Cycle 1 (2011 Deadline)
Enhancements of research for adaptation of wetlands in Indonesia to projected impacts of sea level rise
PI: Frida Sidik, Institute for Marine Research and Observation, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries
|
Created wetland in Porong River mouth, East Java. Mangroves have developed well since this wetland was established in 2010.
|
US Partner: Ilka Feller, Smithsonian Institution
Project Dates: October 2012 - September 2014
Project Overview
Mangroves are key ecosystems that provide vital services to protect the coasts and fishery resources in Indonesia. Mangroves are the primary coastal barrier in which a range of processes occur that are important to adapting to sea level rise. Indonesia’s mangroves are threatened by sea level rise that could cause coastal wetland change and thus increased coastal flooding that will affect those living in coastal areas. Despite the importance of this ecosystem and the fact that Indonesia has the world's largest areas of mangroves, understanding of mangrove responses to sea level rise in this region is lacking.
This project aims to establish a greater understanding of wetland adaptation to sea level rise in Indonesia and to improve the capacity of Indonesian researchers in the monitoring of coastal systems. A mangrove monitoring station will be established to gather information on wetland stability, and the station could serve as a model for the creation of similar marine monitoring sites in other parts of Indonesia. The project also involves data collection and model development to increase knowledge of how mangrove wetlands will respond to sea level changes in Indonesia. The collaborative work of Indonesian-US researchers will promote training and technical expertise development for Indonesian researchers, to be facilitated by the US counterpart with the goal of strengthening Indonesian capacity regarding marine resource adaptation to climate change. Results of this study will be disseminated to the Indonesian scientific and academic communities, as well as to marine resource management officials, who may use the study to gain perspectives on broader implications of climate change and possible policy responses.
|
Mesh net (litterbag) on mangrove trees to collect litterfall.
|
Summary of Recent Activities
To gain a better understanding of mangrove ecosystem dynamics, Ms. Sidik and her research assistants are employing a simple approach to collecting litterfall, or leaves that have fallen to the ground. This leaf litter becomes detritus that is added to the top layer of the soil, and the results obtained from studying it are useful in assessing soil elevation and carbon sequestration. The team began their experiment in January 2013 by setting mesh nets to serve as litterbags on 90 trees in the study sites (see photo). Along with geomorphological dynamics and mangrove growth, the leaf litter will be measured through the end of the research period. In April 2013, Ms. Sidik purchased a muffle furnace (high-temperature oven), which will be useful in analyzing the composition of mangrove biomass at her research institute. This equipment will be also used as a training tool during the mangrove workshop planned for August 2013 to provide the participants with hands-on experience to enhance their lab skills.
Back to PEER Cycle 1 Grant Recipients
| 
