DEVELOPMENT OF GEOSPATIAL PRODUCTS FOR PRIORITY AREAS OF ECOREGION BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN WEST JAVA

• Main Author: Edward Sipahutar, Dustin
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Teknik (Rekayasa, enjinering dan kegiatan berkaitan)
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/81729
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Global biodiversity is facing a serious threat of extinction. Indonesia, as one of seventeen megabiodiversity countries in the world, was responsible for 60% of global biodiversity loss between 1996 and 2008. Threats such as hydrometeorological disasters and socio-economic pressures increasingly threaten the integrity of fauna habitats in Indonesia, especially in West Java. Conservation areas are the most effective way to preserve natural ecosystems. In determining conservation areas, basic and systematic initial steps are needed, therefore a reference is used in the form of Open Standards for The Practice of Conservation published version 4.0 which was published in 2020 by CMP (Conservation Measures Partnership). This work will only cover the assessment phase, which is the first step in the process of determining conservation priority areas. This stage includes definition of conservation scope, identification of critical threats, assessment of the conservation situation, and use of spatial models to support data-based decision making. This research aims to develop geospatial products that play a role in determining priority areas for ecoregional biodiversity conservation in West Java, while also considering the positive impact on human welfare. By utilizing machine learning technology, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the conservation priority area model created will be displayed in WebGIS form to facilitate access to information related to conservation efforts. This work consists of several main steps. First, in defining the objectives and identifying the project team, it was determined that the main objective of this project was to develop a model to determine priority areas for biodiversity conservation in West Java, with a project team consisting of ITB and BBKSDA West Java students. Next, define the scope, vision and targets of conservation. This project focuses on the West Java location, protecting endangered endemic mammals, and providing carbon ecosystem services. Critical threats to conservation are analyzed, including direct threats from human activities and natural phenomena such as climate change. In developing the spatial model, four main models were developed: a multi-habitat suitability model, a carbon ecosystem services model, a climate pressure model, and a socio-economic pressure model. These four models are combined to determine conservation priority areas which are then displayed in WebGIS. The habitat suitability model uses several machine learning methods to determine areas that are suitable as habitat for endemic mammals. Ecosystem services models measure the potential for carbon sequestration and storage in conservation areas. Climate pressure models identify the risk of drought that could damage biodiversity, and socio-economic pressure models assess the impact of human activities on biodiversity loss. The developed WebGIS provides easy access for the general public to view interactive maps displaying information on conservation priority areas, habitat suitability, potential ecosystem services, as well as climate and socio-economic threats. With this approach, conservation efforts can be more focused, efficient and effective in protecting existing biodiversity and ecosystem services. The importance of using remote sensing data and machine learning in this work is to obtain broad, accurate and efficient data coverage in time and cost. Remote sensing enables the collection of data from large areas quickly, while machine learning helps in the analysis of complex data and provides more accurate predictions about areas that require conservation prioritization. In addition, this work also considers the social impacts of conservation activities. The planned conservation areas are expected to not only protect biodiversity but also provide direct benefits for human welfare, such as providing carbon absorption and storage ecosystem services. In its implementation, this product can be accessed and utilized by various parties, including the government, researchers and the public. With a databased approach and innovative technology, this project is expected to make a significant contribution to protecting biodiversity in West Java and become a reference for future conservation efforts.