Concession Area Research Articles

The Volume Model of Tree Species Group in Peat Swamp Forest at Logging Concession Area of Tingang Karya Mandiri, Central Kalimantan

Tropical peat swamp forest (PSF) has a high species diversity and value including timber value. The valuation of timber is approached by calculating the stand volume. However, the volume model at PSF is not available for every species and species groups in specific site. This study aims to obtain a volume estimation model of species groups of tree species in peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan. The model development and validation used 120 sample trees of the dipterocarpaceae and non-dipterocarpacae species. The distribution of sample trees is 70 % for the development model and 30 % for the validation stage. Modeling used linear and non-linear models). The selection of the best model used several criteria including: coefficient of determination, relative deviation (SR <8 %) and aggregation (SA <1 %), presumptive bias (s and RSE: Root Square Errors), AIC (Akaike's Information criteriation), and NRMSE (Normalized Root Mean Square Errors). The results of this study indicated the Berkhout/diameter model as a single variable was very good in estimating the volume of trees at all levels namely species groups and all species except dipterocarpaceae groups. This model had a high coefficient of determination (R2 >95 %). The models compiled met the SA and SR criteria so that the models were very accurate in estimating tree volume at the tree level, as individuals and stands. The implication of this research was that the whole species model can be used to estimate the volume of trees in peat swamp forest. Keywords: accuracy, timber , non-linear, validation

The structure, composition, and threatened plants in The Kinarum Protected Forest, South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Dodo, Hidayat S. 2020. The structure, composition, and threatened plants in The Kinarum Protected Forest, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2603-2618. Kinarum Protected Forest (Kinarum PF) is one of the remaining tropical forest areas in Tabalong District, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is feared that deforestation will occur in this forest due to various human activities. The research was conducted to determine the structure and composition of vegetation in Kinarum PF which several decades ago was once a forest concession area. This research also explored the existence of threatened, endemic, and protected plants. Research has been carried out using the track plot method. The total research area is 0.6 ha consisting of three transect lines with five plots measuring 20 x 20 m2 each transect. Data were analyzed with important value index (IVI), dominance index, species diversity index, and species abundance index. The results recorded 460 specimens belonging to 121 species, 86 genera, and 43 families. Most species are from the family Lauraceae followed by Moraceae and Rubiaceae. The results also recorded 42 species included in the IUCN red list plants, eight of which are classified as threatened plants, namely Aglaia angustifolia, Artocarpus tamaran, Dracontomelon costatum, Durio dulcis, Durio kutejensis, Eusideroxylon zwageri, Myristica magnifica, and Shorea guiso. These plants have an average IVI value less than 10% and the species abundance index is close to zero. In general, the forest condition is classified as moderate with a diversity index value at each growth stage in the range of values ​​1-3. However, IVI of each species, especially those belonging to the threatened, endemic, and protected plants are on average low.

Inaccuracy of hotspots data for early warning land fires incidence

Severe and expansive land fires in Indonesia have been occurred since 1982 due to the human activities and got more severe because of El Nino phenomenon. The impact of this catastrophe has always been notorious. The land fires in 2019 burned down a total of 850,000 hectares of which 200,000 hectares were peat land. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) stated that 85% of the land fires incidence did not occur in concession land, on the contrary, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry claimed that 85% of the land fires were related to oil palm plantation or oil palm businesses. These contradictory statements of both government institutions have led to the public’s bafflement, therefore the aim of this study was to seek the actual condition regarding the land fires in 2019. The results show that the BNPB statement was based on satellite data and actual field observation data while extinguishing the fires. Meanwhile, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry released their statement according to the land fires hotspots data. This research showed that there are many land fires cases actually detected from real time burn scar of Sentinel L1C and L2A, but are not detected from the MODIS C6 hotspots data. This fact related to the fire flow that fire was initiated mostly in areas with low biomass vegetation such as shrubs. This type of vegetation provided highly combustible fuel for fires so that fire continuously swept the whole similar areas and eventually approached areas with higher biomass vegetation, such as oil palm plantation. Once fire reaches and burns higher biomass vegetation, it lasts for a longer period, and will be recorded as hotspots data. Referring to the regulation of The Ministry of Environment and Forestry Number P.8/MENLHK / General Secretariat / KUM.1 / 3 / 2018 article 8, land fires without hotspots recorded will not be the priority to be checked and controlled. Consequently, the fire will be only detected and then checked after reaching the area with higher biomass vegetation, such as oil palm plantation. There will be a significant delay for inspecting and controlling initial fires. This study also showed that as the result of this monitoring system, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry tended to assume that the land fires are mostly initiated and occurred on oil palm plantations or on concession areas. Therefore it can be concluded that hotspots data cannot be the only source for early warning land fires incidence. An alternative method which is more accurate and susceptive should be invented.

