Open AccessEmerging threats from deforestation and forest fragmentation in the Wallacea centre of endemism
Author(s) -
Maria Voigt,
Jatna Supriatna,
Nicolas J. Deere,
Agustinus Kastanya,
Simon L. Mitchell,
Isabel M.D. Rosa,
Truly Santika,
Rondang Siregar,
Johny S. Tasirin,
Adi Widyanto,
Nurul L. Winarni,
Zuliyanto Zakaria,
Sonny Mumbunan,
Zoe G. Davies,
Matthew J. Struebig
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
environmental research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.37
H-Index - 124
ISSN - 1748-9326
DOI - 10.1088/1748-9326/ac15cd
Subject(s) - deforestation (computer science) , endemism , threatened species , biodiversity , geography , agroforestry , fragmentation (computing) , rainforest , ecology , environmental science , biology , habitat , computer science , programming language
The Wallacea biogeographic region of Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda is globally renowned for exceptional endemism, but is currently emerging as a development frontier in Indonesia. We assessed patterns and drivers of forest loss and fragmentation across the region, and used dynamic deforestation models to project future deforestation to 2053. Up to 10 231 km 2 was deforested between 2000 and 2018, and a further 49 570 km 2 is expected to be lost by 2053, with annual deforestation rates ranging between 0.09% and 2.17% in different sub-regions (average: 1.23%). Key biodiversity areas (priority sites for endemic and threatened biodiversity) are particularly vulnerable to deforestation if they are small, coastal and unprotected. Sub-regional variation in deforestation patterns and drivers must be acknowledged if conservation interventions are to be targeted and effective. We provide a valuable baseline from which to monitor Wallacea’s new development course, as Indonesia undergoes profound policy changes that will provide both challenges and opportunities for environmental governance and conservation.