Student Forestry Project

Eceng Gondok and Livestock Manure As a Power Source

2011-11-24T18:02:00.000-08:00

SAMARINDA - Kukar waters, especially lakes have the potential to generate electricity for the surrounding community by using environmentally friendly technologies. Of the 72,138 hectares of water area is overgrown with water hyacinth, capable of generating electric power by 10.72 MW.

"This is a potential that should be utilized for the prosperity of communities around the lake. But this potential has not been ogled, but the concept is very simple technology. We have done preliminary research on management of water hyacinth into electrical energy, "said Rudianto Amirta, lecturer at the Faculty of Forestry University Mulawarman (Unmul).

Through research conducted at the Clinic Unmul Cleaner Production (CPCU / Cleaner Production Unmul Clinic), he and other researchers make use of water hyacinth as a base material of biogas through fermentation by microorganisms. Of biogas was later converted into electrical energy.

"If local governments are willing to exploit this potential, may be made a kind of pilot project (pilot project, Ed.). We are ready to share the research we've done for the sake of community service, "said the man who completed the S3 at Kyoto University, Japan.

Mentioned about the reasons for the use of water hyacinth, Rudianto explained if the growth of water hyacinth is so fast that sometimes disrupt the ecosystem of the lake and the waters in East Kalimantan. "The concept is basically looking for problem solving (problem solving, Ed.) Of the problems facing the region. Preferred solution that can generate potential benefits of government and society, "he said.

From the survey results revealed water hyacinth conversion into biogas supported the growth of water hyacinth that has been measured, so the potential to be done on a large scale. From the extent of public waters in Kukar around 199 407 hectares, about 48.2 percent is lake waters or area of 96,184 hectares and amounted to 76 lakes. About 75 percent or 72 138 ha of lake area was overgrown with weeds water hyacinth-dominated water.

"Not just change the water hyacinth biogas so, we also conduct research on water hyacinth growth. From a plot measuring one square meter sample known to the average weight for 5 weeks increased by 496 percent, from 0.81 kg to 4.83 kg, "said Sri Purwatiningsih, researchers in other CPCU said.

Of water hyacinth growth data was obtained 34.8 million kg of wet water hyacinth from the lake area of 72,138 hectares. If the humidity factor in Kukar at 0:07, then the weight of water hyacinth dry kiln is obtained as many as 2.47 million kg. "From the results of water hyacinth processing into biogas obtained 5.56 ml of biogas per day in each gram of water hyacinth. This means that every day gained 13.74 thousand cubic meters. Example of biogas that there were 65 percent pure methane gas, then gained 8.93 thousand cubic meters of methane gas, "said Yuliansyah, Director CPCU.

From the data it is unknown if the per cubic meter of methane gas equivalent to 700 ml of fuel to power generators 2 horsepower for 2 hours or equivalent to 1.2 kW of electricity, so that from 8.93 thousand cubic meters of methane gas will generate 10.72 MW of electrical energy.

"Seeing the increment value of production per day is so great, then this application can be done on the lake in Kukar. If Regency Kukar interested, of course we are ready to conduct cooperation in the implementation of this application of our research, "said Yuliansyah Rudianto and Sri Purwatiningsih together.

Three Attempts to the Resurrection of Forestry Sector

2011-03-30T23:24:00.000-07:00

Three decades, is a long enough time in the history of forest management in East Kalimantan. During that time there have been many events that could raise Indonesia as the world's largest timber producer. East Kalimantan forest exploitation, quite a lot of generating foreign exchange and become the biggest advocate for the execution of various development sectors.

Various forestry activities absorb a lot of manpower. But along with the decline in timber production, reduced planting activities (reforestation, afforestation and construction of Industrial Plantation Forest - HTI), and the timber industry activity in recent years, resulting in East Kalimantan forestry sector activity began to subside. Thousands of workers - ranging from power coarse, medium to professional labor (eg graduate of Forestry) was laid off or lose a job.

While in East Kalimantan, there are still a number of timber companies and timber processing industry, but to be able to rise up as in its heyday, when it is quite difficult. Therefore, the Government of East Kalimantan province in its development, strive to revitalize development in the forestry sector, in line with the vision to realize the Province of East Kalimantan as "Agro Industry and Energy Centre Leading Toward a Just and Prosperous Society."

It is now no longer Kaltim has great potential for forest and forest concession (HPH) is limited. But the next provincial government will attempt to build East Kalimantan forests through afforestation, reforestation and industrial timber estates (HTI) for critical forests, barren lands from fire, illegal logging and not priduktif it green again.

DEFORESTATION

East Kalimantan Province is an area of 20,865,774 hectares, comprising land area of 19,844,117 ha and 1,021,657 ha of marine area management. The total area of forests and waters according to Minister of Forestry Decree No. 79/Kpts-II/2001, covering an area of 14,651,553 hectares. But from a research note, in East Kalimantan deforestation is reaching at least 325 thousand hectares per year, so now there are still quite a lot of critical land or no productive inside and outside forest area.

In line with the era of reform and the enactment of Law No.32 of 2004 and the Central-Local Fiscal Balance, then forest management in Indonesia are now also beginning to change. The orientation of forest management is now no longer solely for the purpose of profit, but was aiming at the preservation-oriented management. Similarly, institutional managers, not just the Ministry of Forestry, but has already started rolling into the province and district, in the hope desentra-zation is conceptually forest management will result in management of systems that are democratic, participatory and open.

Meanwhile, forest development are now oriented approach to sustainable forest development in order to realize the sustainability of forests and ecosystems, and the involvement of society at large. In this regard, the Provincial Government of East Kalimantan in 2010 and has launched a program Green Kaltim (Kaltim Green) with the obligation to plant one of five trees (One Man, Five Trees - Omfit), which until now has been realized about 5 million trees of the target of approximately 17 million trees in 2013.

Accordingly, the Governor of East Kalimantan H Dr Awang Faroek responded positively to each of the planting of trees as well as the success of the program Kaltim Green.

Although not the same as the previous era, but the future development of the forestry sector should regain its footing. If this sector rose again, so will many of the parties involved or absorbed in the existing employment.

For the rise of forestry in East Kalimantan at least three efforts that must be implemented in an integrated manner with relevant stakeholders and sustainable. First, planting activities (reforestation, afforestation and HTI) returned must be enhanced with the support of government funding, private and banking.

Second, large-scale industries can not be relied upon again, to the open business opportunities through industrial-scale timber industry by creating small and medium enterprises for the purpose of product diversification and local and export markets.

Third, research and development (R & D) Forestry and research institutes in universities and other institutions should play a role by generating maximum science and technologies that can be applied directly utilized by the community.

This effort is not easy to be realized immediately. Need commitment and support of all parties, both at central and regional government, business, universities, NGOs, and various other components that exist in society. (Ri / hmsprov).

Kaltim Forest Damage Reaches 8.1 Million Hectares

2011-03-30T23:16:00.001-07:00

SAMARINDA - East Kalimantan Deforestation increasingly apprehensive, based on data from East Kalimantan Forest Service in 2004 indicates a damaged area of forest resources to reach 6.4 million hectares and in 2009 increased to 8.1 million hectares, including the destruction of mangrove forests in the area of the Mahakam Delta.

"Deforestation Kaltim in 2004 reached 6.4 million hectares with an average damage rate of 350 thousand hectares per year. The damage continues, so in 2009 is estimated at 8.1 million hectares of damaged forest East Kalimantan," said the Governor of East Kalimantan, Dr Awang Faroek H Isaac at the welcome dinner REDD Implementation Workshop participants, in the hall Lamin Etam, Monday night (21 / 3).

According to Awang, in order to address the occurrence of damage to forest areas which have a negative impact on the environment, especially climate. East Kalimantan provincial government to do the necessary steps to reduce deforestation and forest degradation.

Important steps are among others that include aspects of institutional, sectoral empowerment and improving the welfare of society as well as cooperation with various stakeholders.
From the policy side, East Kalimantan provincial government tried to synergize the development-oriented approach to improving the welfare of society, while still considering aspects of environmental sustainability.

This was stated in East Kalimantan provincial government's vision, namely "To materialize as Central Kalimantan Agro Industry and Energy Leading Toward a Just and Prosperous Society." Concretely, the government's policy was stated in the activities of which are summarized in the program "Kaltim Green".

"Kaltim Green is a regional program that has the policies, governance and development that provides social and ecological protection of the community. As well as providing long-term guarantee of the safety and welfare of society and sustainable environment," he explained.
Declaration Green Kaltim (Kaltim Green) in January 2010 and then as a result of Kaltim Summit meeting. Through this declaration has been programmed to move one person to plant five trees (one man five trees) and to date has planted 4.83 million trees.

However, the East Kalimantan provincial government aware of these efforts are not without problems and constraints, especially concerning human resources and budget as well as institutional support that has not been firmly established.

"Accordingly, the need for enhanced cooperation with various related parties for the development of climate change programs, particularly in the area of East Kalimantan REDD can be done well," please Awang Faroek. (Yans / hmsprov).

Photo: Governor of East Kalimantan, Dr Awang Faroek H Ishak, continue to encourage the planting of trees including the types of local fruits as an effort to succeed in the program Kaltim Green. (Yayan / humasprov)

Kaltim Change 675 Million Forest To Plantation

2011-01-10T21:51:00.001-08:00

SAMARINDA: Integrated Team Revised Land Use Plan recommends the Province of East Kalimantan 675.3 thousand hectares of cultivation area of Forestry (CBC) to Non-Forest Areas Cultivation (KBNK). The amount is approximately 35.88% of the originally proposed area of 1.88 million hectares.

"This recommendation was increased 17.69 percent from the integrated team exposure on 13 October 2009 and which accommodates only 342 square KBNK Kaltim. 117 hectares or only 18.19 percent of the total proposed in RTRWP it," said Governor of East Kalimantan, Awang Faroek Isaac, Thursday .

This was revealed when Awang Faroek Isaac have a meeting with the Integrated Team Revised Revised Provincial Spatial Plan (RTRWP) Kaltim and 14 government district in East Kalimantan at the Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta on November 2, 2010.

"At the meeting, we (pemeritah provincial and district / city) agreed to ask the integrated team to conduct a study to look at the facts on the ground and consider that the society existed long before the designation of forest area and forest cultivation area (CBC) is now a desert weeds and barren land and no more activity in the region, "he said.

"Another thing that needs to be considered ie, permit holder HPH / HTI does not carry out his duties but in reality is retained as the CBC," said Awang Faroek Isaac.

In principle, the Governor further Kaltim, 11 districts have received the results of an integrated team work so had to continue on the public test and submitted to Parliament, while three districts namely Regency, West Kutai and East Kutai, has not accepted the recommendations of the reason is still there are different points of view concerning the substance of the criteria to be KBNK CBC changes.

Although in general have been approved but said Awang Faroek Isaac, East Kalimantan provincial government continue to provide records to an integrated team to make adjustments to various considerations, both aspects of biophysical, legal and social.

"We hope that the recommendations of an integrated team that can still be changed because the utilization of forest areas can not be avoided as the space requirements for regional development, both for residential purposes, the central government offices, public facilities and infrastructure development and construction of the border as a national strategic area," he said.

"The low percentage of an integrated team also recommended due to the different maps and facts on the ground and support them (unified team) also collided with the applicable legislation, for example, forests can not be used for plantation, but why it can be used for mining which may cause opening of land cover, "said the Governor of East Kalimantan.

Though it still says Governor of East Kalimantan, plantation crops like oil palm, rubber and cocoa can be a land cover.

"We believe, plantation crops provide income and livelihoods and well able to maintain the environment so there needs assessments for the harmonization of legislation in order to become one of the considerations in the use of CBC into KBNK," said Awang Faroek Isaac.