Prospective zones of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Cambrian, Ordovician and Silurian shale formations of the East European Craton marginal zone in Poland

The paper presents the latest state of knowledge on the vertical and lateral ranges and characteristics of prospective zones (PZ) within the Lower Paleozoic unconventional hydrocarbon systems in the Baltic-Podlasie-Lublin Basin (Poland). The PZ were identified within the prospective formations based on rigorously determined criteria with the application of stratigraphic, sedimentological, mineralogical, petrographic, geochemical, petrophysical, and geomechanical studies, and interpretations of borehole logs. Archival geological data and information acquired from boreholes drilled recently in concession areas have also been applied in the interpretations. Following these criteria, four prospective zones have been distinguished. The deposits encompass partly or almost completely the Piaśnica, Sasino, and Jantar formations and the lower part of the Pelplin Formation. The characteristic feature of the Lower Paleozoic deposits at the East European Craton (EEC) margin in Poland is the diachronous appearance of the Sasino and Jantar black shale formations from west to east. The Baltic area is most prospective for the occurrence of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs in shale formations, specifically the Łeba Elevation, where all 4 prospective zones have been distinguished. The occurrence of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons is expected in all zones. Due to the very high TOC content and geochemical characteristics, the Piaśnica Formation within PZ1 is the main petroleum source rock in the Polish part of the Baltic Basin. PZ2 (partly corresponding to the Sasino Formation) present in a large part of the Baltic Basin, is the next important prospective unit, despite not being uniform. PZ3 within the Jantar Formation was distinguished only on a limited area of the ˜eba Elevation. Due to the low content of organic matter, the Lublin area is characterized by the lowest hydrocarbon potential. However, low values of that parameter are compensated by a greater thickness and lateral range of PZ4, partly corresponding to the Pelplin Formation. Comparison with other areas within the Lower Paleozoic Baltic Basin reveals the occurrence of shale deposits that may constitute a potential source of hydrocarbons, and that demonstrate diachronism. Towards the east and south-east, ever younger deposits possess the potential for hydrocarbon accumulations. In Poland, in the western part of EEC, these are: the Furongian and the Lower Tremadocian Piaśnica Formation, the Sandbian and Katian Sasino Formation and the Lower/Middle Llandovery (Rhuddanian and Aeronian) Jantar Formation. In the central part of the Baltic Basin (Lithuania), these are the Upper Ordovician and Aeronian shale successions. In the southeastern part of the basin (Ukraine), the Ludlow strata are considered to be the most promising in terms of the potential unconventional hydrocarbons accumulations.

How land fire impacts mammal diversity after several years: A study in Waimusi Agroindah Oil Palm Plantation, South Sumatra

Forest and land fire are one of the global disaster that raging every year. Most of the time, fire from concession and oil palm plantation area are accused to be the main factor that caused degradation of natural habitat and the biodiversity, including mammals. Mammals have important roles in sustaining a balanced ecosystem. However, the study of the impacts and mammals response to forest and land fires is yet to be fathomed. To provide more understanding in the impacts of fire on mammals a study was conducted at Waimusi Agroindah Oil Palm Plantation, South Sumatera, in two different periods, which are two years and four years after the fire to identify and comparing the diversity of mammal species. The data was collected with strip transect method, parallel in post-burned area and in unburned area with total four repetitions in each areas. The estimation of the impact is obtained by calculating the loss and gain of mammals from the unburned area and post-burned area, the level of species richness, evenness, also the similarity. Result shows that two years after fire, the habitat are already recovering, the number of species, species richness and evenness index was increased 2, 0.19, and 0.1. There was one species lost and two species gained. In the time of four years after the fire, opposite was resulted, all the parameters were decreased, species number decreased one species, richness and evenness number each decreased 0.42 and 0.32 and there was one species lost, but no species gained. This study indicates that land fire impacted mammal diversity, not only caused a degradation, but also an increase on the diversity.

