Tuesday August 4, 2009
KOTA KINABALU: The world needs more taxonomists to identify and name new species of plants and animals, said Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) president Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Noor.He said the naming (nomenclature) and classification of new plants and organisms was vital in managing the forests.
"Malaysia, considered one of 12 megabiodiversities in the world, has many plants and organisms which are yet to be named.
"Until we name the plants or animals, we cannot proceed to study our ecosystem in greater detail," he said during the Merdeka Award Lecture at University Malaysia Sabah here recently.
Salleh was presenting his 2008 award-winning lecture entitled Sharing the Environment: Global Problems, Local Solutions.
Ways to name: File photo of Tan Yee Shin, a student pursuing a masters in the taxonomy of mushrooms, identifying specimens of fungi collected in Langkawi. The species are differentiated by their look, colour, size, microscopic features, spores and gills. Noting that taxonomy was a boring subject, he said it was, nevertheless, important for the public to understand the lives of other species that shared the ecosystem with the human race.
Salleh called upon universities to ensure that taxonomy was taught not only as a subject but also that its importance be infused into all scientific courses.
"The variability of genetic diversity is nature's way of protecting itself.
"The biodiversity of animals, plants and the human race not only adds colour to the world but also provides protection against disease and epidemics," he noted.
Salleh also said that people should be patriotic towards the country as a basis towards looking after the environment.
"Patriotism is a foundation for us to love our country, and when we love our country, we will want to take care of it.
"We, as custodians of biodiversity, must ensure its protection and survival," he added. — Bernama
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: South & East 4 August 2009
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