However, the East Kalimantan provincial government will still accept the recommendation of an integrated team to utilize optimally.

"We are optimistic, the recommended land area of an integrated team that can still be changed because there is still public testing process. However, if the land area that is final we will still be used optimally," said the Governor of East Kalimantan. (Ant/OL-3)

Find a New Species, LIPI Search at Kaltim Forest

2010-12-28T19:58:00.000-08:00

Previously, the team discovered a new species of Conservation International, Pinocchio-nosed frog

VIVAnews - Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and will continue to conduct scientific expeditions to discover new species in Indonesia.

"There are still many new species in Indonesia, which has not been found. The expedition will be made to Papua New Guinea," said Head of LIPI, Anggara Umar Jenie, after giving a speech on global warning Biodiversity Day which falls on May 22, 2010 at LIPI Biology, District Cibinong, Bogor regency, West Java.

LIPI, he added, will be working with researchers from Japan.
Meanwhile, Head of Research Center for Biology LIPI, Bogor, Siti Nuramaliati Prijono, say, at this year's scientific expedition will comb the area of East Kalimantan.

The expedition will be conducted in July and August. "The region of East Kalimantan is one of Asia's largest tropical forest and its location was on the border between Malaysia and Indonesia."

"Hopefully, the expedition found a number of new species," he said.

Previously, scientists who are members of Conservation International and LIPI survey, found several new species in remote forests in the Foja Mountains, Papua.

There is a long-nosed frog-like cartoon character, Pinocchio. Uniquely it can be elongated nose frog and deflate. There are also several new mammal species, such as the world's smallest wallaby, bats that feed on plant juices of tropical rain forests, giant furry rodents, insects, and some other animals, including yellow-eyed gargoyle geckos similar.

Frogs 'Pinocchio' by chance sitting on bags of rice in the camp of the scientists. Fortunately, Paul Oliver, scientists from the University of Adelaide to see its emergence.

During the survey, the team also found a wallaby, the smallest species in the kangaroo family. Also black and white butterfly that is found along the tree rats and pigeons emperor with a unique color, the color of rust, white, and gray.

The expedition was conducted in November 2008. The story of this discovery appeared in the June edition of National Geographic magazine, complete with photographs of the captured Tim Page, wildlife photographer.

The discovery of this new species was published a week after the United Nations (UN) said that world governments have failed to meet targets to stop the rate of species loss. (Mt)

Report: Ayatollah Humaeni | Bogor

Clouded Tiger: New Species in Borneo

2010-12-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

GENEVA, THURSDAY - Although already identified more than 100 years ago, the clouded leopard found on Borneo and Sumatra island only recently recognized as a new species since late last year. DNA test results showed, clouded leopard from Indonesia that has many different genetic properties similar to clouded leopards spread across the continent of Asia.

From now on, Neofelis diardi a new species name. Previously called the Borneo clouded leopard species name Neofelis nebulosa diardi. Clouded leopard was first identified in 1821 by British naturalist Edward Griffith and given the scientific name Neofelis nebulosa. Until now, all clouded leopards which are found in Asia are classified into one species with several subspecies variants.

However, DNA tests conducted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the U.S. showed that the clouded leopard in Borneo and Sumatra has 36 different genetic makeup than the clouded leopard general. In comparison, the lion and tiger are both big cats have different genetic properties of 56. Results of research conducted Valerie A. Buckley-Beason from the Laboratory of Genome Diversity at NCI and a number of his colleagues carried out on 109 clouded leopards living in different regions. These findings have been published the results in the journal Current Biology on December 6, 2006.

"For more than 100 years we see these animals and do not realize that he was unique," said Stuart Chapman, coordinator of the Heart of Borneo, programs, World Wide Fund (WWF), which aims to preserve forests on Borneo island. The new clouded leopard is classified as a new species is expected to remain between 5,000 to 11,000 thousand in Borneo and between 3,000 to 7,000 in Sumatra.

He has a style like a cloud of small, double-striped pattern on the back, and hair color gray, darker than similar species. Meanwhile, spread a kind of clouded leopard in Nepal, southern China, and Southeast Asia has a large cloud patterns, striped patterns only near the tail, and bright hair colors.

Neofelis diardi is a major predator on Borneo that are in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. Diet monkeys, deer, birds and lizards. The size of canines belonging to his longest among other cats. Life expectancy is now only remaining in the area of Heart of Borneo, a tropical forest in the central part of Borneo area of 220 thousand square kilometers which last month set by the government of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam as a conservation area.

These findings prove the importance of conservation efforts on the island of Borneo. Late last year, WWF announced the discovery of 52 new species, including 30 species of fish and plants on the island. (Source: AP)

166 Mining Company Threatens Forests of Borneo

2010-12-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

Samarinda (ANTARA News) - WALHI East Kalimantan data reveals that increasingly severe deforestation problem actually is not from the forestry sector, but there are 166 coal-mining company that is now doing lend use forest areas so that threaten its sustainability.

"Unfortunately, most of the land that became the region lend use by coal-mining company that is included in the category of protected forest," said Director of WALHI East Kalimantan, Samarinda Isal Ward on Monday.

morally and for the sake of saving kaltim remaining natural forests, he added there is no argument that justified when the new Minister of Forestry forest lending agrees to activities outside of forestry proposed by the Government of district / city and more than 60 mining companies in Kalimantan.

Based on data that showed the largest Walhi who filed a license lend use of forest is in South of 72 coal companies, and then reached 65 companies in East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan 20 companies, eight companies.

Since 2001, deforestation rates in East Kalimantan (the reduction of forest area) reached 350 thousand hectares every year, causing losses for communities in East Kalimantan are still dependent of forest products.

He explained that in the process, the central government through the ministry should not give permission lend use of forest areas for activities outside kehutatan although the rules / regulations are justified when existing SK Menhut lend use of forest areas.

"This request should be reviewed in depth given the increasing levels of deforestation in East Kalimantan and even penetrated the Protection Forest in East Kalimantan," he said.

Exploitation of forest area in East Kalimantan will have a very significant impact on sustainability and preservation of forests in East Kalimantan and directly affected the ecological disaster that occurred in East Kalimantan.

He added that for the case in the District Nunukan monitoring results show that the District Government kaltim WALHI (Pemkab) Nunukan had engaged in road clearing projects in protected forest areas.

"Regency until now have not indicated to be shown to the public regarding SK Menhut lend use Protected Forest areas in Nunukan district," he said.

Nunukan Pemkab action was a violation of the function areas and legislation applicable to the forestry sector.

"Seyogyakanya security forces should stop the project within the protected forest area," he asserted.

Isal added that the new Minister of Forestry also should not give SK lend use to Nunukan regency until there is an in-depth review of the project indicated the project has been carried out considering the absence of SK lend use issued by the Ministry of Forestry.

"Regarding the coal mining, it is obvious that these activities will indirectly reduce the forest area in East Kalimantan and to this reclamation carried out by some big companies in East Kalimantan coal has not run optimally," he said.

Lack of realization of the reclamation program is evident with the discovery of some reclaimed land that has not been maximally by a team of provincial Parliament some time that has passed. (Ant/K004)
Source: http://www.antaranews.com

Wain River Protected Forest

2010-12-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

Exactly, Wain-river protected forest is one of nature vacation destination place from East Kalimantan Province. Wain-river protected forest is combination between forest and river vacation. Wain-river protected forest has 10,025 hectares wide area. At 1932, Wain-river protected forest was under Kutai Sultanate protected. Afterward this exotic vacation destination place has becomes the clean water source for two big cities in East Kalimantan province (Samarinda and Balikpapan). Today this tropical rainforest has become one of the best Indonesia vacation packages from east Kalimantan province.

This forest enriches by many rare animals such as honey bear, black monkey, orang utan, etc. Since 1992, Wain-river protected forest has been used as rehabilitation place for orang utan. This forest has received 80 orang utan species which caught by Borneo Orang Utan Survival Foundations (BOSF). Besides as vacation destination place, this forest is used for flora and fauna laboratory in Balikpapan city. At this forest, the visitors can enjoy the beautiful of wain river panoramas. Wain-river protected forest condition which some of its place is swamp makes the visitors who want to come to this place must have good preparation. The visitors can try tracking experience to explore this forest. While exploring this forest, we can see various rare animals such as honey bear and orang utan.

Wain-river protected forest is located at Balikpapan city, East Kalimantan province. Situated 15KM at the north of Balikpapan city, we can come to this place from Balikpapan by using local public transportation. This forest location is near of Balikpapan – Samarinda route. So, if we want to find great vacation experience, just come to this place and feel great Indonesia vacation Packages from East Kalimantan province.

Grab One Billion Dollars of Oslo Moratorium

2010-11-26T18:52:00.000-08:00

Government of Indonesia on May 26, 2010 has signed agreement (Letter of Intent / LoI) in Oslo, Norway on a two-year moratorium on natural forest areas and peatlands in Indonesia.Ini means all permits relating to activities in natural forests will be stopped during two years. As for the affected in this regard include the forest industry, oil palm plantation industry, various mines in the woods and so forth.

Letter of Intent between the Government of Indonesia and Norway is a cooperative agreement between the two sides to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and forest degradation. In return, the Norwegian Government pledged one billion U.S. dollars, or about Rp 1 trillion dollars per year from this deal. It's a very tempting offer.

Campaign Director of Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) Muhammad Teguh Surya in Jakarta, said Walhi moratorium on further deforestation rate is in good faith that need to be appreciated and supported by all parties, because all this deforestation continues to occur and only a few certain people who enjoy it.

According to him, better known moratorium Moratorium Oslo it will not disturb the people's economy but it is very annoying black conglomerate (black corporation), because millions of hectares of forest land has been dominated by only a few people for a period of decades.

In West Kalimantan, for example, data from West Kalimantan Plantation Office until December 2009 said that the total area of oil palm plantation under a permit issued has reached 3,592,633.66 ha and only owned by 15 groups.

Meanwhile, in East Kalimantan (Kaltim), East Kalimantan provincial government has issued a location permit as many as 311 pieces with an area of 3,345,565.69 hectares. Until early November 2010, claiming the Plantation Office Program One Million Hectare Oil Palm has been planted as much as 573,196.41 hectares.

On the other hand, the Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan said the moratorium is the wish of Indonesia to give time for forest governance better. Thus, the signing of the LoI is a realization SBY's government for forest conservation in Indonesia.

"Indonesia is not under pressure or dictation Norway. Moratorium our desires, to forest governance. Indonesia was a big country, it is impossible supervised Norway, "said Zulkifli.

SBY's even set the program One Billion forests in Indonesia to reduce exhaust emissions by 26 percent to launch a man to plant a tree trunk (One Man One Tree).

This commitment is at the Kaltim by Governor dreamily Faroek add the program into one person plant the Five Trees (One Man, Five Trees). Awang well aware that forests need green Kaltim back.

The question is, if Indonesia can win the "reward" of Rp 1 trillion rupiah, whether the money for it certainly will come to the community around the forest has always been poor and disadvantaged?

That kind of money ought to give welfare to the community around the forest during their daily life is dependent on the surrounding forest.

The government should focus on the dignity and welfare peningatan forest communities by providing capital, management advisory business, providing health education and a more easy and affordable and others.