Ecological Analysis of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) Cultivation: Rokan Hilir and Dumai Context

The research was aimed to analyzed ecologically feasibility and prospective of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultivation in Rokan Hilir Regency and City of Dumai. The sudy was conducted from January 2017 to April 2018 in 5 sub-districts; Sungai Sembilan (City of Dumai), Sinaboi, Rimba Melintang, Bangko and Batu Hampar (Rokan Hilir District), Riau Province, Indonesia. Water samples were collected at the Senepis River, Nyamuk River, Sinaboi River, Teluk Dalam River, RKT plot and Camp Pemda in the Diamond Raya Timber concession area. It was noted; pH (5.22-7.0), salinity (5.0 to 22.5), phosphate (0.4-1.263 mg/L), ammonia (0.03-0.352 mg/L), nitrate (0.346-0.379 mg/L), CO2 (15.980-123.685 mg/L) DO (2.7-5.7 mg/L) COD (70.4-114.4 mg/L), BOD (4.85-6.4 mg/L) and number of Coliform bacterial cells (7.0-233.05 cfu/100 ml). The dominant species of fish caught in river waters are common species, as in zooplankton, phytoplankton, benthos, and manngrove community. Based on species data, abundancy index, diversity index, homogenity index and dominance index shows that the waters are still in normal condition. The study conclude the area is still in normal condition and suitable for Pacific white shrimp cultivation.

Procurement of Land for the Development of Pekanbaru-Kandis-Dumai Toll Road on the Land of Oil and Gulta Business Concession in Riau Province

National development is an effort to improve all aspects of the life of the people, nation and state. Land Procurement for public interest is an activity of providing land for public / public interests for the implementation of development projects carried out by the government or agencies that require land. Riau Province is one of the provinces in Sumatra which is very strategic. The movement of goods and services greatly affects the amount of traffic in the province, especially in the cities of Pekanbaru and Dumai. To overcome and accelerate the movement of goods and services, access is needed to anticipate traffic burdens. One alternative solution is to build the Pekanbaru-Kandis-Dumai Toll Road that connects the movement from Pekanbaru to Dumai. There are problems in the implementation of land acquisition, Commitment Making Officers and the Land Acquisition Committee encounter obstacles in providing compensation because the land / land owned is the land / concession area of PT. Chevron Pacific Indonesia is listed as an asset of the State Property, so the releasing party is the Directorate General of State Assets. The State Property and has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance the Director General of State Assets to be transferred for use of the toll road by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.The method used is analytical descriptive, which reveals laws and regulations relating to Land Acquisition and law in its implementation in the community regarding the resolution of the Land Acquisition problem. This research uses an empirical juridical approach that is conducting research with emphasis on the application of paying land acquisition law in the form of laws, PPs, Permen, Perkaban and other regulations on Land Procurement. Data collected in the form of primary data, obtained from relevant parties in the Land Acquisition in the research location, secondary data obtained from secondary legal materials, primary legal materials and linear legal materials.From the research it was found that the concessionaire PT. Caltex Pacific Indonesia (PT.CPI) based on Decree of the Head of the Riau Level I Swatantra Region in Tanjung Pinang dated June 5, 1959 Number: 091/48/59. The status of land such as the concession must be converted by the concession holder into a Land Right in accordance with the conversion provisions regulated in the Basic Agrarian Law Number 5 of 1960 concerning Basic Agrarian Rules Article IV. But based on DJKN letter No. S-884 / KN.4 / 2017 dated November 7, 2017 concerning the Statement of State Property, the land has been registered as State Property.

The Opportunity of Understorey Species to Absorb Secondary Metabolites in the Soil (Case Study in IUPHHK- Industrial Plantation Forests PT. Toba Pulp Lestari, Tbk)

PT. Toba Pulp Lestari, Tbk is one of the industrial forestry companies with Eucalyptus as the main species. This research was conducted in a concession area located in Aek Nauli Plantation, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra with an area of 22,533 Ha. The sample of this research is understorey species (height: 1.5 meters) under Eucalyptus stand in cycles 2, 3, 4 and 5 planted in 2015. To find out the composition of plant species, vegetation analysis was conducted initially by making minimum species-area curves to determine the number of plots. The placement of the sample starts with randomly distributed on plotted paths. The number of plots in each cycle is as many as 32 plots, 32 plots, 32 plots, 4 plots by 256 plots and 5 plots for 32 plots. The results of soil analysis found that secondary metabolic in eucalyptus soil classified into terpenoid which located at a distance of 50 cm (flat) and 100 cm (flat) from the tree at 2 years old Eucalyptus stand. The terpenoids also distributed in distance of 50 cm from trees with flat topography on 4 years old Eucalyptus stand. For 6 years old Eucalyptus stand, terpenoid distributed on 150 cm from a tree and there was also a saponin within 150 cm from a tree with sloping topography. If the dominant undergrowth grows were Strong and Senduduk, the secondary metabolism in the soil will be absorbed by this species.

