Lore Lindu National Park Research Articles

Farmers’ Income and Land Cover Change at Lore Lindu National Park in Indonesia

Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi is one of the protected areas. Although it is protected, many of its areas are experiencing pressure and disruption by human activities. The purpose of this research was to know the relationship between farmers’ income and land cover change at Lore Lindu National Park. The research method was a participatory survey. Variables of incomes were sourced from farming and outside farming (forests). Data of land cover change were obtained using imagery in 2012, 2014 and 2016. The result of research is the average of farming income of IDR 1,387,077 (cocoa farming) and non-farm income of IDR 854,819 (forest honey, resin). In the last five years (2012-2016), the primary forest area decreased by 902.37 ha, while the secondary forest has shown an increase of 2,233.61 ha. The trend of land cover change was drastic, with change in the secondary dry land forest area from 6.9 ha (in 2012) to 2,240.5 ha (in 2016). The increased secondary forest area and the secondary forests have been converted into agricultural land and mixed gardens.

The Application of Forest Cover Density (FCD) Model for Structural Composition of Vegetation Changes in Part of Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi Province

One method that is considered to be more accurate for the identification of forest density related to the structural composition of vegetation is using a FCD model. However, the FCD model needs to use terrain correction in the identification of structural compositions. The aims of this study are to analyse the ability of Landsat image in FCD model to map structural composition of vegetation and to study the rate of changes. Remote sensing imagery used in this study is the Landsat 7 ETM + in September 2002 and Landsat 8 OLI in September 2015. Based on the results of this study concluded that the FCD model and multitemporal Landsat imagery can be utilized for the identification of structural composition without and with terrain correction. Result of identification structural composition of vegetation in 2002 and 2015 have accuracy respectively equal to 67,2% and 78,3%. Changes in the structural composition of vegetation without terrain correction consisted of decrease is 66,255.5 ha. In addition, the result of the structural composition of vegetation with terrain correction in 2002 and 2015 has an accuracy of 75.3% and 79.4%. Changes in the structural composition of vegetation with terrain correction consisted of a decrease is 45,456.8 ha.

Cocoa farming patterns for sustainability of Indonesia Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP)

Cocoa farming patterns for sustainability of Indonesia Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP)

Eksplorasi Mikroba Penghasil Enzim-enzim Hidrolitik Di Kawasan Taman Nasional Lore Lindu Sulawesi Tengah

Lore Lindu National Park (TNLL) is an area that flora, fauna and microbes, the diversity of microbes producing hydrolytic enzyme. explore the hydrolytic enzyme producing microbes in Indonesia. This study was aimed to obtain bacterial isolates were able to produce hydrolytic enzyme and characteristics. Isolation in the microbiology laboratory. Isolation by a spread plate. Isolates in the selection hydrolytic enzyme producing selective media. Measurement of the activity of the enzyme with hydrolytic index. The results were thirteen isolates clearing zone test , 2 protease enzyme bacterial isolates, 1 lipase enzyme bacterial isolates, 6 amylase enzyme bacterial isolates, while 4 cellulase enzyme bacterial isolates. Examination of Amylase enzyme activity was done using DNS method. L10T3 showed that the bacterial isolate optimum activity at pH 7 and at a temperature of 300C with an activity of 0.040 U / mL and 0.029 U / mL. Key word: Lore Lindu National Park, hydrolytic enzyme. isolation of bacteria

Institutional Sustainability Barriers of Community Conservation Agreement as a Collaboration Management in Lore Lindu National Park

The main problem of forest institutional arrangement is the issue of institutional sustainability in achieving sustainable forest ecosystem. This study aimed to explain the barriers of institutional sustainability Community Conservation Agreement (CCA) designed in Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP), in Indonesia, as a collaborative management of national parks. This study is of descriptive which used qualitative approach, i.e. asking open-ended questions, reviewing documentation and analyzing textual of community conservation agreements. We found that the institutional sustainability barriers of CCA were the local decisions on collective-choice level and that the rules at operational level arranged in CCA were not in line with formal rules of national park management at the constitutional level. Furthermore, the low capacity of local institutions in heterogeneous villages with many migrants in controlling and regulating the forest use, especially in rehabilitation zone areas, also became a barrier to institutional sustainability of CCA. Therefore, institutional sustainability of CCA requires support of national park management policy that accommodates the sustainability of livelihoods of local communities in national parks, strengthening local institution's capacity, and ultimately integrating institution of CCA as part of LLNP management.

