Enviro News Asia, Semarang — Indonesia is strengthening science-based mangrove management across Java through a partnership between the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) and Diponegoro University (UNDIP) to map ecosystem functions and support long-term coastal resilience.
The collaboration, which began in December 2025 under the Mangroves for Coastal Resilience (M4CR) programme, covers seven Mangrove Landscape Units across West Java, Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The research is being conducted by UNDIP’s Institute for Research and Community Service, led by Prof. Denny Nugroho Sugianto.
The team combines satellite imagery analysis, spatial data, field surveys and assessments of the socioeconomic conditions of coastal communities to examine mangrove health, biodiversity and above-ground biomass. The findings show that mangrove conditions and environmental pressures vary considerably between northern and southern coastlines and island ecosystems.
Some areas retain relatively healthy mangrove cover, while others face erosion, land-use changes, aquaculture activities and shifting coastal conditions. These differences require management strategies tailored to each location rather than a uniform rehabilitation approach.
The research highlights the importance of matching restoration methods to local environmental conditions. Areas affected by strong waves and coastal erosion require careful consideration of sediment movement, tidal flows and shoreline dynamics. Meanwhile, abandoned or unproductive aquaculture ponds may offer opportunities for ecosystem restoration, provided that local livelihoods are also taken into account.
Mangroves provide multiple benefits, including habitats for wildlife, natural protection against coastal hazards and carbon storage. By assessing these functions alongside community dependence on fisheries, aquaculture and tourism, the study aims to support decisions that balance environmental protection with economic needs.
UNDIP has compiled mangrove inventories, ecosystem profiles, databases, boundary maps, thematic maps and ecosystem-function maps. The mapping identifies areas that may be prioritised for conservation and those suitable for sustainable use. KLH/BPLH has received the final research findings as scientific input for mangrove protection, rehabilitation and management planning.
The partnership is expected to help government agencies and other stakeholders develop location-specific strategies for mangrove landscapes across the three regions. By combining detailed scientific information with community participation, the initiative seeks to strengthen coastal resilience, conserve biodiversity and support the well-being of coastal residents. (*)
