Rise and fall of forest loss and industrial plantations in Borneo (2000–2017)

David L.A Gaveau,Bruno Locatelli,Douglas Sheil,Husna Yaen,Mohammad A Salim,Pablo Pacheco

doi:10.1111/conl.12622

Abstract

AbstractThe links between plantation expansion and deforestation in Borneo are debated. We used satellite imagery to map annual loss of old‐growth forests, expansion of industrial plantations (oil palm and pulpwood), and their overlap in Borneo from 2001 to 2017. In 17 years, forest area declined by 14% (6.04 Mha), including 3.06 Mha of forest ultimately converted into industrial plantations. Plantations expanded by 170% (6.20 Mha: 88% oil palm; 12% pulpwood). Most forests converted to plantations were cleared and planted in the same year (92%; 2.83 Mha). Annual forest loss generally increased before peaking in 2016 (0.61 Mha) and declining sharply in 2017 (0.25 Mha). After peaks in 2009 and 2012, plantation expansion and associated forest conversion have been declining in Indonesia and Malaysia. Annual plantation expansion is positively correlated with annual forest loss in both countries. The correlation vanishes when we consider plantation expansion versus forests that are cleared but not converted to plantations. The price of crude palm oil is positively correlated with plantation expansion in the following year in Indonesian (not Malaysian) Borneo. Low palm oil prices, wet conditions, and improved fire prevention all likely contributed to reduced 2017 deforestation. Oversight of company conduct requires transparent concession ownership.

Highlights

Industrial plantations of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and pulpwood (Acacia mangium Willd. and other tree species) have replaced large areas of old-growth forests in Indonesia and Malaysia, where 87% of global palm oil production originates (FAO 2015)
In 2017, industrial plantation expansion had dropped to its lowest level since 2003 (0.16 Mha: 0.11 and 0.05 Mha in Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo, respectively)
We found a peak of forest loss in 2016 in Indonesian Borneo, a sharp drop in 2017 and a steady decline in industrial plantation expansion and in associated forest conversion to industrial plantations since 2012 in both Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo

Summary

Introduction

Industrial plantations of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and pulpwood (Acacia mangium Willd. and other tree species) have replaced large areas of old-growth forests in Indonesia and Malaysia, where 87% of global palm oil production originates (FAO 2015). Other tree species) have replaced large areas of old-growth forests in Indonesia and Malaysia, where 87% of global palm oil production originates (FAO 2015) This region, rich in threatened forest species, accounts for some of the world's most rapid forest loss (Gaveau et al, 2016; Margono, Potapov, Turubanova, Stolle, & Hansen, 2014). Some plantations replace old growth forests, a substantial fraction make use of land cleared of forests many years previously— indicating that not all plantation developments cause deforestation (Gaveau et al, 2016). Assessing such outcomes have been challenging and controversial.

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