Yogyakarta, March 4, 2026 – Continuing the preparation for the 2026 Fieldwork Program (KKL), the Master of Environmental Science Study Program held its first technical briefing class on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Room 406, Graduate School, Gadjah Mada University. The class was attended by 42 KKL students and focused on developing the topics of Mangrove Vegetation Structure and Avifauna (bird) Diversity. This briefing session was led by Dr. Priyaji Agung Pambudi, S.Pd., M.Si. In his presentation, Dr. Priyaji provided comprehensive technical guidance on field data collection methods, particularly regarding accessibility and mapping of observation zones in the coastal areas of Pati Regency.
(Activity Documentation)
Avifauna and vegetation data collection will be guided by the line transect method. Students are instructed to divide the study area into five main zones: mangrove vegetation, coastal zones, fishpond areas, residential areas, and open land. In each zone, students will draw a 1-kilometer transect line and establish point counts at 200-meter intervals. Observations at each point will be conducted for 10 minutes to ensure the accuracy of the data collected.
Furthermore, for the Avifauna topic, Dr. Priyaji emphasized the importance of systematic tally sheet recording, which covers three main parameters:
- Biological Inventory: Includes species identification, number of individuals, and family classification.
- Behavior and Microhabitat: Observe bird activity (feeding, nesting, resting), use of forest canopy strata (upper, middle, lower), and the availability of food sources such as fish or invertebrates, which serve as indicators of ecosystem stability.
- Social Disturbance Records: Identify whether activities or noise from visitors and local residents have the potential to disrupt the natural behavior of birds.
In this class, the issue of climate change is also a major focus. Dr. Priyaji emphasized that climate change has impacted the loss of migratory bird arrival rhythms. Therefore, he recommended adjusting the field observation time to begin earlier, at 5:15 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), for approximately three hours. Students are also encouraged to elaborate on primary field data with relevant secondary data, and to synergize various environmental components (abiotic, biotic, and cultural).
From a socio-economic perspective, this study is expected to map the potential for birdwatching-based ecotourism integrated with mangrove conservation, as well as draw lessons from similar practices in the Surabaya Mangroves. This ecotourism is projected to become an alternative source of income for the people of Pati Regency.
(Activity Documentation)
The main objective of this first briefing meeting is to consolidate understanding and perceptions between the supervising lecturer and all students. With good synchronization, it is hoped that the planning and implementation of the 2026 Field Work Program, particularly in the vegetation and avifauna clusters, can proceed in a structured, scientific manner, and produce outputs that directly contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Author: Fatchul Ilmi