field methods for conservation and policy-making€¦ · species global conservation statusb local...

FIELD METHODS FOR CONSERVATION AND POLICY-MAKING

VIEW FROM THE BANGGAI IS., SULAWESI, INDONESIA

outline

• Research … Outreach

• knowledge-based policy making

• warning: highly local

• small islands, decentralized, endemism

Togean Is. (to the north)

Eastern peninsula, Sulawesi

Banggai Is. (to the south)

Peleng I,

of the Banggai Is.

Notes:

•Dark green = primary forests

•Lighter green= secondary forests

Species Global conservation status b

Local status c

Pearl Oyesters, including Pinctada margaritifera Commercially threatened PresentGiant clams, including Tridacna gigas Vulnerable Common in 1991Coconut crab Birgos latro Data deficient Relatively common in 1991* Banggai Cardinalfish Pteropogon kauderni --- Relatively common At least two species of chelonid turtles, Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricate

Endangered Present

o Sula Megapode Megapodius bernsteinii Near threatened Common but declining Bald-faced Rail Gymnocrex rosenbergii Vulnerable Present o Slaty Cuckoo-shrike Coracina schistacea --- Present Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica Near threatened Present # Banggai Crow Corvus unicolor Critically Endangered Restricted to western half

of Peleng I. o Helmeted Myna Basilornis galeatus Near threatened Common o Henna-tailed Jungle Flycatcher Rhynomias colonus

Near threatened Present

Red-backed Thrush Zoothera mendeni Proposed to be ‘Near threatened’

Unknown

# Peleng Island Cuscus Strigocuscus pelingensis

--- Relatively common

# Sulawesi tarsier Tarsius spectrum pelingensis --- Common Dugong Dugon dugon Vulnerable Present

rich in marine biodiversity

Includes a mouth brooding endemic species, Pterapogon kauderni a.k.a. the Banggai Cardinal Fish

Photo: A. Vagelli

Fishes from the forests ….

• Discovered (109 years ago), – never seen alive by ornithologists hitherto

• 1991– archipelago-wide searches,

a small brownish crow, in moss forest, at c. 600 – 700 m a.s.l. , quite wild

• Confirmed (2004,’06,’07, ‘08)

– the island’s western par only– primarily, a forest bird, lower montane to sub-alpine – on the altitudinal range of 500 – 900 m.a.s.l.– only in 3 sub-districts (Buko, Bulagi, Liang)– specimens, photos, and sound recording for sonograph analysis

• A true point endemic – Re-characterization: good species

Photo: F. Masala

Critically endangered Banggai Crow

Leap of faith of the unconverted

Drawing Agus Prijono

GOAL

Developing local capacities

communities and government

conservation and sustainable development

Photo: Frangky Masala

Objectives Objectives Community conserved areas Community conserved areas

–– Especially sacred places in the forests Especially sacred places in the forests

sacred places = sacred places = ‘‘old religionold religion’’

Conservation, in exchange for agricultural improvementConservation, in exchange for agricultural improvement

–– improved livelihoods assistanceimproved livelihoods assistance

–– the study tours were paid for by the the study tours were paid for by the ““KuyakKuyak”” Banggai CrowBanggai Crow’’

District spatial planningDistrict spatial planning

Culture

a crucial ancillary that should be considered for conservation and sustainable development.

Photos: Frangky Masala

Culture of nature (Lowe 1999)

people: physical, socio-cultural landscapes and seascapes

‘nature’ becoming artifact of culture

Approaches • ‘science’; indigenous knowledge

• Anthropology: participants’ observations, FGDs, SsI

• Trade off – Agricultural technical assistance (training, from farmer to farmer)

• to alleviate shifting cultivation– Shared learning: Ecotourism study tour to Tangkoko,

‘vertebrates are not mere fishes from the forests’– Hooking up district governments with more advanced district

governments and int’l development agencies

• Engaging the district government– enabling policies

ActivitiesActivities

Public discussions in the villagesPublic discussions in the villages

Study tourStudy tour

–– Creating the demand Creating the demand

–– of what might have been of what might have been

Ecotourism vs. Ecotourism vs. bushmeatbushmeat

Sustainable agriculture vs. Shifting cultivation Sustainable agriculture vs. Shifting cultivation

