SURIPIN, DENNY SUGIANTO AND MUHAMMAD HELMI
Abstract
This paper describes the process of mangrove restoration by developing environment friendly coastal protection structure in the muddy gentle coastal area. The structures is light permeable breakwater, made of bamboo and branches of the trees. It is functioned to break wave energy and to trap sediment. The water and sediment material be able to penetrate through the structure during the rising tide, but the waves can be broken, so the water behind the structure is calm. Sediment can be deposited behind the structure to support mangrove seedling. The structure was tested in the coastal area of Timbulsloko village, Demak District, Central Java Province, Indonesia. First permeablebreakwater was made of teak wood and brushes, and installed in 2008. Is was less successful because of the shipworm-mollusks problems. The design is then modified by replacing the teak wood with bamboo, and was installed in 2013. Preliminary result indicated that the modified breakwater able to withstand longer. Sediment built up behind the structure, allowing for planting mangrove seedlings at the subsequence year. A well growing mangroves were observed. This light permeable breakwater is much cheaper compared to other types of breakwater, easy to construct, and easily adapted to local environmental conditions. The successful implementation of the permeable breakwater at this early stage encourages to develop larger scale in Timbulsloko village and surrounding areas to deepen the understanding of the mangrove restoration naturally.