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4th International Conference on Tropical Resources and Sustainable Sciences 2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1102 (2022) 012086 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1102/1/012086
Evaluation of knowledge and perception of locals toward the
conservation effort in mangrove forest at Delta Tumpat,
Kelantan, Malaysia
Aqilah Abdul Rahim1*, Noor Janatun Naim Jemali1,5, Roslizawati Che Aziz2,
Syafinie Majid1, Marinah Muhammad1, and Bam Razafbinrabe3, Nur Najwa Dina
Abong4, Suryani Mohd Nordin4 and Melati Yusof4
1
Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
2
Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100
Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, Malaysia
3
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ryukyus, 903-0213 Okinawa, Japan
4
Kelantan Forestry Department, 15050 Kota Bharu Kelantan, Malaysia
5
Tropical Rainforest Research Centre, Pulau Banding, Gerik Perak, Malaysia.
*E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract. The importance of mangrove forests in protecting shorelines and mangrove ecosystems is
very crucial. Due to industrialization and monetary demands, mangrove forests are at risk of losing
their function and integrity over time. The commitment and awareness of the community are critical
factors in the success of the mangrove conservation in Tumpat. With a quantitative approach, we
collected demographic information from 116 (male 58.6%, female 41.4%) respondents to evaluate
their knowledge and perception of mangrove conservation efforts in Tumpat, Kelantan. This study
revealed that respondents’ level of knowledge and perception is significantly influenced by gender,
age, level of education, occupation, income, and locality of residency which was analyzed using the
Chi-square test (p<0.05). The importance of conserving the Tumpat mangrove forest and its
ecosystems is highly rated by the respondents. Hence, they are eager to engage in any conservation
initiatives that the forestry department may provide. However, 9.5% of total respondents are
reluctant to cooperate in mangrove protection efforts due to less awareness of the mangrove
conservation importance in Tumpat. Further initiatives should be implemented to enhance local
community knowledge about the value of mangrove forests as well as to encourage them to
participate in mangrove conservation programs.
1. Introduction
Mangrove biodiversity is among the world's largest and ecologically diverse ecosystems,
contributing to essential ecosystem services [1]. In the District of Tumpat, the mangrove habitat is unique
due to the plain and hundreds of rivers, and islands, and it has the potential to be developed as an
international tourist destination while also providing a stream of revenue for local populations and
sustaining cultural values [2-3]. However, the effort in conserving and sustaining the mangrove area would
be wasted if there is no support from local communities and the public in general, especially the residents
living in Tumpat, Kelantan. According to Hashim et al. [4], the local community is still unaware and
neglects the need to preserve our precious mangrove forests. Many types of research had been conducted
to assess flora, fauna, and conservation activity of mangrove forest in Tumpat [5-9], but study on local
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4th International Conference on Tropical Resources and Sustainable Sciences 2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1102 (2022) 012086 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1102/1/012086
knowledge and perception of mangrove conversation effort is very scarce. Therefore, this study was
conducted to assess the level of knowledge and perception of the local community as well as their
understanding of mangrove conservation in Tumpat, Kelantan.
2. Material and Methods
The study focuses on mangrove areas in the Delta Tumpat, Kelantan, which lies on the northeast coast of
Malaysia in the Kelantan River Delta (6∘110' to 6∘13'N;102∘9' to 102∘14'E). There are more than 17 small
islands that make up the delta of Tumpat, which covers about 1,200 ha. From the previously mentioned
total area, 339.6 ha are covered with mangroves. The community's cultural, economic, and environmental
well-being was influenced by the significant forest ecosystem in this delta region [10].
To assess the public knowledge and perception of mangrove forest conservation efforts at Delta Tumpat,
the quantitative method using questionnaire surveys and interviews were carried out. The survey instrument
consists of multiple-choice closed-end questions to determine the perspective and comprehension of the
community towards mangrove protection activity in the study area. To obtain demographic characteristics
of the surveyed population, a classifier or background questions were interrogated at the beginning of the
survey such as age, gender, occupation, education, and place of residence [11].
Before the real data collection, a pilot test was carried out to test the reliability of the developed
questionnaires. It was evaluated by calculating Cronbach's alpha value. A reliable and good questionnaire
has a high internal consistency value (> 0.7 ) following the study by [12]. Collected data were coded and
tabulated in SPSS software. The descriptive statistic on demographic data was analyzed. Then, a statistical
test on Chi-square (𝜒2) was used to assess whether there was a correlation between the two categorical
variables in the questionnaires using the formula in Equation 1. If the p-value is lower than 0.05, the null
hypothesis is rejected and statistically significant [13]. The Chi-square can provide precise information on
not just the significance of any observed differences, but also which categories account for any differences
detected [14].
𝑛
(𝑜𝑖 − 𝐸𝑖 )
𝑥2 =∑
𝐸𝑖 (Equation 1)
𝑖=1
Where,
O = frequency of observation,
E = frequency of expectation.
