Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), together with the Indonesia Seagrass Mapping Partnership, comprising the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), and Hasanuddin University, is preparing a national map of coral reef and seagrass ecosystems, which is targeted for launch by the end of 2025. This map will serve as a crucial foundation for informed decision-making in marine resource management, climate change adaptation, and the economic valuation of blue carbon ecosystems in Indonesia.
Professor Pramaditya Wicaksono, a seagrass mapping expert from the Faculty of Geography (Geography UGM), welcomed the development of the national coral reef and seagrass ecosystem map, particularly for its role in carbon sequestration calculations within the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), ocean accounting, and permitting processes for marine development.
He emphasized that national seagrass data remain limited, with only around 290,000 hectares validated so far.
“This is far from its actual potential,” said Professor Wicaksono on Friday (Aug. 22) at UGM Campus.
He explained that the main challenge in mapping Indonesia’s national coral reef and seagrass ecosystems lies in the country’s vast territory, which cannot be fully mapped through field surveys alone.
Therefore, it is necessary to integrate remote sensing technologies with field survey data, which could be further enhanced in the future through citizen science approaches.
Beyond technical challenges, coordination among institutions also poses an obstacle.
To date, much of the data remains scattered across various agencies without clear access, standards, or utilization.
Through this national coral reef and seagrass mapping initiative, funded by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, stakeholders from universities, ministries, agencies, local governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being brought together to strengthen communication, align roles, and establish national data standards for coral reef and seagrass mapping.
“We will soon have Indonesia’s first national seagrass map. Even some major countries do not yet have such an integrated national map. This will be a significant achievement, not only for Indonesia but also as a contribution to global efforts in managing blue carbon ecosystems,” said Professor Wicaksono.
Regarding the target launch of the national coral reef and seagrass ecosystem map at the end of 2025, Professor Wicaksono expressed hope that it will serve as a historic milestone in Indonesia’s marine ecosystem management and strengthen the country’s role in climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photograph: Shutterstock