IPB University Students Study the Freshwater Swamp Forest in Berbak National Park, Jambi

Tree Grower Community (TGC), Student Professional Association of the Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry IPB University held a Flora Expedition and Scientific Study (EXFLORATION) 2019 'Studying the Biodiversity Diversity of Freshwater Swamp Forest Ecosystems in Berbak National Park "on 30 July – 9 August 2019 in the Park Berbak National, Jambi. The work program in the forestry sector is divided into the Forest Nutrition Group, Tree Species Group, Seedling Group, Entomology Group, Pathology Group, and Agroforestry Group. The results of the Exploration were then presented at the 2019 EXFLORATION National Results Seminar.

Wetland International Indonesia, Ragil Satriyo Gumilang said that the dominant land condition in Berbak National Park is peat soil, but there is still freshwater swamp land. "Berbak National Park has a unique, widest, and only peat swamp forest in Sumatra and the largest in Southeast Asia," Ragil said.

Dr. Haruni conveyed that the wetland ecosystem has recently become a hot topic of discussion that is often raised internationally. This wetland ecosystem is a potential mitigation of climate change today. Wetlands consist of areas of brackish, brackish, peatland and permanent or temporary waters, stagnant or flowing water, brackish and salty, including marine waters whose depth is less than 6 meters at low tide (ramsar). The area of wetlands in Indonesia is the largest land area in Asia. Potential wetlands themselves include preventing floods and drought, as habitat for breeding of aquatic biota, sources of forest products, and most importantly as a store of carbon stocks. Berbak National Park is the first National Park recommended as a Ramsar site in Indonesia.

According to Ali Sofiawan from the KEHATI Foundation, wetlands can be a deterrent to tsunami attacks, so there is a need for peatland management in the management of the Tripa Peat Swamp. "Concern for peatlands is considered very important in view of the function and potential of large peatlands. Disasters will occur if peatlands are not given enough attention, "he said.

The seminar, which was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Dr. Ir Rinekso Soekmadi, MSc F Trop, also presented another speaker namely Dr. Haruni Krisnawati, Center for Forestry Research and Development (Puslitbang). (NR)

Keyword: Freshwater Swamp Forest, IPB University Students, Research, Berbak National Park, Jambi