Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023): NOVEMBER

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Fish, Freshwater, and the Promise of Biodiversity History for Indonesian Studies

https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v7i2.18877
Anthony D. Medrano
Environmental Studies Program, Yale-NUS College, University Town, Singapore
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0557-2959

Corresponding Author(s) : Anthony D. Medrano

anthony.medrano@yale-nus.edu.sg

Forest and Society, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023): NOVEMBER

Abstract

Freshwater fishes abound in Indonesia. They are everywhere in the archipelago—from rice fields and irrigation canals to brackish lagoons and highland rivers. They even populate the most unassuming bodies of water. Some species are found in the remotest of volcanic lakes while others call the blackest and most acidic peat swamps their home. Every island has its habitats and every habitat has its fishes, making Indonesia one of the world’s richest centers of ichthyofauna diversity. And yet, thinking with freshwater fishes—and their biodiversity history—has been largely absent from the field of Indonesian studies. A telling example of this biological blindspot can be found in the ways in which the Cornell Modern Indonesia Project (CMIP) has produced—and continues to constitute—Indonesia as an area of study and attachment. In CMIP’s Producing Indonesia: The State of the Field of Indonesian Studies, a landmark volume published in 2014, there were twenty-seven contributions that spanned the humanities and social sciences but none that looked at the role local scientists played in knowing the archipelago’s freshwater fauna or even broader the interplay between environment and society in shaping the study of modern Indonesia. In response, this essay centers the interplay between environment and society to show how it can open up new directions for future research and interdisciplinary collaboration. In doing so, and in particular, the paper argues that the story of fish and freshwater illustrates the promise of biodiversity history for the field of Indonesian studies in the age of environmental humanities and beyond.

