Department of Aquatic Resources Management, FFMS, IPB University Holds International Workshop on Blue Carbon Economy and Policy

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Department of Aquatic Resources Management, FFMS, IPB University Holds International Workshop on Blue Carbon Economy and Policy

Department of Water Resources Management (MSP), FPIK IPB University held an International Workshop on Blue Carbon Economy and Policy, 26/10. This international workshop aims to increase the sharpness of the academic competence of the IPB University MSP Department, especially in the context of Blue Carbon Ecosystems Management and Governance science, which is intended for students and lecturers.

The workshop featured resource persons who are competent in their fields, namely Prof Chaterine Lovelock from Queensland University (Australia), Dr Mari Mulyani from Oxford University (UK), Dr Sali Bache from Monash University (Australia) and Dr Aan Johan Wahyudi from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Republic of Indonesia. In his opening remarks, the Deputy Chancellor of IPB University for Global Connectivity, Cooperation and Alumni, Prof.

Iskandar Zulkarnaen said that this workshop was a form of IPB University’s presence in responding to one of the global issues, namely Ocean and Climate Changes. This is because the Blue Carbon Ecosystem is a central theme. Apart from that, this workshop shows the strong role of IPB University in international networking between scientists in the field of blue carbon ecosystems.

Head of the MSP Department, FPIK IPB University, Prof. Hefni Effendi stated that this workshop was one of the important milestones for the MSP Department of IPB University. The reason is, the MSP Department of IPB University is one of the departments that will become the main hub in the field of blue carbon ecosystem management and the blue economy in Indonesia.

“This workshop is also used as optimally as possible to increase international collaboration between the MSP IPB University Department and universities with world reputations such as Queensland University, Monash University, and Oxford University as well as research institutions with world reputations such as BRIN,” said Prof. Hefni.

Prof. Fredinan Yulianda as Dean of FPIK IPB University said that the development of knowledge related to carbon in terrestrial ecosystems is quite good. However, this is not the case with scientific developments regarding carbon in aquatic ecosystems, known as blue carbon. He said that blue carbon in aquatic ecosystems includes carbon in mangrove ecosystems, sea grass ecosystems and salt marshes. Calculation of blue carbon in mangrove ecosystems can be done using destructive methods or allometric methods. However, not all types of mangroves have an allometric formula.

“Therefore, a number of studies are needed to develop allometric formulas for a number of mangrove types that do not yet have allometric formulas. “Apart from that, methods for calculating blue carbon in seagrass beds and salt marshes are still far behind and require comprehensive research,” said Prof Fredinan.

The workshop was guided by the Professor of the MSP Department, FPIK IPB University, Prof. Luky Adrianto and the head of the MSP Department’s Blue Carbon Economy and Policy international workshop.

On this occasion, Prof Lovelock presented a presentation on the theme of blue carbon ecosystem governance in Australia while strengthening the importance of “sciences inclusivity” in blue carbon governance and policy.

Meanwhile Dr. Mari Mulyani reminded the importance of local community involvement in blue carbon ecosystem governance, especially in the context of sharing its benefits. Meanwhile, Dr Bache conveyed several national and global challenges in the context of inclusion of the marine sector in Indonesia’s next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Meanwhile, Dr Aan Johan Wahyudi, as one of Indonesia’s main experts in the field of blue carbon, in his presentation provided updates related to blue carbon science and blue carbon ecosystems in Indonesia.

Source: IPB News