IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY OF REDD+ SCHEME FOR ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION : A CASE STUDY OF THE SPECIAL PURPOSE FOREST AREA – GUNUNG GEULIS EDUCATIONAL FOREST

• Main Author: Rosyada Viharyo, Amrina
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/86633
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Indonesia as a country that have a significant portion of its territory designated as forest areas has a primary focus on enhancing sustainable forest management. Various types of forest formations and characteristics form the forest into a complex ecosystem. The complexity of the forest makes it a vital provider of ecosystem services for maintaining balance on Earth. One of ecosystem services currently reciving global attention is climate regulation, which is an example of regulating service provide by ecosystems. Reforestation activities are part of forest restoration efforts aimed at rehabilitating degraded forest to their initial condition. Forest restoration aims to restore biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by the forest. On a global scale, these activities can enhance the absorption and storage of carbon dioxide in forest and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts. REDD+ is one of the schemes that can serve as an alternative for forest restoration. REDD+ or Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation is a global mechanism under the Climate Change Convention that can be adopted by developing countries such as Indonesia. This mechanism offers economic incentives to developing countries to encourage sustainable forest management in order to reduce carbon emissions. The Special Purpose Forest Area – Gunung Geulis Educational Forest, designated as ITB’s Educational Forest, located within a contiguous area encompassing eight administrative village regions. Due to its proximity to local communities, deforestation and forest degradation become a threat that need to be carefully monitored. To address these treaths, a management approach is needed that not only prioritizes ecological aspects but also takes into social conditions of the communities surrounding the forest. Therefore, REDD+ scheme is considered a potential alternative program that encompasses ecological, economic, and social aspects. This study conducted to estimate the carbon emission baseline before the implementation of REDD+ activities, estimate carbon credits that can be generated after the implementation of REDD+ activities, and determine the implementation strategy for REDD+ scheme in ITB’s Educational Forest area. This study conducted using Landsat image analysis through Google Earth Engine to obtain landcover maps over a 20-year period. Then, the calculation of benefits and carbon credit values is carried out using methods outline by IPCC. Additionally, the implementation strategy is determined through SWOT – QSPM analysis. Landsat image analysis results show four types of land cover : non vegetated, sparse vegetation, medium vegetation and dense vegetation. The carbon emission baseline value is 173,226 tons CO2e per year or 47,244 tons C per year. This indicates that ITB’s Educational Forest has played a role as a carbon sink during the period from 2003 – 2023. With this baseline value, the restoration design is carried out by dividing the area into two blocks : a plant enrichment zone and carbon enhancement zone. Plant enrichment zone is a block dominated by landcover such as non vegetated and Kaliandra. Meanwhile, the enhancement zone is a block dominated by Pine, Mahagony, and mixed forest. In the plant enrichment zone, tree species from fastgrowing trees species and multi-pupose tree species categories will be planted, while in the carbon stock enhancement zone, tree species with high wood denisity will be planted. The estimated carbon credit value under the business-as-usual scenario is IDR. 4.785.184.127,- and uder the carbon stock enhancement scenario from planting trees over 20- years is IDR. 9.836.187.765. For the implementation of REDD+ scheme in ITB’s Educational Forest, three main strategies are recommended : capacity and technology building, collaboration and empowerment of local communities and strengthening regulations and monitoring of the ITB’s Educational Forest area.