Keywords

Freshwater fishes Biological blindspot Biodiversity history Indonesian history Environment and society
Medrano, A. D. . (2023). Fish, Freshwater, and the Promise of Biodiversity History for Indonesian Studies. Forest and Society, 7(2), 435-449. https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v7i2.18877
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. Albert, J. S., Destouni, G., Duke-Sylvester, S. M., Magurran, A. E., Oberdorff, T., Reis, R. E., ... & Ripple, W. J. (2021). Scientists’ warning to humanity on the freshwater biodiversity crisis. Ambio, 50(1), 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01318-8
  2. Ardiwinata, R. O. (1955 [1952]). Pemeliharaan Tambakan: (Biawan). W. van Hoeve.
  3. Ardiwinata, R. O. (1957). Fish Culture on Paddy Fields in Indonesia. Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council Proceedings, Seventh Session, Bandung Indonesia, 13-27 May 1957. IPFC Secretariat.
  4. Aryani, N., Suharman, I., Syandri, H., & Mardiah, A. (2019). Diversity and distribution of fish fauna of upstream and downstream areas at Koto Panjang Reservoir, Riau Province, Indonesia. F1000Research, 8, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.12688%2Ff100 0research.19679.2
  5. Bakkara, B. (2016). How Pollution is Devastating an Indonesian Lake. Yale Environment 360. Yale School of the Environment.
  6. Barbarossa, V., Schmitt, R. J., Huijbregts, M. A., Zarfl, C., King, H., & Schipper, A. M. (2020). Impacts of current and future large dams on the geographic range connectivity of freshwater fish worldwide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(7), 3648-3655. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1912776117
  7. Bleeker, P. (1846). Overzigt der siluroiden, welke te Batavia voorkomen. Natuur- en Geneeskundig Archief voor Nederlandsch-Indie, 3(2), 135-184.
  8. Bleeker, P. (1850). Bijdrage tot de kennis der ichthyologische fauna van Midden- en Oost-Java, met beschrijving van eenige nieuwe species. Verhandelinden van het Bataviaasch Genootschap, 23, 1-23.
  9. Bleeker, P. (1851). Bijdrage tot de kennis der ichthyologische fauna van Borneo, met beschrijving van 16 nieuwe soorten van zoewatervisschen. Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indie, 1, 1-16.
  10. Bleeker, P. (1852a). Bijdrage tot de kennis der ichthyologische fauna van Blitong (Biliton), met beschrijving van eenige nieuwe soorten van zoetwatervisschen. Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indie, 3, 87-100.
  11. Bleeker, P. (1852b). Nieuwe bijdrage tot de kennis der ichthyologische fauna van Ceram. Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indie 3, 689-714.
  12. Bleeker, P. (1856). Reis door de Minahassa en den Molukschen archipel: Gedaan in de maanden september en oktober 1855 in het gevolg van den gouverneur generaal Mr. AJ Duymaer van Twist. Lange.
  13. Carpenter, K. E. (2007). A short biography of Pieter Bleeker. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 14, 5-6.
  14. Chao, S. (2018). Seed care in the palm oil sector. Environmental Humanities, 10(2), 421-446. https://doi.org/10.1215/22011919-7156816
  15. Chao, S. (2019). Sago: A storied species of West Papua. In Gagliano, M., Ryan, J. C., & Vieira, P. (Eds.), The Mind of Plants: Narratives on Vegetal Intelligence (pp. 317-325). Synergetic Press.
  16. Chao, S. (2022). In the shadow of the palms: More-than-human becomings in West Papua. Duke University Press.
  17. Clements, R., Sodhi, N. S., Schilthuizen, M., & Ng, P. K. (2006). Limestone karsts of Southeast Asia: imperiled arks of biodiversity. Bioscience, 56(9), 733-742. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2006)56[733:LKOSAI]2.0.CO;2
  18. Dahruddin, H., Hutama, A., Busson, F., Sauri, S., Hanner, R., Keith, P., ... & Hubert, N. (2017). Revisiting the ichthyodiversity of Java and Bali through DNA barcodes: taxonomic coverage, identification accuracy, cryptic diversity and identification of exotic species. Molecular Ecology Resources, 17(2), 288-299. https://doi.org/ 10.1111/1755-0998.12528
  19. Damanik, C. (2017). Ratusan ton ikan di Danau Toba mati. Kompas. Accessed from https://regional.kompas.com/read/2017/01/13/15010031/ratusan.ton.ikan.di.danau.toba.mati
  20. de Groot, S. J. (1973). Het zeevisserij-onderzoek in Nederlands-Indie, 1904-1949. Mededelingen van de Nederlandse Vereniging voor Zeegeschiedenis.
  21. Departement van Landbouw en Visserij (1949). Bulletin No. 6 van de Onderafdeling Binnenvisserij van het Departement van Landbouw en Visserij. Departement van Landbouw en Visserij.
  22. Dudgeon, D., Arthington, A. H., Gessner, M. O., Kawabata, Z. I., Knowler, D. J., Lévêque, C., ... & Sullivan, C. A. (2006). Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges. Biological reviews, 81(2), 163-182. https://doi.org/ 10.1017/S1464793105006950
  23. Dutch East Indies. (1917). Regeeringsalmanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië. Landsdrukkerij.
  24. Dutch East Indies. (1918). Jaarboek van het Departement van Landbouw, Nijverheid en Handel in Nederlandsch-Indie, 1916. Landsdrukkerij.
  25. Dutch East Indies. (1928). Regeeringsalmanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië. Landsdrukkerij.
  26. Dutch East Indies. (1929). Regeeringsalmanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië. Landsdrukkerij.
  27. Dutch East Indies. (1931). Regeeringsalmanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië. Landsdrukkerij.
  28. Dutch East Indies. (1933). Regeeringsalmanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië. Landsdrukkerij.
  29. Dutch East Indies. (1936). Regeeringsalmanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië. Landsdrukkerij.
  30. Göltenboth, F., Schiemer, F., Bretschko, G., Timotius, K. H. (1996). Limnologi Tropika: Sejarah Ekspedisi Limnologi Sunda oleh Jerman tahun 1928-1929. EMCO Maier.
  31. Hubert, N., Kadarusman, P. D., Wibowo, A., Busson, F., Caruso, D., Sulandari, S., ... & Hadiaty, R. (2015). DNA Barcoding Indonesian freshwater fishes: challenges and prospects. DNA Barcodes, 3(1), 144-169. https://dx.doi.org/10.1515/dna-2015-0018
