Presented by Udhi Eko Hernawan, Senior Researcher, Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) at "Blue Carbon Dialogue: From science-based policy to implementation" in Bogor, 20 February 2024.

1. Udhi Eko Hernawan
Kepala Pusat Riset Oseanografi

2. Research priorities in seagrass ecosystems
to enhance blue carbon
as Natural Climate Solution in Indonesia
Udhi Eko Hernawan
Kepala Pusat Riset Oseanografi
BADAN RISET DAN INOVASI NASIONAL

3. 1. Habitat extent and distribution
• What is the total areal extent of coastal blue carbon
habitat (especially seagrass) in Indonesia?
• How coastal blue carbon habitats (seagrass) are
distributed in Indonesia?
• How species are distributed across different spatial and
temporal scale?
Approach: Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) and
remote sensing
Challenges: data availability, biophysical properties of the
water column and substrate/benthos, seagrass seasonal
variability

4. Source: Malerba et al 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104337)

5. 2. Stock, sequestration and emission
Indonesia’s seagrass ecosystems are very diverse. High
species diversity, high variability of environmental
condition. Most studies measured seagrass biomass,
and only a few reported sediment organic carbon
(while most carbon stored in sediment)
• How does carbon stock vary over different systems,
or spatial/temporal scales?
• What factors do influence the variability?
• What is the fate of carbon fixed by seagrass?
• To what extent, is carbon emission in seagrass
habitat? What factor influence the emission?
• No data yet on carbon sequestration rate
Mazarrasa et al (2018). Habitat characteristics provide insights of carbon storage in seagrass meadows. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 134, 106–117.

6. Influence of biogeochemical factors on the organic carbon storage capacity of seagrass ecosystems. SAR,
sediment accumulation rates; NPP, net primary production.
Serrano, Ricart, Lavery et al 2016

7. • No field measurement
• Using general estimation
(emission rate = maximum
of 4% per year of the initial
carbon stock)
• Need field measurement at
different environmental
setting
Emission
Wahyudi and Febriani, 2021

8. 3. Restoration for additionality
• Restoration is required for “additionality” in Blue Carbon project
• How can be best restore/rehabilitate seagrass habitat for Blue Carbon?
• Where and when (site selection)?
• Which species?
• How can we provide seedling available for restoration project?
• How can we increase success rate and reduce cost?

9. Ecosystem services and valuation

10. • Indonesia is a global biodiversity
hotspot for macroalgae
• High production
Potential contribution of seaweed
Pessarrodona et al. Science of Total Environment 918 (2024)

11. Pessarrodona et al. Science of Total Environment 918 (2024)

13. Summary
• Indonesia’s seagrasses (and macroalgae) has
the potential contribution for Blue Carbon.
• Research topic prioritized for Blue Carbon:
1. Habitat distribution extent
2. Variability over different system
3. Habitat restoration/rehabilitation
4. Fate for carbon from macroalgal farm

14. CIFOR-ICRAF
CIFOR-ICRAF harnesses the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes
to address the most pressing global challenges of our time - biodiversity loss,
climate change, food security, livelihoods and inequity.
Thank you
Udhi Eko Hernawan
Kepala Pusat Riset Oseanografi - BRIN