This is our duty to oversee where the money is flowing to a billion dollars. Should the benefits are truly able to provide welfare to the community around the forest in a fair and equitable. Hopefully. (Vb / yul)(Source: Vivaborneo.com)

East Kalimantan’s Unexplored Forest Reveals Mystery

2010-11-26T17:56:00.000-08:00

On December 6th, 2005, a team of ecoresearchers on Earth — in East Kalimantan — found evidence of a possible new carnivore, sparking excitement among researchers around the world.
It may not have been earth-shattering news, but it was interesting to many, because it made us realize that even on Earth, Mother Nature never ceases to surprise its inhabitants.
The red carnivore, which looks a little like a civet, was spotted in the 1.3-million-hectare Kayan Mentarang protected rain forest, near the Lalut Birai research station, where a nine-strong team from non-governmental organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Ministry of Forestry was compiling a biodiversity inventory.
A camera trap installed by local WWF staffers Andris Salo and Amat Uti in April 2003 captured two pictures of a creature with small ears, brownish, dark red fur throughout, large hind legs and a long thick, bushy tail.
“First, I was confused. I have never seen such a creature before,” said research team coordinator Stephan Wulffraat, who, at that time, had lived in the jungle for five years. “Later, I grew increasingly excited,” the Dutch ecologist said, sharing his feelings upon the discovery of a possible new species.
He showed the pictures to local staff and to several mammal experts from institutions like the Chicago Field Museum, U.S., where Dr. Harry Leaney, who has researched Southeast Asian mammals for 30 years, worked. He also contacted the Smithsonian, where Dr. Louise Emmons, who claims to have seen specimens of all mammals in Sabah, worked, and the Sabah Museum.
Nobody knew what kind of animal it was, Wulffraat wrote in his new book, Lalut Birai. It was definitely not a cat species, he continued. The book will be the most comprehensive flora and fauna inventory report released by the Lalut Birai research team. It contains information on thousands of flora and fauna species in the mysterious jungle.
Wulffraat said that the last carnivore found in Southeast Asia was the Borneo ferret-badger in 1895. The possible new carnivore would not be the first new species found in the Kayan Mentarang rain forest.
“Some 361 new species have been found in Kayan Mentarang over the last 10 years,” coordinator of WWF’s Heart of Borneo Program Bambang Supriyanto said on Monday in Jakarta during the press conference on the possible new species.
Of the 361 confirmed and published new species, 260 were insects, 50 plants, 30 freshwater fish, seven frogs, six lizards, five crabs and a toad.
According to a WWF report titled Borneo’s Lost World: Newly Discovered Species on Borneo, the discoveries are an underestimate as the discovery of many species has not yet been published in scientific literature or the press.
“In addition, whole groups of animals remain under-studied, including bats, which make up 40 percent to 50 percent of tropical mammal fauna and other small mammal groups, which are particularly difficult to survey due to their nocturnal habits, avoidance of possible predators or difficult-to-understand behavior,” the report said.
Such a situation made Wulffraat’s excitement at the red carnivore understandable.
Wulffraat was eager to return to Lalut Birai after spending a tough week answering a continuous stream of calls from reporters in Jakarta.
It will take two flights to East Kalimantan and an hour-long motorized canoe ride on the Bahau River for him to merge into the Kayan Mentarang rain forest once again.(Source: The Jakarta Post)

A portrait of deforestation in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

2010-11-18T00:31:00.000-08:00

Author: Maria Monica Wihardja, CSIS

Indonesia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. Illegal deforestation is currently rife, and the loss of government revenue associated with this illegality has been estimated at $US 100 million in East Kalimantan alone.

Deforestation is caused, in part, by land use changes resulting from cash-crop plantations and mining, particularly for coal in East Kalimantan. Recent increases in the rates of deforestation have occurred in three stages, and have been exacerbated by a number of policy developments and reforms.

The first stage of deforestation occurred when small-scale forest concessions were granted for collecting forest products—these grants were issued by a Forest Product Harvesting Permit (Hak Pemungutan Hasil Hutan or HPHH). Under Indonesia’s centralised government system, HPHH were issued by the Provincial Governor, whilst after decentralisation, the HPHH were issued by the head of a regency (the Regent), or the head of a city (the Mayor). The issuing of HPHH were a key driver of deforestation until 2002, when the authority of the Regent and Mayor to issue HPHH was withdrawn by the government through the Forest Ministerial Decree No. 541, 2002.

The second stage occurred from 2002 until 2005, when deforestation occurred mostly due to the expanding plantation sector, especially oil palm plantations. Recently, the multinational food corporations, Nestlé and Unilever, made an agreement with Greenpeace not to buy palm oil products, from the Indonesian palm oil producer PT Smart, a subsidiary of Sinar Mas—an Indonesian agribusiness conglomerate. This agreement was forged because of consumer and civil society pressure over environmental issues, such as the habitat loss of Orangutan — one of Indonesia’s most endangered and charismatic species. Greenpeace has also put pressure on Walmart to cease buying products from PT Smart, and has successfully lobbied HSBC to sell its shares in the subsidiary.

There are short-term socio-economic impacts resulting from the cancellation of palm oil contracts, such as the loss of employment in affected industries and the reduction of wealth flowing into rural communities — but these are insignificant when compared with the long-term benefits from reducing deforestation.

The third stage occurred from 2005 until present, this period has seen an increase in deforestation due to the expansion of small-scale coal mining.

This expansion has been driven by three factors.

First, changes to the land use legislation (Article 38 of National Law No. 41, 1999) allowed for mining on forested areas, including protected forests, through the issuance of a special permit (Borrowing and Using Permit) that is approved by the Minister of Forestry.

The Borrowing and Using Permit was granted to mining companies under the proviso that before the issuance of the National Law No. 41 they already held permits to mine in forest areas. Initially, there were only 13 companies eligible under this proviso, however, by May 2010, there were 54 permits issued in East Kalimantan alone. Out of the 54 permits, 53 permits were issued after the issuance of Government Regulation No.2, 2008, which set the tariff rate for exploiting non-forest products, including minerals and coal. This regulation was often perceived as an effort to ‘sell’ forest areas.

Second, the dramatic increase in the price of commodities prior to the global financial crisis increased mining in forested areas. The GFC depressed coal prices, but as of 2010, the coal price has rebounded, and this has seen an increase in investment in the mining sector. This investment has been supported by the central government, and local communities and indigenous communities have been willing to open up their land for mining.

Third, decentralising the issuance of mining concessions, combined with local direct elections gave rise to local capture and rent seeking. Mining permits became a political commodity to garner votes, and political campaigners and those who had access to the regent or mayor became brokers to interested mining investors.

Unless broad ranging policy reforms occur, and corruption is reduced, Indonesia will struggle to reduce levels of deforestation to locally and internationally acceptable levels — but these reforms will not occur overnight. For now, continued international pressure by civil society will be the most successful path of action.

Maria Monica Wihardja is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta.

Source: http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2010/09/25/a-portrait-of-deforestation-in-east-kalimantan-indonesia/

Policy Spatial Plan Province (RTRWP) East Kalimantan

2010-01-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

East Kalimantan Province Government should not have to "conversion" (averting enable) 1.3 million ha of forest areas for other purposes set out in the Spatial Plan Province (RTRWP) which is still be negotiated to the central government. In argument, Regional and Central Government have no reason to convert the millions of forest area. Conversion policy is contrary to the principles of environmental and peyelamatan amid increasing forest ecological disasters such as floods 3 times a year, landslides and increased district disaster-prone city in East Kalimantan.
Cultural Area Non-Forestry (KBNK) in East Kalimantan has reached 5.1 million ha (26.33%) of forest area in East Kalimantan (RTRWP, 1999) and if there is the addition of 1.3 million ha, the increase is for 7.03 % for KBNK. While the amount of protected forest area increased only about 1.2% from 4.6 million ha and Cultural Area Forestry (KBK) decreased approximately 10.32% of the 9.7 jt ha. East Kutai regency, West Kutai and Kutai Kartanegara are two districts that have the highest area proposed for conversion of forest areas with a total percentage ranging from 5% - 6%. Meanwhile, West Kutai district included in the category of landslide disaster-prone districts dilima; Peace, Long APARI, PAHANGAI Long, Long Bagun and Long Iram. Only Tarakan City are experiencing a reduction of 0.10% KBNK.
Spatial plan which was built by the government district / city and province were still relativized interests and rescue Environment and forests do not have the spirit of conservation and welfare of the people of East Kalimantan. The process of consultation and socialization to the community as stipulated in the Act No.26 Year 2007 About Spatial also has not performed maximally, so that not all the people of East Kalimantan to know and schools of the spatial changes that will potentially vulnerable in conflicts create horizontal and vertical community level.
Spatial Planning Province (RTRWP) is the product of policy concerning the public livelihood Kaltim, if the policy has the potential to cause high levels of escalation of conflict management of people's livelihood (SDA) and even to cause casualties, the government should thwart 'conversion' 1, 3 million ha of forest area. Enough already faced problems Kaltim community management of conflict of livelihood for decades occurred in East Kalimantan and no longer added to the formulation of spatial planning that does not side with the interests of the people of East Kalimantan.

Biopiracy in the Third World Countries

2009-08-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

Case Review and Practice in East Kalimantan
By: Kusnadi Wirasapoetra

What is Biopiracy?
An activity and utilization of biological materials, especially genetic resources, traditional wisdom and their devices indigenous / local without the approval and the community and the country of origin of materials and traditional wisdom.
"What is sought by the red hair and great body high, come to us, and ask that this ago to take samples from many plant our gardens and forests. How was where all of that?

Questions on the dilontarkan by a mother who came from the Dayak tribe Paser to me when about mid-1994. Previous about 3 January 1993, spread the news in daily newspapers Manuntung (Kaltim Post now), that the earth's crop pegs have successfully dibudidayakan by 2 people citizens of North Australia, was also being carried out testing or chemical analysis (ekstraksinya) The Earth to the womb some diseases.
Next in 1998, when I travel in the blood of Tanjung Issuy, precisely in the village Mancong, get news from the local community through the discussions in the stalls, not that long serombongan researchers have come from foreign countries to Japan are the type of survey, palm-trees for paleman bahanpangan. Questions and newspaper news that may be very similar also occurred in various regions across the Indnesia.

Resources Traditional Knowledge Society
Natural resources (in this case forest) is used by many native people of East Kalimantan, in addition to wood for building materials in the home, as well as other resources, rattan, gum resin, honey, and so forth. Gum resin used for the community as a putty material, lighting and lungun (chest). A bird believed to nest the various types of food and certain medicines. Honey bees as a food that is believed to increase energy and bat a certain disease. In addition madunya, honey wax traditionally by the Ancient Chinese used as embrocation. Tengkawang, known for making cooking oil, butter green. Biodiversity, biological resources of the island of Kalimantan is not limited. But some of the illustrations give a picture of the rich genetic resources for industry at this time of existence is threatened.

Dayak Paser people, who are in the region of East Kalimantan to the south that is included in group Ngaju-Luwangan, when the stomach feel sick and have symptoms of diarrhea, the leaves of a direct search. When he fell ill find rice leaf worm, he immediately took a kind of sap, then ago sprayed on rice that fell ill. When he found it burn, then it provides a kind of oil from one of the forest trees to be smeared on the wound.

Similarly for the Kayan tribe Dayal APO (APO Kayan Group) felt when the stomach pain, the kind of gaharu wood ampelur taken to mengbatinya. Community Resources Banuaq, known as the treatment of cancer. There are similar plants pegs earth taken root by the Dayak tribe in East Kalimantan to muscle disease, is not enthusiastic, increase appetite, increase virility, cure diabetes mixture, and so forth. Since Borneo island is known, then since it is already exploited natural resources and knowledge. To date, the fate indigenous (Dayak) in Kalimantan have no access to natural resources and knowledge from generation to generation owned and has been, caused by the policies of natural resource management that dominated Leh countries.
Various biological process that is identical with the indigenous Dayak culture, protection and utilization of hereditary awake well. An example of genetic resources Kalimantan that was unearthed from a cultural ceremony purchase process, which require different types of plants and animals as a condition to running activities.

