Retrospective overviews are essential in development planning and/or environmental health monitoring based on geological perspective through paleoecology. The studies are using various indicators, one of which is using recent foraminifera. Within last decades, the semi-enclosed bays of Lamong Bay in Surabaya and Benoa Bay in Bali have had enormous physical development. To ensure the continuity of existing infrastructure, it is necessary to discover the threats of natural and/or anthropogenic hazards through retrospective studies. Therefore the aim of this study is to reveal the ecological development of semi- enclosed bays using benthic foraminifera as a proxy over time periods. The research was conducted in March 2017, included analysis of absolute age and sedimentation rate using the Pb210 isotope and recent foraminifera indexing from short core samples. The Ammonia-Elphidium index (AE index) as a proxy of hypoxia and the planktonic/benthic ratio (P/B) as a proxy of open ocean flow were used in the study. The foraminiferal indeces revealed that both sites have experienced different ecological changes in the last few decades. Over the past 87 years, the Lamong Bay has undergone ecological changes, from the aquatic environment that was strongly influenced by the open sea and supports the benthic life, to shallow oligotrophic waters that cannot support benthic life. In contrast, Benoa Bay was shallow waters for 50 years and supports benthic life without any significant threat as the other coastal waters especially for the semi-enclosed bay. The research results showed that massive development in coastal areas will affect the ecological development/change of the area. Natural factors such as geomorphological settings and circulation patterns are secondary factors that will magnify or reduce these changes/developments.
Author(s) Details:
Rositasari
Research Center for Oceanography-National Research and Innovation Agency Jl, Pasir Putih I, Ancol Timur, Jakarta Utara, 1440, Indonesia.
Recent global research developments in Ecological Development of Semi-Enclosed Bays: A Study Using Benthic Foraminifera as Proxies
Assessment of Ecological Sustainability for International Bays: A Case Study of Sanmen Bay [1]
1. Background:
- Bays play a crucial role in absorbing pollutants, purifying water, and regulating climate.
- They are integral to socio-economic growth in coastal cities, providing essential landscapes and ecosystem services.
2. Methodology:
- Researchers drew spatial distribution maps of Sanmen Bay’s landscape genres between 1995 and 2020.
- These maps were based on spectra, GPS data, and information extracted from remote-sensing imagery.
- A transition matrix was used to examine changes in landscape genres over time.
- Logistic regression analyzed the drivers behind these dynamics.
- An appraisal system compatible with comprehensive bay ecosystem evaluation was developed.
3. Bay Coupled Society-Economy-Ecology System:
- The study considered manifest and latent environmental factors often overlooked in conventional bay development planning.
- It explored the social and economic landscape of Sanmen Bay, providing effective policy recommendations.
- By integrating social, economic, and ecological aspects, the study aimed to promote the sustainability of China’s Gulf ecosystem.
4. Significance:
- The research contributes to understanding the delicate balance between human activities and environmental preservation in international bays.
- It emphasizes the need for timely and comprehensive evaluation frameworks to guide sustainable development.
References
1. Liu L, Zhang X, Chen Z, Zhou H, Li C and Chen Y (2022) Assessment of Ecological Sustainability for International Bays in the Context of Common Prosperity—A Case Study of Sanmen Bay in Zhejiang Province. Front. Environ. Sci. 10:944936. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.944936
2. Saisana, M. (2023). Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI). In: Maggino, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17299-1_899
3. Principe, M., Capeña, K.J., Clavo, L. & Fiestada, J.A. (2023). Tourism destination potential and environmental sustainability of Manila Bay Dolomite Beach. The Research Probe, 3(2), 108-115. https://doi.org/10.53378/trp.12232
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