Batam Coastal Women Document Mangroves through Herbarium
For years, knowledge of mangrove species among residents of Kampung Tua Bakau Serip was passed down only by word of mouth, with no written records. Now, that wealth of local knowledge has been documented in a herbarium set containing 12 local mangrove species by 10 coastal women, with assistance from a community service team from Universitas Internasional Batam (UIB).
The programme, which ran from June to August 2026, targeted the Pandang Tak Jemu Mangrove Ecotourism area in Sambau Sub-district, Nongsa District, Batam City. The area is managed independently by the Pandang Tak Jemu Joint Business Group (KUB).
However, economic challenges loom as income remains limited. With entrance tickets priced between Rp10,000 and Rp30,000, average visits reach only 30 to 40 people per month, an amount insufficient for maintenance and development costs.
Stivani Ayuning Suwarlan, head of the UIB community service team, explained that women’s involvement had previously been limited to catering and cleaning. Yet they possess deep knowledge of the mangrove ecosystem.
“The problem is not that the area is unattractive, but that there is no one to explain it to visitors. The women here know very well which mangrove fruits are edible, which are poisonous, and which have strong roots for holding mud. We helped turn that knowledge into a form that can be read and passed on,” said Stivani.
The herbarium compilation process was carried out through a series of training sessions on 21 June, 26 June, and 1 July 2026. Participants were taught techniques for sustainably collecting leaf, fruit, and propagule specimens, drying them, and adding scientific labels that include their ecological functions.
In addition to physical documentation, the UIB team also introduced digital technology through the iNaturalist application. Through this platform, the coastal women successfully uploaded 50 observations covering 25 mangrove and coastal biota taxa to the global scientific community.
“Now the biodiversity data of Bakau Serip can be accessed by anyone in the world, and the data was entered by local villagers themselves, not outside researchers,” said Khoirul Anwar, a team member from the biology field.
The programme recorded significant success in improving participants’ capacity. Based on pre- and post-activity tests, the average comprehension score of participants jumped from 73 to 93. All participants have now exceeded the minimum competency threshold set.
The outputs of this activity include not only the herbarium but also educational posters, permanent information boards, and a draft educational tourism package. The package combines mangrove trail activities, in-depth interpretation sessions, and mangrove planting actions by tourists.
Hasnindar, chair of KUB Pandang Tak Jemu, welcomed the change positively. “Previously, guests would come, take photos, and leave. Now we can explain in more detail. There is something we can show and tell them about,” she said.