Mangrove Restoration Techniques: The Mahakam Delta

Abstract

Abstract In the last 50 years Indonesia's mangrove has been degraded by more than 11 million hectares. As mangrove has an important role from ecological point of view, the remaining mangrove must be certainly protected and restoration must be done as well to the damaged mangrove. Mangrove provides ecosystem as nursery and feeding ground for numerous species of fishes and shrimps and also protects the shoreline and many other important roles of mangrove. Mangrove ecosystem has a value based utilization both its product and benefit to human. The Mahakam Delta is a sensitive ecosystem that is mainly covered by mangrove. It is located at the mouth of Mahakam River in East Kalimantan Indonesia. In this area, TOTAL Indonesie has undertaken its E&P operation since 1974. Taking into account the sensitivity of mangrove, TOTAL Indonesie has performed mangrove restoration as a part of its environmental management plan. In two different locations, i.e. Senipah Oil Terminal and Handil Field, there was mangrove rehabilitation in two different ways. Planting new seeds from other location with full human intervention performed the restoration in Senipah Oil Terminal. For the second case of Handil field, there was a natural restoration in the cleared mangrove area. Human intervention was only needed for maintaining the natural seedling. The above efforts of mangrove restoration have successfully transformed the poorly vegetated areas to become mangrove forests. The mangrove restoration is a proven effort of Total Indonesie's commitment in environmental protection of mangrove ecosystem.