Using Google Earth to Improve the Management of Threatened Limestone Karst Ecosystems in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

In a world of limited resources and so many species and habitats in need of protection, informed prioritization is essential. However, we cannot prioritize effectively if historical and current information regarding a particular habitat or species remains scattered. Several good platforms have been created to help users find, use and create biodiversity information. However, good platforms for sharing habitat information for threatened ecosystems are still lacking. Limestone hills are an example of threatened ecosystems that harbor unique biodiversity, but are facing intensifying anthropogenic disturbances. As limestone is a vital resource for the construction industry, it is not possible to completely halt forest degradation and quarrying in developing countries such as Malaysia, where 445 limestone hills have been recorded in the peninsula to date. As such, there is an urgent need to identify which hills must be prioritized for conservation. To make decisions based on sound science, collating spatial and biological information on limestone hills into a publicly accessible database is critical. Here, we compile Malaysia's first limestone hill GIS map for 445 limestone hills in the peninsula, based on information from geological reports and scientific literature. To assist in conservation prioritization efforts, we quantified characteristics of limestone hills in terms of size, degree of isolation, and spatial distribution patterns. We also assessed the degree of habitat disturbance in each limestone hill in terms of buffer area forest degradation and quarrying activity. These data are stored in a KMZ file and can be accessed through the Google Earth interface. Rather than being viewed as a final output containing basic limestone hill information, this database should be regarded as a foundational platform for users to collect, store, update and manipulate spatial and biological data from limestone hills to better inform decisions regarding their management.

Review: Biodiversity of forests over limestone in Southeast Asia with emphasis on the Philippines

“…In Peninsular Malaysia, at least 18 karst-dependent plant species have been reported to have gone extinct due to quarrying (Kiew 1991). Limestone is so valuable for creating cement, that governments from developing countries are willing to overlook sustainable limestone quarrying policies just to improve their economy (Bambang and Utomo 2003;Galindon et al 2018;Liew et al 2016). Land-use planning that considers the welfare of poorer communities must be highlighted to address this.…”

From stowaways to karst‐aways: unloading the Peninsular Malaysia endemic Polyalthia brunneifolia (Annonaceae)

“…Limestone outcrops have been noted as being of considerable importance to the biodiversity of southeast Asia (Chin 1977, Clements et al 2006, particularly in terms of local endemics. The unusual edaphic conditions, marked range of topographic and climatic factors (Chin 1977) together with their limited extent and highly scattered distribution (Liew et al 2016) make limestone outcrops in southeast Asia particularly effective as incubators of diversity. Recognising these point endemics is an important conservation tool to highlight the unique biological communities that have evolved on these habitats (Kiew 1991a).…”

Plant diversity assessment of karst limestone, a case study of Malaysia’s Batu Caves

“…Only about 20-30 of the 445 limestone hills lie within the national or state parks or within forest reserves where they are still surrounded by forest. Liew et al (2016) were in error reporting that about half the hills had 'good forest cover' and 'most of the forest in the buffer zone was still in reasonably good condition' because examination of Google Earth maps reveals that this 'forest' is largely oil palm plantation. With no national or state guidelines for the protection of limestone karst hills, whether the surrounding area is used for agriculture or lies within urban areas, forest is cleared to the very foot of the vertical cliffs.…”

“…Peninsular Malaysia is no exception and it is common to see karst hills scarred by quarry faces of active or disused quarries. In Peninsular Malaysia, of the 445 limestone hills, 73 have been quarried or are currently being quarried (Liew et al 2016). Destruction by quarrying is permanent and irreversible.…”

“…Although most karst hills in Peninsular Malaysia are small with a basal area of about 1 km 2 or less (Liew et al 2016), their rugged topography supports many diverse microhabitats, each with a different assemblage of species. These microhabitats (Table 1) have been described by Chin (1977, pp.…”