Swamp Forest

Extensive swamps in Indonesia is estimated at more than 23 million hectares.

The role and benefits of swamp forest :

• prevent flooding;
• prevent seawater intrusion into groundwater and rivers
• energy sources
• vegetable or animal food sources
•Backup source of water, can absorb and store excess water from the surrounding area and will issue a water reserve at the time of the surrounding area dry

What happens if the swamp forest lost?
1. can lead to drought
2. may result in seawater intrusion further inland
3. can lead to flooding
4. loss of flora and fauna in it
5.source of livelihood of local residents is reduced

Examples of swamp which is now a nature reserve is a nature preserve estuary Angke. Angke estuary nature reserve is located in the north of Jakarta, its presence along the coastline stretching from the mouth of the reef to the west towards the canal with a length of approximately 5 km width of 100 meters with an area of approximately 50 , 80 Ha. Lately condition was very poor because of environmental degradation of ecosystems, pollution of sea water, plastic waste and sea water abrasion. Yet from this forest we can learn a lot about different kinds of aquatic plants, wildlife birds, reptiles etc.
In the area of North Jakarta, precisely in the area of the estuary to the west to Angke there kamal mangrove forest (mangroves) are protected and used as a nature reserve. Mangrove forest stretches along the shoreline with a length of approximately 5 km and width 100 meters square. This forest overgrown from a variety of aquatic plants such as mangrove trees (Rhizophora mucronata), tree fires, acacia, and other shrub vegetation. While the animals who became residents of these conservation areas such as weasels, otters and monkeys that have been increasingly difficult to find because of the scarcity of food ketersediaaan, except that there are 74 species of birds including egrets, blekok, Little Cormorant, bango, grouse. But if we go there frequently encountered is the type of heron and wild duck. It is estimated that these birds have migrated to the island of hair, then there are also 4 types of fish and 7 species of reptiles (lizards and other poisonous snakes and pythons. According to data from the Ministry of Forestry Establishments prop, the existence of forests in Jakarta consists of: Protected forest area of 44 , 76 Ha, Forest nature reserve covering an area of 25.02 hectares, an area of 99.82 ha Forest Tourism, Bakor island nature reserve covering an area of 18 ha, and the island nature reserve covering an area of 45 ha hair.

Functions of forests
From the point of ecological functions of forests, mangrove forests are a unique form of ecosystem. The reason, in mangrove areas integrated four important biologically important elements: land, trees, fauna and ecosystems. Thus, the management potential of such forests should be appropriate and rational for ecological and economic functions can be utilized optimally. Functions of mangrove forest itself as a protector against coastal erosion, protection against the sea wind, resist intrusion of sea water and the development of marine biota, as well as research objects and attractions that need to be developed. As an object of research, we can perform a variety of research on various types of water plants, marine water pollution levels, the types of wildlife and other aquatic biota. But if its existence is being weakened how will we mempertanggungjawabkanya against children and grandchildren, take care and keep it is our job together, forest is not a surrogate of inheritance but our children and grandchildren.