Bogor, Indonesia, 2 September 2026 — SEAMEO BIOTROP organized a Special Webinar titled “Understanding Biodiversity Change under Land-Use Intensification in Jambi, Sumatra: Lessons from the EFForTS Project” on Wednesday (2/9). The hybrid event was centered at the Matoa Room, SEAMEO BIOTROP, Bogor, attended by 60 in-person participants and followed virtually by teachers, lecturers, students, researchers, and the general public interested in plant ecology and systematics.

The webinar was officially opened by the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr. Edi Santosa, followed by remarks from the Deputy Director for Program of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr. Doni Yusri. The opening emphasized SEAMEO BIOTROP's commitment to supporting scientific research dissemination and strengthening academic networks related to tropical biodiversity.

The event featured a resource speaker from the Collaborative Research Centre 990 (EFForTS), University of Göttingen, Dr. Fabian Brambach. The presentation focused on the topic Research Highlight on Plant Ecology, Biogeography and Systematics, with a Focus on Tropical Ecosystems, Particularly in Southeast Asian Insular Region Malesia.

During the session, Dr. Fabian presented recent research findings on the dynamics of plant ecology, biogeography, and flora systematics in tropical rainforest ecosystems of the Southeast Asian insular region (Malesia), specifically addressing the impacts of land-use intensification in Jambi, Sumatra. The discussion offered empirical data-driven perspectives on how plant communities respond to continuous land-use change.

Through the organization of this webinar, SEAMEO BIOTROP hopes that the scientific insights shared will broaden the understanding of academics and practitioners regarding tropical biodiversity dynamics, while fostering research collaboration and forest ecosystem conservation efforts at the regional level.

MDM