USM Direct Efforts to Maintain and Extend Ecosystem Biodiversity

Universiti Sains Malaysia actively works to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, involving both plants and animals, particularly those in sensitive or threatened environments. The university integrates research, citizen engagement, and conservation activities to protect natural habitats and strengthen ecological resilience.

In May 2024, USM organised the “Campus Nature Challenge: A Collaborative Citizen Science Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Awareness.” The programme brought together students, staff, and local community members to document flora and fauna across USM’s main campus. Participants recorded a diverse range of species, with plants representing 64.9% of all observations, alongside insects, fungi, and birds. This citizen science initiative supports biodiversity monitoring and contributes valuable data for conservation planning while fostering awareness of ecological stewardship among the campus community.

Further demonstrating USM’s commitment to protecting ecosystems under threat, the university participated in the “Trash Free Hill 2024” programme on 29 September 2024 at Penang Hill, a vital highland ecosystem. The event gathered more than 800 participants, including staff from Pusat Sejahtera and 40 volunteers from Kampus Sejahtera USM, who successfully collected and separated over 200 kilograms of waste into recyclable categories such as paper, metal, glass, and plastic. This collaborative clean-up effort helped restore the natural environment of Penang Hill, reduce pollution, and preserve its rich biodiversity.

Through these initiatives, USM demonstrates its ongoing commitment to directly maintaining and extending ecosystems and their biodiversity. By combining research-based monitoring, citizen participation, and active conservation work, the university continues to safeguard both campus and regional ecosystems for future generations.