Results of research CSBI (Seed Bank Community Improvement Program) Foundation in 1995 Rice, biological diversity in the traditional ceremony for purchase 50-100 plant species used, ranging from hard plant, herb, flower, type of rattan and bamboo-bambuan. In the same year, the results inventarisai types of rice in the local indigenous Dayak Paser and some indigenous Benuaq, Tidung in East Kalimantan, found 400 (four hundred) local varieties of rice paddy fields and mountains. Then in 1999-2000, the evaluation of rice varieties by the community and Indonesia Rice Foundation in cooperation with the Bogor Balitan, found almost as many as 300 varieties in the local District Paser, Samarinda and the City Build (Kutai). This amount is far from a reality that exists. In fact, the dry season long years 1997-1998, many local varieties of rice are lost because farmers failed to harvest and forest fires and land, in some rural areas Mahakam river, the region Bentian, Banuaq.

East Kalimantan a wide area 211,440 km2, has a biological diversity that is high enough, so various ethnic Dayaknya. Dayak communities in East Kalimantan with kamum termed indigenous (indegenous people), according to the English dictionary (hall Library, 1991), contains the definition, comes from the place concerned. The researchers (etnolog and anthropologist) agree that the native island Kalimantan adala mainland immigrants from Asia, ie, Yunan Province, South China. Dayak tribe of Borneo, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Bunai Darusalam, is not known exactly how the group number. And not easily grouping against Dayak tribe. According to the version of the Tjilik Riwut (1958), former Governor of Central Kalimantan in the book Building Kalimantan, the Dayak tribe into eighteen tribes for the entire island of Kalimantan is divided into small tribal 403-450.

According to data issued in 1996 by Summer Institute of Linguistics the U.S., 4 in Kalimantan prpinsi there are 82 languages used in daily life Leh Dayak tribe. Keragamana the language of this showed high enough in the process of high culture. In the same year, the original indigenous population of 9,110,500 inhabitants of Kalimantan, including a small region, Sabah and Serawak. This amount is certainly still far from the actual condition, the level of population growth on the island of Kalimantan.

While resources and traditional knowledge for the Dayak tribe in Kalimantan include plants, animals and other materials that are sacred, seremonial (traditional ceremony) and the heritage from generation to generation. In ownership of resources and knowledge for the Dayak people are usually not binding (communal / joint), had a spiritual function and feasible to protection. Therefore, maintaining the resources and knowledge this is the most important part of the struggle of the people on the Dayak tribe of resources and traditional knowledge (including land area and territorial) are hereditary which is protected by rules of local custom.

Exploitation of natural resources Kalimantan, through the control of forest activities through the activities of Forest Rights (HPH), Industrial Forest Plantation (HTI), transmigration, plantations, modern agriculture, mining is controlled by the authorities and the investor (capital), is the exploitation of the rights of natural and traditional indigenous Kalimantan. Not only on the level of control of forest only, exploitation of natural resources and traditional knowledge is also done by the capitalist (multinational companies) through the research institutions, private government, institution and individual universities in Indonesia have long since occurred. Impact of exploitation is the damage and devastation that occurred involved in this research institutions, pharmaceutical companies (medical, cultural (craft / artefacts), the system of natural resource management in Kalimantan that lead to pillage the resources of traditional knowledge and biodiversity.

Bat Concervation: Survey Techniques Training

2009-02-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

Training is an important part of any field research and is integrated within our survey projects. Research equipment, including a set of harp traps, has been donated to the Educational Biology department of the University of Palangkaraya. Since 2004 traps have also been sent to The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society and Indonesian Institute of Sciences. A series of training workshops has also taken place:

East Kalimantan:
During April 2005 two short training events were organised for TNC staff, conservationists, researchers and students from the Samarinda-Balikpapan area. Training focused on how to conduct a basic forest bat survey using harp traps, bat handling and identification. These events also served as rapid surveys of two important protected forests.

In Sungai Wain Protection Forest near Balikpapan a rapid survey followed by a formal training workshop for local ngo staff and staff/students from Universitas Mulawarman, Samarinda was hosted by Matt Struebig and TNC. The workshop followed a typical survey schedule whereby traps are set in the morning/afternoon and then checked in the evening and following morning, after which they are moved to a new position. The 20 participants gained valuable experience in survey design, setting traps, using taxonomic keys and bat identification. With no known caves in the area, the bat community of Sungai Wain resembles that of Tanjung Puting by being dominated by forest specialists.

In Sungai Lesan Protection Forest in Berau District, less formal training of TNC staff took place during survey work. Participants worked on the survey programme and were trained to set traps and identify the most common bats to species. Having good quality forest cover and being near to known karst areas has undoubtedly contributed to an impressive diversity of bats at Sungai Lesan. Together with a large orangutan population, TNC will use this information to lobby for increased protection of this area.

Central Kalimantan:
In November 2005, a two-day training course led by Dorothea Pio and University of Palangkaraya students Norma, Hetty, Misnandeni and Patur Rachman was conducted in Tangkiling, a cave system about 30km from Palangkaraya. Sixty-five students and two members of staff were trained in bat field-techniques.

Following support from Bat Conservation International a training manual has been developed that supplements existing field guides. The manual was written with Rakhmad Sujarno Kudus and Angela Benton-Browne in both English and Bahasa Indonesia. Please contact us for a copy.

Banggeris tree that has been found difficult.

2009-02-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

Banggeris (Bengeris) is a tree that should not be ditebang at the time of logging the forest. In fact this tree has been difficult to obtain. Banggeris tree as the main tree honey bee nest.

Koompassia excelsa (Becc.) Taub., in Engl. & Prantl. Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3, 3 (1891)
Latin for 'emergent or high', referring to the height of the tree.
Synonyms
Abauria excelsa Becc., Koompassia parvifolia Prain

Description
Emergent tree up to 76 m tall and 152 cm dbh. Stem very smooth. Stipules ca. 3 mm long. Leaves alternate, compound, leaflets alternate, penni-veined, glabrous, whitish below. Flowers ca. 2.5 mm diameter, white, placed in panicles. Fruits ca. 108 mm long, orange-red, extremely flattened, light weight wind dispersed pods, twisted along the length axis.

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 300 m altitude. Common at alluvial sites and on hillsides. Also found on limestone. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.

Uses
Trees used to collect honey. Wood is used for charcoal, heavy construction and furniture.

Distribution
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, East-Kalimantan), Philippines.

Local names in Borneo
Benggeris, Bunggaris, Kayu raja, Kempas madu, Mengaris, Tanjit, Tapang.

Naational Herbarium

Koompassia malaccensis
Kempas

Family: Leguminosae
Other Common Names: Impas (Sabah), Mengris (Sarawak).

Distribution: Malaysia and Indonesia; throughout lowland forests in rather swampy areas and also on hillsides.

The Tree: May reach a height of 180 ft with clear, usually straight boles to 80 to 90 ft, trunk diameters may reach 6 ft and more over heavy buttresses.

The Wood:
General Characteristics: Heartwood brick red when freshly cut, darkening on exposure to an orange red or red brown with numerous yellow-brown streaks due to soft tissue associated with the pores; sapwood white or pale yellow about 2 in. wide in large trees and clearly defined. Grain typical- interlocked, sometimes wary; texture rather coarse; luster variable; odor and taste not distinctive. The timber is slightly acidic and may be corrosive to metals. Streaks of brittle stone-like tissue are fairly common and are a source of mechanical weakness.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.72; air-dry density 55 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (2-in. standard)
Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength
(%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi)
Green (37) 14,530 2,410 7,930
15% 17,680 2,690 9,520
Janka side hardness 1,480 lb for green material and 1,710 lb for dry.

Drying and Shrinkage: The timber usually dries well though with some tendency to warping and checking. If included phloem is present, splits are liable to develop. Kiln schedule T6-02 is suggested for 4/4 stock and T3-D1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 6.0%; tangential 7.4%; volumetric 14.5%. Reported to hold its place well once seasoned.

Working Properties: The timber is difficult to work with hand and machine tools; dresses to a reasonably smooth surface.

Durability: Reported to be resistant to attack by decay fungi but vulnerable to termite activity, both subterranean and dry-wood. Sapwood liable to powder-post beetle attack.

Preservation: Reported to treat readily with absorptions of preservative oils as high as 20 pcf.

Uses: Heavy construction work, railroad crossties, plywood core stock, parquet flooring, pallets (should be treated where termite attack may be a particular hazard).

USDA Forest Service

Forest and land fires, What should be done immediately?

2009-01-21T01:29:00.000-08:00

In every incident of fire and forest land, there is always the question, "What should be done immediately?"

The main and urgent (in the short term) that needs to be done when there is a fire extinguishing. Until now, efforts to extinguishing forest fires and land continue to be true, but the results have not been significant. This is because the comparison with the resources extinguisher luasahan land that does not burn balanced. In addition, the management of fire fighting is still not effective.

For the effectiveness of fire fighting and forest land, some of the things that need to be done is:
Extinction in the Land / Field

* Mobilization and involvement of various parties in the fire fighting activities.
Currently, the involvement of various parties in extinguishing forest fires and land is still minimal. Community involvement is very important, because they are located directly on the location of fire.
* Installation and Placement Tools extinguisher in a location Rawan fire.
Currently, most equipment concentrate fire on the office / posko located in the city of provincial / district. So that at the time required to extinction, a mobilization tool constraints. In addition, the areas identified in fire-prone, there is rarely a means of water container, such embung-embung water. Installation and placement of equipment / facilities must be done before the fire.
* Search for substitute water for fire fighting.
Water is the most important element in fire fighting. However, not all of the location of the fire there is water, so to look for water that can be used to turn off the fire. The material can be used, among others, soil, sand, tree trunks and wet / fresh prostrate. Substitution of water can only be done for the surface fire. Turf fire for land, water is absolutely necessary.
* Selection Method Extinction right.
There are several methods of extinguishing forest fires and land. Currently, most methods used are extinguishing the fire / fire directly, though not all types of fires can be directly by others with extinction. Extinction can be done when the fire has not been widespread and the number of gang extinguisher adequate. However, when a fire has occurred on the broad scale, extinction is not directly effective, they should look for other methods. An effective method for fire that is already widespread localize fire. The concept is the expense of areas that have been burned with a certain area rescuing other broader.

Extinction of the Air

* Heavy Buatan
Rain is the best way and most effective way to put out the fire. Unfortunately rain occurs naturally in the season. Land and forest fires usually occur during the dry season, so it is very difficult to expect the rain to help pemadamanya. How can that be implemented is an artificial rain. However, artificial rain can be held when conditions awannya possible. Several incidents of fire, rain made terbukti significant fires and reduce the impact.
* Air bombardment (Extinction Using Aircraft)
Fire fighting aircraft can effectively use the available water resources and adequate capacity transport aircraft. Bombardment of several efforts to water, such as in Riau and Central Kalimantan, efektifitasnya still low, because the carrying capacity of water a small plane (300-500 liters), so that the level of the fire, can not be quenched significantly.

Method extinction from the air requires a high cost. In fact, the problem often cited by government agencies in handling forest fires and land cost is a problem.

The question, whether the government has enough funds to put out the fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan to use aircraft from Russia, while the government always complained about the limited funds on fire? If kendalanya funds, extinction of land (in the field) is a cheap way, provided that is done is done in a way that is more effective (to a certain location or condition of the air aided extinction). But if there is money, why not do from the first to use fire fighting capacity of the aircraft? So that the fire will not separah at this time. In addition to ability, the government required a willingness to overcome the fire and its impact, and that the will should arise because of the government, not a protest or because of pressure from neighboring countries.

The bankruptcy Industry Pulp and Paper Indonesia

2009-01-21T01:19:00.001-08:00

The global economic crisis at almost the entire world, including Indonesia, has made the labor victims. PHK become an option for companies exposed to electrical current economic crisis. But in fact, related or not with the crisis, PHK of labor become a guide for employers to benefit as big. Even the fate of affected workers PHK a place of negotiations between employers and the government.

