ULM identifies 14 mangrove species in Kotabaru's PBPH area

This is an important indicator that natural mangrove regeneration is proceeding well. Banjarmasin (ANTARA) – The Wetland Academic Support Unit (UPA) of Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has discovered 14 mangrove species in the Business Permit for Forest Utilisation (PBPH) area in Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan. “These diverse mangrove species were identified during the biodiversity identification activity,” said ULM Vice-Rector for Cooperation, Public Relations, and Information Systems Dr Yusuf Azis in Banjarmasin on Monday. The 14 identified mangrove species include acrostichum aureum (sea fern), avicennia officinalis (grey mangrove), terminalia catappa (tropical almond), bruguiera cylindrica (tanjung), ceriops decandra (tengar), xylocarpus granatum (nyirih), lumnitzera littorea (red mangrove), lumnitzera racemosa (white mangrove), nypa fruticans (nipah palm), rhizophora apiculata (mangrove), rhizophora mucronata (red mangrove), rhizophora stylosa (small mangrove), senna siamea (johar), and sonneratia alba (mangrove apple). In addition to the 14 mangrove species, six associated species grow naturally in the area, indicating a relatively stable mangrove ecosystem. Yusuf stated that this diversity indicates a complete vegetation structure, from seedling, stake, to mature tree stages. “This condition is an important indicator that natural mangrove regeneration is proceeding well,” he said. He explained that mangrove biodiversity plays a strategic role in maintaining coastal environmental balance, including protecting shorelines from erosion and waves, serving as critical habitat for various coastal species, and supporting aquatic ecosystem productivity. Yusuf added that through this identification, ULM aims to provide scientific data for conservation-based area management and to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving mangrove ecosystems. It is known that since mid-2024, ULM, through the Berkah Wasaka Mandiri Cooperative, has obtained a Business Permit for Forest Utilisation (PBPH) for a 611-hectare production forest area in Kotabaru Regency. Under this permit, ULM has the right to manage the mangrove forest area for carbon absorption and storage, aquaculture, recreational and educational tourism, and as a wetland environmental research centre.