IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Padmanaba, M.; Sheil, D.; Basuki, I.; Liswanti, N. | |
| Accessing local knowledge to identify where species of conservation concern occur in a tropical forest landscape | |
| 2013 Environmental Management (52): 348-359 | |
Conventional biodiversity surveys play an important role in ensuring good conservation friendly management in tropical forest regions but are demanding in terms of expertise, time, and budget. Can local people help? Here, we illustrate how local knowledge can support low cost conservation surveys. We worked in the Malinau watershed, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, an area currently at risk of extensive forest loss. We selected eight species of regional conservation interest: rafflesia (_Rafflesia _spp.), black orchid (_Coelogyne pandurata_), sun bear (_Helarctos malayanus_), tarsier (_Tarsius bancanus_), slow loris (_Nycticebus coucang_), proboscis monkey (_Nasalis larvatus_), clouded leopard (_Neofelis diardi/N.nebulosa_), and orang-utan (_Pongo pygmaeus_). We asked 52 informants in seven villages if, where and when they had observed these species. We used maps, based on both geo-refereced and sketched features, to record these observations. Verification concerns and related issues are discussed. Evaluations suggest our local information is reliable. Our study took 6 weeks and cost about USD 5000. Extensive expert based field surveys across the same region would cost one or two orders of magnitude more. The records extend the known distribution for sun bear, tarsier, slow loris, and clouded leopard. Reports of rafflesia, proboscis monkey, and orang-utan are of immediate conservation significance. While quality concerns should never be abandoned, we conclude that local peopla can help expand our knowledge of large areas in an effective, reliable, and low cost manner and thus contribute to improved management. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |