BRIN Strengthens Research on Small Islands to Face Ecosystem Change

JAKARTA, GARISBUMI.com – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is strengthening research on a number of small Indonesian islands to map pressure on ecosystems, the impact of human activities, as well as ocean dynamics and climate change.

Through the Small Island Research and Development (SIRaD) program, the results of this research are aimed at becoming a scientific basis for formulating sustainable small island development policies. Research is also expected to strengthen the resilience of the people who live and depend on the archipelago for their livelihoods.

Research was developed on Pari Island, Talise in North Sulawesi, Barang Lompo, Banda Islands, and Gili Matra. Each location has different ecological and socio-economic problems.

BRIN Principal Expert Researcher Zainal Arifin said small islands cannot be viewed as independent regions. Conditions are not only influenced by human activities at the local level, but also climate change and regional marine dynamics.

This influence is even stronger on the islands located along the Indonesian Throughflow (Arlindo) corridor. Arlindo is the movement of water masses from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean which passes through Indonesian waters.

Therefore, small island research requires a cross-disciplinary approach. Ecological conditions need to be studied together with the social and economic life of the community so that research results can answer development needs.

"SIRaD was built to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, increase community involvement, support science-based policies for sustainable small island development, and strengthen regional cooperation in the Western Pacific," said Zainal at The 3rd Scientific Symposium of Cooperative Study of Kuroshio 2 in Jakarta, Tuesday (15/9).