Prof Hefni Effendi Presents BAP Concept in Fighting Triple Planetary Crisis
As one of the main issues in the triple planetary crisis, biodiversity loss has become a globalised problem today. According to Prof Hefni Effendi, Professor of IPB University, Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is one of the action plans that can be used as one of the mainstays in restraining the rate of biodiversity decline.
“It is undeniable that the world community is currently suffering from the consequences of the triple planetary crisis. The triple planetary crisis includes climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss,” said Prof Hefni as the keynote speaker at an international seminar at Brawijaya University in Malang at the end of September.
The Chairman of the Department of Aquatic Resource Management (MSP), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science (FPIK) IPB University explained that biodiversity loss or extinction of biodiversity is suspected not only to occur in plants or higher animals. In fact, microorganisms have also decreased significantly in terms of type, quality and quantity.
“The consequences of the triple planetary crisis do not only occur in ecosystems on land, but also in ecosystems in the aquatic environment, both freshwater and coastal and marine waters. Ecosystem components such as abiotic and biotic components are also affected by the consequences of the triple planetary crisis,” explained Prof Hefni.
According to Prof Hefni, the rate of biodiversity decline can be reduced with BAP. BAP is part of the nature-based solution (NBS) in overcoming the triple planetary crisis, which has been adopted by a number of national and multinational corporations.
“BAP was first introduced at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Nature-based solutions or NBS are actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural and modified ecosystems to effectively and adaptively address societal challenges. This step can also provide benefits for humans and nature,” he explained.
Prof Hefni further explained that some of the steps required in formulating BAP include assessing impacts on biodiversity, determining target biodiversity and determining net positive impact (NPI). The determination of NPI is done by considering no net loss (NNL).
“In addition, a possible step that can be implemented is to formulate a biodiversity action plan by adopting a mitigation hierarchy such as avoidance, minimisation, rehabilitation, and offset. Most importantly, we need to build partnerships in the implementation of BAP,” he explained.
On that occasion, Prof Hefni also described the impact of the triple planetary crisis in the context of ecosystems in the aquatic environment. He said that the triple planetary crisis also affects the sustainability of aquatic ecosystem services which include material, non-material, and regulating aspects. Material aspects can be interpreted as vegetable or animal products that can be harvested directly from aquatic ecosystems.
“As for the non-material aspects of aquatic ecosystem services or cultural aspects, it is interpreted as ecosystem services in the form of inspiration obtained when we are in an aquatic ecosystem that is still well preserved in its integrity and sustainability. The point is, aquatic ecosystems are used as a place of healing, relaxation, recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, a source of inspiration, education and others, which are not material in nature,” he explained.
Meanwhile, aquatic ecosystem services in the form of regulation include climate regulation through carbon sink mechanisms or carbon absorption that occurs in mangrove ecosystems, seagrass ecosystems, and salt marshes ecosystems. Marine microalgae in the form of phytoplankton also act as carbon sinks. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
