Browsing by Author "Yee Kwang Sim"

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    Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Trends, drivers and impacts of coastal reclamation in Malaysia and way forward
    (Elsevier, 2023) Su Yin Chee; Mou Leong Tan; Yi Lin Tew; Yee Kwang Sim; Jean Chai Yee; Amanda Kar Mun Chong
    Cities all over the world are edging further into the ocean. Coastal reclamation is a global conservation issue with implications for ocean life, ecosystems, and human well-being. Using Malaysia as a case study, the coastal reclamation trends over three decades (1991-2021) were mapped using Landsat images and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) via the Google Earth Engine platform. The changes in drivers and impacts of these coastal expansions throughout the decades were also reviewed. Twelve out of the 14 states in Malaysia had planned, active, or completed reclamations on their shorelines. Between 1991 and 2021, an absolute area of 82.64 km2 has been or will be reclaimed should all the projects be completed. Efforts to protect existing natural coastal and marine ecosystems, restore degraded ones, and fund endeavours that emphasize nature is needed to support sustainable development goals for the benefit of future generations.