From the Chi-square (𝜒2) analysis, knowledge and perception of locals toward the conservation effort in
mangrove forest at Delta Tumpat, Kelantan was interpreted.
3. Results
3.1 Respondents Profile
A total of 116 (male 58.6%, female 41.4%) respondents answered the questionnaire survey. The majority
of the respondents are Malay (99.1%) and aged between 19 to 40 years old. 46.6% were students and 25.9%
did self-employed jobs such as small-medium enterprise (SME) holders and fishermen. The remaining work
in private and government sectors, pensioner and 7.8% is unemployed. 39.7% of the respondents have no
fixed income and the residual range from RM500 to RM5000. For locality, 54.3% of the respondents are
origin from the district of Tumpat and the remaining is outsiders.
3.2 Knowledge of Mangrove
There were 11 questions related to mangrove knowledge in the survey form. The majority of the
respondents' answers reflect their knowledge of mangrove forests including information on tree
2
4th International Conference on Tropical Resources and Sustainable Sciences 2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1102 (2022) 012086 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1102/1/012086
morphology, functions, and conversation activities in the study area. The Chi-square test results for
respondents’ knowledge section are shown in Table 1. From the analysis, 6 of 11 questions showed a
significant correlation between demographic and knowledge parameters. The most outstanding result
detected was on the residency of the respondents highly influenced community understanding of mangroves
function as economical areas such for fish and shrimp farming activities. The local residents work as
fishermen and people who use mangroves as a source of income are aware of the function and importance
of mangrove forests. Besides that, this study found that the female respondents were more knowledgeable
about the morphology of mangrove trees. This might be due to their education level which is higher than
the male respondents.
Table 1. The Chi-square test results on respondent’s knowledge of mangrove
Asymptotic Significance (2-Sided)
Demographic
Q8 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q6 Q7
Gender - - - 0.030 0.009 -
Age 0.001 0.045 0.000 - - -
Level of education 0.002 - - - 0.000 -
Occupation - 0.017 - 0.039 - -
Level of income 0.024 - 0.034 - - -
Living area - - - - - 0.047
3.3 Perception of Mangrove
To evaluate the respondent’s perception of mangrove conservation efforts, 17 questions were asked in the
survey questionnaire. The average mean of perception questions is 4.1 and the Chi-square showed that 13
of the question have a significant correlation to demographic parameters (Table 2). All respondents with
various backgrounds agreed that illegal logging and mangrove tree harvesting (Q10 and Q13) will affect
the ecosystem of mangrove forests. However, occupation type and level of income did not affect the
respondents’ perception of the idea of Delta Tumpat as a shelter for exotic flora and fauna. From this study,
we found out that female respondents have a more positive perception of the Delta Tumpat mangrove forest
as an ecotourism area compared to the male respondents.
Table 2. The chi-square results for the surveys in the perception of the mangrove section
This study also presented that different occupation type gives a different perception of the mangrove
conversation program. Looking at respondents’ perception of the conservation program that has been
carried out in this study, students enjoyed the activities more than retirees. Due to age constraints, pensioners
have less interest in involving physical activity that required high stamina compared to the youth. Examined
on community’s willingness to involve in mangrove conservation activities, 68.10% agreed and were
willing to play a part in any event related to mangrove conservation efforts. The remaining is unsure and
disagreed as shown in Figure 1. This might be due to the lack of awareness of mangrove forest conservation
efforts and their function as well as less exposure to information about this precious area. A recent study by
3
4th International Conference on Tropical Resources and Sustainable Sciences 2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1102 (2022) 012086 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1102/1/012086
[15], found that the percentage of local residents’ awareness and public understanding of the mangrove
ecosystem is decreased. Hence the mangrove forest had also declined over time. Therefore, planting more
new seedlings is the main conservation effort to ensure that future generations experience the beauty of
mangrove forests for now and in the future. To mitigate the lack of information among the community, in
the future, it is suggested to plan and build an information center that could act as an edutourism spot in the
study area, especially in Pulau Bedal which has vigorous mangrove stands and is rich in biodiversity.
Figure 1. The percentage of the respondents agree, disagree, and are unsure to
participate in mangrove conservation activities
4. Conclusion
According to the results of a survey on respondents' knowledge and perceptions regarding conservation
efforts in mangrove forests in Delta Tumpat, the local community still does not fully understand the
function, morphology, and interest in ensuring the sustainability of the forest. They need more information
regarding the mangrove ecosystem and function as well as awareness activities to conserve this area.
Community involvement in maintaining the ecosystem of the mangrove forest was at a moderate level.
Therefore, the government and related agencies should collaborate to strengthen the community’s
enthusiasm and appreciation of the importance of mangrove forests to the ecosystem's health as well as the
local flora and fauna.
Acknowledgment
The author would like to thank Kelantan State Forestry Department for its cooperation in knowledge and
information sharing related to the Delta Tumpat mangrove forest conservation efforts.
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