Vegetation Structure, Composition, and Soil Properties of Dry Land on Islands in Balikpapan Bay, East Kalimantan

   Some small islands in Balikpapan Bay consist of dry land which may have different vegetation structure and composition. Our study was the first to uncover vegetation conditions and soil proper-ties of dry land on small islands in Balikpapan Bay, which has never been conducted before. The research was carried out on Kalawasan and Karantina islands. Information on vegetation was obtained by applying a line transect method. Data on soil properties were col-lected by setting up 3 sampling plots in each transect of vegetation. Parameters used for analysing vegetation including relative densi-ty, relative frequency, relative dominance, Shannon-Wiener diversi-ty index, evenness index, and similarity index. Meanwhile, data on soils were analysed descriptively. Trees on Kalawasan island were comprised of 241 individuals belonging to 21 species. There were 61 individuals (22 species) of trees on Karantina island. The diver-sity index of trees on Kalawasan and Karantina island was 2.55 and 2.72, respectively. The tree evenness index was 0.84 on Kalawasan island and 0.88 on Karantina island. The index of similarity for trees between the two islands was 0.21. Furthermore, the soil character-istics on Kalawasan and Karantina islands showed similarities. In general, soil in Kalawasan and Karantina islands could be catego-rised as marginal soil which was common in East Kalimantan. Con-sidering the rapid loss of tropical forests in the mainland of Kali-mantan indicates that the small islands of Balikpapan Bay play an important role in future biodiversity conservation in East Kalimantan.

A review of forest fragmentation in Indonesia under the DPSIR framework for biodiversity conservation strategies

Indonesia, a global biodiversity hotspot, confronts escalating threats from land-use change, triggering extensive forest fragmentation and threatening biodiversity. This review synthesizes existing literature on Indonesian forest fragmentation, highlighting key findings, methodologies, and knowledge gaps. It assesses spatial fragmentation patterns, evaluates current conservation efforts, and identifies areas for enhancement. Utilizing the Driving Forces-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) framework, we comprehensively examine the intricate dynamics influencing forest fragmentation, emphasizing the role of driving forces, pressures, conditions, impacts, and responses in biodiversity conservation. Pressures such as agricultural expansion and infrastructure development induce changes in forest conditions and biodiversity, resulting in diverse impacts such as habitat destruction, altered animal behaviors, and human-wildlife conflict. These findings accentuate the pressing need for adaptive conservation strategies addressing the root causes of fragmentation. We propose a comprehensive biodiversity conservation strategy for fragmented landscapes, encompassing integrated land use planning, habitat connectivity, restoration, wildlife-friendly infrastructure, agroecology, community-based conservation, buffer zones, invasive species management, education, outreach, transboundary cooperation, translocation, monitoring, research, and innovation