PENINGKATAN KOMPETENSI KARYAWAN DAN SAFETY CULTURE MELALUI LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM “SINTESIS+” SEBAGAI KONTROL OPERASIONAL

With 118.400 hectare of concession area and employed people for more than 21.694 employees within company and from business partners, Berau Coal needs to put more concern in managing operational and health, safety and environment (SHE). The challenges that need to be faced are location that scattered into 4 operational areas, limited time for employess to access information because most of time exploitated for working, various educational background, and technology literacy. Berau Coal has been developed a learning platform, named SINTESIS+ and SID. The aims in development of those platforms are; (1) as a operational and HSE-themed learning platform, (2) toincrease capacity and to build HSE and operational competencies, (3) to increase operational control for competencies related to entry permit, work permit, license, and specialization, and (4) to intervene employees’ behaviour to build safety culture. Features and contents that has been embedded in SINTESIS+ are online learning with multimedia materials, online testing with real time result, webinar, incident and mining operational news, repositories for employees’ portfolio, event and training registration, integrated with SID to recordemployees’ historical competency-related data, and sustainable process to increase HSE awareness. Since its launching, SINTESIS+ has been accessed by 7867 employees, tested for 1024 exams, conducted webinar that participated by 330 employees, and run more effective and efficient processes. Impacts from integration process with SID are the increase of compliance level for competencies to 98% and the increase of process control efficiency. With those increments, beside the employees’ compency and HSE awareness is increased, hoped to lower incident rate. In the future, to improve access to the platform, Berau Coal is willing to develop mobile apps forSINTESIS+.

Study on application of SMART for HCV and environment monitoring by the private sector in South Sumatra

High Conservation Value (HCV) mean values of conservation also being maintained inside companies’ concession area, protected, managed and monitored. As for the private sector, how to improve the implementation of management and monitoring of HCV and environment are questioned. The study aims to understand how Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool (SMART) can support the management of HCV and the environment for the private sector. The method used was an observation of the supervision process of HCV and environmental monitoring using SMART conducted in the project boundary of KELOLA Sendang in Musi Banyuasin and Banyuasin Districts of South Sumatra Province; as part of activity to promote SMART Approach usage for private sector. The results show challenges during the process of introducing SMART, also in adapting a recent company’s monitoring system to SMART based. However, by supervision in the implementation of HCV and environment monitoring using SMART, showing companies gain better planning, monitoring, and easier making reports for internal and related agencies. SMART can be applied not only within the conservation area but also for concessions. This is useful for conservation efforts outside the conservation area and supports the improvement of management and monitoring of HCV and environment, using SMART as a tool for helping in planning, database, analysis, and reporting.

A spatial pattern analysis of forest loss in the Madre de Dios region, Peru

Over the past decades, the Peruvian Amazon has experienced a rapid change in forest cover due to the expansion of agriculture and extractive activities. This study uses spectral mixture analysis (SMA) in a cloud-computing platform to map forest loss within and outside indigenous territories, protected areas, mining concessions, and reforestation concessions within the Madre de Dios Region in Peru. The study area is focused on key areas of forest loss in the western part of the Tambopata National Reserve and surrounding the Malinowski River. Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus surface reflectance data spanning 2013–2018 were analyzed using cloud-based SMA to identify patterns of forest loss for each year. High-resolution Planet Dove (3m) and RapidEye (5m) imagery were used to validate the forest loss map and to identify the potential drivers of loss. Results show large areas of forest loss, especially within buffer zones of protected areas. Forest loss also appears in the Kotsimba Native Community within a 1 km buffer of the Malinowski River. In addition to gold mining, agriculture and pasture fields also appear to be major drivers of forest loss for our study period. This study also suggests that gold mining activity is potentially not restricted to the legal mining concession areas, with 49% of forest loss occurring outside the mining concessions. Overall accuracy obtained for the forest loss analysis was 96%. These results illustrate the applicability of a cloud-based platform not only for land use land cover change detection but also for accessing and processing large datasets; the importance of monitoring not only forest loss progression in the Madre de Dios, which has been increasing over the years, especially within buffer zones, but also its drivers; and reiterates the use of SMA as a reliable change detection classification approach.

