Spatial Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) Changes for A Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation: Factors for Potential Implementation of Buffer Zone for FRIM Natural Heritage Site, Malaysia

Abstract

There will be nearly 2 billion new residents by 2030 due to human migration and population growth, yet the consequences of both current and future urbanization on biodiversity conservation are poorly known. However, an increase in the awareness of the consequences on the role of biodiversity in sustaining livelihoods and human wellbeing has been translated into the various movements, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially SDG15 and SDG3. Conservation areas (CAs) have become one of the solutions to uphold ecosystem sustainability for biodiversity conservation. Thus, the study aimed to analyze the changes in land use and land cover (LULC) surrounding the CA - Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Natural Heritage Site, Malaysia. The objectives were: 1) to quantify the changes of LULC, 2) to construct the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), of FRIM and the surroundings, thus representing the Malaysian terrestrial CAs and, 3) to suggest LULC changes- based criteria for CA buffer zone (CABAs). The data used were spatial data and satellite images and, ERDAS Imagine and ArcGIS software to execute the analysis. The study revealed a reduction in forest areas and addition in built-up (housing) and water bodies. There was an encroachment of built-up area (housing) into the FRIM. Therefore, the study suggested buffer zones for FRIM, a shield to prevent the stresses caused by urbanization and encroachment activities that may jeopardize the intactness of the conservation areas. The study also provided an effort to formulate a more effective strategy for enhancing sustainable development to the policymakers.