Mataram, June 1, 2025 — Sixth-semester students from the Biology Education Program at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), University of Mataram, conducted a field practicum for their Marine Biology course at two biodiversity-rich coastal areas: the Bagek Kembar Mangrove Ecotourism Forest in Cendi Manik Village and the shallow waters of Tanjung Kelor, renowned for its expansive seagrass beds.
The activity involved 130 students and was designed to deepen their understanding of coastal ecosystems through direct field experience. Accompanied by course instructor Eni Suyantri, S.Si., M.Pd., students engaged in various observations and data collection tasks, including mangrove species identification, community structure analysis, and environmental parameter measurements such as temperature, salinity, and water pH.
“The field is the best classroom for learning marine biology. Here, students can witness firsthand how mangrove and seagrass ecosystems interact with their environment. This is aligned with the marine-oriented vision of our study program,” explained Eni Suyantri.
After completing observations in the Cendi Manik Mangrove Forest, students proceeded to Tanjung Kelor to conduct an ecological study of seagrass habitats. Activities included mapping seagrass distribution, identifying species, measuring seagrass cover, and analyzing the ecological role of seagrass in supporting marine life and mitigating climate change.
“This experience has broadened our perspective on the importance of shallow marine ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass beds, which are often overlooked but play a vital role,” shared Resta Aulia Lestari, one of the student participants.
This field practicum not only emphasized scientific knowledge but also fostered ecological awareness and a conservation mindset among the students—future educators who are expected to inspire environmental stewardship. Such activities serve as a concrete step toward producing graduates who are not only well-versed in theory but also ready to contribute to coastal preservation as part of Indonesia’s maritime identity.
