focusing on the following subjects: Sciences, Geography, Languages (English and Malay) and Mathematics. As Haury (1998) pointed out, biodiversity is more than a biology or science topic, but is a concept that cuts across disciplinary boundaries, and it is an environmental issue with board ramifications for the quality of human life. The purpose of this paper is to identify “where & when” the biodiversity concept and issues are discussed in the existing secondary school curriculum. Biodiversity in Malaysia Biodiversity means the variety of living organisms on earth. The term derived from the combining of the genetic resources which are plants and animals, the variety of species and the habitats in which they live (MNRE, 2006). According to Convention on Biodiversity “Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity with in species, between species and of ecosystems.”(United Nation, 1992: 3). In general, biodiversity consists of genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity in Malaysia focuses on diversity of the species diversity and ecosystem diversity such as terrestrial tropical rainforest, the lake and river system and the coral reefs and marine. Malaysia is known as one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity per unit area with only 0.2% of the world land’s mass. The diversity of flora and fauna has made Malaysia as one of the 12 mega-diversity countries in the world recognised by the Global Diversity Outlook in 2001 (MNRE, 2006). Flora diversity are estimated about 15,000 species of vascular plants in Malaysia, with about 3000 in Peninsular Malaysia and 12,000 in Sabah and Sarawak. The fauna of Malaysia consists of a huge variety of animals includes 307 known species of mammals, 30 of them are endemic to Malaysia, 785 species of birds, 242 species of amphibians and 567 species of reptile and 1951 species in aquatic ecosystems (MNRE, 2016). Due to the importance of biodiversity to life in maintaining natural environment and the life-support systems especially in Malaysian context that give food, water and numerous economic benefits (MNRE, 2016) and the importance of education in providing knowledge and skills and develop positive attitudes and practices to the public, so studies on biodiversity in the current curriculum is important. This study provides information on biodiversity in the curriculum. This information can be used as a guide towards strengthening the national curriculum in line with Action 1.2 for Target 1 Malaysian National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025. Action 1.2 is nurturing participation amongst children and youth by strengthening biodiversity literacy in the formal curricular education that will inspire young Malaysians to discover, explore, and cherish the wonder of nature. This entails the greater emphasis on biodiversity within related subjects such as science, mathematics and geography as well as introducing biodiversity- related examples in other subjects (MNRE, 2016). This study focuses on geography and science subjects. However, other subjects such as languages (Malay and English) and mathematics have also been studied. Biodiversity fits well with science and geography curricula, and with a creative thinking it can easily link in to all subjects (DCSF, 2010) where biology (science) and geography are widely believed can contribute in creating understanding about environmental issues such as loss of biodiversity (Dalelo, 2012). 178 Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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