The Mahakam River Delta: Shrimp Farms and Mangroves

The Mahakam River Delta: Shrimp Farms and Mangroves

The Mahakam River in Borneo s central mountain range flows through dense jungles before reaching the Makassar Strait. The river branches out into a fan-shaped delta that used to be covered in palms and mangroves, but now half of it has been converted into shrimp farms. On April 26, 2022, a clear image of the delta was captured by the OLI-2 on Landsat 9. Sediment buildup near the river mouth has caused the single channel to split into smaller, shallower channels. The delta, once one of the largest mangrove forests in Southeast Asia, has seen 55% of its area converted into aquaculture ponds, mostly for shrimp production. The mangroves in the delta serve as vital carbon sinks and protect coastlines from erosion and storms. However, deforestation and land use changes contribute to carbon emissions in Indonesia. To balance food production with environmental benefits, researchers propose integrating mangrove trees into shrimp ponds, known as silvo-aquaculture.

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.

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