From 13 to 18 March 2014, the research team from
School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) were given a
golden opportunity to visit two lakes in Indonesia. Located in West Sumatra, Maninjau
Lake (caldera lake) and Singkarak Lake (tectonic lake) were both formed by volcanic
eruption. The team did observations and initiated the first sampling in these
two lakes as the initiative from the collaboration with Research Centre for
Limnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). With the surface area of 10,
780 ha, Lake Singkarak is the largest lake in West Sumatra followed by Lake
Maninjau with surface area of 9, 950 ha. Lake Maninjau and Lake Singkarak are
the main water sources for local people as most of them engage with agriculture
and aquaculture activities. However, these lakes function mainly in generating
hydroelectric power to West Sumatra and Riau Province.
The representatives from both USM and LIPI after the
signing of MoU on 14th March 2014.
From Left: Dr. Luki Subehi, Prof. Mashhor Mansor,
Associate Prof. Dr. Wan Maznah Wan Omar, Dr.
Tri Widiyanto, Prof Dr. Iskandar Zulkarnain
The collaboration between USM and LIPI has begun
officially as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and was signed by both
institutes between Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Sofiman Othman (Dean of School
of Biological Sciences, USM) with Dr. Tri Widiyanto (Director Research Centre
for Limnology, LIPI) witnessed by Prof Dr. Iskandar Zulkarnain (Deputy Research
Centre for Limnology, LIPI). By having the MoU signed, all the researches and
scientific projects involving both countries would be easily conducted. From
the collaboration, the teams were aiming to extend the network and make it as a
global and international collaboration in terms of limnological studies
focusing on biological engineering approaches.
The survey in Maninjau Lake and Singarak Lake was
led by the limnology team from LIPI with different field of expertises: Dr.
Luki Subehi (Geo Hydro-Climatologist), Mr. Iwan Ridwansyah (Bathymetric and
GIS), Mr. Hendro Wibowo (Hydrology and SWAT Model Analyses), Mr. Fajar Setiawan
(Remote Sensing and Water Quality), Mrs Dini Daruati (Chlorophyll and Remote Sensing).
From our side, researchers involved are Associate Professor Dr. Wan Maznah (Biomonitoring and Biological Activities of Algae),
Professor Mashhor Mansor (Ecology), Dr. Azma Hanim (Zooplankton Taxonomist), Onrizal
(Mangrove Forest), Nor Aisyah Omar (Water Quality), Siti Norasikin Ismail
(Aquatic Macrophyte), Muzzalifah Abd Hamid (Aquaculture and Freshwater Ecology)
and Mr. Saadon Zubir (Lab Assistant).
Magnificent view of
Maninjau Lake from the top of the hill
Picturesque
sight over viewing Singkarak Lake
Abundance of floating cage cultures or “karamba”
around the edge of the Maninjau lakeshores. The fish
cultured are Ikan Nila Oreochromis
niloticus and Ikan Mas Cyprinius caprio
During the
survey period in Indonesia, the USM teams were in awe of the breath-taking
views both of these lakes had to offer. With its luxurious greenery and
traditional paddy field, we experienced nature at its best. The lakes were
surrounded by mountains and rural placement of the local people. Most of the
people who live around these lakes are ethnically Minangkabau. The classic
architecture of the houses and building in this area shows the value of their
heritage which they still honour and keep until today. Some of the villagers
were interviewed based on socio-economic inquires. This survey was conducted to
obtain a better understanding on their lifestyle and subsistence. Besides that,
the teams managed to collect phytoplankton samples from these two lakes. Two of
researches were attacked by small brown worms found in the lake also known as
“langsing” by the locals while collecting the samples. According to local
people there, the individual number of this worm is high during rainy season. An
experience neither one of the researches would ever forget!
Cheers.~
Prepared by : Muzzalifah Abd Hamid, Siti Norasikin Ismail and Nor
Aisyah Omar