Unravelling the past 1,000 years of history of human–climate–landscape interactions at the Lindu plain, Sulawesi, Indonesia

The Lindu plain, located in the northern mountainous region of the Lore Lindu National Park in Sulawesi, Indonesia, provides many ecosystem services for the population inhabiting the area and harbours a unique biodiversity. Palynological, charcoal and diatom analyses of a lake sediment core from Lake Lindu (Danau Lindu) reveal that during the last 1,000 years the Lindu plain has been modified by human activities. Evidence of frequent burning and possible shifting cultivation from an earlier phase from ca. ad 1000 to 1200 might be related to the metal age population which erected the megaliths in the province of Central Sulawesi. From ca. ad 1200–1700 there followed 500 years of wetter climate conditions, corresponding to the southward movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. At the same time, decreases of macro-charcoal concentrations and pioneer vegetation indicators show that the use of the landscape of Lindu plain had become more permanent. Following a phase of forest recovery from ca. ad 1730 to 1910, the most recent part of the Lake Lindu record shows a trend towards deforestation that started in the late 20th century, lasting until now. The lake level started to fall at the beginning of the 20th century, as shown by the increase of sedimentation rate and supported by low pollen concentration and palaeomagnetic data. Such a change was unprecedented for the last 1,000 years covered by the record, and it has no link to the climate variability as reconstructed for the last hundred years. If deforestation increases and a larger amount of water is channelled away from the lake for irrigation purposes, the lake level will continue to fall. This suggests that there is a need for better management of the forests surrounding the plain and of the irrigation systems in the area open for cultivation.

Effects of Climate Changes on Net Ecosystem Exchange of CO<sub>2</sub> and Evapotranspiration of a Tropical Rain Forest

The possible changes of Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) of CO2 and evapotranspiration (E) of a tropical rain forest due to climate change are described using a process-based CO2/H2O exchange model (Mixfor-SVAT). Projections of future climate conditions are provided by a global ECHAM5 model for the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) A1B. As a key region for this study, the tropical rain forest situated in Lore-Lindu National park in Central Sulawesi in Indonesia was selected. Results of the modeling experiments showed a very high sensitivity of NEE and E of this tropical rain forest to both the projected climate changes and the possible reduction of nutrients in plants due to the impact of gradually elevated CO2 in the air and depletion of soil nutrient resources. Under optimal conditions for carbon assimilation and biomass production, i.e. when the CO2 increase in the air is strictly balanced with nutrient supply, the projected climate changes will lead to increase of Gross Primary Production (GPP) by 21.3%, insignificant change of annual NEE and decrease of E by 18%. The ratio of E and precipitation, which determines the surface moisture conditions, decreases by 29.9% (from 0.78 to 0.55). It can lead to increases of soil wetness, ground water level and surface runoff in the study area in future. Limited nutrient supply can significantly reduce GPP, NEE and E. In particular the decrease of nutrient supply of about 20% can completely offset the possible GPP increase due to projected increases of temperature and CO2 concentration in the air.

