LIPI embarks on biodiversity project<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) has
\nembarked on an ambitious project to exploit, develop and conserve
\nIndonesia's huge biodiversity resources.<\/p>\n
Dedy Darnaedi, a scientist in LIPI's Research and Development
\nCenter for Biology, told reporters on Tuesday that the
\nbiodiversity collections project will be financed with a $7.2
\nmillion grant from the World Bank.<\/p>\n
The project will emphasize preparations of the necessary human
\nresources to handle Indonesia's biodiversity programs. Dedy
\ncontinued, \"We need qualified people in biodiversity management,
\nfor research and to help build a database.\"<\/p>\n
As part of the project, LIPI plans to build the Life Science
\nCenter on a 180-hectare site in Cibinong just outside Jakarta for
\nbiology, biotechnology, applied chemistry, applied physics and
\noceanology.<\/p>\n
Arie Budiman, a scientist at the same research center, said
\nthat every species has a unique role and function in the
\necosystem and therefore must be conserved before being exploited
\nfor commercial use.<\/p>\n
The study of biodiversity is not only studying the species'
\ndiversity but also their genetic properties and the
\ncharacteristics of their community and ecosystem, he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, the country with the second largest number of
\nspecies in the world after Brazil, has yet to take inventory of
\nall of its biodiversity species.<\/p>\n
About 90 percent of all animal species and 30 percent of all
\nplant species in Indonesia have not been documented or given
\ntheir scientific Latin names.<\/p>\n
It has been estimated that there are between 515 and 800
\nmammal species in Indonesia, between 7,000 and 8,500 bird species
\nand 2,000 to 6,000 mollusks. Indonesia has 25 percent of all fish
\nspecies found in the world, 17 percent of all birds, 16 percent
\nof all reptiles and amphibious animals, 12 percent of the world's
\nmammals and 10 percent of all plants.<\/p>\n
\"Basic knowledge of the diversity of the species in Indonesia
\ncan be said to be minimal and spread out among various agencies,\"
\nstates the research center.<\/p>\n
\"Pressures from economic development, which often ignore
\necological balance, is one of the prime causes for the pressures
\non the existence of biodiversity resources in Indonesia.\"<\/p>\n
The center also underlined that biodiversity resources can
\ncontribute significantly to the country's economy. In the United
\nStates, for example, biodiversity contributes to 4.5 percent of
\nits gross domestic product.<\/p>\n
The 100 species of wood found in Indonesia's forest
\ncontributed $4.5 billion to Indonesia's export trade in 1988,
\nmaking it the second largest contributor after oil and gas.
\nRattan exports contributed another $200 million, mangrove $194
\nmillion, and shrimp $482 million in 1988.<\/p>\n
Arie stressed the need for the various agencies in the country
\ninvolved in biodiversity development and exploitation to
\ncommunicate with one another.<\/p>\n
LIPI, he said, is proposing the establishment of a National
\nCommittee on Biodiversity, which would comprise government
\nagencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, private
\ncompanies and scholars.<\/p>\n
The institute also plans to establish a national biodiversity
\ninformation network.<\/p>\n
One biodiversity program already underway at LIPI is the
\nconservation, rehabilitation and management of Indonesia's huge
\ncoral reef resources.<\/p>\n
Mohammad Kasim Moosa, of LIPI's Oceanology Institute, said
\nthat from 324 coral reef barriers found in Indonesia, only 6.48
\npercent were found to be in very good condition.<\/p>\n
Another 43 percent are in bad condition, either because of
\nsuch \"human\" activities as pollution, tourism and destructive
\nfishing methods, or the result of natural climatic changes,
\ndisasters and diseases. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lipi-embarks-on-biodiversity-project-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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