Non-conservation Area Research Articles

Short Communication: Records of Java mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus Gmelin, 1788) in the Cisokan forest patches, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Megantara EN, Husodo T, Kendarto DR, Mutaqin AZ, Withaningsih S, Wulandari I, Shanida SS, Febrianto P, Hendrawan R. 2024. Short Communication: Records of Java mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus Gmelin, 1788) in the Cisokan forest patches, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2713-2719. Mammals are bioindicators in terrestrial ecosystems due to their influence on the conservation of other species and in maintaining ecosystem balance, such as the Java mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus Gmelin, 1788), which contributes to seed disperser on the forest floor. Information on the presence of Java mouse-deer is still limited to mammalian diversity studies; therefore, little information focuses on Java mouse-deer studies, especially in the non-conservation areas and infrastructure development areas, such as the Upper Cisokan Pumped Storage (UCPS) development in the Cianjur and West Bandung Districts. This study aims to reveal the presence of Java mouse-deer in the UCPS hydropower development area, West Java. The studies were conducted in February 2017, August 2020, and September 2022. Sign survey, camera trapping, and literature review were applied to this study. Java mouse-deer was found for ten years in the UCPS area. Java mouse-deer was found both directly and indirectly (footprints and feces). Java mouse-deer were discovered in 2012, 2017, 2020, and 2022 in the UCPS area. This species was found in the secondary forest (forest patches), shrubs, mixed gardens, and plantations. This species was most abundant in shrubs and mixed gardens near paddy fields with high levels of human activity. In shrub areas, the topography tends to be cliffy with a dense canopy, making it difficult for humans to pass. Shrub cover is dominated by calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn.), wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.), siam weed (Eupatorium odoratum L.), and billygoat-weed (Ageratum conyzoides L.). Java mouse-deer have been encountered for ten years. Agricultural and construction activities affect the opportunities to encounter the species. Longer-term monitoring of the densities will be essential to reveal the population of Java mouse-deer and how its distribution impacted the development of hydropower plants.

Systematic design of habitat services network (HSsN) for updating conservation areas in iran's arid and Semi-Arid ecosystems

Threats caused by human activities have reduced the quantity and quality of wildlife habitats connectivity. This research seeks to protect habitat biodiversity by creating a network of high quality habitats that remained. Therefore, it is very necessary to know about the dynamic effects of changes in the landscape pattern on the quality of the habitat, because it helps to preserve biodiversity, guarantee ecological security, and environmental sustainability. In the present study, a systematic process was used to design a network of habitat services comprising hotspots and corridors in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of eastern Iran, South Khorasan Province. In this process, habitat quality was first modeled using the InVEST software, then data mining methods were used to identify habitat hotspots and their spatial distribution. In the next step, habitat corridors were extracted based on the circuit theory and using the Circuitscape software. In the ultimate step, using graph theory based on the concept of ecological security, the connectivity of the habitat network was evaluated. The results of habitat network construction showed that 8% and 6% of the total area of the study area included key habitat patches and corridors, respectively. On the other hand, the overlapping of habitat network components with the conserved areas of the study area showed that free or non-conservation areas make up a significant amount of network components (49.18% of the habitat patch and 80.02% of the habitat corridor). These results reveal the existence of habitat protection potential and can help in updating the new boundaries of conservation areas. Also, the composite indices of dPC and dIIC could determine the importance of each of the network's components in evaluating the connectivity of the habitat network, so that the application of the results can show the priority options to the land managers for protecting the habitat network. In general, the systematic process proposed in this research can be used in planning the sustainable conservation of habitat networks, identifying patterns of ecological security, evaluating and constructing habitat networks in lands with similar climates, and changing and wisely reviewing the conservation area boundaries.

