Publications

Mangrove ecosystems are abundant on the coastline of Padang Island and the surrounding islets within the Malacca Strait PSC area. This unique ecosystem has helped stop the degradation of the coastline of these isles and helped the formation of the sediments that formed the islands, which are part of the Siak River delta. Over the time, these ecosystems have suffered ever-increasing tension from escalating community activities that have exploited these systems, resulting in further degradation. EMP Malacca Strait S.A. (EMMSA) has tried to intervene in this degradation since the early 1990s by promoting various initiatives. Since then, a nursery has been built and operated. Over 500,000 mangrove seedlings of various genera have been collected from shorelines and nursed prior to being planted in the targeted shorelines. For more than 20 years, the company has hired local people to work in this nursery and to plant and maintain the mangrove plants. The company initiated a research center of expertise in these areas, for example, with the Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University and Sriwijaya University, to help identify the various mangrove species in the ecosystem. The research center has mapped the degradation levels of the shorelines and provided guidance to planting techniques. Joint efforts with local NGOs have been conducted to help spread awareness to the community. Land cover change analysis through interpretation of satellite imageries from 2002 (Landsat 7 ETM+), 2003 (Ikonos) and 2009 (Geoeye-1) has shown that the mangroves in the Padang and Tebing Tinggi islands remain unchanged, covering 13,287 Ha.