A bolder conservation future for Indonesia by prioritising biodiversity, carbon and unique ecosystems in Sulawesi

Abstract

As more ambitious protected area (PA) targets for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework are set beyond Aichi Target 11, renew thinking into spatial prioritisation is required to enable PA expansion that maximises environmental values. Our study focuses on the biodiverse and forest-rich Indonesian island of Sulawesi, which has a terrestrial PA network that covers 10% of the island. We used Marxan to investigate trade-offs in the design of an expanded PA network that prioritised different conservation features (biodiversity, forest cover, carbon stock, karst and valuable metal-rich areas) under varying island-wide coverage targets (17%, 30%, and 50%). Our first scenario, which required existing PAs to be selected, required larger areas to meet these coverage targets, in contrast to our second scenario, which allowed for any part of the island to be chosen, irrespective of PA status. The vast Mekongga and Bangkiriang Landscapes, and Gorontalo corridor were consistently identified as a high priority for protection under all scenarios. To meet our conservation targets through expanding current PAs, creating new PAs, and creating corridors that connect existing PAs, we used a spatially explicit three-phase approach. Our findings identified 26,508 km2 of priority areas to be included in the current PA network, potentially assisting Indonesia in meeting its post-2020 GBF target, if our approach is replicated across Indonesia as a national or sub-national analysis. We discuss various land management options through other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and the costs to deliver this strategy.

Conservation status assessments of species-rich tropical taxa in the face of data availability limitations: insights from Sulawesi Begonia

“…Only a minority of species has been reported from any protected area. Clearly, additional conservation action is required to preserve these species including extension of the protected area network in Sulawesi with emphasis on areas of old-growth forest and limestone karst landscapes 16 , 49 , and funding of ex-situ conservation of rare Begonia species such as in the living collections at Bali and Bogor Botanic Gardens 50 .…”

Introducing Indonesian endemism, its threat and conservation solution for SMA Negeri 10 students in Kamarian Village, West Seram Regency, Maluku

“…Indonesia has around 600 mammal species, of which 280 are unique to the country; 411 reptile species, of which 150 are unique to the country; 270 amphibian species, of which 100 are unique to the country; and 1531 bird species, of which 398 are unique to the country (Asizun, 2014). Despite international recognition of Indonesia's biodiversity, knowledge of endemic species is often limited to academic circles and has yet to reach the general public (IPBES, 2019;Harrison et al, 2022;Pusparini et al, 2023). Therefore, it is important to introduce endemic species to all levels of society, especially the younger generation.…”

Analysis of the Collaborative Management Implementation of Conservation Area of the Sultan Syarif Hasyim Forest Park, Riau Province

“…Conservation forest is a forest area with certain characteristics that are determined for nature protection, preservation of flora and fauna, natural tourism, and scientific purposes (Fatima et al, 2018;Pusparini et al, 2023;Oktivana, 2023). Classifying forest functions into protection, conservation, and production functions does not change the natural function of forests, namely to maintain a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, maintain soil fertility, balance regional water systems, and preserve soil from erosion (Safe'i et al, 2020;Alam et al, 2023;Han et al, 2023).…”