22 March 2024
Anonymous Writer
Mangroves are a crucial component of coastal ecosystems, playing a significant role in supporting various life forms around them. Essentially, the term mangroves refers to a collection of tropical trees and shrubs growing in intertidal zones influenced by tidal flows. With its numerous benefits, the mangrove ecosystem enables sustainable and harmonious life in coastal areas. Not only for coastal environments, mangroves also play a significant role in carbon storage and have great potential for reducing carbon emissions, contributing to global efforts against climate change. Unfortunately, factors such as population growth and environmental pollution threaten the preservation of mangrove ecosystems, endangering ecological balance. Therefore, mangrove restoration is necessary as a conservation effort to repair, preserve, and enhance the extent and quality of mangrove ecosystems.
As part of its commitment to mangrove conservation, the Forestry Faculty of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) held a public lecture or Top Scientist Seminar titled “The Mangroves of South Asia in the United Nation’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.” This seminar took place on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in a hybrid format (online and offline) at the Forestry Faculty’s campus in Bekala, Deli Serdang. The seminar featured “Top Scientists” specializing in mangroves as keynote speakers. Among them were Assoc. Prof. Severino Salmo III, Ph.D., a mangrove researcher from the Philippines and a lecturer at the University of the Philippines, and Prof. Mohammad Basyuni, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D., a prominent mangrove researcher and lecturer at USU.
The event was opened by the Dean of the Forestry Faculty, Dr. Rudi Hartono, S.Hut., M.Si., and the Vice Dean III, Prof. Dr. Agus Purwoko, S.Hut., M.Si. In his remarks, Dr. Rudi Hartono expressed his gratitude to the speakers and hoped the seminar would provide valuable knowledge to all participants, especially regarding mangrove ecosystems.
During his session, Assoc. Prof. Severino explained that mangroves, with their unique characteristics, have a tremendous impact on global life. Mangroves possess distinctive defense systems and adaptive mechanisms, such as shedding due to salinity and sediment retention, which are unique to certain mangrove species. He also discussed the benefits and threats faced by mangrove ecosystems worldwide, including in Indonesia. Assoc. Prof. Severino enthusiastically encouraged the audience to join forces in restoring degraded mangrove ecosystems and conserving existing ones.
The seminar attracted many participants, both online and offline, including students, lecturers, and researchers, some of whom came from outside Universitas Sumatera Utara. This seminar is expected to enhance understanding and inspire greater contributions to preserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems for a better future.
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