The MARU established in 1997 has been conducting a wide range of research works in the mangrove habitats throughout Peninsular Malaysia (occasionally in Sabah and Sarawak). The scientists of this group are keen to mark it as a centre for advanced studies in mangrove ecology for Malaysia and is now emerging towards this esteemed goal. By looking at the long-lasting eco-socio-economic benefits of the mangrove ecosystems, the MARU focuses chiefly on –

• Floristic and fantastic surveillance
• Hydrodynamics
• Ecotoxicology and phytoremediation
• Socio-economics
• Spatiotemporal vegetation dynamics through remote sensing (satellite and drone) data and numerical modelling
• Carbon sequestration
• Sustainable conservation and management
• Knowledge transfer and capacity building (to mangrove stakeholders and general public)

The above focal points are to benefit the regular scientific projects supported the government as well as short/long-term consultancy services offered by the private companies. In addition, the MARU play a crucial role for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) in relation to any physical infrastructure developments adjacent to the mangrove ecosystems in Malaysia.  

The holistic contributions made by the MARU in terms of academic and research pursuits have already been recognized nationally and internationally. The MARU is closely associated with the Forestry Department of Malaysia and conducted several workshops for not only sharing the research-based findings, but also to train the staff with some advanced techniques (e.g. mobile app. to record in situ data, canopy cover estimates, etc.) for an efficient mangrove monitoring and management. The involvement of MARU member(s) in the IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group (MSG) itself a big honour to the scientific achievements made by this group so far.