REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, HALMAHERA \u2014 Mining activity in areas of high\nbiodiversity requires continuous ecosystem monitoring. In Halmahera,\nNorth Maluku, flora and fauna monitoring has been expanded to track\nchanges in biodiversity conditions whilst also serving as a foundation\nfor habitat management within the mining operational area.<\/p>\n
PT Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), together with Khairun University, is now\nconducting biodiversity monitoring at 40 points, an increase from the\nprevious six. The research collaboration has been running for\napproximately four years.<\/p>\n
Khairun University researcher and lecturer M. Natsir Tamalene said\nthe expansion of monitoring points is important because Halmahera lies\nwithin the Wallacea region, a transitional zone with high levels of\nendemism. A number of species in the area also have restricted\ngeographic distributions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor that reason, repeated monitoring at multiple points is essential\nto observe changes in biodiversity conditions over time, rather than\nonly obtaining a snapshot of a single period,\u201d said Natsir.<\/p>\n
Through this monitoring, the research team has verified around 249\nplant species. Of these, 8.8 percent are locally endemic, 5.6 percent\nhave regional distributions extending as far as Papua, and 1.2 percent\nare spread across regions as far as the Philippines. Around 63 percent\nof plant species were found in primary habitat.<\/p>\n
The monitoring also identified 53 bird species, 28 insects, eight\nmammals, eight amphibians, four ground-dwelling fauna, and three\nreptiles. In addition, there are 35 fauna trigger species and 18 species\nprotected by the Indonesian government.<\/p>\n
One finding of particular concern is the Boki Mekot spiny rat\n(Halmaheramys bokimekot), a mammal endemic to Halmahera with an\nextremely limited distribution range. The species was recorded through\ncamera traps and Sherman traps at one of WBN\u2019s monitoring points.<\/p>\n
Natsir explained that the characteristics of each fauna group require\ntailored monitoring methods. Birds are observed through direct sightings\nand sound, whilst mammals are monitored using camera traps, among other\nmethods. Bats, reptiles, small mammals, and nocturnal fauna are also\nmonitored using methods and traps suited to their respective\ncharacteristics.<\/p>\n
Weda Bay Nickel\u2019s Senior Rehabilitation Superintendent, Fitri\nRahmadani Ritonga, said biodiversity monitoring is not carried out\nmerely to fulfil the company\u2019s obligations. The data obtained is used as\na basis for determining the management and development of biodiversity\nprogrammes.<\/p>\n
According to Fitri, monitoring results can identify areas with higher\nbiodiversity value. That information then informs the planning of\nbiodiversity programmes and environmental management set out in the Weda\nBay Nickel Biodiversity Action Plan.<\/p>\n
WBN is also strengthening its biodiversity database through a\nCritical Habitat Assessment (CHA). The study covers surveys of 146\ntarget species classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered,\nVulnerable, as well as species protected by the Indonesian\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Of the assessment, 111 species were identified as critical habitat\ntriggers. The results serve as one of the foundations for formulating\nthe Biodiversity Action Plan.<\/p>\n
Natsir said habitat change and fragmentation can have differing\nimpacts on each species. Animals with limited mobility, or those\ndependent on ecological corridors and roosting trees, for instance, are\nmore vulnerable when their habitat undergoes change.<\/p>\n
The same applies to plants with restricted geographic distributions\nor those dependent on specific habitat conditions. Habitat loss can\nincrease the risk to the survival of such species.<\/p>\n
For this reason, monitoring results and habitat assessments are used\nto identify areas of high biodiversity value and to support the planning\nof preservation zones within the company\u2019s operational area.<\/p>\n
At the operational level, WBN also enforces wildlife protection rules\nfor workers and business partners, including a prohibition on capturing\nand trading wild animals. Mitigation is carried out through operational\nactivity management procedures, the management of\nhigh-biodiversity-value areas, and the installation of wildlife\nprotection signs and warning boards.<\/p>\n
Fitri said field monitoring, collaboration with academics, habitat\nassessments, and the implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan are\ndirected at strengthening data-driven biodiversity management.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese steps form part of efforts to preserve the ecological function\nof the area whilst supporting environmental sustainability amid mining\noperations in Halmahera,\u201d said Fitri.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/biodiversity-monitoring-expanded-amid-nickel-mining-activity-in-halmahera-1789480395", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }