Deforestation on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and the loss of primate habitat

Open

Jatna Supriatna, Myron Shekelle, Habiburrahman A.H. Fuad, Nurul L. Winarni, Asri A. Dwiyahreni, Muhammad Farid, Sri Mariati, Chris Margules, Bimo Prakoso, Zuliyanto Zakaria

2020 Global Ecology and Conservation Vol. 24 Article Cited by 80 SDG 15SDG 17 Quartile

Abstract

Sulawesi is an important island for primates. All 17 species that are found there are endemics. The island also includes contact zones between species of macaques (genus Macaca) where hybrids may arise. Sulawesi continues to be deforested, especially in the lowlands most suitable for estate crops and other agricultural products. We carried out an island-wide review of the current extent and rates of deforestation, and the impact this is having on the habitat available to all primates and within macaque hybrid zones. The provinces of West Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi suffered the highest rate of deforestation. Macaca ochreata in Southeast Sulawesi and Tarsius pelengensis on Peleng island in Central Sulawesi have lost the most habitat at 14%, followed by M. hecki and M. tonkeana. Forest loss also occurred in all macaque contact zones. The greatest losses occurred at contact zones between the western population of M. tonkeana and M. ochreata. Corn, coffee, cocoa, and oil palm are commodities that are spreading throughout the island. The extent of deforestation in the hybrid zones is alarming, particularly as none of them are represented in protected areas. To help address these problems, a careful integration of conservation and development is suggested, including making trade-offs explicit, and conducting transdisciplinary research on social-ecological systems at the interface of policy and management at local scales. © 2020 The Author(s)

Affiliations

Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia. Gedung E, Kampus UI Depok, Depok, 16424, Indonesia; Institute for Sustainable Earth and Resources (I-SER). Ged. Multidisiplin Pertamina FMIPA-UI Lt. 7, Kampus UI Depok, Depok, 16424, Indonesia; Research Center for Climate Change (RCCC-UI). Ged. Multidisiplin Pertamina FMIPA-UI. Kampus UI Depok Lt. 7, Depok, 16424, Indonesia; Center for Tropical Environmental Sustainability Science, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia; Trisakti School of Tourism, Tanah Kusir, Jl. IKPN Bintaro No.1, RT.4/RW.10, Bintaro, Kec. Pesanggrahan, Kota Jakarta Selatan, 12330, Jakarta, Indonesia; Jurusan Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. Jl. Prof. Dr. BJ Habibie, Tilongkabila, Bone Bolango, 96554, Provinsi Gorontalo, Indonesia

Research at a Glance

Premium content — register to unlock

Research at a Glance

Register to unlock

Topics & SDG Alignment

Premium content — register to unlock

Topics & SDG Alignment

Register to unlock

Collaboration

Premium content — register to unlock

Collaboration

Register to unlock

Author Profile (Selected)

Premium content — register to unlock

Author Profile (Selected)

Register to unlock

References Overview

Premium content — register to unlock

References Overview

Register to unlock

Journal & Source

Premium content — register to unlock

Journal & Source

Register to unlock

Metadata & Integrity

Premium content — register to unlock

Metadata & Integrity

Register to unlock