This is evident in the case of PT RAPP PHK employee a thousand reasons why the economic crisis. In order to ensure the continuity of operations, management leadership Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) forced resigned and PHK thousands employee. PHK but that is to press the government so that RAPP (and IKPP) in Riau can use the "illegal timber" has be confiscated by the local police for their production. RAPP production (and IKPP) was stopped for 13 minutes because upset supply of wood for the production level to maintain a stable and efficient. Upset wood supply because forest cutting done by RAPP, forbidden by the government because clearly harmful environment.

Case forest cuting illegally also laden political interests between the government and employers. This can be seen with the related investigation SP3 cases illegal logging is carried out 13 timber companies in Riau by law enforcement (High Court and POLDA Riau). Although 13 companies to the timber is clearly violated Minister's Decree No. 541/2002 and Government Regulation No. 34/2002, which has the authority negate the governor and regents to issue business license on the Utilization of Wood Forest Plants (IUPHHK-HT).

At least 34 have been issued in Riau IUPHHK-HT broadly 378,299.50 hectares. To 34 IUPHHK-HT is given on natural forests, which criteria should be allowed to land the Forest Plantation Industry (HTI) is the land empty, the reed or shrub. Permission should not be above the potential of natural forest wood above 10 cubic meters per hectare.

The process of giving permission and SP3 cases to the illegal logging of timber to 13 companies in Riau showed evidence keberpihakan the government to companies. The government whispering while employers get the problem. although the problem as a result of the act through their own practices, such as illegal logging. However, when poor people get a natural ecological disaster as a result of the prolonged ekploitasi natural resources, even the government says, it is as usual and that it is a natural phenomenon, and not least, the money in the disaster response even corruption by the State apparatus.

In addition to PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), other companies that enjoy the natural forests are PT Indah KIAT Pulp and Paper (IKPP), PT Arara Abadi, PT Bina Duta Laksana, PT Rimba Mandau Lestari, PT Jaya Main segment , Madukoro PT, PT Merbau Pelalawan Lestari, PT Nusa Manunggal Prima, PT Bukit Indah Batubuh Sel, PT Citra Sumber Sejahtera, and PT Mitra Selaras Kembang. With the SP3, the forest products that have been will be returned to the company and this company can continue business forest loging harmful for all people of Indonesia.

In addition to the license and remove SP3 cases to the illegal logging of timber companies, the government also provides various convenience to companies to continue to extend this concession HTI in various ways, including by using violence.

This can be seen on the Tragedy mysticism nugget at Bengkalis district, on 18 December 2008 in which PT Arara Abadi (one of the companies that get SP3 illegal logging cases) by using the strength of POLDA Riau, Satpol PP, attack the settlements inhabited KK 1300 and has been burning more less than 500 homes, 2 killed five, shot 2 people and dozens of other farmers injured and arrested without a clear reason. When this village, which is recognized by the State administrative changed immediately become HTI plantation. In this case the government has not only do violation human rights with the weight but does not recognize the very real existence of the people as one of the elements of a nation.

Chrusading something that will be reasonable if this is left to continue. The Government will continue to be subject to the owner of capital and will continue to torment the people. Therefore, we stated:

1. PHK reject conducted by PT. RAPP industry and pulp and paper in Indonesia, for reasons clear only to be resourceful PHK from the company to negotiate with the government so that they are given the management of natural forest expansion.
2. SP3 reject cases illegal logging issued by law enforcement in Riau, because clearly it conflicts with a sense of justice for the people and will remain in the Indonesia environtment
3. Rescue of the pulp and paper industry by the government must involve trade unions, farmers' unions, indigenous peoples, environmental organizations and elements of the other community. This will be the assurance that the government will precede the interests of the people rather than the interests of capital owners.

Environmental damage in the Central Climate Change Threats

2009-01-21T00:43:00.000-08:00

(by Ari Muhammad)

REPORT of the Fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC end of 2007 the temperature changes, the impact has been to many physical and biological systems of nature. Level possible threat of climate change is high confidence, has a number Percentage of around 80%.

Reports working group responsible for the knowledge and technology (Scientific & Technology) and even estimate the end of the 21st century, earth's temperature will increase 1,8-4 C, while the surface of the sea water will rise up to 28 - 43 cm, if there is no serious effort decrease the concentration of Glass House Gas (Grk).

Poor quality of the environment due to edge issues and the impact of environmental factors in the development of a major environmental disaster that affects the quality of social and economic development. This put the region on the vulnerability of the larger environmental disaster. This situation means that climate change will encourage and accelerate the disaster and environmental degradation.

Habituate just what happens in big cities, for example Jakarta. When the green and the water catchment and lacking (plus lack of coordination among the guard and maintain the management of the watershed upstream to downstream) has decreased due to inconsistencies of local governments (local governments) to plan space own governance. Rain with a high intensity easily "disappear" some major areas Jakarta.

On the other hand, the study reports the Department of Public Works (2007) said that the impact of the threat of climate change increase the surface of the sea water will become a threat to some industries such as oil rig and gas in the sea, transportation, fishery, agriculture and ecotourism villages and coastal communities. This report is the strengthening of statement fourth IPCC report.

In the context of decentralization and autonomy, environmental degradation, particularly due to changes in land-including the forest-fire, and legal and illegal logging have been reported and often delivered through a number of advocacy organizations that have a concern with environmental issues. Thus the revitalization of the policy environment, including the threat of climate change is already on top priority.

IPCC said that the South will experience a decrease in rainfall and the North region will have increased rainfall. The threat of drought due to El-Nino phenomenon would also (again) become factor incentives for forest fires that have been the millions of hectares of forest land. Threats to increased in surface sea water and the threat of sinking the islands.

The failure of environmental management is including the "marginalization" environmental issues by each sector. For example, appear on the issue of watershed management. Data shows that the issue of water in major cities in Indonesia, not only due to high water run off as a result of the lack of and catch the water but also water quality due to industrial pollution, sea water intrusion, the decline in ground water and drought.

Flooding problems at this time, not only dominated in urban areas. In the scope of climate change and the failure of environmental management before, the increase of rainfall a potential threat to flood the facilities and infrastructure damaged and wet lands.

Adapting
With some throught climate change convention as the commitment countries in the fight against global warming and start said little time in the last two years the issue of climate change adaptation to be the main focus of attention and developing countries and the poor.

The limited resources of funds, technology, and human positioned countries are highly vulnerable to climate change. Adaptation to climate change is defined as the ability of a system (including ecosystems, social, economic, and institutional) to overcome the impact of climate change. Therefore, these countries are encouraged to have the ability adaptation (adaptative capacity), the ability of a system (including ecosystems, social, economic, and institutional) to adjust to the impact of climate change, reducing the damage, take advantage of the opportunity, and overcome the consequences.

With the push of adaptation to climate change into national development agenda or the region, risk considerations and the impact of climate change is translated not only in the medium term strategic plan, but also to the policies and institutional structures.

During this time, more focus on the development of economic considerations alone. But evidence shows that economic development is not a conception environment will be more "sensitive" to the economic ruin itself. Hurricanes Mitch incident, that the country's economic growth in their overthrow of 4-5% year. Data presented the World Bank between 1984 to 2003, the percentage of loss of national income three times larger occurred in the low-income countries and middle (80% of the world) as a result of climate change.

Problems in the climate change, is a loss incurred will be greater than the fix cost after the disaster occurred. Therefore, the Government should have put the issue of the failure of environmental management as a priority at this time.

Second priority, budget allocation and Expenditure Budget Financing Country or Region should have been efforts to integrate adaptation in all sectors related to the vulnerability to climate change. In other words, rather than waiting 'litle money' from the countries that are required to provide funding for adaptation commitment not know when that realization.

The influence of Mangrove Forest Fishery Production

2008-12-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

Mangrove forest is always associated with water. As a community that would form the ecosystem of the existence of mangrove can not dimarginalkan. Mangrove forests have multiple functions that can not be replaced by other ecosystems. Physical function as penstabil land (land stabilizer) which is involved in substrate accumulate mud perakaran by mangroves so often bring relief and land also able to withstand sea water abrasion and able to intercept sea-water intrusion to the mainland. Biologisnya function is as a shelter, breed and lay eggs for the fish. Meanwhile, the economic mangrove forests that produce timber kalornya high value so that it is good raw material for charcoal. The last function is a function of chemical waste as penetralisir dangerous toxic chemicals.

The day the existence of the mangrove forest is not exactly the width of land subside. The development of population, with the increasing needs, quickly urged the mangrove forest and trying to replace the business other than the "benefit" in terms of finance but in fact very harmful to the environment. Finally, interactions with the business appear repeatedly chop mangrove forest that is. There is no public awareness of the benefits will be double that if the exploit can be found fishing in the mangrove forest, the interactions of the reign of the brackish water.

Now is time people should be aware, and try to combine with the interactions of the mangrove forest, so in addition to financial benefits obtained, preservation of nature - the ecosystem - to be awake.

Starting from the mangrove forest as a nursery ground on the top, seemingly for the utilization of mangrove fishery business will be more promising good results because of research by making demplot about the influence of mangrove fishery production was carried out.
Or that the mangrove forest is often referred to as mangroves not mean that only a forest of mangrove trees (Rhizophora spp) only. However, a forest of tropical plants, prepared by the community and grow in the intertidal zone. Intertidal zone is the area under the influence of ebb and flow along the coast, as well as the coastline, estuari, lagoons, and river bank.

In general, mangrove trees and arranged on the shrub that grows in the bottom of the tidal highest (FAO, 1952). The area is an area that, where the mud gradually glued to sedimentation caused by the unique mangrove roots. The slowly will change to the semi terestrial (semi mainland). Mud-mud comes from the erosion of land on top of it. Thus the mangrove ecosystem can be if there is a supply of sediment from the river met the sea. In addition, factors that support the growth of mangrove beaches are protected by coral reefs or islands that are located offshore, so that the small waves.

The first plants that make up the mud plains of the type that is resistant to higher salinity of the land plants in general and submerged sea water resistant. Is the dominant vegetation in the mangrove forest of them divided into three zoning: Avicennia sp, the type that has a root of breath / antenna; Rhizophora sp, which has roots tunjang; and Bruguiera sp knee that has roots.

Based on biologisnya function as a nursery ground memijah or where the fish and keep children, ecosystems are often converted by local residents as the area pond.

Tambak is a fish farm in a specific area that is managed so that intensive get optimal results. Pengelolan pond system associated with mangrove forests have been developed and is known by the term silvofishery or wanamina. The terminology silvofishery derived from two words, namely the means silvo forest and Fishery, which means fish farm. Similarly in Indonesia, which is often referred to as wanamina that have overlapping meanings essence of fishing effort with the mangrove forest. Initially, the system is the management of the mangrove forest ancient approach that requires research and assessment of the more modern.

According to William Fitzgerald (1997), silvofishery is a form of integration between the cultivation of mangrove pond with brackish water. Relationship is expected to establish an ecological balance, so that the pond which is lack of ecological elements producers have to be supplied through the provision of food, tersuplai will be subsidized by the manufacturer (marine biota) from the mangrove forest.

The balance of the mangrove forest ecosystem can not be detached from the environmental conditions that support it. How oxygen, sunlight, temperature and salinity of water can support the balance of the ecosystem. In the brackish water that needed sunlight to be used by fitoplankton to berfotosintesis and produce oxygen in the water terlarut so that will be used by the other elements of the system.

Water temperature is also closely associated with other factors such as the womb and oxygen terlarut The bacterial activity. The salinity is very important for the growth of mangrove, because the mangrove forest can not live without the appropriate salinity.