  32. Johnson, T. R., Budiarjo, A., Halperin, J., Catharina, C., Rachmansah, A., Ridlo, M., Adyas, A. H., & Indarjo, M. (2019). Indonesia Tropical Forest and Biodiversity Analysis (FAA 118 &119): Report for Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS): 2020-2025. USAID.
  33. Kementerian Pertanian. (1956). Almanak Tani 1956. Kementerian Pertanian.
  34. Kottelat, M., & Whitten, T. (1996). Freshwater biodiversity in Asia: with special reference to fish. World Bank.
  35. Kottelat, M., Britz, R., Hui, T. H., & Witte, K. E. (2006). Paedocypris, a new genus of Southeast Asian cyprinid fish with a remarkable sexual dimorphism, comprises the world's smallest vertebrate. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273(1589), 895-899.
  36. Leandha, M. (2020). Ratusan Ton Ikan Mati Mendadak di Danau Toba. Kompas. Accessed from https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/10/23/23003711/ ratusan-ton-ikan-mati-mendadak-di-danau-toba
  37. Lukman, L., Subehi, L., Dina, R., Mayasari, N., Melati, I., Sudriani, Y., & Ardianto, D. (2019). Pollution loads and its impact on Lake Toba. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 299(1), 012051. IOP Publishing.
  38. Miesen, F. W., Droppelmann, F., Hüllen, S., Hadiaty, R. K., & Herder, F. (2016). An annotated checklist of the inland fishes of Sulawesi. Bonn zoological Bulletin, 64(2), 77-106.
  39. Mo, T. T. (1937). Aanteekeningen over eenige schadelijke insecten op hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle). Bergculturcs, 11, 1850-1852.
  40. Mo, T. T. (1952). Memberantas hama-hama padi di sawah dan di dalam gudang. Kolff and Co.
  41. Mo, T. T. (1953a). Memberantas hama-hama kelapa dan kopra. Noordhoff-Kolff.
  42. Mo, T. T. (1953b). Memberantas hama-hama jeruk. Noordhoff-Kolff.
  43. Mo, T. T. (1955a). Kota besar Malang dan sekitar isinya. Marfiah.
  44. Mo, T. T. (1955b). Awas! Hama-hama asing mengantjam pertanian kita! Noordhoff-Kolff.
  45. Mo, T. T. (1957a). Memberantas hama-hama tumbuh-tumbuhan dengan musuh-musuhnya. Pusat Jawatan Pertanian Rakyat.
  46. Mo, T. T. (1957b). Hama-hama tanam-tanaman kita. Noordhoff-Kolff.
  47. Mo, T. T. (1958). Memberantas hama-hama tumbuh-tumbuhan setjara biologis. Konggres Ilmu Pengetahuan Nasional.
  48. Mo, T. T., Marsaban, A., & Hikmat, K. (1974). Binatang liar dan perlindungan alam. Ganaco.
  49. Organization for Scientific Research in Indonesia. (1952). Guide of Scientists in Indonesia. Bulletin of the Organization for Scientific Research in Indonesia, 11.
  50. Parenti, L., Hadiaty, R., & Lumbantobing, D. (2014). Collection of freshwater and coastal fishes from Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia. Jurnal Iktiologi Indonesia, 14(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.32491/jii.v14i1.92
  51. Peristiwady, T. (2012). Historical review of ichthyological research in Indonesia. Coastal Marine Science, 35(1), 153-156.
  52. Rahman, A., Pratiwi, N. T. M., & Hariyadi, S. (2016). Struktur Komunitas Fitoplankton di Danau Toba, Sumatera Utara. Jurnal ilmu pertanian Indonesia, 21(2), 120-127.
  53. Reid, A. J., Carlson, A. K., Creed, I. F., Eliason, E. J., Gell, P. A., Johnson, P. T., ... & Cooke, S. J. (2019). Emerging threats and persistent conservation challenges for freshwater biodiversity. Biological Reviews, 94(3), 849-873. https://doi.org/10. 1111/brv.12480
  54. Rosidi, A. (2000). Ensiklopedi Sunda: Alam, Manusia, dan Budaya, termasuk Budaya Cirebon dan Betawi. Pustaka Jaya.
  55. Sachlan, M. (1954). Pemeliharaan ikan mas dalam karamba di Tjiwalen-Garut. Balai Penjelidikan Perikanan Darat.
  56. Sah, A. S. R. M., Mashhor Mansor, E. R., Fadli, N., & Musman, M. (2015). A preliminary freshwater fish checklist of Pulau Weh, Nanggruh Aceh Darussalam, Indonesia. Malayan Nature Journal, 67(3), 303-307.
  57. Schuster, W. H., & Djajadiredja, R. R. (1952). Local Common Names of Indonesian Fishes. Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia.
  58. Soeprobowati, T. R., & Suedy, S. W. A. (2010). Status trofik danau rawapening dan solusi pengelolaannya. Jurnal Sains Dan Matematika, 18(4), 158-169.
  59. Soeprobowati, T. R., & Suedy, S. W. A. (2014). Komunitas fitoplankton danau rawapening. Jurnal Sains dan Matematika, 19(1), 19-30.
  60. Sukmono, T., & Margaretha, M. (2017). Ikan Air Tawar di Ekosistem Bukit Tigapuluh.
  61. Sukmono, T., Solihin, D. D., & Rahardjo, M. F. (2013). Iktiofauna di perairan hutan tropis dataran rendah, Hutan Harapan Jambi. Jurnal Iktiologi Indonesia, 13(2), 161-174. https://doi.org/10.32491/jii.v13i2.103
  62. Sulastri, S., Henny, C., & Handoko, U. (2016). Environmental condition and trophic status of Lake Rawa Pening in Central Java. OLDI (Oseanologi dan Limnologi di Indonesia), 1(3), 23-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.14203/oldi.2016.v1i3.20
  63. Sunardi, S., Kumala, E., & Partasasmita, R. (2016). Status and efforts of conservation on biodiversity of inland waters in Indonesia: A review. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 9(5), 86-95.
  64. Tagliacozzo, E. (2014). Introduction: The State of the Field of Indonesian Studies. In Tagliacozzo, E. (Ed.), Producing Indonesia: The state of the field of Indonesian studies. Cornell University Press. https://doi.org/10.7591/9781501718977-002
  65. Visscherijnieuws. (1949a). De taak van de Dienst voor de Zeevisscherij. Visscherijnieuws/Berita Perikanan, 1(1).
  66. Visscherijnieuws. (1949b). De taak van de Onderafdeling Binnenvisscherij. Visscherijnieuws/Berita Perikanan, 1(2).
  67. Visscherijnieuws. (1949c). Nama-nama Sunda dari matjam-matjam benih ikan di Priangan. Visscherijnieuws/Berita Perikanan, 1(7).
  68. Visscherijnieuws. (1950). Kantor urusan Perikanan Darat. Visscherijnieuws/Berita Perikanan, 2(9).
  69. Visscherijnieuws. (1953). Fisheries Society of Indonesia. Visscherijnieuws/Berita Perikanan, 5(4-5).
Read More
Author biographies is not available.
Download this PDF file
PDF