On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, a team lead by Abdul Razaq Chasani, Ph.D. along with students including Bima Kurniawan, Ima Laidiya Melani, and Zenith Caitra Ardhenareshvari, represented the flora diversity survey team in Bantul Regency to publish their research findings. This representation stood on behalf of other students in the team, namely Reza Raihandhany, Aji Sukma, Annisa Mawarni, Lisna Nur Aini, Puspita Kusuma Astuti, and Zildan Basara. The collaborative research with the Bantul Regency Environmental Agency was conducted from May to June 2023. The research findings were disseminated during an event titled “Exposing Coastal Vegetation Biodiversity in Bantul Regency,” as part of the Bantul regency Kehati expose series, held at Gendal-Gendul Restaurant, Jl. Parangtritis No. 18, Kapanewon Jetis, Bantul Regency. Attending the event were officials and staff from the Bantul Regency Environmental Agency, representatives from Bappeda Bantul Regency, representatives from the Bantul Regency Agriculture Office, as well as representatives from the BKSDA Yogyakarta.
The event commenced with an opening address by the Head of Bantul Regency Environmental Agency, represented by the Sub-coordinator of the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Substance Group, Yuyun Prihatining Rahmah, S.Pt., M.Ec.Dev., followed by the main presentation of research findings by the Team (Abdul Razaq Chasani, Ph.D., and Bima Kurniawan). The team presented a total of 141 recorded species from 47 families, observing various characteristic coastal vegetation formations along the southern coast of Bantul. These formations included the pes-caprae formation along the tide line, the Barringtonia formation in higher areas of the coastal zone, and the dunes formation found in Gumuk Pasir Parangkusumo. In addition to these vegetation formations, plants were also found in mangrove and estuarine habitats. Alongside the commonly found coastal vegetation, special plants of note were highlighted, such as Passiflora foetida (rambusa), Coccinia grandis (timun tikus), and Borassus flabellifer (siwalan). The presentation followed by a discussion session moderated by Ms. Yuyun, representatives from the Bantul Regency Environmental Agency and the BKSDA Yogyakarta inquired about the characteristics of specific coastal plants like the Casuarina equisetifolia (cemara udang) and mangrove forest plants like Cerbera manghas (bintaro).
The success of this flora survey is a positive outcome for both organizations. In the near future, the research findings will be published as a monograph to benefit a broader audience. This activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the promotion of quality education, the preservation of terrestrial life, and the development of sustainable communities. These results are expected to support the sustainable preservation of distinctive coastal vegetation in preparation for the vision of the Yogyakarta Governor for 2022-2027, the empowerment of the southern region.