Forestry students do not know enter forest

2008-12-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

The first time you log in forestry faculty. Your mind, you will often go out the forest. but in fact, if calculated on the count, a practice we truly enter a forest seems to be twice as long as students. The first practical introduction and management of forests (p3h) and practical field work (pkl). for this is the last, there is also a change with the course work in real villages. Why? because I have a practice. Lucky, in my department so field work conservation in its national parks.

once again fortunate to enter the forest resource conservation. because of the other departments, like we deh most often enter the forest. although only a day and up to overnight. to national parks, to nature, to preserve clan animals, to the center conservation animals, etc.. unfortunetly no-odor smell forests.

actually I also have some friends who are often out in the forest entrance. but it is not the practice of course, but the student organization activities. if my name in the department himakova (collective student resource conservation forest).unfortunately many activities. animals observation, the survey of flora, of the cave, etc. others student organizations such as this that there is a uni lawalata and fauna conservation. if this level of organization in the university. but unfortunately only a few active and interested in here. the other forestry students more active in other organizations outside the field of forestry. including the time I do. if the current thinking in the longer-thought, nyesal also yes. incoming faculty forestry but did not feel the closeness with nature and forests. seems to be the exclamation lho.

continues to be one of mind. I, for example, I will desire so lecturers forestry. will continue to reach for example, seems to me will make it difficult ngejelasin forest as it is. how they live in the forest. and the like. I want ngejelasin, aja kitanya own experience of a few. it is theoretically possible can. aja but I still want that experience is the story directly as often carried out by lecturers me now. What we can also explain the inspirer of others to maintain, and if we protect the forest itself is familiar with the forest?. so I do? Ha ha ha …

Statement: Monoculture tree plantations are not forests

2008-11-12T23:15:00.000-08:00

Here are statement by forestry professionals and students

Throughout the world, governments are actively promoting the expansion of large-scale monoculture tree plantations, despite the serious social and environmental impacts already witnessed on existing plantations. The promoters of this model claim that plantations are forests, which simply is not true. Plantations are not forests. Unfortunately, many of our colleagues in the forestry sector support this model, and our teaching institutions continue to train new generations of forestry professionals to perpetuate and expand this type of forestry model, aimed at seeing forests where they do not exist.

This is why we feel the need to publicly state not only that monoculture tree plantations are not forests, but also that these plantations result or have resulted in the destruction of our native forests and of other equally valuable ecosystems that they replace.

Those who know the most about this issue are the local populations who directly suffer the impacts of plantations, such as:

- Loss of biodiversity (and the resulting loss of food, medicines, firewood, and materials for housing construction and crafts, among others).
- Changes in the water cycle, resulting both in the decrease and depletion of water sources and the increase of flooding and landslides.
- Decreased food production.
- Soil degradation.
- Loss of indigenous and traditional cultures that depend on the original ecosystems.
- Conflicts with forestry companies over the ownership of land in indigenous territories and those of other traditional communities.
- Decreased sources of employment in traditionally agricultural areas.
- Expulsion of rural populations.
- Destruction of the natural landscape in tourism areas.

For reasons like these, we forestry professionals who strive for the conservation of forests and recognise the basic rights of the peoples who live there must take the side of those who truly defend the forests – the local communities – and oppose the expansion of monoculture plantations.

We want to stress that this process is not beginning today, but in fact dates back to the 2005 World Social Forum in Porto Alegre. At that time, a group of forestry students and professionals agreed on the need for “another kind of forestry training based on a different way of seeing the world, in which forests are not seen simply as wood, but rather as what they really are: diverse ecosystems made up of forest flora, fauna and peoples.” In line with this position, we clearly declared ourselves “against the establishment of large-scale monocultures or homogenous tree plantations.”

Today, within this framework, we are calling on forestry students and professionals to adhere to this declaration and to begin a process, inside and outside educational institutions, that will make it possible for those of us who enter this profession to actually do what we thought we would be doing when we entered it: defending forests and the peoples who depend on them.

http://www.wrm.org.uy/plantations/foresters.html

http://www.wrm.org.uy/plantations/Declaration-Foresters.pdf

Bukit Bangkirai:East Kalimantan

2008-10-17T21:28:00.000-07:00

Imagine an Orchid forest with more than 45 different species including dancing and dragon scale varieties, sambas breeding deer, flying fox, short- and long-tailed macaque birds, wild boar and 40-meter-high, 150-year-old bangkirai trees. A forestry student’s dream come true and a native bird-watcher’s paradise.

And now it’s accessible to those of us without hiking boots.

This is one of the world’s most beautiful virgin conservation forests — and it is at Jakarta’s front door, in East Kalimantan. It is the Bukit Bangkirai forest and conservation parkland, located in Samboja district, Kutai Kartanegara regency.

There are three roads that lead to this incredible 1,500-hectare wonderland as well as wide-ranging accommodation to suit just about anyone.

Bukit Bangkirai forest is internationally recognized yet still one of Indonesia’s best kept tourism secrets.

It boasts various species of hardwood trees — including the bangkirai tree (Shorea laevis), which can survive for more than 150 years and will usually grow as high as 50 meters.

Bukit Bangkirai is a tropical rainforest and natural monument, and home to other woods including ulin (Eusideroxylon Zwageri), blackwood or ebony (Ebenaceae), red meranti (Shorea smithiana), kempas (Koompassia malaccensis) and kruing (Dipterocarpus).

A two-ha area within the forest has been intentionally filled with jungle fruit tree species in a bid to preserve the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), the durian family, including lai (Durio kutejensis), and the mentega (magarine) fruit (Diospyros).

Bukit Bangkirai’s orchid forest provides orchid lovers with the opportunity to feast their eyes on a collection consisting of 45 species, including the black orchid (Coelegyne pandurata), sugarcane orchid (Grammatophyllum speciousum), dragon scale orchid (Cymbidium antropurpureum) and dancing orchid (Bromheadia fynlaysoniana).

A 3.5-ha breeding ground for deer from the sambas family (Corvus unicolor) was cleared but sadly locals today say it has been neglected for too long and is now overgrown with underbrush.

“I’m not sure when, but the deer breeding activities stopped long ago,” said Nyoman Suterini, owner of a food stall in the area.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of other animals to be found in the area, including the owa owa (Hylobates muelleri), short-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), red long-tailed monkey (Presbytus rubicunda), the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), wild boar and flying fox.

One of Bukit Bangkirai’s most infamous attractions is its bridge that connects five large trees, better known as the “Canopy Bridge“.

The bridge is suspended 30 meters from the ground and stretches a total of 64 meters in length. It is made of bangkirai timber laths, bound by steel cables and secured by a 1.5-meter safety net on both sides.

But when the late afternoon wind starts to howl, locals say the bridge will do all it can to frighten the very daylights out of those visitors using it and even passers-by.

“When I was up on the canopy bridge, I yelled my heart out not because I was afraid but too excited,” said Japanese student Takeshi Arizono, 29, an alumnus from the forestry school at Mulawarman University in Samarinda.

“My friends and I had a great time … it was my first time on such a bridge.

“The place is terrific and very suitable to conduct a research project,” Takesi said.

As a specialized forestry student, Takesi was investigating the rattan plant and was accompanied by a junior from the Nihon University who was attending comparable studies on the bangkirai tree, the dominant tree species in the area.

“I’ve also seen a bangkirai tree which is 150 years old and 40 meters tall here,” said Takeshi.

Visitors can choose to stay overnight in one of the four fully-equipped cottages built of ulin timber. Tariffs at the time of writing ranged from Rp 350,000 to Rp 450,000 per day.

“The check-out time is more flexible here, unlike hotels in the cities,” said Ommeng from the Bukit Bangkirai resort area.
“And the number of guests staying in a room is unlimited.”

For those who really want to blend in with the natural surroundings, the resort also offers a camping ground with tents and camping space for rent.

“The fee for a camping space is set at Rp 45,000 per day, which is the same price as hiring an eight-person tent,” said Ommeng. “And a four-person tent is rented for Rp 25,000 per day.”

Others who want to enjoy the cool night air of Bukit Bangkirai can try the outbound barracks.

The price here can be as high as Rp 1.5 million per day, but the barracks can accommodate up to 100 people and the area is suitable to hold reunions, workshops and other activities that involve a crowd.

Getting to and from the forest involves either a simple a 58-km drive from Balikpapan, a 150-km drive from Samarinda or a 150-km drive from Tenggarong.

The park is managed by state-run forestry company PT Inhutani and charges entrance fees for visitors and vehicles — Rp 2,000 (approximately 22 US cents) for adults and motorcycles and Rp 1,000 for those below the age of 12.

The entrance fee for a car is Rp 5,000, while buses are charged Rp 10,000.

A group of 50 people or more can receive a 25 percent discount on the entrance fee and a group of more than 100 people can get a 50 percent discount.

Nurni Sulaimana, The Jakarta Post.

TROPICAL FORESTRY

2008-09-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

In the past, timber harvest in the Tropics has seldom been followed by regeneration. Conversion to agriculture is often permanent or results in soil erosion. Timber harvest contracts have usually been short term and have provided little or no incentive for timber companies to replant. So little reforestation has been done in the Tropics that many people believe these forests cannot be restored. However, there are many examples of successful reforestation in India, Indonesia, and the Caribbean.
In the Tropics, as elsewhere, forestry is a mixture of modern innovations and ancient techniques borrowed from local tradition. Plantation forestry is common. Forest reserves have been established for timber harvest, wildlife habitat, scenery, outdoor recreation, or watershed protection. And in the Tropics, agroforestry-tree growing combined with agricultural cropping-is much more common than elsewhere.

Plantation Forestry
In the Tropics, trees are often planted and grown in plantations for wood production. Often, many species must be tried to determine which will grow best. Plantations must also be supported by major investments in forest management and research. Forest nurseries must be established, and planting techniques and cultural practices (spacing and thinning, pruning, fertilization, insect and disease control, and genetic improvement) must be developed.
Extensive pine plantations have been established in the moist Tropics, mainly in South Africa and Australia. Species most often planted include Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea), ocote pine (P. oocarpa), slash pine (P. elliottii), and benguet pine (P. kesiya). Pines are popular plantation trees because they are generally fast growing, have good survival rates, and are adapted to a wide variety of environments, including degraded forest sites.
Eucalypts, including species such as Eucalyptus grandis, E. deglupta, E. tereticornis, E. globulus, and E. camaldulensis are favored for the same reasons. Eucalypts are commonly grown for pulp, fuel, and lumber. Other species commonly planted include teak (Tectona grandis), Honduras mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), melina (Gmelina arborea) beefwood (Casuarina equisetifolia), and Mexican cypress (Cupressus lusitanica).

Forest Reserves
There are many reasons for establishing forest reserves in the Tropics. They can restore watersheds and wildlife habitat, improve scenic beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation, and produce wood and other products for local use and export. Many forest products contribute to the sustenance and income of local people: wildlife and fish, firewood, rubber, fruits and nuts, rattan, medicinal herbs, floral greenery, and charcoal.
Perhaps the most famous of these reserves is the 5,600 square mile (14,500 k squared) Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. With its vast herds of grazing ungulates (hoofed animals) and predators, including several endangered species, the Serengeti is a showcase of a savanna ecosystem that has long been protected and managed for wildlife and other natural resources. Although plagued with poachers, the Serengeti promotes the cause of wildlife conservation to the many thousands of "ecotourists" who pay to experience nature each year.
Another type of forest reserve is the "extractive" reserve, which is dedicated to the production of useful products. Large reserves of this type have been established recently in Brazil. Local residents use them for tapping rubber, for gathering fruits and nuts, for hunting, and for harvesting wood on a sustained yield basis. Such uses provide a sustainable income while maintaining the ecological integrity of the forest.

