Policy advocation: the potential role of independent smallholding oil palm plantation in biodiversity conservation

Despite the frequent reports of large-scale oil palm plantations’ lack of attention to biodiversity conservation, there is a paucity of reporting on smallholding plantation contributions in this regard. Yet, vegetation heterogeneity supports richer biodiversity, and this is a characteristic of independent smallholdings. This paper discusses the potential role of independent smallholding oil palm plantations in biodiversity conservation with respect to butterfly and earthworms. Data were collected on four large-scale and four smallholding plantations in the Districts of Kampar, Pelalawan, Kuantan, Singingi and Siak of Riau Province, using a time-survey method for butterflies and hand-sorting method for earthworms. The research also used direct interview with oil palm owners and community members to assess the environmental value of independent smallholdings. Results showed that independent smallholdings were considered to be ecologically-friendly, where most have been shown to support higher species richness of butterfly and higher density of earthworms, than large-scale plantations, due to the irregular maintenance practices, as well as proximity to secondary forest and rubber plantations. It can be concluded that the informed management of independent smallholding oil palm plantations could effectively support biodiversity conservation.