Estimation of Minimum Viable Population of Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis Raffles 1821) in Support of Wildlife Management in Ir. H. Djuanda Grand Forest Park

Most long-tailed macaques (LTMs) in Southeast Asia are commensal animals, which means they can coexist and benefit from humans. This interaction potentially triggers disturbance and disease transmission caused by LTMs, for instance, in Ir. Djuanda Grand Forest Park (GFP). A previous study indicates an overpopulation of LTMs in this area. The need for population control of this macaque requires appropriate ecological considerations, including determining the minimum viable population (MVP). This study aims to estimate the MVP of LTMs in Ir. Djuanda GFP area is the key input for its population control scheme. The MVP is determined based on population growth simulation using the Lefkovitch matrix. In combination with the estimate of population growth, the MVP was used to formulate the population control scheme of LTMs, by considering the current wildlife management regulations and the perception of Ir. Djuanda GFP area manager obtained through interviews. This study found six groups of LTMs in Ir. Djuanda GFP with a total population of 229 individuals, a sex ratio of 1:1.05, an age class ratio of infants, juveniles, sub-adults, and adults of 16.6%:25.7%:32,3%:25.3%, and a population growth rate of 19.7%/year. The estimate of MVP of this primate is 230 individuals, with an average group size of 38 individuals and an age class ratio of infants, juveniles, sub-adults, and adults 30%:9.1%:27.4%:23.5%. Based on wildlife management regulations and area manager perceptions, population control schemes can be implemented for relocation and captive purposes. The population control scheme consists of an age-class control scheme and a group control scheme. The age-class control scheme controls the population by 334 individuals, while the colony control scheme controls 406 individuals

Towards sustainable management of Indonesian tropical peatlands

Large areas of Indonesian peatlands have been converted for agricultural and plantation forest purposes. This requires draining with associated CO2 emissions and fire risks. In order to identify alternative management regimes for peatlands, it is important to understand the sustainability of different peatland uses as well as the economic benefits peatlands supply under different land uses. This study explores the key sustainability issues in Indonesian peatlands, the ecosystem services supplied by peatlands, and potential responses to promote more sustainable peatland use. A literature review and spatial analysis were conducted. Based on predominantly government data, we estimate the amount of Indonesian peatlands that has been converted between 2000 and 2014. We quantify increases in oil palm and plantation forest crop production in this period, and we analyse key sustainability issues, i.e. peat fires and smoke-haze, soil subsidence and flood risk, CO2 emissions, loss of habitat (in protected areas), and social conflicts that influence sustainability of Indonesian peatlands management. Among others we show that CO2 emissions from peatlands in Indonesia can be estimated at between 350 and 400 million ton CO2 per year, and that encroachment of oil palm and plantation forestry (acacia, rubber) has taken place on 28% of protected areas. However, as we examine, the uncertainties involved are substantial. Based on our findings, we distil several implications for the management of the peatlands.</p

Alternative Strategy to Improve the Conservation of Javan Deer in Pangandaran Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia

The habitat of Javan deer in Pangandaran Nature Reserve (PNR) faced natural changes, particularly due to the succession process of vegetation community in grazing areas, and inadequate infrastructures that affected the deer to roam outside PNR. This study aimed to formulate strategies for the conservation of Javan deer in PNR, focusing on ecological aspects and conservation management. The methods were encountering Javan deer individuals; scan sampling and continuous recording to observe the behaviour of Javan deer; calculating the productivity of grazing area by defoliation experiment and vegetation analysis; reviewing documents, reports and interviews; and analysing strategy using SWOT-QSPM. Results showed there were 43 Javan deer encountered roaming in PNR and outside the conservation area, and nine individuals gathered in Cikamal grassland. The productivity of the grazing areas (5.61 ha) was 93,826 kg of feed annually and was only sufficient for 23 individuals. The grazing areas were dominated by Cynodon dactylon. Javan deer spent their time feeding. Javan deer herd in Cikamal is more intolerant to humans compared to the herd in Pangandaran Nature Tourist Park (PNTP). This study recommends: considering the management status of Javan deer in the conservation management of PNR and PNTP; improving the conservation management of Javan deer and its habitat; improving facilities and the management system of those facilities and conservation-supporting infrastructures; collaboration with researchers to perform some research and innovations for Javan deer conservation; improving the capability of PNR staff theoretically and practically; and educating and empowering the local people in terms of Javan deer conservation.

