RISS-AIST Japan Explores Cooperation with PPLH IPB University to Study Bamboo in Indonesia
The Center for Environmental Research (PPLH), International Research Institute for the Environment and Climate Change (LRI LPI) IPB University received a visit from a delegation from the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability (RISS)
RISS is a research institute under the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) based in Tsukuba, Japan. The delegation was welcomed by the Chairman of PPLH, Dr Yudi Setiawan, and the Center Secretary, Dr Liyantono, at the PPLH Building, IPB Dramaga Campus.
RISS-AIST representative Dr Kazuya Inoue expressed his interest in conducting extensive research on bamboo in Indonesia. This was motivated by his team’s research in Japan, which found a correlation between global warming and an increase in the amount of isoprene found in the atmosphere.
Isoprene itself is a volatile organic compound (VOC) produced naturally by plants and also produced synthetically through the processing of petroleum and coal. Isoprene emitted by plants can contribute to the formation of ozone in the atmosphere.
Dr Kazuya Inoue said there are three things he wants to study further in relation to the status of bamboo forests in Indonesia. First, whether there has been an expansion or decline in the number of stands or area of bamboo forests. Second, whether the types of bamboo that grow and develop emit VOCs such as isoprene. Third, the opportunities for international collaborative research that may be carried out.
“We want to know the possibilities for further study,” said Dr Kazuya Inoue.
Chairman of PPLH IPB University, Dr Yudi Setiawan, said that large areas of bamboo are rarely found in Indonesia. However, in certain areas such as Flores Island, there are still several large areas of bamboo suitable for research. The Bogor Botanical Gardens also has a collection of bamboo species that can be studied.
“Bamboo ecosystems in Indonesia are generally patchy in certain spots. This condition can be analyzed with more detailed, high-resolution satellite imagery because the canopy shape of bamboo leaves and other tree species can still be distinguished,” said the IPB University remote sensing expert.
Forestry biomaterial expert Prof Lina Karlinasari, who was also present, shared her bamboo research conducted with her students in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. In this location, bamboo plants are carefully preserved because they are a multi-purpose commodity.
“The uniqueness of bamboo in Indonesia is its sympodial growth pattern, in which the main stem stops growing due to the development of new shoots or branches at its tip. This is different from the growth pattern of bamboo in Japan or China, which is generally monopodial,” said Prof Lina, who is also a professor at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment at IPB University.
Also present at the meeting were young researchers from PPLH IPB University, Luisa Febrina Amalo and Fikri Sakti Firmansyah; lecturer at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Amrina Rosyada; and Prof Takahashi Takuya from the School of Environment Science, Department of Environmental Policy and Planning, The University of Shiga Prefecture. (*/Rz) ( IAAS/LAN)
