The Master’s Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a comprehensive Field Study (Kuliah Kerja Lapangan/KKL) with the theme “Coastal Resilience” in Pemalang Regency, Central Java, on 14–18 July 2025. This activity employed a multidisciplinary approach to analyze various aspects of coastal environmental issues, encompassing social, physical, and biotic dimensions across four key sub-districts: Pemalang, Taman, Petarukan, and Ulujami.
The comprehensive findings from five research clusters reveal the interconnected complexity of coastal challenges in Pemalang Regency. The Social Cluster found that Ulujami Sub-district demonstrated the highest perception level across all coastal issues, including infrastructure, housing, and agricultural land damage caused by tidal flooding, degradation of water and soil quality, and the loss of livelihoods due to environmental pressures in coastal zones. [Read more]
(Social Team Documentation)
From another perspective, the Coastal Hazard Wheel Cluster identified moderate to very high vulnerability levels to ecosystem disruption, inundation, erosion, and seawater intrusion. These findings were confirmed by the tidal flood event in May 2025, which submerged 50% of Kertosari Village and 100% of Blendung Village. [Read more]
(Coastal Hazard Wheel Team Documentation)
The Seawater Intrusion Study revealed a hidden threat to groundwater quality, showing significant variations in water quality caused by the intrusion of seawater into aquifer layers. [Read more]
(Seawater Intrusion Team Documentation)
Meanwhile, the Clean Coastal Index (CCI) Cluster observed that Widuri Beach had a higher density of macro waste (waste larger than 25 mm), largely due to intensive tourism activities, recording 143 plastic items out of 174 total waste items. In contrast, Joko Tingkir Beach was dominated by meso waste (5–25 mm) carried by the Comal River flow. The Mojo Essential Ecosystem Area (KEE Mojo), as a conservation site, faces dual pressures from both marine and terrestrial waste accumulation that threaten the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem. [Read more]
(Clean Coastal Index Team Documentation)
From a biotic perspective, the Biotic Cluster found that the Mojo Mangrove Ecosystem has a carbon sequestration potential of 55.73 tons C/ha, dominated by Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata. However, this ecosystem is under threat due to the conversion of mangrove areas into vannamei shrimp ponds, causing mangrove mortality in critical zones. These findings highlight that Pemalang’s coastal areas face layered environmental pressures, demanding a holistic and sustainable management approach to balance economic needs and environmental preservation. [Read more]
(Biotic Team Documentation)
This comprehensive field research was carried out in close coordination with several local government agencies in Pemalang Regency, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Environmental Office, Fisheries Office, Regional Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA), Forestry Branch Office V, and the Provincial Office of Public Works for Water Resources and Spatial Planning, Central Java. The local government provided full support through access to data, information, and analytical documents. The synergy between scientific knowledge and local wisdom, including collaboration with Pelita Bahari Group—established jointly with OISCA—has strengthened efforts to protect mangrove ecosystems as natural coastal barriers.
The integrated findings of this research are expected to provide comprehensive recommendations for sustainable coastal environmental management and serve as a reference for the Pemalang Regency Government in formulating more effective environmental policies. In the long term, this research aims to raise public awareness about the importance of sustainable environmental management, strengthen the socio-economic resilience of coastal communities, and serve as an early warning for local governments to initiate necessary mitigation and adaptation efforts in response to climate change and development pressures in coastal regions.
This field study activity directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a holistic approach. It contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by ensuring sustainable access and management of clean water through seawater intrusion analysis. In line with SDG 13 (Climate Action), the study addresses the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and identifies mangrove carbon sequestration as a nature-based solution. Furthermore, it advances SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems and the sustainable use of marine resources, while SDG 15 (Life on Land) is supported through the study of sustainable management of coastal environments and terrestrial ecosystems in coastal zones. Lastly, SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) is achieved through comprehensive collaboration with the Pemalang Regency Government, various local agencies, and local communities, which provided data access and research support to ensure the success of this field study.
Author: Field Study Team