Challenges in collecting primary data for environmental research purposes: a case study in Parangtritis sand dune, Yogyakarta

Gumuk Pasir (Sand dune) Parangtritis, which is located in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Province, is unique to compared with several sand dunes located in Southeast Asia. This site faces many environmental problems as the result of anthropogenic interference. Landuse change practices have been done for several years now which change the general presentation of this area. Other than that, violation of the zonation also severe. Some of the core zones has been altered to tourism spots. Some area has also been altered into agricultural land. The impact of the changes needs to be monitored by installing several measuring staffs. Socialization of the research and administrative permit has been cleared before the installation. This research was a part of sand sedimentation research in Parangtritis Sand Dune. This research was conducted as the result of several disturbances in our staffs. The aim of this research was to understand the challenge in collecting primary data, notably in collecting sand sedimentation rate data in Parangtritis Sand Dune. During the research, by interviewing the local people, we can conclude that many were still unaware of the research which were resulted in the missing of several staffs. Information and identity of the researcher have been applied in each staff which was ineffective in preventing disturbance to the staff. Based on that, several efforts have to be done in order to minimize the disturbance in the future. So that, reliable data could be achieved for decision support mechanism in solving environmental problem.