Development of a decision support system to preserve Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (McClelland, 1839) in Pelus River, Perak, Malaysia
Over the past decades, water management has become a global issue and the challenges that relate are increasing globally. Malaysia, which is located at the equatorial zone, has abundant of freshwater resources. Despite that, the country faces challenges of water shortage due to anthropogenic acti...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2016
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67340/1/FPAS%202016%2010%20IR.pdf http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67340/ |
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| Summary: | Over the past decades, water management has become a global issue and the challenges
that relate are increasing globally. Malaysia, which is located at the equatorial zone, has
abundant of freshwater resources. Despite that, the country faces challenges of water
shortage due to anthropogenic activities. In order to maintain river health, river flow is
considered as one of the most important factors to be considered. Environmental Flow
Assessment (EFA) specifically determines the quantity, quality, and timing flow of
water required over time to sustain water body ecosystems and human livelihoods as
well as wellbeing that depend on overall ecosystem. However, with the growing
complexity and uncertainty of river flows, it is a challenge for stakeholders as they are
required to understand its natural diversity in order to preserve and conserve both goods
and services. Hence, in this study, a Decision Support System (DSS) by using IF-THEN
rule concept is established to assist decision makers to decide the best possible action
in order to maintain the optimum flows. The system is developed specifically based
on case study area in Pelus River, Perak as it is classified as an altered river due
to dam operation that can directly or indirectly affect the environment. The
Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (McClelland, 1839) in Pelus River, Perak fulfils all the
must-have criteria for a target fish species. The system has three different modules that
cover analysis in the aspects of hydrology, hydraulic, and ecology. Module of river
classification implements backward chaining process, which aims to identify the problem
parameters in the analysis of river classification. The second module applies Multiple
Linear Regression analysis to determine the relationship between hydraulic and ecology
aspects in river flow analysis. For the third module, the prediction of minimum river
flow based on Mean Annual Minimum analysis is conducted. The verification and
validation process of the system is conducted in Pelus River, Perak. The system is also
verified by the experts in the respective field which involves evaluation on system
functioning and user friendliness aspects. In conclusion, this system is absolutely
convenient, comprehensive, and could assist better decision making which then become
useful tools in solving problems of river management, specifically in Pelus River in
order to preserve the target species, N. hexagonolepis. |
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