Assessing resilience/sensitivity of tropical mountain rainforests towards climate variability of the last 1500 years: The long-term perspective at Lake Kalimpaa (Sulawesi, Indonesia)

The tropical montane rainforests of the Lore Lindu National Park in Sulawesi, Indonesia provide many ecosystem services for the population inhabiting the area and harbor unique biodiversity in a key area for phytogeography. The mountain regions of Central Sulawesi experience perhumid climate conditions with few seasonal changes in precipitation, making the vegetation a possible sensitive target for future changes of precipitation patterns. The ecological consequences are hard to predict due to the lack of knowledge of the dynamical processes that govern these tropical forests. This research aims to shed light on the long-term response of the montane vegetation of Lore Lindu National Park to stress caused by climate variability and human activities in the past. Palynological data are used to reconstruct forest vegetation dynamics and are compared to centennial time scale data of fire frequencies, palaeorainfall proxies and regional climate reconstructions to assess the drivers of these changes. Results reveal that the Fagaceae family dominates the entire recorded period, as they still do today. Fire episodes occurred locally only ten times in the last 1500years but two periods were characterized by higher frequencies: between ca. AD 1070 and 1200 and between ca. AD 1450 and 1660. The regional correlation of these events with periods of drought registered in Java suggests that centennial-scale increases in fire frequencies at Lake Kalimpaa were consequences of the vegetation being more prone to fire, probably due to more frequent or more intense El Niño events. In both cases Fagaceae did not decrease, indicating resilience towards droughts and fires of at least one species of that family. Following the first period of increased fire frequencies, the vegetation went through a long secondary forest phase lasting about two and a half centuries (ca. AD 1200–1450). Weinmannia was co-dominant together with Lithocarpus/Castanopsis. The second period of increased fire frequencies corresponds to a phase when records across the tropics show that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) was displaced to the south. High effective rainfall enhanced the growing of swamp taxa like Pandanus around the lake. Human–landscape interactions are evident only starting from the 20th century (from ca. 1950 to present) with Weinmannia rising probably due to the logging of emergent Agathis trees and/or landslides caused by the construction of the road which today passes near the lake. In general, palynological diversity values indicate that within-landscape diversity (Whittaker's gamma diversity) decreased when fires increased. Palynological rate of change and compositional turnover indicate that the vegetation communities were more resilient to fire disturbance during period of high rainfall. A different trend is apparent starting from the second half of the 20th century, suggesting a change in the dynamical response of the vegetation communities to forest fires, possibly as a consequence of increasing human activities around the lake. The emergent tree Agathis, while being more responsive to long-term rainfall variability in the past, did not reestablish itself following the years of intensive selective logging in the second part of the last century. These findings improve our knowledge of the long-term ecology of Central Sulawesi, one of the world's hotspots of biodiversity.

Influence of spatial and environmental variables on rattan palm (Arecaceae) assemblage composition in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Rattan palms are dominant elements of Southeast Asian rainforests and of high economic importance, yet little is known about the ecological factors determining the spatial distribution of species and assemblages. We studied rattan palm assemblages at two sites at different elevations in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia (Pono: 958–1,266 m; Bariri: 1,390–1,507 m). At each site, we established a transect of 1.29 km consisting of 65 study plots of 10 × 10 m2 each, regularly spaced 20 m from each other. In total, we recorded 5,081 rattan individuals belonging to 22 species, with 1,367 individuals of 16 species at Pono and 3,714 individuals of 8 species at Bariri. Variance partitioning explained 29–49 % of community variation at Pono and 40–72 % at Bariri, with most variation jointly explained by spatial and environmental variables. Within the environmental influence, soil factors dominated over local topographical ones. RDA ordination allowed the discrimination of four species groups at Pono and three groups at Bariri. These groups were related to soil and less clearly to topographic variables. Our study is the first documentation of the importance of soil parameters in determining the spatial distribution of rattan palms. Interestingly, juvenile palms ( 1 m tall), calling for further studies on the demography of rattan palms.