Agroforestry
The practice growing of trees in combination with agricultural crops is fairly common in the Tropics. It is possible to grow food crops year around in many forested areas, and rural poor depend on this source of food as nowhere else on Earth.
Taungya System
Various systems have been developed for combining forestry with agriculture. "Taungya" is a Burmese word meaning cultivated hill plot. This system of agroforestry was developed in Europe during the Middle Ages and probably indepenently in a number of places in the Tropics. After existing forest or ground cover is removed by burning, trees are planted along with agricultural crops. Both are cultivated until the tree canopy closes. Then the area is left to grow trees, and another site is located for combined forestry agriculture.
Shade Cropping
An overstory of trees is often used to provide shade for agricultural crops. A common practice is to grow tree species such as guaba Inga vera) over coffee. In Puerto Rico, many forests developed where coffee was once grown in this manner.
Support Crops
Trees can be planted to provide support (and sometimes shade) for vine crops. Vines such as pepper and vanilla need support.
Alley Cropping
Nitrogen-fixing trees are planted in hedges in widely-space parallel rows along the contour of slopes. Food crops are grown in the "alley" between the rows. The trees add nitrogen and organic matter, protect the soil from erosion, and provide wood and animal forage.
Living Fences
Green fenceposts that will root and sprout often are planted in a closely spaced row. When they sprout, they create a "living fence" that provides shade and forage for cattle.

Windbreaks
Trees are often planted as windbreaks for agricultural crops, farms, or homesites. Such plantings can eventually contribute wood products as well as shelter. Food trees such as citrus, rubber, and mango can also provide fuel, lumber, and other wood products when they have outlived their original usefulness.

NEW DIRECTIONS IN TROPICAL FORESTRY
The conservation issues of the past seem simple compared with those of today. As we move toward the 21st century, human societies are concerned with global warming, deforestation, species extinction, and rising expectations. Growing populations must be fed, clothed, and sheltered, and people everywhere want higher standards of living.
Global Warming
Warming of the earth's atmosphere is a major environmental issue. Air pollution, deforestation, and widespread burning of coal, oil, and natural gas have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. These gases trap heat from the sun and prevent it from radiating harmlessly back into space. Thus, the 64 greenhouse" or warming effect is created.
Because of natural variations in climate, it is difficult to measure warming over large areas. Scientists agree, however, that increases in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will cause higher temperatures worldwide. Even an increase of a few degrees might cause serious melting of the polar icecaps, a gradual rise in sea level, a disruption in normal weather patterns, a possible increase in forest fires, and the extinction of species.
Role of Forests
Trees, the largest of all land plants, act as a kind of environmental "buffer" for the ecosystem they dominate. They help ameliorate the extremes of climate (heat, cold, and wind) and create an environment where large land mammals, including people, can live comfortably. Trees complement animals in the global environment. Mammals take in oxygen from the air and exhale carbon dioxide. Plants use the carbon dioxide in their growth processes, store the carbon in woody tissues, and return oxygen to the atmosphere as a waste product. This process, known as photosynthesis, is essential to life. Carbon captured from the atmosphere by photosynthesis is eventually recycled through the environment in a process known as the carbon cycle. Trees have an especially important role in the carbon cycle. Tree leaves also act as filters to remove atmospheric pollutants from the air. This effect is particularly beneficial in urban areas.

Forestry Issues
Two key issues will dominate forestry in the years ahead: (1) maintaining long-term productivity of managed forests, and (2) preventing further loss of tropical forests. Both problems will require new approaches to forest management.
Traditionally, forestry has focused on growing crops of wood in plantations or in managed natural stands. In this "agricultural mode," other benefits of forest such as watershed protection, wildlife habitat, climate moderation, and outdoor recreation, have received less attention than wood production.
Perhaps more importantly, the sustainability of the full range of forest benefits has not been measured. There is no question that trees can be grown for crops of wood in managed stands. With intensive management-short rotations, species selection, genetic improvement, fertilization, thinning, and other cultural treatments-more wood can be produced in less time than in natural forests. But for how long? And at what cost in other benefits?
As more and more of the world's original forests have been cut, the ecological value of forests has come to be more appreciated. In recent years, increased emphasis has been put on what some are calling "ecosystem management." In this model, the health and long-term stability of the forest are paramount, and timber production is considered a byproduct of good forest management rather than the principal product. In Puerto Rico, for example, wood production is a relatively minor aspect of forestry.
Since the 1930's when timber harvests were curtailed, the forests have been managed primarily for watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation.
There are no easy solutions to the problem of tropical forest destruction, but most experts agree that the problems cannot be solved simply by locking up the forests in reserves. The forests are too important to local people for that to be a workable solution. There is no doubt that tropical forests will be cut. It is better for them to be cut in an ecologically sound manner than to be cleared for poor-quality farmland or wasted by poor harvest practices.
The only real long-term solutions are: (1) more efficient agriculture on suitable farmland, (2) efficient forestry practice including plantations, and (3) reserves to protect species and ecosystems. Many forestry experts believe that we have only begun to tap the potential for wise use of tropical forests. Many uses have yet to be fully explored. We are only starting to learn the value of tropical forests for medicines, house and garden plants, food and fiber, tourism, and natural resource education.
A Student Guide To Tropical Forest Conservation

A Student Guide To Tropical Forest Conservation-2

2008-09-12T19:42:00.000-07:00

DEFORESTATION
Before the dawn of agriculture approximately 10,000 years ago, forests and open woodland covered about 15.3 billion acres (6.2 billion ha) of the globe. Over the centuries, however, about one-third of these natural forests has been destroyed. According to a 1982 study by FAO, about 27.9 million acres (11.3 million ha) of tropical forests are cut each year-an area about the size of the States of Ohio or Virginia. Between 1985 and 1990, an estimated 210 million acres (85 million ha) of tropical forests were cut or cleared. In India, Malaysia, and the Philippines, the best commercial forests are gone, and cutting is increasing in South America. If deforestation is not stopped soon, the world will lose most of its tropical forests in the next several decades.
Reasons for Deforestation
Several factors are responsible for deforestation in the Tropics: clearing for agriculture, fuelwood cutting, and harvesting of wood products. By far the most important of these is clearing for agriculture. In the Tropics, the age-old practice of shifting, sometimes called "slash-and-burn," agriculture has been used for centuries. In this primitive system, local people cut a small patch of forest to make way for subsistence farming. After a few years, soil fertility declines and people move on, usually to cut another patch of trees and begin another garden.
In the abandoned garden plot, the degraded soil at first supports only weeds and shrubby trees. Later, soil fertility and trees return, but that may take decades. As population pressure increases, the fallow (rest) period between cycles of gardening is shortened, agricultural yields decrease, and the forest region is further degraded to small trees, brush, or eroded savanna.
Conversion to sedentary agriculture is an even greater threat to tropical forests. Vast areas that once supported tropical forests are now permanently occupied by subsistence farmers and ranchers and by commercial farmers who produce sugar, cocoa, palm oil, and other products.
In many tropical countries there is a critical shortage of firewood. For millions of rural poor, survival depends on finding enough wood to cook the evening meal. Every year more of the forest is destroyed, and the distance from home to the forest increases. Not only do people suffer by having to spend much of their time in the search for wood, but so does the land. Damage is greatest in dry tropical forests where firewood cutting converts forests to savannas and grasslands.
The global demand for tropical hardwoods, an $8-billion-a-year industry, also contributes to forest loss. Tropical forests are usually selectively logged rather than clear-cut. Selective logging leaves the forest cover intact but usually reduces its commercial value because the biggest and best trees are removed. Selective logging also damages remaining trees and soil, increases the likelihood of fire, and degrades the habitat for wildlife species that require large, old trees-the ones usually cut. In addition, logging roads open up the forests to shifting cultivation and permanent settlement.
In the past, logging was done primarily by primitive means-trees were cut with axes and logs were moved with animals such as oxen. Today the use of modern machinery--chain saws, tractors, and trucks -makes logging easier, faster, and potentially more destructive.
Endangered Wildlife
Forests are biological communities-complex associations of trees with other plants and animals that have evolved together over millions of years. Because of the worldwide loss of tropical forests, thousands of species of birds and animals are threatened with extinction. The list includes many unique and fascinating animals, among them the orangutan, mountain gorilla, manatee, jaguar, and Puerto Rican parrot. Although diverse and widely separated around the globe, these specles have one important thing in common. They, along with many other endangered species, rely on tropical forests for all or part of their habitat.
Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) are totally dependent on small and isolated patches of tropical forests remaining in Borneo and Sumatra, Indonesia. Orangutans spend most of their time in the forest canopy where they feed on leaves, figs and other fruit, bark, nuts, and insects. Large trees of the old-growth forests support woody vines that serve as aerial ladders, enabling the animals to move about, build their nests, and forage for food. When the old forests are cut, orangutans disappear.
The largest of all primates, the gorilla, is one of man's closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Too large and clumsy to move about in the forest canopy, the gorilla lives on the forest floor where it forages for a variety of plant materials. Loss of tropical forests in central and west Africa is a major reason for the decreasing numbers of mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla). Some habitat has been secured, but the future of this gentle giant is in grave danger as a result of habitat loss and poaching.
The jaguar (Leo onca), a resident of the Southwestern United States and Central and South America, is closely associated with forests. Its endangered status is the result of hunting and habitat loss.
The Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata), a medium-sized, green bird with blue wing feathers, once inhabited the entire island of Puerto Rico and the neighboring islands of Mona and Culebra. Forest destruction is the principal reason for the decline of this species. Hunting also contributed. Today, only a few Puerto Rican parrots remain in the wild and their survival may depend on the success of a captive breeding program).
In addition to species that reside in tropical forests year round, others depend on such forests for part of the year. Many species of migrant birds journey 1,000 miles or more between their summer breeding grounds in the north and their tropical wintering grounds. These birds are also threatened by tropical forest destruction.
THE PRACTICE OF FORESTRY
Forestry-loosely defined as the systematic management and use of forests and their natural resources for human benefit-has been practiced for centuries. Most often, forestry efforts have been initiated in response to indiscriminate timber cutting that denuded the land and caused erosion, floods, or a shortage of wood products.
Ancient Forestry Practices
In ancient Persia (now Iran), forest protection and nature conservation laws were in effect as early as 1,700 B.C. Two thousand years ago the Chinese practiced what they called "four sides" forestry-trees were planted on house side, village side, road side, and water side. More than 1,000 years ago, Javanese maharajahs brought in teak and began to cultivate it. In the African Tropics, agroforestry (growing of food crops in association with trees) has been practiced for hundreds of years.
In the Yucatan Peninsula of southern Mexico, the ancient Mayas cultivated fruit and nut trees along with such staples as corn, beans, and squash. Bark, fibers, and resin were obtained from plants grown in fields, kitchen gardens, and orchards. Early in their civilization, the Mayas practiced slash-and-burn agriculture. As their population grew, they found more efficient methods of growing crops. They terraced hillsides, learned how to decrease the time between "rotations" of agricultural land with native forests, dug drainage channels and canals to move water to and from cultivated areas, and filled in swampland to plant crops.
The agricultural sophistication of the Mayas enabled their civilization to grow and flourish. What brought about their decline about A.D. 820 is not fully known, but some believe that as their society developed, the Mayas made unsustainable demands on their environment.
Relatively little is known about tropical forestry before the mid1800's in most places. At that time, the European colonial empiresnotably the Dutch, English, and Spanish-brought modern forest management practices to Indonesia, India, Africa, and the Caribbean. Centers for forestry and forestry research were established, and more careful records were kept.
Sustainable Forestry
Modern forestry has its basis in 18th-century Germany. Like the Chinese and the Mayan forest practices, German forestry is essentially agricultural. Trees are managed as a crop. Two concepts are important: renewability and sustainability. Renewability means that trees can be replanted and seeded and harvested over and over again on the same tract of land in what are known as crop "rotations." Sustainability means that forest harvest can be sustained over the long term. How far into the future were foresters expected to plan? As long as there were vast acres of virgin (original) forests remaining, this question was somewhat academic. Today, however, sustainability is a vital issue in forestry. Most of the world's virgin forests are gone, and people must rely more and more on second- growth or managed forests. Perhaps we now face, as never before, the limits to long-term productivity.
In the German forest model, forestry is viewed as a continual process of harvest and regeneration. Harvest of wood products is a goal, but a forester's principal tasks are to assure long-term productivity. That is achieved by cutting the older, mature, and slow-growing timber to make way for a new crop of young, fast-growing trees.
Harvest-Regeneration Methods
Three examples of timber harvest-regeneration methods (silvicultural systems) illustrate how foresters manage stands to produce timber on a sustained basis.
Selection
Individual trees or small groups of trees are harvested as they become mature. Numerous small openings in the forest are created in which saplings or new seedlings can grow. The resulting forest has a continuous forest canopy and trees of all ages. Such systems favor slow-growing species that are shade tolerant.
Clearcutting
In clearcutting, an entire stand of trees is removed in one operation. From the forester's point of view, clearcutting is the easiest way to manage a forest-and the most economical. Regeneration may come from sprouts on stumps, from seedlings that survive the logging operation, or from seeds that germinate after the harvest. If natural regeneration is delayed longer than desired, the area is planted or seeded.
Clearcutting systems are often used to manage fast-growing species that require a lot of light. Resulting stands are even aged because all the trees in an area are cut-and regenerated-at the same time. Clearcutting has become controversial in recent years because it has the potential to damage watersheds and because it tends to eliminate species of wildlife dependent on old growth trees. If clearcuts are kept small and the cutting interval is long enough, however, biological diversity may not be impaired.
Shelterwood
In shelterwood systems, the forest canopy is removed over a period of years, usually in two cuttings. After the first harvest, natural regeneration begins in the understory. By the time the second harvest is made, enough young trees have grown to assure adequate regeneration. Shelterwood systems favor species that are intermediate in tolerance to shade. Such systems are difficult to use successfully and are the least used of the three silvicultural methods described.
Multiple-Use Forestry
Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, was also this country's first professional forester. Pinchot advocated the use of forest resources-all resources, not just timber-for human benefit. Pinchot was a strong and charismatic leader, and his ideas helped shape the course of forestry in the United States.
Pinchot had a vocal opponent in John Muir, a young naturalist from California who believed that public lands should be preserved rather than used. Eventually Muir and Pinchot became rivals for public approval. Oddly enough, there was no
loser in this early conservation battle. Muir's preservation ethic became embodied in the philosophy of the National Parks, and Pinchot's concept of wise use became the guiding principle of the National Forests.
National Forests are still managed under the concepts of multiple use and sustained yield. The dominant uses of National Forests are considered to be wood, water, wildlife, forage (for domestic cattle and wildlife), and recreation. Extraction of minerals and other valuable products is also considered a legitimate use of National Forests. Because Pinchot's philosophy left room for the "highest and best use" of a given area, the U.S. National Forests now include a wilderness system of more than 32 million acres (13 million ha) in which timber harvest is not allowed.
Today it is generally recognized that most, if not all, nondestructive uses of forest are valid. Some areas may be set aside as parks; others for wildlife habitat or as wilderness. Still others will be managed for timber harvest or multiple benefits. Today, conflicts arise primarily over where these different uses will be dominant. In the National Forests, such decisions are made through a land-use planning process in which the public has ample opportunities for input and involvement.
FORESTRY RESEARCH
At the turn of the century, very little was known about the world's native forests or how to manage them. In the United States, foresters were quick to recognize the value of information about forests and a branch of research was established in the Forest Service in 1915. Early research was done primarily in support of reforestation efforts, but, as forestry grew in size and complexity, so did the research.
Today, the USDA Forest Service has six regional experiment stations located in important forest regions. Each experiment station has several field laboratories generally with specialized assignments for a geographic region or a specific subject area, and numerous sites for field research. In addition, the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, WI, serves as a nationwide center for research and development of new technology relating to wood , including tropical woods. Two laboratories are dedicated exclusively to tropical forest research: the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry in Hawaii.
Research is vital for modern forest management, which is information intensive. Today's foresters require vast quantities of data and a knowledge of ecology: they must understand not only the parts of ecosystems but how different parts of the environment interact. Scientific investigations are conducted in support of all kinds of forestry activities: silviculture, forest insect and disease control, wildlife habitat management, fire prevention and control, range and watershed management, forest products utilization, forest survey, reforestation, ecology, and economics.

