Climate Education, Innovation, and Research on The Governmental Policies and Participation in The Green Economy' in the Climate Education Hub of Earth organization |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Devon Lord Lieutenants Environment Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Devon Lord Lieutenants Environment Group asked me to attend their meeting and discuss some of the aspects of marine environment in Devon that they should be aware of in their roe. There was a wide ranging discussion |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Influence/Impact on Policy, Business and Local Communities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Our newsletter started since 01/31/2021 until 12/29/2022 has a total of 201 subscribers to date. Link to all newsletter: https://us2.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=e9597015a66ad21a8ecbfe0f1&id=8d9679c21a |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://us2.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=e9597015a66ad21a8ecbfe0f1&id=8d9679c21a |
| Description | Invited speaker TropSci discourse event organised by The Mahathir Science Award Foundation (MCAF) and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation 'Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Use of Tropical Marine Resources' given on 28/09/21 as a pre-conference event to provide background for The International Conference on Tropical Sciences: contributions to Sustainability |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://msa-foundation.org/TropSc2021/pre-event/ |
| Description | JNCC-Marine Scotland workshop 'Exploring an Integrated Approach towards a Sustainable Blue Economy' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited speaker at JNCC-Marine Scotland workshop 'Exploring an Integrated Approach towards a Sustainable Blue Economy' - I gave 2 presentations (1) Systems Thinking Approach for marine sustainability and (2) GCRF Blue Communities: Systems thinking research to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Launch of Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society, Natural History Museum, - keynote speaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The launch of University of Plymouth's Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society at the Natural History Museum, London. This was an evening dinner event attended by more than 100 invitees across all sectors. Keynote presentations were given by Prof Austen, Dr Gemma Harper of JNCC and Prof Duncan Wingham, Chief Exec of NERC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/centre-for-systems-thinking |
| Description | Marine Law Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited speaker and panellist to talk about Marine Net Gain at Marine Law Symposium: Can Offshore Wind Development Have a Net Positive Impact on Biodiversity? Regulatory and Scientific Perspectives and Considerations co-organised by The Nature Conservancy, Roger Williams University School of Law Marine Affairs Institute and the Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program, Rhode Island, USA, April |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://docs.rwu.edu/law_pubs_conf/179/ |
| Description | Marine issues presentation to Cefas Management Board away day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited to give a presentation on current marine issues to the to Cefas Management Board at their away day to promote awareness and challenge |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Sustainable Management of Marine Resources |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Chaired session at The Sustainable Management of Marine Resources Annual Conference, Bristol, May |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Systems Thinking to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia. Western Philippines Sea |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Opening keynote presentation (invited) at the International Western Philippines Sea Conference: Systems thinking research to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia. Palawan, the Philippines, August |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/wpu.edu.ph/icwps2023/home |
| Description | Systems Thinking to advance marine spatial planning, Jakarta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on Systems Thinking given at Universitas Esa Ungull, Jakarta, Indonesia, August |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Systems thinking: seeing and making the connections for sustainable use of our ocean |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave keynote presentation at Ocean and Coastal Futures Conference. Questions and social media follow up |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://coastal-futures.net/ |
| Description | University Malaya Seminar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Systems thinking research to advance marine spatial planning in SE Asia - invited speaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at University seminar |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | University of Plymouth House of Lords Reception |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | University of Plymouth House of Lords Reception - met and discussed research and outcomes with a wide variety of people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |