Lake Matano, Mahalona, and Towuti are three en-enchelon lakes one above each other that have been described in scientific publications as the Malili Lakes. These lake ecosystem has an exclusive position in the world of scientific community since they are seperated by two well known lines, the Wallace and Weber Lines. These lines seperated the eastern and western part of Indonesia or between the fauna of mainland Asia and of Australia – Papua.
From the point of geological view the Malili Lakes complex is a natural laboratory example of an up-duction, the boundary between two major plates that has shaped continents and islands. Most plate boundaries in world are made up by sub-ductions. This up-duction plate boundary resulted in a morphology with a river that in a relative short distance and with not a too large catchment area, can produce an average water flow of over 130 m3/second. A sustainable hydrologic cycle need the support of the ecosystem and visa-versa, which is critical to preserve and conserve the water that is a strategic energy source for the nickel smelters. Conservation of the natural system support and sustain people’s life around the lakes and its catchment area.
Based on this unique balance, between the interest of science, conserving the ecosystem, sustain natural ecosystem functions, and a continues water supply, it can be well understood why there is a strong need to join scientific results and the planning of future antropogenic changes in the area. Since early 1970’s the Indonesian Institute of Sciences or LIPI has been working in the area, first on the geology then in early 1990’s on the limnology jointly planned and executed with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research the University of Windsor Canada. Various other scientific surveys and activities has been done by universities and research institutions from countries of the world in this unique lake system.
The Bogor Symposium on the Ecology and Limnology of the Malili Lakes is special event and an extreemly important meeting where scientist from various countries and disciplines will present and discuss their results. This is an occasion where not only scientist will have discussions to enrich topics and issues but the meeting is also attended and joined by the stakeholder which have set foot in the virgin area since late 1960’s and will continue to stay there at least another quarter Century.
It is sincerely hoped and highly expected that this Bogor meeting will produce fruitful discussions and deliberations that is beneficial for all, the scientific community and the stakeholders as well as for the local people of the area and its governance. We wish you a lifely and productive meeting.
Penulis : -
Editor : PE Hehanussa, Gadis Sri Haryani, Iwan Ridwansyah
ISBN : 979-26-2407-4
No. Klasifikasi : 577.6
Subyek Klasifikasi : 1. ecology. 2. limnology
Kolasi : vi; 138pp; 20,6×29,3cm
Tahun Penerbitan : 2006
Penerbit : LIPI PRESS
