Bernama 28 Jul 09;
KOTA KINABALU, July 28 (Bernama) -- 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 were vital in managing the forests.
"Malaysia, considered one of 12 mega-biodiversities in the world, has many plants and organisms yet to be named.
"Until we name the plants or animals, we cannot proceed to study our ecosystem in greater detail," he said at the Merdeka Award Lecture at University Malaysia Sabah here Tuesday.
Salleh was presenting his 2008 award-winning lecture, 'Sharing the Environment: Global Problems, Local Solutions'.
Noting that taxonomy was a boring subject, he said it was, nevertheless, important for the public to understand the different lives of other species that shared the ecosystem with the human race.
Therefore, Salleh called upon universities to ensure that taxonomy was taught not only as a subject, but its importance infused in all scientific courses.
"The variability of genetic diversity is nature’s way of protecting itself.
"The biodiversity of animals, plants and the race of human beings not only adds colour to the world, but also provides protection against diseases and epidemics," he noted.
Salleh also said the people should be patriotic towards the country as a basis to 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
