WebLog Journal of Environmental Sciences

Environmental pH is a fundamental physico-chemical factor influencing organismal performance, nutrient availability, chemical behaviour and biological interactions. Although extreme pH conditions are expected to impair seed germination and plant development, different biological components may respond differently to the same environmental stress. This study evaluated the responses of red mung bean (Vigna radiata) across a broad aqueous pH gradient, with particular attention to the unexpected…

Microplastic contamination is an increasing concern in freshwater ecosystems, particularly in urban drainage systems receiving domestic inputs and surface runoff. This study investigated the occurrence and morphological characteristics of suspected microplastics in the gut contents of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) collected in December 2025 from a polluted freshwater drain near Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. Ten individual guppies were examined using light microscopy…

The coral reef ecosystem of the Sembilan Archipelago was evaluated through an integrated ecological survey across eight islands. The study integrated benthic surveys using a point intercept transect method with underwater visual census techniques to evaluate coral reef condition, reef fish diversity, and ecosystem health. Findings suggest a fair ecological state of the islands’ reefs, with live coral cover averaging 26.05% and 46 hard coral species recorded. Diversity indices varied among…

In June 2026, while clearing old papers from my office, I unexpectedly rediscovered photographs taken on 17 April 2002 during an environmental field sampling at Kampung Pasir Puteh, near Pasir Gudang in the Straits of Johore, Malaysia. The photographs showed a much younger version of myself manually deploying an Ekman grab for surface sediment sampling and participating in the collection of mussels from floating structures. My immediate reaction was humorous: Who is this stupid boy? I hardly…

Deforestation and the consequent loss of biodiversity represent two of the most pressing and interlinked environmental crises of the twenty-first century. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the global patterns of forest loss, the mechanisms through which deforestation drives species extinction, and the cascading ecological, climatic, and socioeconomic consequences that ensue. Drawing upon recent empirical data, satellite analyses, and peer reviewed literature, this study…

This reflective note explores the profound spiritual and symbolic role of Mount Fuji in shaping my academic and personal journey. From an obscured view during a professional trip in 2014 to awe inspiring full views in 2017, Mount Fuji became more than a natural landmark; it evolved into a sacred guide during moments of professional hardship. Faced with rejection, academic politics, and delayed promotion, I found renewed purpose and motivation through the recurring appearance of the mountain…

Teaching practicum constitutes one of the most important components of teacher education because it provides opportunities for pre-service teachers to translate educational theories into authentic classroom practice. Through direct engagement with students, teachers, administrators, and school communities, pre-service teachers develop pedagogical competence, classroom management skills, professional communication, and reflective thinking that cannot be fully acquired through university…

Coastal ecosystems are among the world's most productive environments, supporting fisheries, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, shoreline stabilization, and numerous ecosystem services essential for human well-being. However, rapid urbanization, industrialization, land reclamation, agricultural expansion, aquaculture, tourism development, and climate change have accelerated habitat degradation and pollution across coastal regions. These pressures have highlighted the need…

Biomonitoring is a fundamental component of ecotoxicology, providing insights into environmental quality through the responses of living organisms to pollution and habitat degradation. Traditionally, biomonitoring programmes have focused on species that accumulate contaminants or exhibit measurable physiological responses to environmental stress. In Malaysia, the invasive Amazon sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.), commonly known as ikan bandaraya, has become widespread in urban and…

This paper is a reflective synthesis of long-term environmental monitoring and personal experience from two of Malaysia’s most polluted coastal ecosystems: Kuala Juru in Penang and Kg. Pasir Puteh in Southern Johore. Drawing upon empirical evidence collected in 2004 and 2005 on elevated levels of heavy metals in mussels (Perna viridis) and surface sediments, this narrative integrates ecological data with moral teachings expressed through proverbs from Hindu, Malay, Chinese, and English…