Comparisons of benthic associated fauna assemblages in seagrass meadows across conservation and non-conservation areas in Bali and Lombok, Indonesia

Benthic ecosystem has been widely considered as an important feature of seagrass associated fauna, and its function as a grazer and linkage between primary producers and higher trophic level is well known. Though the importance of benthic fauna in seagrass ecosystems has been indicated in many studies, its biodiversity in spatial scale has often been poorly studied. This study aimed at examining the assemblages and diversity of benthic associated fauna in conservation areas (CA) and non-conservation areas (NCA) across the seagrass meadows in Bali and Lombok. This study found that the assemblages and diversity of benthic fauna greatly varied between the meadows. A total of 430 individuals associated to benthic fauna from 24 species were identified in Bali and Lombok. Of these, Gastropods were the highest class of taxa recorded in this study, followed by Bivalvia, Echinodermata, Decapoda, and Amphipoda. Permutation multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) revealed a significantly different benthic fauna diversity between sites. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (nMDS) and Bray–Curtis analysis showed a clear distinction of benthic fauna assemblages between CA and NCA, both in Bali and Lombok. These results indicated that from spatial perspective, different characteristics of seagrass meadows may represent different biodiversity of associated fauna. These differences might be driven by different anthropogenic pressure and variation of substrates among the meadows which may affect the composition of the benthic fauna ecosystems. The implication of this study was to providing baseline data on guiding the appropriate approach and strategies for management and conservations of seagrass ecosystems.

East African megafauna influence on vegetation structure permeates from landscape to tree level scales

African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) can substantially modify their habitat through their interactions with woody vegetation. Nonetheless, the scale, intensity and characteristics of these relations are not yet fully understood. Consequently, it is unclear how vegetation-megafauna interactions can be disrupted by external factors, such as land management. This study attempted to quantify and characterize structural changes in vegetation caused by elephants, from landscape to tree level scales. We applied multi-scale geospatial tools, including airborne (ALS) and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), to address the following questions: (1) How do elephants shape landscape level vegetation structure in conservation areas? (2) Are the impacts of elephants evident on individual tree architecture? Our study area was located at the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in South-eastern Kenya. The occurrence of elephants was estimated using elephant observation records and proximity to elephant tracks. Landscape level structure was assessed using tree density maps calculated based on individually detected treetops from ALS data. Next, TLS measurements of 72 trees were processed using quantitative structural modelling to characterize their architecture. Our results demonstrate a widespread influence of elephants on both landscape and tree level structural characteristics. This influence was strongly mediated by management, as we observed differences in vegetation structure inside and outside conservation areas. Tree density was up to 42% lower (5.84 trees/ha) in conservation areas than in non-conservation areas (10.17 trees/ha). Trees were relatively larger with closer proximity to elephant tracks, while smaller trees were more often observed in areas further away from elephants. At an architectural level, trees closer to elephant tracks had lower ratio between the crown length and the tree height, demonstrating a substantial influence of elephants on the morphological characteristics of trees. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for vegetation fauna interactions when planning conservation areas in African savannahs.

Short Communication: Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) distribution in the Cisokan Hydropower Plant, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Husodo T, Megantara EN, Mutaqin AZ, Kendarto DR, Wulandari I, Shanida SS. 2022. Short Communication: Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) distribution in the Cisokan Hydropower Plant, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 6247-6253. Globally, leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) can be found in various land cover types. Information about leopard cats is still low in Indonesia, especially in Java. Java Island has high human activities that impact leopard cats, such as the UCPS hydropower development area, a non-conservation area. The UCPS hydropower plant is in the upper catchment area of ??the Cisokan River as a tributary of the Citarum River. Although leopard cats can adapt to various land cover types, monitoring their existence is necessary. This study aims to reveal the distribution of leopard cats in the UCPS hydropower development area, Cianjur Regency and West Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Sign survey and literature were applied in this study. Fifty-eight leopard cat findings were found in the UCPS hydropower area. Leopard cats were found in 16 of the 47 grids from 2012-2022. After 5-10 years, leopard cats still use the same area in certain areas to meet their needs.In eight of 16 grids, 50% of the grids used by leopard cats were habitats used repeatedly. They were most commonly found in shrubs (39%), riparian (20%), and pine plantations (15%). Leopard cats were located at 445-895 masl and are most commonly found at 400-800 masl. Leopard cats are found in the UCPS development area and Perhutani Land. After 5-10 years, leopard cats still use the UCPS development area, so the habitat still fulfills their daily needs. Further monitoring is needed to determine the ecological status of the leopard cat population during the construction and post-construction process.

