Wait! Don't Plant That Tree Yet

Posted on Thu May 8 2008

By: Hilary Feldman in Environment

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The Indonesian government has considered the region too damaged to conserve, designating it as agricultural land for tree crops. Current plans include oil palm and timber plantations, both of which are known to have serious environmental effects. Conversion of forest to agriculture has been implicated in the decline of many large animals, including the Malayan tapir and clouded leopard, both of which were seen in the study.

Using cameras triggered by passing animals, an unexpected number of species were documented. This diversity was seen despite the lack of old growth trees and partial settlement by people. One species, the Sumatran tiger, is thought to have only 400-600 animals left in the wild; at least five different individual tigers were captured on film during the survey. Habitat destruction and poaching are the major threats to this species. Asian elephants are also endangered.

The surprising find was that secondary growth tropical forest remains valuable to wildlife. Typically, areas affected by large-scale logging are assumed to be too disturbed to support most species. The forest under scrutiny adjoins Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park and may act as a corridor joining pristine regions. Large mammals often require huge areas for foraging and breeding, such that habitat fragmentation devastates populations. Even small strips of forest can act as conduits allowing freer movement between isolated islands of habitat.

Given the unexpected results of the survey, conservation organizations are asking Indonesian officials to reconsider the future of this land. Several groups are working with the local government to find solutions to the opposing demands placed by conservation and economic development. Perhaps similar studies should be considered for other land deemed to be unsuitable, as it is common practice to turn logged forest into farmland or other forms of development.

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