Impacts of fire and prospects for recovery in a tropical peat forest ecosystem

Uncontrolled fires place considerable burdens on forest ecosystems, compromising our ability to meet conservation and restoration goals. A poor understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystems and their biodiversity exacerbates this challenge, particularly in tropical regions where few studies have applied consistent analytical techniques to examine a broad range of ecological impacts over multiyear time frames. We compiled 16 y of data on ecosystem properties (17 variables) and biodiversity (21 variables) from a tropical peatland in Indonesia to assess fire impacts and infer the potential for recovery. Burned forest experienced altered structural and microclimatic conditions, resulting in a proliferation of nonforest vegetation and erosion of forest ecosystem properties and biodiversity. Compared to unburned forest, habitat structure, tree density, and canopy cover deteriorated by 58 to 98%, while declines in species diversity and abundance were most pronounced for trees, damselflies, and butterflies, particularly for forest specialist species. Tracking ecosystem property and biodiversity datasets over time revealed most to be sensitive to recurrent high-intensity fires within the wider landscape. These megafires immediately compromised water quality and tree reproductive phenology, crashing commercially valuable fish populations within 3 mo and driving a gradual decline in threatened vertebrates over 9 mo. Burned forest remained structurally compromised long after a burn event, but vegetation showed some signs of recovery over a 12-y period. Our findings demonstrate that, if left uncontrolled, fire may be a pervasive threat to the ecological functioning of tropical forests, underscoring the importance of fire prevention and long-term restoration efforts, as exemplified in Indonesia

Studi Awal Komunitas Ordo Anura di Kawasan Ekowisata Sawangan, Magelang, Jawa Tengah

Frogs and toads (Amphibia:Anura) were very sensitive to environmental changes. Due to their sensitivity, usually they can be used as indicator for environmental changes. On the other hands, there has been only limited data on the diversity and distribution of frogs and toads in Java. This could lead to the reducing population of frogs and toads in Java. Based on those facts, this research was aimed to collect data on species diversity, species richness, species composition and species distribution of frogs and toad from Sawangan Ecotourism, Magelang, Central Java Province. This study was expected to complete the database of anurans in Central Java. The research was conducted from June to July 2009, mostly at night. The VES (Visual Encounter Survey) method combined with 200 m transects were used for sampling. Seven species of anurans were recorded during the survey. They were Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Limnonectes kuhlii,Limnonectes microdiscus, Microhyla achatina, Odorrana hosii, Hylarana chalconotus and Huia masonii. From those seven species, only three (Huia masonii, Microhyla achatina and Limnonectes kuhlii)were known as endemic of Java. Key words: Anura, species richness, Sawangan Ecotourism, Magelan

Snakes and lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) of the Opak River area, province of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Reptiles that commonly found in or around riverbanks are turtles, lizards, snakes and crocodiles. Nowadays, turtles and crocodiles are rarely found or seen around the river which flow across human settlement especially in Java. The Opak River is one of the biggest river that flowing across Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY) Province. The Opak River upstream is located on the southern slope of Mount Merapi and it estuary is located on the southern beach of DIY (Depok beach), Bantul Regency. The research aimed to acquire data about the diversity of snakes and lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) along the Opak River in the DIY. The data of squamates diversity were acquired using a combination of several methods, i.e., VES (Visual Encounter Survey), riverbank cruising and transect. Sampling area generally divided into four locations, i.e., upstream, midstream, downstream, and estuary. Species diversity of squamates in the Opak River is consisted of 11 species of lacertilians (lizards) and 16 species of serpents (snakes). The Opak River is a decent habitat for some lizards and snakes. Keywords: diversity; lizards; snakes; the Opak River; Daerah Istimewa Yogyakart

Biodiversity monitoring as a baseline for PROPER biodiversity protection program of PT. Geo Dipa Energi Dieng, Central Java, Indonesia

Anthropogenic activities drove an unprecedented rate of land-use change in the last century. Corporate is one of the most highlighted sectors due to the extent of the impact on the environment. Therefore, PROPER (Corporate Performance Rating Assessment for Environmental Program) was developed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as a safeguard to halt biodiversity loss due to corporate-related development in Indonesia. The present study analyzed the flora and fauna composition, structure, and trend in PT. Geo Dipa Energi Dieng well pad surrounding area from 2019-2021, as a critical part of the PROPER assessments. The study revealed that the study area was homogeneously dominated by shrubs-herbaceous plants, contributing to 60% of total species richness and abundance. Two dominant species were the introduced wild species Ageratina riparia and the cultivated plant Solanum tuberosum. Moreover, despite tree individual scarcity, the tree growth form was primarily constituted by introduced species with a mean abundance of 347 individuals, or 5-fold higher than native species. Acacia decurrens and Cupressus sempervirens, the introduced tree species planted during the rehabilitation program, dominated the area. The homogeneous floristic composition led to a homogenization of the fauna community, particularly birds, dominated by cosmopolitan insectivorous species. NMDS analysis and Shannon-Diversity Index also revealed that the pattern and trend among sites and years were similar, and there was an insignificant change, showing the urgency of the long-term revegetation programs to rehabilitate the ecosystem. Moreover, the presence of protected species in the study area showed that ecosystem rehabilitation is critical

Impacts of fire and prospects for recovery in a tropical peat forest ecosystem

Uncontrolled fires place considerable burdens on forest ecosystems, compromising our ability to meet conservation and restoration goals. A poor understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystems and their biodiversity exacerbates this challenge, particularly in tropical regions where few studies have applied consistent analytical techniques to examine a broad range of ecological impacts over multi year timeframes. We compiled 16 years of data on ecosystem properties (17 variables) and biodiversity (21 variables) from a tropical peatland in Indonesia to assess fire impacts and infer the potential for recovery. Burned forest experienced altered structural and microclimatic conditions, resulting in a proliferation of non-forest vegetation and erosion of forest ecosystem properties and biodiversity. Compared to unburned forest, habitat structure, tree density, and canopy cover deteriorated by 58-98%, while declines in species and populations were most pronounced for trees, damselflies, and butterflies, particularly for forest specialist species. Tracking ecosystem property and biodiversity datasets over time revealed most to be sensitive to recurrent high-intensity fires within the wider landscape. These megafires immediately compromised water quality and tree reproductive phenology, crashing commercially valuable fish populations within 3 months and driving a gradual decline in threatened vertebrates over 9 months. Burned forest remained structurally compromised long after a burn event, but vegetation showed some signs of recovery over a 12-year period. Our findings demonstrate that, if left uncontrolled, fire may be a pervasive threat to the ecological functioning of tropical forests, underscoring the importance of fire prevention and long-term restoration efforts, as exemplified in Indonesia