Collaborative Environmental Project in Indonesia

ENVIRONMENTAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Tropical Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of The Distribution of Endemic Palms of Sulawesi in The Tondano Watershed of North Sulawesi, Indonesia  

by: Wiske Chriesti Rotinsulu

(email address: wisker@manado.wasantara.net.id)

 A Major Paper for Master of Environmental Studies Degree

York University, 2000

The distribution patterns and diversity of endemic palms of Sulawesi were studied in eleven different sites and land cover types in the Tondano watershed, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.  Local uses and knowledge of the endemic palms and their impacts on land use changes were also documented in this three-month study, as a precursor to examining the impact of socioeconomic activities on the palms.  Distribution maps of endemic palms of Sulawesi were generated by ARC/View GIS provided baseline information on the distribution patterns of such species.  This study revealed widespread and narrow distribution patterns of 9 identifiable endemic palms of Sulawesi.  It also identified Mount Klabat and Mount Tumpa with their different habitat characteristics as areas of high species diversity.  The study findings confirmed that forests are the most preferable habitat for endemic palms.  The research findings also suggest that although the exploitation of endemic species, especially rattan, for commercial and subsistence purposes appears to be a major factor which could place them at risk, habitat loss due to forest conversion is the largest threat to the survival of many palm species.  As such, conservation of the endemic palms of Sulawesi should be pursued by ex situ conservation, in addition to protecting their natural habitats (in  situ conservation).

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