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding Reveals the Eukaryotes Diversity in Marine Protected Area of Lombok Island, Indonesia

Biodiversity assessment surveys are necessary for establishing conservation areas. However, such surveys are typically expensive, primarily if they cover a large area and take a long time. The survey difficulty increases when applied to cryptic, sparse, and fast-moving organisms. In addition, it requires expertise in taxonomic-biota classification. The breakthrough environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding technique promises to overcome all the hurdles of assessing the potential for marine biodiversity in a non-invasive, rapid, extensive, and more effective way. We evaluated the ability of the eDNA survey to reveal the potential diversity and character of marine eukaryotes in the Lombok Island Marine Protected Area. A sampling of seawater and sediment eDNA in pore size fractions of 0.4-12 ?m and >12 ?m was carried out in the Core Zone, Non-Core Zone, and Non-Conservation Area, in east, north, and west Lombok, respectively. The detection and classification of eukaryotes using bioinformatics analysis were accomplished following extraction, amplification, and DNA sequencing. We identified 20,478 unique sequences of potential species classified in five kingdoms to 654 marine eukaryotes families. The comparison results show differences in community structure between locations, as well as differences in diversity between media and factions. The eDNA survey can assess marine biodiversity at a macro level and has implications for management in conservation areas.Keywords: Biodiversity, Marine eukaryotes, environmental DNA, the Primary V9-SSU 18S rRNA gene

Komposisi dan biodiversitas padang lamun pada daerah konservasi dan non-konservasi di kawasan Sunda Kecil, Indonesia

Seagrass is one of the most productive plants in the marine ecosystems. Seagrass meadows provide many ecosystems services for marine organisms, yet there is growing evidence that seagrasses are experiencing declines globally due to anthropogenic threats. Although the study of seagrass in Indonesia has been widely caried out, Bali and Lombok have received little attention. Our study aimed to investigates the biodiversity of seagrass beds among different meadows characteristics in Bali and Lombok. This study was conducted at conservation area and non conservation area in Bali and Lombok, which were consists of total 8 sites. A total of 9 seagrass species were identified in this study, where 8 species found in Bali, both in conservation and non-conservation area, while in Lombok only 5 species found in conservation area and 6 species in non-conservation area. Most common species that found in this study were Enhalus acoroides, Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii, Halodule uninervis, and Halodule pinifolia. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed there was no significant differences of seagrass density between sites in Bali and Lombok. Bray-Curtis dendogram showed the highest similarity found between NCA Lombok and CA Lombok (75 %), followed by NCA Bali and CA Bali (45 %). Implications of our study was to provide baseline study about the important of seagrass management, restoration, conservation, and protecting them due to anthropogenic pressure.

Analysis of the Structure and Ecological Function of an Extreme Landscape in a Tropical Region of West Java, Indonesia

An extreme landscape is a spatially heterogeneous area with unusual topography that is prone to natural disasters but still exhibits interrelated structures and functions. One of the important functions of an extreme landscape is its ecological function. This study aimed to determine the structure and reveal the ecological functions of an extreme landscape in a tropical region of West Java, with special reference to Rongga Sub-district. The method used was a combination of remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems, which were required to process, analyze, and interpret Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS data. The landscape structure was quantified by landscape metrics, after which an analysis of ecological functions was carried out based on the constituent elements of the landscape. The results showed that the landscape structure of Rongga Sub-district consists of various elements of agroforestry land, open fields, settlements, shrubs, plantations, and rainfed and irrigated rice fields. Additionally, secondary forest land acted as a landscape matrix where rivers crossed as natural corridors. The amount of each element varied; agroforestry land had the highest value, indicating that this element showed a high degree of human intervention. Each patch was adjacent to other patch types, and the landscape diversity was quite high. The extreme topography of Rongga Sub-district supports the landscape connectivity and consequently the presence of wild animals in this area. Therefore, Rongga Sub-district has an essential ecological function as a refuge for protected animals living in non-conservation areas.

Population of Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis lavatus) in Manggar River, Balikpapan City, Indonesia

A population estimation of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) has been conducted in Manggar River, Balikpapan. In this non-conservation area, the anthropogenic activities threaten the proboscis monkey habitat. Boat survey technique was applied along ± 17 km of the river in the morning and evening. The number of proboscis monkeys in the surveyed area was estimated to range from 57 to 69 individuals with estimated population density of 4.75 individuals/Km2. Moreover, the population of this primates was divided into 4 groups and the sex ratio between adult males and females was 1:2.33. The proboscis monkeys were distributed in the middle of the river to the upstream. The highest population was found in the upstream area with less human activities. Conservation efforts in the Manggar River need to be carried out considering the proboscis monkey habitat in the area has been fragmented and isolated. These efforts could involve local economic communities.