Making a Difference? Accounting for Nongovernmental Organizations in the Comanagement of Lore Lindu National Park, Indonesia

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are often found playing a critical role in facilitating aspects of protected area comanagement in the Global South. In Lore Lindu National Park, Indonesia, three NGOs facilitated comanagement between 1998 and 2006. This article assesses the extent to which the comanagement strategies and approaches of these NGOs were aligned with their policy aims. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) focused on biodiversity conservation, whereas Yayasan Tanah Merdeka (YTM) and Yayasan Jambata (YJ) supported indigenous rights to resource extraction. Their strategies appeared to be consistent with their aims. Both YTM and YJ concentrated their efforts in indigenous communities with fewer customary rights and larger proportions of their territories located inside the park. By contrast, TNC targeted a much larger number of communities with larger territories and forest areas, which were vulnerable to the spread of cocoa cultivation. The evidence for an alignment between aims and approaches is mixed. The NGOs’ approaches were influenced by local actors, particularly indigenous leaders and institutions, who used comanagement as a means of strengthening claims to customary territories. Communities obtained extraction rights, and many negotiated the right to exclude outsiders from their territories, which may have helped contain the spread of cocoa cultivation.

Determinants of fern and angiosperm herb community structure in lower montane rainforest in Indonesia

AbstractQuestionsDo ferns, which are physiologically less well adapted to conserve water than angiosperms but have more efficient propagule dispersal, show different vegetation–environment relationships than co‐occurring angiosperm herbs? We hypothesized that ferns should show closer relationships to local environmental conditions and might be more closely associated with humid and shady microhabitats.LocationPono and Bariri, two sites in lower montane primary tropical forest, Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.MethodsAt each site, all terrestrial herbaceous plants were sampled in 200 plots of 5 m × 5 m. Sixteen environmental factors describing soils, topography and canopy openness were recorded. Correlations were calculated to test the degree of similarity in the species richness and turnover of ferns and angiosperms, and their relationships with environmental factors. Species optima were calculated on each environmental axis and compared between plant groups via randomization tests.ResultsIn total, 184 herb morphospecies were encountered at Pono and 135 at Bariri, of which almost 60% at each site were ferns. At both sites, fern species turnover showed closer correlations with soil variables than did angiosperm turnover. At the more topographically heterogeneous site (Bariri) fern species turnover was also more closely associated with topographic differences than was angiosperm turnover. Habitat preferences of ferns and angiosperms appeared more similar at Bariri than Pono, with both tending towards lower topographic positions and richer soils, but steeper slopes, than expected at random. At Bariri, neither plant group tended towards shady microsites, whereas at Pono ferns were better represented than angiosperms in microhabitats with open canopies.ConclusionsAs expected, ferns showed closer correlations with environmental factors than angiosperm herbs. Ferns did not, however, consistently favour humid microhabitats at both sites, and were not significantly associated with shady microhabitats at either site. Furthermore, it appears that physiological differences in water use do not lead to marked divergence in fern and angiosperm herb distributions in the humid understorey of this lower montane rainforest.

Rapid deforestation threatens mid‐elevational endemic birds but climate change is most important at higher elevations

AbstractAimDeforestation and climate change are two of the most serious threats to tropical birds. Here, we combine fine‐scale climatic and dynamic land cover models to forecast species vulnerability in rain forest habitats.LocationSulawesi, Indonesia.MethodsWe sampled bird communities on four mountains across three seasons in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia (a globally important hotspot of avian endemism), to characterize relationships between elevation and abundance. Deforestation from 2000 to 2010 was quantified, and predictors of deforestation were identified. Future forest area was projected under two land use change scenarios – one assuming current deforestation rates and another assuming a 50% reduction in deforestation. A digital elevation model and an adiabatic lapse rate were used to create a fine‐scale map of temperature in the national park. Then, the effects of climate change were projected by fitting statistical models of species abundance as a function of current temperature and forecasting future abundance based on warming from low‐ and high‐emissions climate change.ResultsThe national park lost 11.8% of its forest from 2000 to 2010. Model‐based projections indicate that high‐elevation species (white‐eared myza Myza sarasinorum and Sulawesi leaf‐warbler Phylloscopus sarasinorum) might be buffered from deforestation because their ranges are isolated from human settlement, but these species may face steep population declines from climate change (by as much as 61%). The middle‐elevation sulphur‐bellied whistler Pachycephala sulfuriventer is predicted to undergo minor declines from climate change (8–11% reduction), while deforestation is predicted to cause larger declines of 13–19%.Main conclusionsThe biological richness and rapid deforestation now occurring inside the national park emphasize the need for increased enforcement, while our modelling suggests that climate change is most threatening to high‐elevation endemics. These findings are likely applicable to other highland tropical sites where deforestation is encroaching from below and climate change is stressing high‐elevation species from above.