ActivitiesActivities

Engaging with the district Engaging with the district governmentgovernment–– Spatial plans Spatial plans –– Community protected areas Community protected areas

Engaging with the central (and Engaging with the central (and provincial) provincial) government(sgovernment(s))

Media pressure Media pressure

The initial road show: The initial road show: Public discussions in situPublic discussions in situ

over four different forested villagesover four different forested villagesMore than 200 people were talked toMore than 200 people were talked to

religious networks (suspended impacts) religious networks (suspended impacts) continuing the campaign, through the yearscontinuing the campaign, through the yearssuspended impactssuspended impacts

locally devised conservation sloganslocally devised conservation slogans

““sodiyosodiyo tomisitomisi KuyakKuyak nana madaangmadaang doidoi togongtogong PelengPeleng””((let the let the KuyakKuyak be abundant in be abundant in PelengPeleng).).

Photos: Simson Katiandag

Ecotourism Study Tour (Ecotourism Study Tour (TangkokoTangkoko) )

Direct

observations

interactions

Photos: Frangky Masala

Ecotourists in Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Study tour: Discussions Study tour: Discussions

Photo: Frangky Masala

study tour: what the islanders say study tour: what the islanders say

“… as if the tarsiers were holding festivities, and humans came endlessly from all over the world to attend the festival… ”Mrs. Dorkas See, the Head of Village of Alul

“… it is amazing that an animal as small as tarsiers could elicite so much flow of (tourism) dollars…”.

Mr. Un Madus, farmer and hunter, Tetendeng village

Photo: Frangky Masala

study tour: what the islanders saystudy tour: what the islanders say

• “… even if the (Tangkoko) guides lacked formal education, they can learn foreign languages (especially English) and lead the visitor groups … ‘

Mr. Labi Mopook, farmer, Ginggiok sub-village

“ … (Mr. Henry Palamia, local elder) taught us how to fight for the good of environment, for the common people, and not merely expecting outside assistance.. ”

Mr. Reverend Ayub Maleso, Head of village legislature, Tetendeng village

Study tour Study tour

focused group discussion (FGD)on the economic benefits of conservation,

featuring

• a local ecotourism leader,

• an international primate researcher,

Photos: Frangky Masala

• and one int’ television programme

Borderless learningBorderless learning

farmers and hunters presenting local perspectives in university farmers and hunters presenting local perspectives in university discussiondiscussion

the spirit of enterprise:

formal institutions are not the only sources of knowledge;

forest dwellers are also sources of wisdom and knowledge

Photo: Frangky Masala

Agricultural study tour (Agricultural study tour (TomohonTomohon),),north north SulawesiSulawesi

Farmer to farmer: Learning from the local practicians

in collaboration with

Yayasan Masarang Foundation

Tomohon Association of Sugar Palm Growers

Photo: Frangky Masala

Agricultural study tour (Agricultural study tour (TomohonTomohon) )

For the first time,

the islanders learn about

•‘bedeng’ (terracering)

• fertilizing the soils

•diversification and management of crops

•in lieu with seasonality, maintaining productivity of soils

•marketing and pricing

•cooperatives, and the organization of farmers

Photo: Frangky Masala

NonNon--wood forest productswood forest products

International citizens are likely to purchase handicrafts from the Banggai Islands.

Practically no islanders have ever seen nor hold a US Dollar currency before

Photos: Frangky Masala

Heliconia and other pot-plants already found an international market in Europe

Non-wood forest products,

marketing

BioprospectingBioprospecting opportunities opportunities

Photos: Frangky Masala

applying the pressureapplying the pressure

National Media campaignNational Media campaignrediscovery of rediscovery of BanggaiBanggai CrowCrow

applying the pressureapplying the pressure

Local Media campaignLocal Media campaignagricultural study touragricultural study tour

‘Banggai Islands farmers

trained in Tomohon’