Ichthyofauna in coal mining area of Mifa Bersaudara Company, Aceh Barat District, Indonesia

Mifa Bersaudara Company (PT. Mifa Bersaudara) is one of the mining company operated in Aceh Barat District, Indonesia. Several small rivers and peat swamps are present in the concession area of the company. These waters have potency on fisheries; However, presently, there was no data on the ichthyofauna in the concession area of this company. Hence, the objective of the present study was to inventory the ichthyofauna in the small rivers and swamps around the concession area of PT. Mifa Bersaudara as a baseline data for monitoring program in the future. The sampling was done from 28 to 29 January 2019 at 12 sampling sites. The fish sample was caught using the casting net and fish trap from 06.00 AM to 5.00 PM. A total of 659 individual of fishes were sampled during the survey, it belongs to 7 orders, 11 families, 17 genera and 23 species. Cyprinidae and Rasbora argyrotaenia are the predominant family and species, respectively. One species of alien fish Oreochromis niloticus was recorded during the study.

A STUDY ON AFFECTING FACTORS OF WHITE-NEST SWIFTLET (COLLOCALIA FUCIPHAGA) FARMING PERFORMANCE IN HAURGEULIS DISTRICT, INDRAMAYU REGENCY

Indonesia is a major supplier of Edible-nest swiftlet to China, reaching 102 million USD in 2017. Products of Edible-nest swiftlet, containing very high glycoproteins, are exported to China by Indonesia which come from Java, included Haurgeulis District, Indramayu Regency. White-nest businesses in that area have been developed since 1950s although the productivity subsequently decline in the rate of deforestation of the concession area nowadays. These problems are henceforth set as the focus of the study, based on the inference Malcom Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence (MBCfPE). The purpose of this study is to recognize the association white-nest business performance. Some internal factors, observed as the endogenous-predictor factors of business performance, include achievement-motivation factor, strategic planning, technical aspects and technologies, guanxi (personal relationship), and leadership. Surveillance activities is undertaken by using simple random sampling with questionnaire method for collecting the data, followed by using path analysis method for testing the hypothesis of the association. The test results show that all of internal factor have significant effect on the performance of the white-nest business by the leadership intervening. The leadership factor is the largest influence for managing white-nest swiftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga) farming performance which has the straight influence to business performance. The association of each internal factors and the white-nest business performance described by a structural model.

Abundancia y estructura poblacional de dos recursos pesqueros bentónicos fuera y dentro del área de una concesión marítima portuaria en Caldera, Región de Atacama, Chile

This study compares density and size structure of kelp Lessonia berteroana and sea urchins Loxechinus albus inside and outside a port concession area in Caldera. Greater abundance and larger adult individuals in populations of both benthic resources in this zone preliminarily indicates that this might be replicating a marine protected area. In the future, this port concession could contribute to the conservation of benthic resources as a reference site, without access to fisheries, useful for validating or implementing measures and actions in management plans or other instruments to support conservation.

Land and Water Management In Pineapple and Sengon Agroforestry Systems in Peatland

Fires of land and forests on peatland occur every year. This problem is triggered by the burning of land that is not cultivated, or the business of land clearing by community group that does an open fire which is less costly. Because of this condition, people need to find alternative efforts to use peat without burning the land. The agroforestry model is an effort carried out by utilizing land for wood industry plants and the seasonal crops (agriculture) are planted among the main crops. This effort encourages partnerships between private parties and local residents. Field applications have been carried out in the Sumatra Alam Anugrah LLC concession area, in Gumai Village, Teluk Rumai Village, Gelumbang sub-district. Sengon plants are used as main plants, while pineapple plants are intercrop plants, which are expected to contribute to the income of local residents. Results of the study showed that soil characteristics were characterized by porosity ranging from 90 to 95% and soil content of 0.2 gr / cm3. The movement of water in the soil was very fast. In order to manage the land and water of the study area it is suggested to apply a concept of water control that is a shallow drainage, namely the primary channel that has a depth of 2 m, the secondary channel, and tertiary channel that were made with a depth of 1 m. In the plot of the land a worm channel is made with a distance between 50 channels and a depth of 40 cm. With this shallow water system, the depth of the groundwater can be maintained at an altitude of 30 to 40 cm, so that it is suitable for pineapple growth and also prevention of land fires.