The Second Skin of Seagrass Leaves: A Comparison of Microalgae Epiphytic Communities Between Two Different Species Across Two Seagrass Meadows in Lesser Sunda Islands.

Epiphytes as the important features in the seagrass ecosystems have been studied widely, and their functions as a primary producer, influence rates of herbivory grazer, and prevent seagrass leaf from desiccation is well known. However, patterns and distribution among seagrasses especially in Indonesia, which was known as hotspot marine biodiversity is not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to examined epiphytic assemblages on two seagrass species with different morphological and longevity, Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea rotundata, in two different meadows (conservation area and non-conservation area) in Lesser Sunda Islands (Bali and Lombok). A total of 22 taxa of microalgae epiphytes species were identified from eight sites and 2 different species of seagrass. The highest number of collected species between class was from Bacillariophyceae (18), followed by Cyanophyceae (3) and Fragilariophyceae (1). Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed a significant difference of microalgae epiphytes assemblages between sites and seagrasses. Epiphytes assemblages in conservation area were more abundant than non-conservation area, both in Bali and Lombok. On seagrass comparison, Enhalus acoroides showed higher abundance of epiphytes assemblages than those on Cymodocea rotundata. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), this study highlights the microalgae epiphytic communities strongly influenced by seawater temperature, phosphate’s concentration, and pH in sediment. This study also demonstrated that the assemblages of microalgae epiphytic communities affected by differences of seagrass morphological and longevity.

Planning policy formulation of coastal area in Gili Ketapang Island, Probolinggo, East Java

Gili Ketapang is an island with many villages activity that has many different occupations such as trader, home industry, transportation services, retired workers, fishers, and any other. Gili Ketapang’s ecology condition indicates a decreasing in the quality environment. The environmental effect affects coral conditions and decreases fish abundance. The purpose of this research is to formulating policy for the Probolinggo government for mid-term years. The main target of this research is creating a map based on GIS with a zoning system to determine conservation area and non-conservation areas. The method used to achieve the purpose is PLS (Partial Least Square), AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), and GIS method. PLS method used to choose the priority based on the multivariate technique that can use many kind variables such as response variable to an explanatory variable with simultaneous. AHP method used to make the best decision from many alternatives includes the procedure. The ground check activity includes collecting primary and secondary data of Gili Ketapang, such as questioner and oceanography measurement (wind, currents, waves, and tidal). The result of this research produces a set of policies to monitor coastal land use of Gili island.

Perception of the local community toward the yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea abbotti), a critically endangered species in Masakambing Island, Indonesia

The yellow-crested cockatoo is an endangered species with habitat is in a non-conservation area with community ownership. The local community’s action is determined by perception related to the information about this animal. The study aimed to find out the perception of the local community of Masakambing Island to the yellow-crested cockatoo based on community structure and the advantages-disadvantages aspect. The study was conducted in Masakambing Island, Masalembu sub-district, Sumenep Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained from observations, closed interviews with the 160 respondents and open interviews with the key informants (local figures, government and non-government elements) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). This study used mixed methods with convergent parallel mixed-methods design. The results showed that the community structure is a fatalist one with a nature capricious perception. The community has limited life choices and is controlled by other powers. Unsurprisingly, the local community does not have a vision or carry out any real action to conserve this animal. Meanwhile, the community has a perception that the yellow-crested cockatoo has more advantages than disadvantages. The implication is that added-benefits of alternative livelihood for the community based on yellow-crested cockatoo are required. Then, all of the community members can access the benefits of resources, especially based on the existence of the yellow-crested cockatoo. Keywords: perception, cockatoo, community, masakambing, structure, livelihood

