The Mahakam River Delta: Shrimp Farms and Mangroves
Mahakam River in Borneo flows through dense jungles to reach Makassar Strait. The delta, once filled with palms and mangroves, now has half converted into shrimp farms. Landsat 9 captured an image on April 26, 2022, revealing sediment buildup causing split channels. 55% of the delta has been converted to shrimp ponds, negatively impacting vital carbon sinks and coastline protection. To address this, experts suggest combining mangrove trees with shrimp ponds, known as silvo-aquaculture, to balance food production and environmental benefits.