Carbon Stock of Agroforestry Systems at Adjacent Buffer Zone of Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi

The potential of agrofrestry to sequestrate carbon varies depending on the natural quality of sites and management practices. Agroforestry is a climate change mitigation activities. The aim of study was to estimate the carbon stock of agroforestry system at adjacent buffer zone of Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP). Research was carried out in two types of agroforestry stands (simple and complex) adjacent LLNP buffer zone in Palolo Sub District, Sigi District, Central Sulawesi. Estimation of biomass of tree, herbs, litter, necromass and root was based on an allometric equation. The carbon storage in soil was estimated based on the carbon organic content and bulk density of soil in30 cm of depth. The results of study showed that the total carbon stored in the simple agroforestry (125.97 MgC ha-1) was significantly lower than in the complex agroforestry (209.39 MgC ha-1). In addition, the aboveground carbon stock biomass (tree, herbaceous, necromass and litter) and belowground carbon stock (root and soil organic) in a simple agroforestry were 42.42 MgC ha-1 and 83.55 MgC ha-1, respectively. Whereas, the aboveground carbon stock biomass and belowground carbon stock in the complex agroforestry were 98.46 MgC ha-1 and 110.93 MgC ha-1, respectively. Based on the carbon stock estimation in six agroforestry plots in the buffer zones of Lore Lindu National Park, the complex agroforestry was likely to be more stable and more longer in storing carbon comparedto the simple agroforestry.Keywords: Agroforestry, biomass, carbon, climate change, Lore Lindu National Park

<b>HUBUNGAN IKLIM MIKRO DAN BAHAN ORGANIK TANAH DENGAN EMISI CO2 DARI PERMUKAAN TANAH DI HUTAN ALAM BABAHALEKA TAMAN NASIONAL LORE LINDU, SULAWESI TENGAH</b><br><i>EFFECT OF MICROCLIMATE AND SOIL ORGANIC MATTER ON SOIL ORGANIC MATTER ON SOIL...</i>

<em>Soil respiration and rate of CO2 emission is determined by its temperature and its organic matter. Canopy opening of a pristine forest affect the amount of radiation energy that are able to go down the canopy and determine the microclimate variability at the forest floor and rate of CO2 emission. This resesarch was conducted at Babahaleka Forest Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi and supported under the cooperation of IPB-STORMA (Stability of Rainforest Margin) project, with an objective to determine the effect of soil temperature as a consequence of different level of canopy opening (and incoming radiation) on CO2 emission from soil respiration process. Soil CO2 emission was measured through CO2 gas sampling using a closed chamber method and analyzed using CO2 gas analyzer. Measurement of soil temperature, air temperature, relative humidity and soil organic matter were conducted at each CO2 gas sampling sites for further analysis of correlation between them. It was shown that soil temperature and soil surface temperature, soil moisture and air temperature affected soil respiration and CO2 emission from the soil surface. Average soil surface CO2 fluxes was 299.15 mgCO<sub>2</sub>m<sup>-2</sup>h<sup>-1</sup>, with fluxes from more open canopy cover was higher than that from a closed canopy cover, 329.33-375.77 mgCO<sub>2</sub>m<sup>-2</sup>h<sup>-1</sup> and 209.24-304.18 mgCO<sub>2</sub>m<sup>-2</sup>h<sup>-1</sup> respectively.</em>

Characterization of Surface Runoff, Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Forest-Agriculture Landscape