Assessing the species diversity in non-conservation areas: A first systematically camera trapping survey in Batang Angkola Landscape, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Assessing the species diversity in non-conservation areas is crucial to understanding for conservation interventions and management. We used camera trapping to investigate the species diversity in the Batang Angkola Landscape in North Sumatra. The study on species diversity in the area was conducted in 5 months from February to June 2020. The aim of this study is to assess the species diversity in Batang Angkola landscape as a reference for the improvement of the management and policy with a special interest in proving the existence of wildlife species in the landscape. We compiled a species diversity, richness and evenness investigated conducted a test to Shannon wiener analyses. Based on 1,283 photograph at 60 camera traps stations during 2,923 trap days, we identified 27 different species (24 species are terrestrial mammals, 2 species are birds, and 1 species is reptile), including five classified as threatened according to the IUCN. Based on the calculation of the Relative Abundance Indices for each species per 100 trap days, pig-tailed macaque had the highest RAI (3.63 photograph /100 trap days), followed by wild boar and muntjac were (1.33 and 1.27 photographed/100 traps days respectively). Based on Shannon Weiner analysis shows the analysis of species diversity (H), which showed that in the northern and southern areas it was moderate (2.40 and 2.45 respectively). The level of evenness between north and south areas shows high evenness (0.77 and 0.79 respectively). The level of species richness between north and south shows moderate to high levels in the two areas (3.95 and 4.42 respectively). Our findings suggest that Batang Angkola Landscape supports a high species richness. Continued survey efforts need to be combined with detailed ecological data collection and effective management in the region.Menilai keanekaragaman spesies di kawasan non-konservasi sangat penting untuk memahami upaya pengelolaan dan intervensi konservasi. Kami menggunakan camera trap untuk menyelidiki keanekaragaman spesies di Bentang Alam Batang Angkola di Sumatera Utara. Kajian keanekaragaman jenis di kawasan ini dilakukan selama 5 bulan dari Februari hingga Juni 2020. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengkaji keanekaragaman jenis di bentang alam Batang Angkola sebagai acuan perbaikan tata kelola dan kebijakan, spesifik pada membuktikan keberadaan spesies satwa liar. Data keanekaragaman spesies, kekayaan dan kemerataan yang kami kumpulkan, dianalisis dengan Shannon wiener. Berdasarkan 1.283 foto di 60 stasiun perangkap kamera selama 2.923 hari rekam, kami mengidentifikasi 27 spesies berbeda (24 spesies mamalia darat, 2 spesies burung, dan 1 spesies reptil), termasuk lima jenis yang diklasifikasikan sebagai satwa terancam menurut IUCN. Berdasarkan perhitungan Indeks Kelimpahan Relatif untuk setiap spesies per 100 hari rekam, beruk memiliki RAI tertinggi (3,63 foto / 100 hari rekam), disusul babi hutan dan kijang (masing-masing 1,33 dan 1,27 foto / 100 hari rekam). Berdasarkan analisis Shannon-Weiner untuk keanekaragaman jenis (H) menunjukkan bahwa di wilayah utara dan selatan dalam kategori sedang (masing-masing 2,40 dan 2,45). Tingkat kemerataan antara wilayah utara dan selatan menunjukkan tingkat kategori kemerataan yang tinggi (masing-masing 0,77 dan 0,79). Tingkat kekayaan spesies antara utara dan selatan menunjukkan kategori tingkat sedang hingga tinggi di kedua wilayah tersebut (masing-masing 3,95 dan 4,42). Temuan kami menunjukkan bahwa Bentang Alam Batang Angkola mendukung kekayaan spesies yang tinggi. Upaya survey lanjutan perlu digabungkan dengan pengumpulan data ekologi yang terperinci dan pengelolaan yang efektif di wilayah tersebut.

Aboveground Biomass Distribution in a Multi-Use Savannah Landscape in Southeastern Kenya: Impact of Land Use and Fences

Savannahs provide valuable ecosystem services and contribute to continental and global carbon budgets. In addition, savannahs exhibit multiple land uses, e.g., wildlife conservation, pastoralism, and crop farming. Despite their importance, the effect of land use on woody aboveground biomass (AGB) in savannahs is understudied. Furthermore, fences used to reduce human–wildlife conflicts may affect AGB patterns. We assessed AGB densities and patterns, and the effect of land use and fences on AGB in a multi-use savannah landscape in southeastern Kenya. AGB was assessed with field survey and airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, and a land cover map was developed using Sentinel-2 satellite images in Google Earth Engine. The highest woody AGB was found in riverine forest in a conservation area and in bushland outside the conservation area. The highest mean AGB density occurred in the non-conservation area with mixed bushland and cropland (8.9 Mg·ha−1), while the lowest AGB density (2.6 Mg·ha−1) occurred in overgrazed grassland in the conservation area. The largest differences in AGB distributions were observed in the fenced boundaries between the conservation and other land-use types. Our results provide evidence that conservation and fences can create sharp AGB transitions and lead to reduced AGB stocks, which is a vital role of savannahs as part of carbon sequestration.