‘C. Sulawesi farmers trained

in Tomohon ‘

Engaging district government

report to the Regent• ten-page letter, cc 9 representations of government agencies

and community members, in Bahasa Indonesia

response from the district government• dated 25 July 2007; number: 500/02.15/ Bag. Ekon/ 2007, • signed by the District Assistant of Economics and Development• acknowledging the importance of environment development

and ecotourism

request for assistance from the district government• dated 31 Jan. 2008; number 500/3583/Bag. Ekon/2007,• signed by the Vice-Regent• to seek structural model for establishment of District

Environmental Agency

Engaging the provincial government

from this study report, the Head of Provincial Conservation Agency, 10 December 1998,

issued a circular (367/BKSDA VI-1/1998), outlining proposals to protect endemic fauna in Central Sulawesiespecially those in Banggai and Togean Is.

In 2004, Togean was declared a national park

meetings with the Head of Provincial Conservation Agency (18 July and 13 August 2007); agreements

need to create demand and process for establishment of nature reserves in Banggai Islands

multiple stakeholder meetings are needed collaborations should aim to establish district spatial plans (currently non-existent), and within the district spatial plans

community conserved areas can be establishedthrough bottom-up procceses

Lessons learned 1.a change, biodiversity

conservation in the eye of the local people

2.need assessment:

minimize assumptions

3.Direct compensations,

beyond do no harm

(agriculture vs. conservation)

Photo: Frangky Masala

Conservation does not stand alone

– trade off

– from conservation to sustainable development

– research to negotiation

– field to policy

Conclusions

•Local government support

• especially progressive minds

… islands of integrity

-Bottom up planning is possible

-Species mainstreamed into development

-Caveat: for conservation, years of investment

A long way ahead

Very many thanks Very many thanks BundesamtBundesamt ffüürr NaturschutzNaturschutz

The people, village and district governmentThe people, village and district governmentof the of the BanggaiBanggai IslandsIslands

British BirdsBritish BirdsNagao NEFNagao NEF

Museum Museum ZoologicumZoologicum BogorienseBogorienseYABSHI YABSHI –– YayasanYayasan BinaBina SainsSains HayatiHayati Indonesia Indonesia

ZGAP ZGAP Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and PopulatioZoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populationsns

Indonesian OrnithologistsIndonesian Ornithologists’’ UnionUnionCelebes Bird Club Celebes Bird Club

Prof. Dr. Pamela RasmussenProf. Dr. Pamela RasmussenDr. Paul DonaldDr. Paul DonaldMr. Roland WirthMr. Roland Wirth

Prof. Dr. Prof. Dr. SoekarjaSoekarja SomadikartaSomadikartaProf. Dr. Stephen GarnettProf. Dr. Stephen Garnett

Thank you …

Photos: Frangky MasalaDrawing Agus Prijono

Rhynomias colonus …

faster than ornithologists

born in a grave

no parental care

builds mounds of nests

ocean crosser

only in Sula and Banggai

Biology?

‘Kailong’Megapodius bernsteinii

another species our team re-discovered in 1991 after more than 70 years ‘lost’ from science

For the first time everthrough the present endeavour

the major types of the forest habitats have been studied

Lowland to sub-alpine forest remnants

Lacustrine wetlands … rare in Wallacea

Identities?

Taxonomy?

Biology

Dysphania (Geometridae:Geometrinae).

Draco boschmaiPsammodynastes pulverulentus

Tropidolaemus wagleri

Draco boschmai

Psammodynastes pulverulentus Tropidolaemus wagleri

F. Masala F. Masala

F. Masala

Neither W & B 1986 nor Coates & Bishop 1998 mentioned that Banggai has a

Rhipudura teijsmanni fantail …

Investigation of this bird as a taxon hitherto unknown to science,

in progress

and truly cryptic ones…

Otus manadensis mendeni?

Otus magicus mendeni?

Otus mendeni?

Need

•DNA

•Vocal signature

2 species of Cuscus

One point endemic

Bear-cuscus Ailurops ursinus

Dwarf Cuscus Strigocuscus pelengensis

The little known performing arts …

Traditions rules …

but conservation calls for reason

and naturally,

the community has the right to know

Will the ecoturists come?

and will ecotourism save islands, biodiversity, livelihoods and... people?