Mangrove forests are forests that grow in tidal areas, especially on protected beaches, lagoons, and river mouths. Mangrove forests have a very large function for the environment, including as plants that are able to withstand ocean currents that erode coastal land. Coastal abrasion is one of the most threatening problems for coastal conditions so that it can damage ponds and rice fields. The problem of coastal abrasion in the coastal areas of Semarang City has recently tended to increase in various areas, including in the Tugu District. One of the efforts that can be done to reduce the impact of abrasion on the coast is by planting mangroves.
On Saturday, October 1, 2022, the UNDIP Geological Engineering Community Service team planted 500 mangrove seedlings on the beach around the mangrove area of Tapak Village, Tugurejo District, Semarang City. This activity aims to participate in taking part to protect the coastal ecosystem from the threat of abrasion.
This community service activity collaborates with the manager of the Tapak mangrove ecotourism area who helps provide mangrove seeds and transportation facilities to the planting site. Participants involved in the process of planting mangrove seedlings consisted of a team of 7 lecturers and 17 active students. In this activity, participants not only planted seeds, but were also given knowledge by the guide about the types of plants to be planted and their functions in reducing the impact of coastal abrasion. All participants seemed enthusiastic and asked many questions about the importance of planting mangroves.
The benefits of this community service activity are to help preserve mangrove forest areas that function as protectors of coastal areas from abrasion disasters, as well as to raise awareness of the environmental conditions of coastal areas and contribute to solve existing environmental problems.
–AK–