Oil palm concessions in southern Myanmar consist mostly of unconverted forest

The increased demand for palm oil has led to an expansion of oil palm concessions in the tropics, and the clearing of abundant forest as a result. However, concessions are typically incompletely planted to varying degrees, leaving much land unused. The remaining forests within such concessions are at high risk of deforestation, as there are normally no legal hurdles to their clearance, therefore making them excellent targets for conservation. We investigated the location of oil palm plantations and the other major crop – rubber plantations in southern Myanmar, and compared them to concession boundaries. Our results show that rubber plantations cover much larger areas than oil palm in the region, indicating that rubber is the region’s preferred crop. Furthermore, only 15% of the total concession area is currently planted with oil palm (49,000 ha), while 25,000 ha is planted outside concession boundaries. While this may in part be due to uncertain and/or changing boundaries, this leaves most of the concession area available for other land uses, including forest conservation and communities’ livelihood needs. Reconsidering the remaining concession areas can also significantly reduce future emission risks from the region.

Mapping electricity affordability in Brazil

Electricity affordability for the low-income population is still a challenge in Brazil. In this paper, we propose specific affordability indicators to categorize the socio-economic complexity of each utility concession area, also aggregating current information on customers' non-payment, presenting an analysis and maps electricity affordability countrywide. The results show areas in regions North, Northeast, and Southeast, where electricity affordability is still a matter of concern, in spite of existing access. These findings indicate the need to continue implementing public policies that promote affordability and also suggest indicators for use in monitoring the performance and progress of such efforts.

Residual stand damage from selective logging of tropical forests: A comparative case study in central Kalimantan and West Sumatra, Indonesia

Selective logging in natural forests in Indonesia involves logging trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of >50 cm and leads to damage to residual stands. This research was conducted on forest concession areas in West Sumatra and Central Kalimantan to analyze residual stand damage. The type and percentage of damage were calculated at both locations by evaluating 10 plots of 1 ha at each site. All trees with a dbh of >20 cm were measured and classified before and after felling and skidding. The stand density and felling intensity were analyzed to determine the factors affecting the amount of damage. Results indicated six types of damages: broken stem, crown injury, fallen or uprooted trees, leaning, bark and stem injuries, and buttress injury. All six types of damages were found in Central Kalimantan, whereas five types of damages (except buttress injury) were found in West Sumatra. On comparing pre- and post-logging conditions, a higher percentage of damage was identified in Central Kalimantan (27.8%) than in West Sumatra (22.4%). The percentage of tree damage increased in line with the increasing felling intensity at both locations. It was concluded that a higher tree density and felling intensity resulted in a greater residual stand damage both in Central Kalimantan and West Sumatra.

How distance influences dislike: Responses to proposed fracking in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Abstract Despite extensive social science research into public perceptions and social responses to fracking, scholars have only begun to examine the relationship between distance to development and support or opposition for it. Importantly, the emerging studies are exclusively from the United States, and focus on communities and regions in which fracking already exists – in contrast to areas where it is proposed and still going through planning approvals. This paper reports public responses to proposed fracking in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. A total of 120 people participated in an in-person survey with a qualitative follow-up in four locations: the village right next to the development site, two other villages just inside and just outside the wider fracking concession area, and in the capital city of Belfast, 150 km away. A clear spatial pattern of opinion was found, from almost universal opposition to fracking next to the site, to an even three-way split between proponents, opponents and ‘neutrals’ to fracking in general, in Belfast. Results show that some risks are perceived to be more local than others, whilst perceived (economic) benefits are recognised mainly at the national level. Content analysis of local and national newspapers revealed a very clear and similar pattern. Connections to Fermanagh, through visits or long-term residence, were also clear predictors of opposition to fracking. The spatial pattern of support for fracking in Northern Ireland differs substantially from each of the contrasting patterns observed in the United States. We discuss likely reasons for this and implications for both research and policy.

The many faces of strict liability in Indonesia's wildfire litigation

Since 2013, the Indonesian Ministry for the Environment and Forestry has sued several timber and oil palm plantations for fires that have occurred within concession areas. These government lawsuits are important, not just for reducing the number of fires in Indonesia, but also for galvanizing a significant development of the nation's law of civil liability for environmental damage. In these cases, the government has attempted to ground its suits in two types of liability, namely the liability for an unlawful act and strict liability. The article observes some inaccurate interpretations of strict liability in wildfire litigation, where the liability rule is considered as part of the liability rule for an unlawful act, and as a liability rule resulting from the application of the precautionary principle in a fault‐based liability rule. The application of strict liability starts with the identification of whether a defendant's activity can be considered an abnormally dangerous activity. The article finds that activities related to the clearing and drainage of peatlands are abnormally dangerous because they significantly increase the risk of fires and constitute an unnatural use of land. It concludes that the application of strict liability to wildfires is defendable in so far it can be proven that the defendant has previously conducted the clearing and drainage of peatlands.