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Figure 1. Damai Beach on the weekends (Iskandar, n.d.).

According to Google, beach is "a pebbly or sandy shore, especially by the sea between high- and low- water marks". Famous for their sea breeze, which make beaches a fabulous choice for picnic and many more recreational activities. The closest example of a famous beach in Kuching is the Damai Beach (in the picture above). Damai Beach offers a variety of nature-based tours and activities centred on the beach and Mount Santubong National Park's protected forest (Borneo Adventure, n.d.), which make it one of the most visited beach in Kuching.

The beach is an example of a very important and diverse ecosystem to our country. The biodiversity brings a lot of value to our nation, alongside the abiotic factors found in the beach.

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Abiotic Factor: Sand)

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Abiotic Factor: Sand)

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Figure 2. Baby sea turtles crawling on sand (AFP, 2020).

The sand in the beach enables sea turtles to safely burrow their eggs for the continuity of their species. Sea turtles are endangered in Malaysia and one of the reasons why is because their eggs are often being taken away by humans. Therefore, the sand helps to prevent the sea turtles from going extinct in our nation by providing protection to their eggs and by giving a safe space for the turtle eggs to hatch.

Sea turtles is part of our national biological heritage that we are really proud of. They are also important as students and researchers have become more interested in studying and researching about them. Thus, the sand plays a huge role to protect the sea turtle species.

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Fauna 1: Crabs)

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Fauna 1: Crabs)

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Figure 3. Chili crab is one of the famous crab dishes in Malaysia (Rasa Malaysia, n.d.).

Crabs provide food security to the nation as it is one of the well loved seafood and one of the sources of protein to Malaysians. Crabs also provide economic benefits as they are sold in markets and restaurants.

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Fauna 2: Leatherbacks Turtle)

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Fauna 2: Leatherbacks Turtle)

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Figure 4. Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) underwater, Indonesia (Freund, 2009).

Leatherback turtle is one of the types of turtles and they are very important in maintaining the stability of marine ecosystems where its existence can control the jellyfish population in the ocean. In addition, the leatherback turtle population is also important as a source of income for the tourism industry which can improve our nation's economy. It also brings educational benefit as more students and researchers are studying about sea turtles.

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Flora: Coconut tree)

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2. Importance of the Ecosystem to the Nation (Flora: Coconut tree)

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Figure 5. Palm tree on Caribbean beach with turquoise water (Starder, n.d.).

Coconut trees have various benefits that can be obtained by it. The produce from coconut trees can be used as food source, like coconut water and flesh, and can even be a source of income when natural building materials and the food source from the coconut tree is sold in the market. It is also a natural shade for beach animals, for example coconut crabs.

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3. The Value of Each Example (Abiotic Factor: Sand)

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3. The Value of Each Example (Abiotic Factor: Sand)

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Figure 6. Raw sea sand (Bandyopadhyay, 2016).

Sand has the consumptive use value as it is readily available in the beach and can be a raw material in the construction industry. However, it needs to be treated before it is used to make concrete due to the present of sea shells and chloride content. (Bandyopadhyay, n.d)

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3.The Value of Each Example (Fauna 1: Crab)

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3.The Value of Each Example (Fauna 1: Crab)

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The crabs have the consumptive use value as it is can be harvested from the beach and one of the nutrition source for Malaysians. Crab meat is rich in Vitamin B12, folate, iron, niacin, selenium and zinc (Brennan, 2020). The crab also have productive use value as they are sold in markets and restaurants.

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3. The Value of Each Example (Fauna 2: Leatherback Sea turtles)

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3. The Value of Each Example (Fauna 2: Leatherback Sea turtles)

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Sea turtles have non-consumptive use value as the presence of sea turtle in sanctuaries and hatcheries can be a tourist attraction and can also attract researchers and students to visit for research and education purposes.

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3. The Value of Each Example (Flora: Coconut tree)

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3. The Value of Each Example (Flora: Coconut tree)

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As for coconut tree, it has the productive use value as coconut based products like coconut milk, coconut wood, coconut drink and flesh, coconut oil, coconut vinegar and many others are of high demand in the market. It also has the consumptive use value as they are readily available in the beach and those who live near the beach can come and use its resources.

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AFP. (2020). Terengganu, with a long coastline along the South China Sea, is the biggest nesting centre for turtles in peninsular Malaysia [Photograph]. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2020-05-turtles-boost-malaysian-state-egg.html

Bandyopadhyay, A. (2016). Use of sea sand as fine aggregate in concrete making [Photograph]. NBM & CW Inta Construction and Equipment Magazine. https://www.nbmcw.com/equipment-machinery/crushing-screening-washing-m-sand/use-of-sea-sand-as-fine-aggregate-in-concrete-making.htm

Bee. (n.d.). Mom's chili crab [Photograph]. Rasa Malaysia. https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-chili-crab/

Borneo Adventure. (n.d.). Damai Beach & Santubong Peninsula. https://borneoadventure.com/destinations/damai-beach-santubong-peninsula/

Brennan, D. (2020). Crabs: Are there health benefits?. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-crab#1

Freund, J. (2009). Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) underwater. Kei Islands, Moluccas, Indonesia [Photograph]. WWF. https://www.worldwildlife.org/photos/scr_289416-jpg--3

Iskandar, D. (n.d.). A guide to Damai Beach, Sarawak [Photograph]. Trip101. https://trip101.com/article/damai-beach-sarawak

Starder. (n.d.). Palm tree on Caribbean beach with turquoise water [Photograph]. Freedesignfile. https://freedesignfile.com/256611-beach-coconut-trees-with-sea-background/palm-tree-on-caribbean-beach-with-turquoise-water/