UGM harnesses cutting-edge technologies like bioinformatics, AI, and PCR to protect Indonesia’s biodiversity hotspots, Sundaland and Wallacea. Research led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Djumanto, M.Sc., focuses on restoring habitats for species like the *wader* fish, combating invasive species, and boosting ecosystem resilience, showcasing UGM’s leadership in sustainable aquatic conservation.
UGM acknowledges the significance of biodiversity conservation during the 68th anniversary of the Faculty of Biology and the role that technology plays in the conservation process. Indonesia possesses the greatest marine biodiversity in the world and is recognised as having two of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, Sundaland and Wallacea. These areas are rich in endemic species with high extinction rates. Anthropogenic activities are the primary cause of damage to Indonesia’s biodiversity, alongside climate change, which also drives global ecosystem degradation. Metaverse technology, open science, big data analytics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and AI technology have the potential to address the management, utilisation, and conservation of marine biological resources.
The wader fish (Rasbora lateristriata), a fish that is native to Indonesia’s freshwater ecosystems, faces significant threats, including habitat degradation, invasive species, and destructive fishing practices. Prof. Dr. Ir. Djumanto, M.Sc., in his inaugural speech as a professor of Fisheries Resource Management at UGM, emphasized the urgency of protecting this species through innovative conservation strategies. He highlighted habitat modifications, such as creating spawning pools along riverbanks, which simulate optimal breeding conditions, as a key technological solution to boost populations.
Djumanto also underscored the importance of domestication, controlled restocking, and managing invasive species to preserve biodiversity. Employing environmental data, such as water quality and oxygen levels, to guide habitat modifications demonstrates the potential of technology in conservation efforts.
See here for the research publication.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Djumanto, M.Sc., is a Professor of Fisheries Resource Management at UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture. He specializes in aquatic ecosystem studies and stock assessment. One of his notable research underscores how technology fosters ecosystem resilience by mitigating anthropogenic and environmental challenges while supporting biodiversity preservation
From the research, the role of technology in conservation is pivotal, especially for maintaining and extending ecosystems under threat. Molecular biology tools like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and bioinformatics are utilized for biodiversity assessment, disease detection, and genetic characterization of aquatic species. These technologies enable precise species identification, habitat suitability analysis, and monitoring of invasive species, providing data critical for informed conservation strategies.
Moreover, advancements in vaccine development for fish diseases and the use of bioinformatics to analyze ecological impacts highlight the integration of technology into sustainable aquaculture practices.
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