PONTIANAK - A number of experts and observers of Indonesian rare tree conservation gathered in Pontianak on Thursday (20/7/2017). They discussed the draft Strategy and Conservation Action Plan (SRAK) for Rare Trees in Kalimantan Region.

Government, non-government, private, and professional rare tree conservationists in Indonesia see the need to immediately discuss conservation measures. This effort is made following the high threat to the existence of natural forest trees over time due to land conversion and habitat degradation.

Currently, there are at least 397 Indonesian tree species that are threatened with extinction and included in the IUCN red list in 2017. Unfortunately, conservation efforts for these rare and threatened trees in Indonesia have not received serious attention. This condition is coupled with limited scientific information on the existence, population, and biology of rare tree species.

"The meeting of the parties at the Kalimantan Regional level this time is intended to collect the latest information as well as initial input regarding the conservation status of each rare tree species spread across Kalimantan. Later, this information will be used to develop an effective and targeted SRAK for the preservation of rare tree species in Indonesia," said Director of Biodiversity Conservation Bambang Dahono Adji in Pontianak, Thursday (07/20/2017).

This meeting is a series of discussions on the preparation of SRAK after the previous meeting of the parties in the Java Region on June 30, 2017 in Bogor. The expected information is related to the identification of locations where rare tree species are found - both historically and currently -, the distribution pattern of each species at each location, and the estimated size of each species at each location.

In addition to the above objectives, this regional meeting is also an effort to mainstream the issue of rare tree conservation in Indonesia in each region, which until now has received less attention.

Head of the West Kalimantan Forestry Service Marius Marcellus TJ said the existence of rare trees in nature is very dependent on habitat conditions. "Efforts to conserve rare trees and their habitats must be a priority in biodiversity management," he said.

According to Marcell, these conservation efforts require the involvement of all of us. Not only the government from the forestry sector and other ministries, but also local governments, the private sector, forestry partners and the community as a whole.

After the Indonesian Rare Tree Forum (FPLI) meeting coordinated by LIPI and KKH-KLHK, 12 trees were determined as priority species for Indonesian rare tree conservation. Six of them are distributed in Kalimantan, including two species of durian, belian/ulin, kapur, mersawa, and tengkawang telur.

"This forum specifically seeks to prevent the extinction of rare tree species, ensuring their benefits to humans in the long term, the preservation of wildlife and broader environmental aspects. Towards this direction, one of the movements carried out is the preparation of SRAK for priority endangered tree species," said Professor Tukirin, Chair of FPLI.

Uncontrolled harvesting of forest timber has also caused various natural forest tree species to become rare and endangered. This condition then encourages many parties to move quickly in preserving rare tree species, one of which is through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) activities at the regional level as a step to realize the National SRAK.

"One of the targets to be achieved in this Kalimantan regional meeting is the identification of the main threats that cause extinction and are currently facing seven rare tree species in a location, including the identification of various control factors," added WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program Manager Albertus Tjiu.

Furthermore, a Sumatra Regional meeting will be held to gather the latest information from stakeholders on priority rare tree species in Sumatra. With the existence of the Indonesian Rare Tree SRAK document, rare tree conservation efforts in Indonesia can be implemented in accordance with the strategies set together.

Notes:
12 Rare Tree Species of Indonesia

After a series of forum meetings based on the expertise of its members, 12 rare Indonesian tree species were determined based on the criteria of the value of benefits to humans and ecosystems, geographical distribution, population size, threats and insitu and exitu conservation efforts that have been carried out, as well as from the attention of government institutions. The 12 species were then grouped into three critical priority categories, namely:

Critical Priority I: narrow endemic, small population, ongoing threat
1. Dipterocarpus littoralis (Plahar/Java Meranti) - endemic to Nusakambangan, Central Java 1.
2. Dipterocarpus cinereus - endemic to Mursala Island, North Sumatra 2.
3. Vatica bantamensis (Kokoleceran)- endemic to Ujungkulon, West Java 3.
4. Vatica javanica ssp javanica - endemic to Java (Brebes and Priangan) 4.

Critical Priority II: limited distribution, rapidly declining population, utilized by the community, conservation efforts are still difficult

5. Dryobalanops aromatica (Lime) - Sumatra, Kalimantan
6. Shorea javanica (Cat's Eye resin) - Sumatra, Java 6.

Critical Priority III: limited or widespread distribution, rarely found in natural habitats, utilized by the community, conservation efforts have been carried out but have not optimally returned the population to safe levels

7. Shorea pinanga (Tengkawang) - Kalimantan
8. Eusyderoxylon zwageri (Ulin/Belian) - Sumatra, Kalimantan 8.
9. Anisoptera costata (Mersawa) - Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan.
10. Durio oxleyanus (Durian Karantongan) - Sumatra, Kalimantan < br />
11. Durio graveolens (Durian Burung) - Sumatra, Kalimantan < br />
12. Castanopsis argenta (Saninten) - Java, Sumatra