Banda Aceh, June 24, 2024 – Workshop titled “Biodiversity Conservation and Identification of Invasive Alien Species” was held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK). This event was organized in collaboration between SEAMEO BIOTROP, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences USK.
The event commenced with a traditional dance performance, Ranup Lampuan, followed by speeches from Dr. Zulhamsyah Imran, Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Prof. Dr. Darlina binti Md Naim, representing USM, and Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin, S.Si., M.Tech, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, USK.
Subsequently, Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) were signed between SEAMEO BIOTROP and USM, between the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences USK and USM, as well as between the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences USK and SEAMEO BIOTROP and USM.
The series of keynote lectures began with the first session addressing the concept of weeds and invasive alien plants by Dr. Soekisman Tjitrosemito, moderated by Dr. Firdus, S.Pd., M.Si. The second session discussed the digitization of herbarium specimens and Darwin Core to GBIF by Chijen Ko, moderated by Prof. Dr. Suhartono, S.Si., M.Sc. The session continued with the introduction and identification of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) by Dr. Saida Rasnovi, M.Si., moderated by Dr. Amalia, S.Si., M.Si.
Discussions also covered genetic diversity and habitat suitability prediction of ferns by Dr. Rosazlina Rusly, moderated by Dr. Dalil Sutekad, S.Pd., M.Si., and the role of endophytes – hidden champions of nature by Dr. Syarifah Ab Rashid, guided by Prof. Dr. Lenni Fitri, S.Si., M.P. Finally, Associate Prof. Dr. Rahmad Zakaria led a session on the identification of climbing plants, moderated by Dr. Ir. Dahlan, S.Hut., M.Si., IPU.
On the second day, June 25, 2024, a field visit was conducted to TAHURA Pocut Meurah Intan (TAHURA PMI), involving activities such as IAS identification and collection of herbarium samples. Field experts included Iqbar, S.Si., M.Sc from USK, Dr. Sri Sudarmiyati and Dr. Soekisman Tjitrosoedirdjo from SEAMEO BIOTROP.
This event is expected to significantly contribute to the understanding and conservation efforts of biodiversity, as well as the management of invasive alien plant species in the Southeast Asian region.
