Recent research led by Muhammad Arif Asadi from the Marine Science Department at Brawijaya University has shed light on the vital role of mangroves on the Bawean and Karimunjawa Islands in the Java Sea. Published in the journal “Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,” the study highlights the significance of these coastal ecosystems in supporting biodiversity, protecting shorelines, and sequestering carbon.
Asadi’s team conducted a comprehensive assessment of mangrove structures and biomass using a combination of line transect and quadrant plot methods. They analyzed 13 mangrove species in Desa Daun on Bawean Island and 12 species on Kemujan Island. Notably, the species Nypa fruticans and Excoecaria agallocha emerged as the most significant in their respective locations based on the importance value index (IVI). The study found that Rhizophora apiculata had the highest biomass, with measurements of 43.08 Mg B/ha in Bawean and 102.22 Mg B/ha in Karimunjawa.
The findings reveal that mangrove stands on Bawean Island store a total biomass of 113.60 Mg B/ha and sequester carbon at 50.98 Mg C/ha. In contrast, the mangroves of Karimunjawa Islands exhibit more impressive figures, with biomass storage of 295.04 Mg B/ha and carbon sequestration of 131.95 Mg C/ha. Overall, the Bawean Islands sequester approximately 22,941 Mg of carbon, while the Karimunjawa Islands hold a much larger carbon stock of 79,451 Mg.
These insights are particularly relevant for sectors involved in environmental conservation, carbon trading, and sustainable aquaculture. The high carbon storage potential of mangroves presents opportunities for businesses looking to invest in blue carbon initiatives, which aim to protect and restore coastal ecosystems for climate mitigation. Asadi noted, “Despite being smaller in size, the Karimunjawa Islands have more extensive mangrove coverage compared to the Bawean Islands, which in turn influences their mangrove structures and carbon stocks.” However, he cautioned that the expansion of aquaculture in Karimunjawa poses a threat to these valuable ecosystems, potentially leading to increased carbon loss.
The study underscores the importance of preserving mangrove habitats not only for their ecological benefits but also for their potential economic value in carbon markets and sustainable tourism. As awareness of the importance of blue carbon ecosystems grows, stakeholders in both the public and private sectors may find new avenues for investment and collaboration in the protection of these critical coastal resources.
