Gathering Information

From the mountain forests of Sulawesi to the coral beds of Java, WCS conducts research on a wide variety of species and their ecological roles within the landscapes and seascapes they occupy. From coral reefs to frogs, tigers to gibbons, WCS asks critical research questions in order to gain insights into the ecological and conservation needs of Indonesia‘s diverse wildlife. Only by researching and understanding the needs of these species can conservationists secure a future for these animals and their habitats in which they live.

BROWSE :
Why are Tigers Declining in Sumatra?
How are Hornbills Distributed Accross the Bukit Barisan Landscape?
What is the Status of Key Endemic Species and Their Habitats Across Sulawesi?
How Do Human-Elephant Conflicts Affect Wild Elephant Populations and Farmers?
What Factors Contribute to Maleo Birds’ Hatching Success?
Why Are Some Coral Reefs Rich in Corals and Fish and Others Not?

Why are Tigers Declining in Sumatra?

Sumatran tigers have been declining for decades. In order to better understand the dynamics between tigers, prey species, their habitats, and people, WCS undertook an ambitious scientific survey of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park beginning in 1998. A di Taman Nasional Bukit combination of camera-trapping, satellite image analysis, and human that habitats of tigers are quickly being lost, and prey species are being hunted at unsustainable rates. The loss of tiger prey species meant the lack of food for tigers.

As Dr. Ullas Karanth, a prominent tiger biologist with WCS, said, “Cats need cat food.“ In addition, the loss prey species and ever-increasing  proximity between tigers and humans have led to increased raiding by tigers. At present, there are  50 between 50 to 100 tigers in the park, which we and our  partners continue to monitor and protect. Combining our survey data with computerized satellite geographic information systems, WCS is in the frontline of data survei developing a holistic conservation program to save the  last tiger species in Indonesia.

How are Hornbills Distributed Accross the Bukit Barisan Landscape?

The nine species of hornbills in Sumatra are critical for forest regeneration as they disperse seeds they have eaten across the landscape. In order to better understand what factors contribute to their presence and numbers, WCS carried out a hornbill population survey across the landscape. We found that the size of the forest and the amount of fig fruits, a key resource for hornbills, determined the presence and population numbers of some hornbill species. Our field data and stateof-the-art GIS technology allow us to track the loss of critical hornbill habitats from the 1980s and understand their population status. Through these analyses, we are able to direct future hornbill conservation efforts.

What is the Status of Key Endemic Species and Their Habitats Across Sulawesi?

Globally known as an important biogeografis yang penting, Sulawesi biogeographic transition point, Sulawesi harbors a unique array of wildlife species, but little scientific data are available on their status and distribution. WCS carried out a three-year island island-wide survey to understand the status of key wildlife species and the factors that are related to their distribution and abundance. Eighteen forests were surveyed, and this dataset represents the most comprehensive data collected on Sulawesi‘s wildlife species. Preliminary results show that almost all key Sulawesi wildlife species are under great threat, and that protected areas are their strongholds. We have been able to discover extremely rare species such as the Cinnabar Hawk-Owl, Hodgson‘s Sulawesi Research Coordinator and Hawk-Cuckoo, Cerulean Flycatcher, and the Sulawesi Palm Civet. We will use protected areas in Sulawesi these findings to develop recommendation for protected area management in Sulawesi and Sulawesi-wide conservation strategy.

How Do Human-Elephant Conflicts Affect Wild Elephant Populations and Farmers?

Since 1999, WCS has been carrying out the most systematic survey and monitoring of elephant populations in all of Southeast Asia. Although collecting and measuring elephant dung is not the most glamorous task, dung decay rate has provided a useful way to estimate population numbers. In combination with population data, we have been estimating the extent of the economic damage and loss of elephants from humanelephant conflict (HEC) in and around Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) and Way Kambas National Park (WKNP). In a span of two years, 571 incidents occurred indicating a strong relationship between crop raiding frequency and harvest times of certain crops, particularly maize and rice. This information has allowed us to understand the pattern of crop raiding, and guides deterrence efforts by local authorities and farmers, and WCS’’s Crop Protection Units.

What Factors Contribute to Maleo Birds’ Hatching Success?

Maleo, the helmeted bird of Sulawesi, has been a major focus of our Sulawesi work since 2001. Because of its peculiar nesting requirements—it requires geothermally heated soils, as the adults do not incubate their eggs directly—thi species faces major threat from egg- collectors, who can easily find the eggs, and from habitat encroachment. WCS field staff track population dynamics of the endangered maleo and monitor maleo egglaying in Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park. Three permanent base camps and watchtowers were built to observe and protect nesting grounds. WC continues to carry out surveys in potential nestin grounds. WCS patrol efforts have successfully decreased illegal collection of maleo eggs. And finally, lessons learned from the field about the specific conditions needed for hatching are used to design cutting-edge hatchery methods: our Maleo Project staff are using experimental, safe-guarded hatcheries to improve hatching rates, and from these are successfully

Why Are Some Coral Reefs Rich in Corals and Fish and Others Not?

Asia’s Coral Triangle, bounded by the coasts and island of four countries – Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea – is the most extensive coral coverage in the world. In 1999, WCS began one of the most extensive marine surveys in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea that examined the factors that maintain healthy coral reef ecosystems. This study examined 15 sites across Indonesia measuring a number of ecological and socioeconomic variables. We found that formal management in and of itself does not promote the health of corals and fish populations. Rather, a strict adherence to a management system – whether formal or traditional, or permanent or semi-permanent – appeared to promote ecological health. These indicate the importance of developing a management system, which local stakeholders, government or others, can and will support.