The study was aimed to quantify volume of surface runoff, soil erosion and nutrient loss from the forest-agriculture landscape (forest margins) in Lore Lindu National Park Central Sulawesi. Surface runoff volume and soil erosion were measured daily on erosion plots. It was installed on several land use types i.e. forest land, maize, young cocoa, medium cocoa, old cocoa, vanilla, shrub and bush and bareland, on the soil Typic Dystrudepts with slope ± 40%. The nutrient content in surface runoff and sediments were analyzed from selected surface runoff and sediment samples. Surface runoff and soil erosion from agriculture land were respectively 2.1 to 3.4 and 3.6 to 5.8 times higher than from forest lands. Meanwhile, surface runoff and soil erosion from bareland were respectively 7.0 and 23.7 times greater than forest land respectively. Sediment nutrient contents from forest land were higher than agriculture land. In the contrary, total nutrient lost from agriculture land were higher than forest land ones. Nutrient losses carried by surface runoff were larger than those losses carried by sediments. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loss in surface runoff was 6,1 to 8,0 times higher than total organic carbon (TOC) loss in sediments. Likewise, nitrate (NO3-) loss in surface runoff was 1.9 to 12.1 times higher than total nitrogen (TN) in sediments as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium losses. Potassium is dominant cation loss carried by the surface runoff, while calcium is mainly carried by sediment.Keywords: Dissolve organic carbon; forest-agriculture landscape; nutrient loss; soil erosion; surface runoff[How to Cite: Hidayat Y, K Murtilaksono and N Sinukaban. 2012. Characterization of Surface Runoff, Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Forest-agriculture Landscape. J Trop Soils, 17 (3): 259-266. doi: 10.5400/jts.2012.17.3.259][Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2012.17.3.259]

Altitude and Forest Edges Influence the Density and Distribution of Pygmy Tarsiers (Tarsius pumilus)

In this study, we examine how high-altitude ecology and anthropogenic edges relate to the density and distribution of pygmy tarsiers. Pygmy tarsiers (Tarsius pumilus) are extremely small-bodied primates (55 g) that are endemic to high-altitude forest and exhibit several differences from lowland Sulawesian tarsier species. From June to September 2010 and January to March 2012, we conducted a population census of pygmy tarsiers across multiple altitudes. Sampling took place within a 1.2 km(2) area encompassing altitudes of 2,000-2,300 m a.s.l. on Mt. Rore Katimbu in Lore Lindu National Park, central Sulawesi, Indonesia. We observed 22 individuals, with an estimated population density of 92 individuals per 100 ha. These results indicate that pygmy tarsiers live at a lower density than lowland Sulawesian tarsier species. Lower density was associated with decreased resources at higher altitudes, including decreased tree size, tree density, and insect biomass. Within the sample area, we found pygmy tarsiers in only 8 of 24 (33%) quadrats, suggesting a nonrandom distribution that probably overinflated this population density estimate. Pygmy tarsiers exhibited a clumped distribution near anthropogenic edges that were associated with increased insect abundance and biomass. Airborne insects were more abundant along forest edges than within the forest interior, and pygmy tarsiers were observed to forage along edges where there was a higher abundance of Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. Tarsiers may mitigate the decreased availability of insects at high altitudes by adjusting their ranging patterns to remain near forest edges.

Taxonomy, bionomics, and ecology of a new species of the blue mud-dauber wasp genus Chalybion from Sulawesi (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)

