Review: A descriptive study of karst conditions and problems in Indonesia and the role of karst for flora, fauna, and humans

Abstract

Abstract. Aprilia D, Arifiani KN, Sani MF, Jumari, Wijayanti F, Setyawan AD. 2021. Review: A descriptive study of karst conditions and problems in Indonesia and the role of karst for flora, fauna, and humans. Intl J Trop Drylands 5: 61-74. The karst area in Indonesia covers an area of about 15.4 million hectares and is spread almost throughout Indonesia. It is estimated the age of karst in Indonesia started from 470 million years ago to the most recent about 700,000 years. The existence of this area shows that many of the Indonesian islands were once seabed but were later uplifted and hardened. Most of the karst areas in Indonesia are composed of carbonate rocks, and almost none are composed of other rocks such as gypsum, salt rock, and evaporite rocks. Karst in Indonesia can be classified based on its development and climate. The amount of water available in the karst area plays an important role in human life and so do flora and fauna around the karst area. The karst area functions as an ecosystem for the habitat of various animals and plants. The richness of flora and fauna of this karst area is extraordinary. Karst area plays an important role in economy, science, and human culture. In addition, karst areas have an important role in the ecosystem, such as providing clean water, limestone-based natural materials, and controlling climate change. Its role in ecological function is that karst areas can also be a source of CO2 gas absorption. About 9.5% (155,000 km2) of the total karst area of Indonesia was damaged due to limestone mining activities, logging of vegetation, and land conversion. Given the importance of karst and limestone ecosystems as non-renewable natural resources, it is necessary to do conservation to maintain the ecological function. Steps that can be taken for conservation efforts in karst areas include limiting the sale of raw limestone to outside the area, clarifying protected areas and cultivation areas, socializing the importance of preserving karst areas, providing skills or developing other business opportunities, and reclaiming used land and mining according to the level and type of damage. This study aims to describe the geographical conditions and karst problems in Indonesia so that the conservation measures taken are known and identify the role of the karst area for flora, fauna, and humans.