Ecohydrology Concept for Sustainable Stormwater Management in Institute of Higher Learning Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
Description
Location
Sketch
Information about lithology/geochemistry:
The area features acidic, nutrient-poor soils with peat deposits, typical of heavily weathered tropical regions with high clay content and poor drainage.
Main Description
- Implements detention and retention basins to manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and improve water quality.
- Uses retention ponds and constructed wetlands for stormwater storage, treatment, and biodiversity enhancement.
- Fresh water provision, wastewater treatment, flood moderation, pollination, and habitats for species are enhanced. Recreation and carbon sequestration are maintained through ecohydrological solutions and green infrastructure.
Enhance ecohydrological processes in novel ecosystem
YES
Apply complementary Ecohydrological processes in high impacted system
YES
This table presents the different categories of ecosystem services that ecosystem can provide, divided in:
Provisioning Services are ecosystem services that describe the material or energy outputs from ecosystems. They include food, water and other resources.
Fresh water: Ecosystems play a vital role in the global hydrological cycle, as they regulate the flow and purification of water. Vegetation and forests influence the quantity of water available locally.
Regulating Services are the services that ecosystems provide by acting as regulators eg. regulating the quality of air and soil or by providing flood and disease control.
Moderation of extreme events: Extreme weather events or natural hazards include floods, storms, tsunamis, avalanches and landslides. Ecosystems and living organisms create buffers against natural disasters, thereby preventing possible damage. For example, wetlands can soak up flood water whilst trees can stabilize slopes. Coral reefs and mangroves help protect coastlines from storm damage.
Waste-water treatment: Ecosystems such as wetlands filter both human and animal waste and act as a natural buffer to the surrounding environment. Through the biological activity of microorganisms in the soil, most waste is broken down. Thereby pathogens (disease causing microbes) are eliminated, and the level of nutrients and pollution is reduced.
Pollination: Insects and wind pollinate plants and trees which is essential for the development of fruits, vegetables and seeds. Animal pollination is an ecosystem service mainly provided by insects but also by some birds and bats. Some 87 out of the 115 leading global food crops depend upon animal pollination including important cash crops such as cocoa and coffee (Klein et al. 2007).
Ecosystem services "that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services". These include services such as nutrient recycling, primary production and soil formation.
Habitats for species: Habitats provide everything that an individual plant or animal needs to survive: food; water; and shelter. Each ecosystem provides different habitats that can be essential for a species’ lifecycle. Migratory species including birds, fish, mammals and insects all depend upon different ecosystems during their movements.
Cultural Services corresponds nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experiences.
Recreation and mental and physical health: Walking and playing sports in green space is not only a good form of physical exercise but also lets people relax. The role that green space plays in maintaining mental and physical health is increasingly being recognized, despite difficulties of measurement.
EH Principles
Quantification of the hydrological processes at catchment scale and mapping the impacts
Distribution of ecosystems and their relevant processes (ex: metabolism=water and nutrient uptake and retention; biomass production)
Ecological engineering (integration, dual regulation and biotechnologies in catchment scale for enhancement of ecological potential)
ECOHYDROLOGY ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS
MSMA is designed to manage stormwater with minimal environmental impact and promote sustainable water management practices. The system includes various techniques and infrastructure aimed at efficiently controlling and utilizing stormwater runoff, thereby reducing the risk of flooding and erosion. Emphasis is placed on sustainable practices, such as green infrastructure, to manage stormwater.
Ecohydrological Infrastructure
Approximately 34% of the total campus area in UTHM serves as a water absorption area by using planted vegetation within the earth drain. Native grasses are planted along the swales to increase evapotranspiration and infiltration of water to the ground. Several aquatic plants were planted at each pond to absorb nutrients from the surrounding landscapes and agriculture. Every couple of months, these plants are removed to make way for new growth and maintain optimum nutrient intake.
Phytotechnology
Faunatechnology refers to the innovative use of animals and their natural behaviors or products to improve environmental quality. This concept leverages the intrinsic capabilities of various species to address ecological challenges, such as pollution, habitat restoration, and ecosystem management. Examples of fauna technology applied in demonstration site ponds include the use of fauna as bioindicators, bioremediation, pollination services, pest control, and ecosystem engineers.
Faunatechnology
The university emphasises on integrated watershed management and sustainable use of its ecosystems. These support United Nations SDG 15 Life on Land. Therefore, any application of technological-environmental and hydrological solutions will consider the principles of ‘sustainability’.
Hydrological Flow
Major Issues
Expected Outcomes
The main expected outcomes are:
Improved Water Quality & Quantity: Evident enhancement through natural filtration, reduced runoff, and increased retention.
Effective Flood Mitigation: Reduced flood risk and peak flows via detention ponds and sustainable drainage.
Enhanced Biodiversity & Habitat: Increased presence of native flora and fauna in and around the water bodies.
Knowledge & Technology Transfer: Serving as a model for sustainable stormwater management through education, research, and community engagement.
Latest Results
- The campus was protected from a major March 2023 flood that impacted the surrounding area. Water quality studies (e.g., Rafidah et al., 2023) show trophic state indices of 60-80, indicating eutrophication, which is now managed. The stormwater system covers 7.5% of the 227 ha campus, a significant increase from pre-2006 flood infrastructure.
Contacts
Ratna Rajah Sivapiragasam
- ratnarajah@water.gov.my
- Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) & Humid Tropic Centre Kuala Lumpur (HTC KL)
Mohd Adib Mohammad Razi
- adib@uthm.edu.my
- Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) & Humid Tropic Centre Kuala Lumpur (HTC KL)
Social ecohydrological system
EH Objectives
EH Methodology
Catchment Ecohydrological sub-system
Objectives
Stakeholders
Catchment Sociological sub-system
Activities