A new species of the blue mud-dauber genus Chalybion, C. sulawesii sp. n., is described from Sulawesi (Indonesia). The new species belongs in the C. fabricator species group, which up to now consisted of five rarely collected species. An identification key to the females of all species of the group is provided. Males are not keyed, because only a single male of the group, belonging to C. malignum, is known in addition to C. sulawesii. The last instar larva of C. sulawesii is described, although not all relevant characters could be reliably studied. We could show that the larva of the new species shows most of the relevant characters of the Sceliphrini, but differs from the larvae of other Sceliphrini studied yet in two characters. The majority of over 600 specimens of the new species have been reared from artificial trap nests, set up in different habitats and at different heights in the Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi. Of the 812 nests found, 606 provided adults, 64 provided pupae, and 40 provided larvae. 113 were just provisioned. The nesting activity of C. sulawesii showed a clear seasonality and was strongly influenced by the flowering plant diversity. Female activities were also significantly higher in lower strata. We assume that all three ecological factors studied influence the nesting activity of C. sulawesii via the spider prey density. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Elevational patterns of species richness and density of rattan palms (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

We studied species richness and density of rattan palms in 50 plots of 10 × 100 m2 each between 250 m and 2420 m in eight sites in Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP), Central Sulawesi. Rattans were observed in all sample sites, representing three genera and 34 species. The elevational patterns for species richness and density were humped-shaped with maxima around 1000 m. Polynomial models of second order explained 59 and 32% of species richness and density with the factor elevation, respectively. A majority of rattan species (65%) overlapped between 1000 and 1100 m elevation, while a pronounced change in the rattan flora occurred above 1100 m. Commercially important rattan species (Calamus zollingeri, C. ornatus var. celebicus, Daemonorops macroptera) were not observed above 1250 m. The change of species assemblage was significantly related to elevation (56%), followed by geographical distance (47%) and precipitation (40%). Less than 10% of LLNP is lowland forests, much of which is threatened by agricultural intensification. In contrast, montane forests are well represented in the park and high elevation forests are not subject to agricultural conversion or intensive harvesting of rattan and other forest products.

Carbon Stock of Agroforestry Systems at Adjacent Buffer Zone of Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi

Taxa diversity within soil fauna functional groups can affected ecosystem functioning such as ecosystem engineers, which influence decomposition and nutrient cycling. The objective of this study is to describe ecological diversity variation within soil fauna as ecosystem engineers in soil ecosystem of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) plantation. Sampling was conducted during one year period from five different ages of plantation. Soil fauna removed from soil core using hand sorting methods. A total of 39 genera of soil fauna as ecosystem engineers were found during these studies. Thirty five genera belong to the group of Formicidae (ants), three genera of Isoptera (termites), and one genera of Oligochaeta (earthworms). Ecological diversity variation within ecosystem engineers was detected with Simpson indices for dominance and evenness. The highest diversity of ecosystem engineers was in the young age of plantation. This study reinforces the importance biotic interaction which contributed to the distribution and abundance within soil fauna community as ecosystem engineers in small-holder cocoa plantation. [ How to Cite : Kilowasid LMH, TS Syamsudin, FX Susilo and E Sulistyawati. 2012. Ecological Diversity of Soil Fauna as Ecosystem Engineers in Small-Holder Cocoa Plantation in South Konawe. J Trop Soils 17 (2): 173-180. doi: 10.5400/jts.2012.17.2.173] [ Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2012.17.2.173 ]

Community-based sustainable rattan conservation: a case study in Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi

Hamzari (2011) Community-based sustainable rattan conservation; a case study in Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi. Biodiversitas 12: 241-245. The following research study focused on community-based rattan conservation and was conducted in a community located in the buffer zone of Lore Lindu National Park. The aims of the study were to generate a model for communitybased rattan conservation and estimate the economic value of rattan management for the community. The results were expected to provide justification for the development of rattan management systems and strategies. The research was conducted using a combination of community education and evaluation of educational outputs. As a result, the research may be characterized as descriptive experimentation with a participative approach of andragogy. Data was collected through the employment of questionnaires, interviews, PRAs, and FGD techniques. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative analysis. Based on result of analysis, inferential that community asses the effort of rattan conservation as a positive effort and its development requires additional support. The community has a desire to conduct efforts of rattan conservation continuously. The forms of rattan conservation that can be developed are rattan cultivation and selective rattan harvesting. The research developed conservation models in collaboration with rattan farming groups and involving community forestry approaches.