Monitoring the impact of climate change and human activities on grassland vegetation dynamics in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China during 2000–2015

Climate change and human activities can influence vegetation net primary productivity (NPP), a key component of natural ecosystems. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China, in spite of its significant natural and cultural values, is one of the most susceptible regions to climate change and human disturbances in the world. To assess the impact of climate change and human activities on vegetation dynamics in the grassland ecosystems of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, we applied a time-series trend analysis to normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) datasets from 2000 to 2015 and compared these spatiotemporal variations with trends in climatic variables over the same time period. The constrained ordination approach (redundancy analysis) was used to determine which climatic variables or human-related factors mostly influenced the variation of NDVI. Furthermore, in order to determine whether current conservation measures and programs are effective in ecological protection and reconstruction, we divided the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau into two parts: the Three-River Headwater conservation area (TRH zone) in the south and the non-conservation area (NTRH zone) in the north. The results indicated an overall (73.32%) increasing trend of vegetation NPP in grasslands throughout the study area. During the period 2000–2015, NDVI in the TRH and NTRH zones increased at the rates of 0.0015/a and 0.0020/a, respectively. Specifically, precipitation accounted for 9.2% of the total variation in NDVI, while temperature accounted for 13.4%. In addition, variation in vegetation NPP of grasslands responded not only to long- and short-term changes in climate, as conceptualized in non-equilibrium theory, but also to the impact of human activities and their associated perturbations. The redundancy analysis successfully separated the relative contributions of climate change and human activities, of which village population and agricultural gross domestic product were the two most important contributors to the NDVI changes, explaining 17.8% and 17.1% of the total variation of NDVI (with the total contribution >30.0%), respectively. The total contribution percentages of climate change and human activities to the NDVI variation were 27.5% and 34.9%, respectively, in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Finally, our study shows that the grassland restoration in the study area was enhanced by protection measures and programs in the TRH zone, which explained 7.6% of the total variation in NDVI.

The Oriental White-eyes hosts plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Abstract. Widodo W, Sulistyadi E. 2019. The Oriental White-eyes hosts plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo. Biodiversitas 20: 2093-2100. The research aims to indicate that there is a tendency that the Oriental White-eyes Zosterops palpebrosus is used as a host for Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis. The researches were done in the year 2009, 2014, 2016 and 2018 in some conservation forest areas in Mount Pancar Recreation Nature Park and Mount Telaga Bodas Nature Reserve (West Java), Mount Wilis forest (East Java) and Mount Merapi National Park forest (Centre Java). The explorative method was used in this research. We found the fact that, at some occurrences, young Plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo have been hosted and fed up by a pair of Oriental White-eyes Zosterops palpebrosus. It is new information because this occurrence has never been reported before. That research, however, needs to be continued for further information. Among other things, the research is started with the presence of the Oriental White-eyes’ nest and the strategy of Plaintive Cuckoo and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo to place its egg into the nest of Oriental White-eyes. This research implicates to remind the management authority to maintain the population of remaining songbirds either in conservation areas or in non-conservation areas, as well as their buffer zones.

Mammalian diversity in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Husodo T, Shanida SS, Febrianto P, Pujianto MP, Megantara EN. 2019. Mammalian diversity in West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1846-1858. Protected forests in West Java are wider than conservation forests, whereas mammalian diversity in protected forests is as high as mammalian diversity in conservation forests. Mammals in protected forests are not protected by regional protection regulations, while anthropogenic factors in Java are quite high. This is possible that mammals who have high conservation status will experience local extinction. This study aims to determine (i) the composition of mammalian species and (ii) the species that are always found in studies of mammalian diversity in West Java. The study was conducted through a qualitative approach by combining several methods such as interview, camera trapping, sign survey, observation and transect, and collapsible traps. Mammalia in West Java found 54 species, 21 families, and nine orders with details of three species of Artiodactyla, 12 species of Carnivores, seven species of Chiroptera, one species of Dermoptera, one species of Euphotyphla, one species of Pholidota, five species of Primates, 21 species of Rodentia, and three species of Scandentia. The species that are always found in all study locations are nine species, including wild boar, Javan leopard, leopard cat, Javan mongoose, oriental small-clawed otter, Asian palm civet, grizzled leaf monkey, Javan langur, and Javan tree shrew. The results presented here may facilitate improvements in the mammalian diversity database, especially in the non-conservation area.

