Nineteen participants completed SEAMEO BIOTROP’s Training on Mapping of Shallow Water Benthic Habitat which was conducted on 22-25 November 2011 at the Centre’s headquarter in Bogor, Indonesia.  The participants were lecturers and researchers from seven universities and two government agencies in Indonesia.

Shallow waters are important parts of coastal areas which are comprised of various ecosystems and benthic habitats. However, very little information on maps and satellite images showing the distribution of these ecosystems and benthic habitats in shallow waters are available in Indonesia. Further, the information on available maps and satellite images need field validation and calibration. Thus, the training was aimed to enable the participants to acquire the knowledge and skills in defining (a) the methods of field data collection in relation to processing remote sensing and satellite image data and (b) the classification scheme of shallow water benthic habitats suitable for mapping.

Aside from learning through classroom lecture-discussions, the participants practiced their skills in conducting actual field survey to assess the accuracy of the maps derived from satellite data at different scales of the shallow water ecosystems and benthic habitats at Pramuka Island, north of Jakarta. 

The training was coordinated by Dr. Vincentius Siregar, the designated in-house scientist for SEAMEO BIOPTROP’s water and coastal zone management program.