BERITA
Expedition International Joint Laboratory (IJL SELAMAT)
Monday, 28 November 2022
The SEntinel LAboratory of the indonesian MArine biodiversiTy ? International Joint Laboratory (SELAMAT IJL) ia scientific bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and France, that aims to study the interactions between marine biodiversity, environmental changes and human societies through ecological sentinels. Ecological sentinels are species that indicate a qualitative or quantitative change in the properties of the ecosystems of which they are part. Sentinel species and sentinel ecosystems have been chosen according to already available knowledge and to the possibility of sustained observations to act as early warning of the impact of local and global pressures. A variety of species such as microalgae (e.g., toxic algae), invertebrates (e.g., Scleractinian corals), mangrove trees and marine vertebrates including large predators can be viewed as sentinels as defined above. Both local and global environmental stressors may affect their life histories, population dynamics, and genetic diversity. Such disturbances can in turn affect ecosystem services and human health.
The SELAMAT IJL will set up four functional and sustainable platforms for the study of marine biodiversity and its services in the Indonesian archipelago:
Platform 1: A national observation network for fieldwork and monitoring of sentinel species and ecosystems, The IJL plans to strengthen a national research observatory to collect and monitor several sentinel species and ecosystems in the Indonesian archipelago. The IJL will improve RCO?LIPI facilities to study and monitor sentinel ecosystems in the archipelago and acquire environmental data in the long term. Platform 2: Marine molecular genetic laboratory at RCO?LIPI dedicated to laboratory research and capacity building ?? The Selamat IJL will upgrade facilities of the existing marine molecular genetic laboratory at RCO?LIPI in Jakarta. The samples collected by the RCO’s researchers, observation network, and other related research projects will be analyzed in the laboratory for population genetic and genomic research purposes. The platform will also be used for training the Indonesian researchers who involve this project. Platform 3: An e?platform cMOOC for IJL’s management, training, and capacity building ?? Scientific training is an essential component of the SELAMAT IJL project. Our objectives are to strengthen the research capacity of the Indonesian counterparts and the members of the observation network through the implementation of a connective massive open online course (cMOOC) and specific scientific training needed to support Platform 2. Platform 4: Biocultural interactions platform ?? A platform on biocultural interactions and local knowledge for the study and the monitoring of sentinel species and ecosystems. The platform will build synergies between natural and social sciences and local communities through the long?term observation of sentinel species and ecosystems.
Our joint fieldwork was based on a strong bilateral relation Indo-français in the discipline of marine science. This expedition to the seascape of the Bird’s Head of Papua is marked as the first fieldwork made by IJL SELAMAT after two years of stuck due to Covid pandemic. Objectives of the expedition are (a) strengthening the intra-inter relationship between the member of IJL SELAMAT and partners (b) harmonizing fieldwork capacities within the IJL Scientists and (c) Progressing IJL’s program activities.
The expedition was conducted between 12 - 28 November 2022 in or outside of Marine Protected Areas in West Papua including the Sorong Raya, Raja Ampat and Manokwari Raya. Our teamwork comprised 16 people from 7 institutions. We made a sampling of eDNA, Plankton, Macro algae, Mud crabs, Sea urchins, and the Megafaunal observation on 11 localities. All samples are preserved in distinct approaches for further analysis
Sampling Environment DNA from the seawater surface was filtered in 9 sites and the samples from the submersible approach were conducted in 5 sites. Samplings were made on several depths ranging 0-20 m. The megafauna observations were conducted by using a “platform of opportunity” method by attaching the observations into other main trips. Three species of megafauna were identified: spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and dugongs. High density of filamentous cyanobacteria (most likely, Trichodesmium spp. mixed with Lyngbya spp.) was found in Mayalibit Bay (Raja Ampat) and Ransiki (Manokwari Selatan). So far, potentially harmful and ciguatoxin producer benthic dinoflagellates were not found. We obtained 103 individuals of sea urchins from 7 localities, all the samples belong to 2 genera, Echinotrix and Diadema (Diadematidae). Sampling of mud crabs were conducted in 3 locations (Sorong, Raja Ampat, and Manokwari), and obtained 97 individual belonging to two species in the genus Scylla.
We reported here that during the expedition, we strengthened fieldwork capacities among the member of IJL SELAMAT through training focused on seawater filtration for eDNA, catch biotas, samples preservation, and drone pilot training. Finally, we thank local institutions, leaders, and local people in Sorong, Raja Ampat and Manokwari for their kind supports to the team during our cruise in West of Papua.