The Biodiversity management plan in the non-conservation area, Cisokan hydropower plan area, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Husodo T, Shanida SS, Megantara EN. 2019. Biodiversity management plan in the non-conservation area, Cisokan hydropower plan area, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1524-1536. Based on data from various environmental studies at the Upper Cisokan Pumped Storage (UCPS) Hydropower plan area, further studies need to be carried out that can provide clearer guidance on how to protect and restore the environment (including habitat) around the UCPS, protect, and manage the endangered biodiversity through adaptive approaches and ecosystem management. One of these studies was the UCPS Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP). The aim of this study was to identify the strategy for biodiversity management at the project site. Methods of this study were based on several years of qualitative and descriptive-analytical studies, which updated information from earlier studies. Information on the area’s biodiversity was obtained directly through field surveys and indirectly through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) with local community members and other stakeholders in the area. This article presents the strategy for biodiversity management at project site, including minimizing habitat gap and habitat loss; expanding and enriching habitats; making corridors; protecting the natural forests (protection of remnant forest); controlling access; managing fire, the impact of traffic on native fauna, land clearing and human-wildlife conflict; minimizing impacts to biodiversity, particularly threatened species; integrating management with adjoining land managers (PLN, perhutani, the community); strengthening capacities for integrating and institutionalizing biodiversity conservation and management; conducting campaign for biodiversity awareness, communication, and education; and developing value-added products and alternative sustainable livelihood for bio-resource-dependent communities.
 Keywords: Biodiversity Management Plan, Hydropower Company

Short Communication: Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) in the Cisokan non-conservation forest areas, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia

Shanidah SS, Partasasmita R, Hudoso T. Parikesit, Meganatara EN. 2018. Short Communication: Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) in the Cisokan non-conservation forest areas, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 37-41. Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) in the Cisokan non-conservation forest areas, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: xx, xxx.There is no accurate data about the number of leopard individuals in Java Island in both conservation and non-conservation areas. Besides, human continue to deforestation for the necessities of life, such as agriculture, plantation, etc. Therefore, it is important to research about the existence of leopard cat in Cisokan of Cianjur Regency. The aim of this research is to investigate evidence of the leopard cat’s existence, encounter rate of leopard cat and estimation of leopard cat individual in the non-conservation forest areas, Cisokan, Cianjur. Indirect observation sign survey and direct observation with camera trap were carried out to find evidence of the existence of leopard cat (feces and footprint). The results of the study showed that the evidence of leopard cat’s existence are 6 footprints, 27 feces, and 1 individual which was able to observe. The encounter with camera traps was 29.16 independent detections /100 camera days, resulting in 7-12 estimated individuals.

Short Communication: The existence of Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) in the non-conservation forest areas of Cisokan, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia

Shanidah SS, Partasasmita P, Hudoso T. Parikesit, Febriato P, Meganatara EN. 2018. Short Communication: The existence of Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) in the non-conservation forest areas of Cisokan, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 42-46. There is no accurate data about the number of individual leopards in Java Island in both conservation and non-conservation areas. In West Java, deforestation for plantations and agriculture is widespread, although it is unknown if leopard uses these human-altered habitats. Therefore, it is important to research the existence of leopards in Non-Conservation Forest Area (NCFA) in western Java, Indonesia. The aim of this research is to investigate: (i) evidence of leopard’s existence (ii) encounter rate of leopard’s existence; and (iii) estimation of individual leopards in NCFA, Cisokan, Cianjur, and West Java. Indirect data were obtained from sign surveys for feces, scrapes, footprints, and residual prey. We also obtained direct data with camera traps. We found 13 footprints, 2 feces, 4 scrapes, and 2 direct encounters by observers. The camera trap data recorded 12 independent leopard events and 8 leopard photos/100 trap days. Estimated number of leopards in Cisokan ranged 1-3 individuals.