Science for the Protection of Indonesian Coastal Marine Ecosystems

The Indonesian Archipelago consists of about 17,500 islands and has a coastline of 81,000 km. The region is a centre of biodiversity with highly productive ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass meadows. These ecosystems stabilize the coastlines, are repositories of significant genetic and biological information, and play a vital role in the lives of coastal population. Today the coastal ecosystems are under enormous pressure from rapid social and economic changes and many of their natural resources are under threat due to overuse and environmental degradation.

The overarching goal of the SPICE Program is to address the scientific, social and economic issues related to the management of the Indonesian coastal ecosystems and their resources. In addition to strengthening the existing scientific data base on coastal ecosystems, the program promotes capacity and infrastructure building in the marine sector in Indonesia and Germany.

The program is being carried out in cooperation among partners from several Indonesian and German universities and government research institutions. SPICE makes substantial inputs towards fulfilling regional and international obligations of the two countries as entailed in international conventions and treaties.
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