Risk Assesment and Management Recommendations of Invasive Species in Papandayan Mountain Nature Reserve, West Java

Natural disasters and anthropogenic disturbances have caused several locations in the Papandayan Mountain Nature Reserve to be more vulnerable and exposed further triggering the presence of invasive species. This presence impacts the environment, the economy, and the health of humans and animals. This research aims to assess the risks of these invasive species, followed by various recommendation strategies towards their species management. Data on species diversity was collected by vegetation analysis, using the quadratic method by purposively sampling plots. Results showed the existence of six invasive species in Papandayan i.e. Ageratina riparia (Regel) R.M.King &amp; H.Rob., Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King &amp; H.Rob.,Austroeupatorium inulaefolium (Kunth) R.M.King &amp; H.Rob., Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch., Rubus moluccanus L., and Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L.. The assessment of invasive species was assessed through two indices; Risk Index and Feasibility Index. Each of them was calculated based on the Risk Assessment Protocol to determine their strategy of control. Based on the Risk and Feasibility Indices, several recommendation strategies to manage invasive species are proposed

Denial of long-term issues with agriculture on tropical peatlands will have devastating consequences

Non peer reviewe

Benefits and costs of oil palm expansion in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, under different policy scenarios

Deforestation and oil palm expansion in Central Kalimantan province are among the highest in Indonesia. This study examines the physical and monetary impacts of oil palm expansion in Central Kalimantan up to 2025 under three policy scenarios. Our modelling approach combines a spatial logistic regression model with a set of rules governing land use change as a function of the policy scenario. Our physical and monetary analyses include palm oil expansion and five other ecosystem services: timber, rattan, paddy rice, carbon sequestration, and orangutan habitat (the last service is analysed in physical units only). In monetary terms, our analysis comprises the contribution of land and ecosystems to economic production, as measured according to the valuation approach of the System of National Accounts. We focus our analysis on government-owned land which covers around 97 % of the province, where the main policy issues are. We show that, in the business-as-usual scenario, the societal costs of carbon emissions and the loss of other ecosystem services far exceed the benefits from increased oil palm production. This is, in particular, related to the conversion of peatlands. We also show that, for Central Kalimantan, the moratorium scenario, which is modelled based on the moratorium currently in place in Indonesia, generates important economic benefits compared to the business-as-usual scenario. In the moratorium scenario, however, there is still conversion of forest to plantation and associated loss of ecosystem services. We developed an alternative, sustainable production scenario based on an ecosystem services approach and show that this policy scenario leads to higher net social benefits including some more space for oil palm expansion

Governance, Decentralisation and Deforestation: The Case of Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

The implementation of the decentralisation policies in Indonesia, which started in 2000, has fundamentally changed the country’s forest governance framework. This study investigates how decentralisation has influenced forest governance, and links the forest governance to deforestation rates at the district level. We measure and compare the quality of forest governance in 11 districts in Central Kalimantan province in the periods 2000-2005 and 2005-2010 and relate forest governance to deforestation rate. This study shows that decentralisation has led to marked differences in forest governance between districts and that deforestation rates is strongly related to the change of forest governance. We recommend revisiting the Indonesian forest governance framework to ensure more checks and balances in decision making, better monitoring and increased transparency, with particular support for Forest Management Units as a new tool for forest management, and government support to facilitate the design and implementation of REDD+ projects