THE CHANGES OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM IN MAHAKAM DELTA, INDONESIA: A COMPLEX SOCIALENVIRONMENTAL PATTERN OF LINKAGES IN RESOURCES UTILIZATION Mangrove forest

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Ahmad Syafei Sidik

Abstract

Mahakam Delta is the configuration of 46 small islands forming a unique fanshaped lobate which stretches out into the coastal area of the Makassar Strait of East Kalimantan. Geologically the Mahakam Delta was formed through the long term deposition of suspended solids from the 770 km long Mahakam River. Besides its high biodiversity, Mahakam Delta is also famous as a production zone for oil and gas. The vegetation growing in Mahakam Delta is mangrove forest
distributed in different zones i.e. pedada zone, rizophora zone, transition zone, nypa zone and nibung zone. Before year 1980, mangrove vegetation in Mahakam Delta was still pristine and about 60% of the area was covered by nypa. Big changes in the mangrove ecosystem occurred between 1990-2002, with peak degradation between 1996-2000. Up until 2001, about 63% mangrove was deforested mainly due to conversion for shrimp ponds. The loss of more than half
the mangrove forest caused bio-physical and environmental impacts and affected aquatic productivity, social and economic condition and the livelihoods of communities living in Mahakam Delta area. Conflicts frequently occurred in the society, particularly related to land ownership and water pollution issues. 


                   The occurrence of mangrove degradation in Mahakam Delta has linkages
with many complex factors; described here as backward, forward, downward, and upward linkages. Important linkage factors are migration of people from outside East Kalimantan, the socio-cultural profile of migrants, condition of the global economy, and the existing condition of government laws, regulations and policies. Since 2002, partial efforts for restoration had been done by both government and private companies through mangrove replanting activities at some sites in the Mahakam Delta. However, more integrated delta management is needed for delta
ecosystem restoration without eliminating the opportunities for communities living
in the Mahakam Delta to build their socio-economic livelihoods.



Keywords: Mangrove forest, vegetation, changes, ecosystem, deforested, livelihoods, restoration & Mahakam Delta

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