Hydrological restoration of abandoned aquaculture ponds in North Kalimantan, Indonesia

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Published: 2026-02-08
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjfor/r090207
Keywords:
Community engagement, hydrological connectivity, mangrove restoration, NDVI, silvofishery
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MOHAMAD BASYUNI ♥
Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, North Sumatera, Indonesia , Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Kampus 2 Bekala, Pancur Batu, Deli Serdang 20353, North Sumatera, Indonesia
RAHMAN ABDEL ROUF
Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Jl. Dr. T. Mansur No. 9, Medan Baru, Medan 20155, North Sumatera, Indonesia
RIZKA AMELIA
Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Kampus 2 Bekala, Pancur Batu, Deli Serdang 20353, North Sumatera, Indonesia
ANDI AZNAN AZNAWI
Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Jl. Dr. T. Mansur No. 9, Medan Baru, Medan 20155, North Sumatera, Indonesia
ALFIAN MUBARAQ
Graduate School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Jl. Dr. A. Sofian No. 3, Medan Baru, Medan 20155, North Sumatera, Indonesia
EKO BUDI WIYONO
Institute for Promoting Sustainable Livelihood Approach. Perum Griya Nusa Permai No. 6/12, Ngawen, Trihanggo, Gamping, Sleman 55291, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Basyuni M, Rouf RA, Amelia R, Aznawi AA, Mubaraq A, Wiyono EB. 2025. Hydrological restoration of abandoned aquaculture ponds in North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Asian J For 9: 232-250. The widespread conversion of mangrove forests to aquaculture ponds in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, has disrupted tidal hydrology, altering salinity and habitat complexity, ultimately threatening coastal biodiversity and essential ecosystem functions. This study implemented a data-driven hydrological restoration strategy, using high-resolution tidal inundation, current, and salinity data collected from 21 mini buoy stations at three locations in North Kalimantan: Salimbatu Village, Liagu Village, and Tanjung Selor, to classify hydrological zones and guide restoration interventions precisely. The tidal inundation duration ranged from 34 to 535 minutes per cycle, depicting distinct hydrological classes supporting various mangrove groups, including Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, and Nypa fruticans. Restoration priorities were based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping, with low NDVI areas (<0.3) targeted for direct planting, medium NDVI areas (0.3-0.7) for Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), and high NDVI areas (>0.7) indicating ongoing recovery. Restoration resulted in a 25-40% increase in NDVI, salinity regulation within the range of 10-16 ppt, and the recovery of five dominant mangrove species: Rhizophora apiculata, R. stylosa, Avicennia marina, S. alba, and Xylocarpus granatum. Restoration efforts included the installation of sluice gates and excavation of tidal channels with pond–mangrove reconnection, which increased tidal inundation depth by 25-35 cm in 953.61 ha of active and abandoned fish farms. The restoration program plan implemented in Salimbatu and Liagu Villages used three schemes: direct planting (524 ha), silvofishery (324.81 ha), and ANR (104.8 ha), which resulted in clear signs of ecological recovery, including the natural regeneration of key mangrove species. This integrated approach demonstrated that hydrology-based restoration, when combined with adaptive vegetation management, silvofishery, and community governance, is effective in rehabilitating degraded mangrove landscapes while enhancing ecological resilience and livelihoods. This data-driven strategy offers a scalable and climate-resilient solution aligned with Indonesia's FoLU Net Sink 2030 initiative.

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Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025)

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How to Cite

Hydrological restoration of abandoned aquaculture ponds in North Kalimantan, Indonesia. (2026). Asian Journal of Forestry, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjfor/r090207

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