Land clearing and habitat fragmentation not only trigger environmental degradation and spatial conflicts between humans and wildlife but also weaken oversight, exacerbating illegal wildlife trade with estimated state losses reaching IDR 9-12 trillion annually. Beyond material losses, the disruption of natural corridors caused by habitat fragmentation also leads to inbreeding depression, or mating among closely related individuals, which threatens the long-term genetic resilience of Indonesia’s fauna.
Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Biology UGM), Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, underscored the significant responsibility to safeguard Indonesia’s megabiodiversity from the increasing threats of environmental degradation and habitat fragmentation. If left unaddressed, these issues could lead to species scarcity and inbreeding. According to him, the anthropocentric approach adopted thus far has disrupted the harmony of nature.
“We often take pride in being a megabiodiverse country. However, an anthropocentric approach poses a serious threat to natural balance,” he stated.
He also emphasized the importance of correcting the public misconception of the “law of the jungle.” According to him, before human intervention, forests functioned under natural laws characterized by harmony and balance.
“Before irresponsible human interference, forests operated under harmonious natural laws. It is human activity that has led to forest loss and disrupted that balance, the consequences of which we are now experiencing,” he concluded.
A conservationist from the Center for Orangutan Protection (COP), Indira Nurul, emphasized that efforts to develop wildlife habitat corridors must not be undertaken arbitrarily without a strong scientific basis. She explained that territorial aspects and wildlife movement ranges must serve as primary considerations before such infrastructure is developed.
“If habitats are separated by roads, canopy bridges can indeed help animals cross safely. However, in-depth ecological studies are essential. We need to ensure the exact points where animals cross so that the corridors function effectively,” she explained.
In addition to terrestrial wildlife, attention to aquatic biodiversity is also a priority in maintaining ecological balance. A lecturer at the Animal Structure and Development Laboratory, Biology UGM, Dr. Luthfi Nurhidayat, explained that the decline in local fish populations, such as wader pari, is partly caused by dam construction that obstructs aquatic migration. This condition is worsened by population separation, which increases the risk of malformation or genetic defects and the loss of local fish species.
“Fragmentation leads to population isolation, which may result in malformations, such as fish without tails or with abnormal head shapes. This can ultimately reduce population numbers. Moreover, water pollution further contributes to the disappearance of local fish, leaving only invasive species,” he said.
Dr. Nurhidayat further described an in situ conservation program through the restocking of wader fish in the Baros River and Gandok River in Yogyakarta. Unlike general fish release programs, this initiative prioritizes several scientific stages, including habitat assessment, genetic quality testing, and periodic population monitoring.
“We conduct restocking to enhance recovery capacity. In this process, we also introduce new genetic material so that the resulting individuals are more robust than those previously affected by fragmentation,” he explained.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Mongabay/Andrew Walmsley and OuTrop