Understanding the Impacts of Land-Use Policies on a Threatened Species: Is There a Future for the Bornean Orang-utan?

Abstract

The geographic distribution of Bornean orang-utans and its overlap with existing land-use categories (protected areas, logging and plantation concessions) is a necessary foundation to prioritize conservation planning. Based on an extensive orang-utan survey dataset and a number of environmental variables, we modelled an orang-utan distribution map. The modelled orang-utan distribution map covers 155,106 km2 (21% of Borneo's landmass) and reveals four distinct distribution areas. The most important environmental predictors are annual rainfall and land cover. The overlap of the orang-utan distribution with land-use categories reveals that only 22% of the distribution lies in protected areas, but that 29% lies in natural forest concessions. A further 19% and 6% occurs in largely undeveloped oil palm and tree plantation concessions, respectively. The remaining 24% of the orang-utan distribution range occurs outside of protected areas and outside of concessions. An estimated 49% of the orang-utan distribution will be lost if all forest outside of protected areas and logging concessions is lost. To avoid this potential decline plantation development in orang-utan habitats must be halted because it infringes on national laws of species protection. Further growth of the plantation sector should be achieved through increasing yields in existing plantations and expansion of new plantations into areas that have already been deforested. To reach this goal a large scale island-wide land-use masterplan is needed that clarifies which possible land uses and managements are allowed in the landscape and provides new standardized strategic conservation policies. Such a process should make much better use of non-market values of ecosystem services of forests such as water provision, flood control, carbon sequestration, and sources of livelihood for rural communities. Presently land use planning is more driven by vested interests and direct and immediate economic gains, rather than by approaches that take into consideration social equity and environmental sustainability.

Re-envisioning Sustainable Oil-Palm in SE Asia

“…Small isolated forest fragments harbor fewer species, than larger and less isolated fragments (Brühl et al 2003;Benedick et al 2006). In addition, large areas are required for the survival of large emblematic species, like the orangutan and Asian tiger (Maddox et al 2007, Wich et al 2012. Focusing on mammal species is a critical first step to obtain support for programs, and because these species require large areas, they can act as umbrella species, e.g., species chosen for conservation programs because protection of these species indirectly conserves a wealth of other species in the biological community.…”

“…Half of the concessions of these industries are in Peat Swamp or deep peat lands (Peat areas > 3 m in depth). It is uncertain to what extent these areas will be developed, as Indonesian law prohibits deforestation, drainage and development of deep peat (Wich et al 2012).…”

Characteristic of Orangutan Habitat in Coal Mining Rehabilition Area in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…Bornean orangutan faces a high risk of extinction in the wild due to ±78% of the wild population found outside of protected areas, namely: 29% in logging concessions, 19% in oil palm plantation concession, 6% in industrial timber plantation concessions, and 24% outside concessions (Wich et al 2012). The main threats to the orangutan survival are habitat loss, habitat degradation, forest fires, habitat fragmentation, illegal hunting, lack of awareness, and climate change (Meijaard et al 2001; .…”

Habitat Suitability Modeling of Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Betung Kerihun National Park, Danau Sentarum and Corridor, West Kalimantan

“…Ikbal et al (2008) have used this technology to measure the habitat suitability of javan gibbon, while Rahmat et al (2012) used it for javan rhino. Wich et al (2012b) have developed a model for the conservation plan of orangutan in Borneo.…”