A Student Guide To Tropical Forest Conservation

2008-09-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

J.Louise Mastrantonio and John K. Francis

SUMMARY
The world's tropical forests, which circle the globe, are interestingly diverse. Ranging from the steamy jungles of the rain forests to the dry forests and savannas, they provide habitat for millions of species of plants and animals. Once covering some 15.3 billion acres (6.2 billion ha), these tropical forests have been reduced through cutting and clearing by 210 million acres (85 million ha) between 1985 and
1990. All types of tropical forests are defined and their products and benefits to the environment are presented and discussed. Modern forest practices are shown as a means of halting forest destruction while still providing valuable forest products and protecting and preserving the habitats of many endangered species of plants and wildlife. The Luquillo Experimental Forest is presented as a possible model to exemplify forestry practices and research that could manage and ultimately protect the tropical forests throughout the world.

INTRODUCTION
The world's tropical forests circle the globe in a ring around the Equator They are surprisingly diverse, ranging from lush rain forests to dry savannas and containing millions of species of plants and animals. Tropical forests once covered some 15.3 billion acres (6.2 billion ha). In recent times, however, they have been cut at a rapid rate to make room for agriculture and to obtain their many valuable products. Between 1985 and 1990, 210 million acres (85 million ha) of tropical forests were destroyed.
This guide shows how modern forest practices can help stem the tide of forest destruction while providing valuable forest products for people. The tropical forests of Puerto Rico, which were abused for centuries, were badly depleted by the early 1900's. Widespread abandonment of poor agricultural lands has allowed natural reforestation and planting programs to create a patchwork of private, Commonwealth, and Federal forests across the land. The most frequent example in this publication is the Luquillo Experimental Forest, which could be a model for protecting and managing tropical forests worldwide.

TYPES OF TROPICAL FORESTS
About half of all the world's forests are in the Tropics, the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This region may be best known for its rain forests - lush, steamy jungles with towering trees, epiphytes, and dense under stories of smaller trees, shrubs, and vines.
Tropical forests are surprisingly diverse. In addition to rain forests, there are mangroves, moist forests, dry forests, and savannas. Such classifications, however, give only a slight indication of the diversity of tropical forests. One study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which considered 23 countries in tropical America, 37 in tropical Africa, and 16 in tropical Asia, identified dozens of types of tropical forests: open and closed canopy forests, broadleaved trees and conifer forests, closed forests and mixed forest grasslands, and forests where agriculture has made inroads.

Rain Forests
The largest remaining areas of tropical rain forests are in Brazil, Congo, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Precipitation generally exceeds 60 inches (150 cm) per year and may be as high as 400 inches (1000 cm). Lowland rain forests are among the world's most productive of plant communities. Giant trees may tower 200 feet (60 m) in height and support thousands of other species of plants and animals. Montane (mountain) rain forests grow at higher elevations where the climate is too windy and wet for optimum tree growth.
Mangrove forests grow in the swampy, intertidal margin between sea and shore and are often considered part of the rain forest complex. The roots of mangrove trees help stabilize the shoreline and trap sediment and decaying vegetation that contribute to ecosystem productivity.

Dry Forests
Large areas of tropical dry forests are found in India, Australia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Africa, and Madagascar. Dry forests receive low rainfall amounts, as little as 20 inches (50 cm) per year, and are characterized by species well adapted to drought. Trees of dry tropical forests are usually smaller than those in rain forests, and many lose their leaves during the dry season. Although they are still amazingly diverse, dry forests often have fewer species than rain forests.
Savanna is a transitional type between forest and grassland. Trees are often very scattered and tend to be well adapted to drought and tolerant of fire and grazing. If fire is excluded, trees eventually begin to grow and the savanna is converted to dry forest. With too much fire or grazing, dry forest becomes savanna. This vegetation type has fewer species of trees and shrubs but more grasses and forbs than other forest types in the Tropics.

VALUE OF TROPICAL FORESTS
All forests have both economic and ecological value, but tropical forests are especially important in global economy. These forests cover less than 6 percent of the Earth's land area, but they contain the vast majority of the world's plant and animal genetic resources. The diversity of life is astonishing. The original forests of Puerto Rico, for example, contain more than 500 species of trees in 70 botanical families. By comparison, temperate forests have relatively few. Such diversity is attributed to variations in elevation, climate, and soil, and to the lack of frost.
There is also diversity in other life forms: shrubs, herbs, epiphytes, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. One study suggests that tropical rain forests may contain as many as 30 million different kinds of plants and animals, most of which are insects.

Wood and Other Products
Tropical forests provide many valuable products including rubber, fruits and nuts, meat, rattan, medicinal herbs, floral greenery, lumber, firewood, and charcoal. Such forests are used by local people for subsistence hunting and fishing. They provide income and jobs for hundreds of millions of people in small, medium, and large industries.
Tropical forests are noted for their beautiful woods. Four important commercial woods are mahogany, teak, melina, and okoume. Honduras mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), grows in the Americas from Mexico to Bolivia. A strong wood of medium density, mahogany is easy to work, is long lasting, and has good color and grain. It is commonly used for furniture, molding, paneling, and trim. Because of its resistance to decay, it is a popular wood used in boats. Teak (Tectona grandis) is native to India and Southeast Asia. Its wood has medium density, is strong, polishes well, and has a warm yellow-brown color. Also prized for resistance to insects and rot, teak is commonly used in cabinets, trim, flooring, furniture, and boats. Melina (Gmelina arborea) grows naturally from India through Vietnam. Noted for fast growth, melina has light colored wood that is used mainly for pulp and particleboard, matches and carpentry. Okoume (Aucoumea klaineana) is native to Gabon an the Congo in west Africa. A large fast-growing tree, the wood has mod erately low density, good strength-to density ratio, and low shrinkage during drying. It is commonly use( for plywood, paneling, interior fur niture parts, and light construction.

Other Economic Values
Tropical forests are home for tribal hunter-gatherers whose way of life has been relatively unchanged for centuries. These people depend on the forests for their livelihood. More than 2.5 million people also live in areas adjacent to tropical forests. They rely on the forests for their water, fuelwood, and other resources and on its shrinking land base for their shifting agriculture. For urban dwellers, tropical forests provide water for domestic use and hydroelectric power. Their scenic beauty, educational value, and opportunities for outdoor recreation support tourist industries.
Many medicines and drugs come from plants found only in tropical rain forests. Some of the best known are quinine, an ancient drug used for malaria; curare, an anesthetic and muscle relaxant used in surgery; and rosy periwinkle, a treatment for Hodgkin's disease and leukemia. Research has identified other potential drugs that may have value as contraceptives or in treating a multitude of maladies such as arthritis, hepatitis, insect bites, fever, coughs, and colds. Many more may be found. In all, only a few thousand species have been evaluated for their medicinal value.
In addition, many plants of tropical forests find uses in homes and gardens: ferns and palms, the hardy split-leaf philodendron, marantas, bromeliads, and orchids, to name just a few.

Environmental Benefits
Tropical forests do more than respond to local climatic conditions; they actually influence the climate. Through transpiration, the enormous number of plants found in rain forests return huge amounts of water to the atmosphere, increasing humidity and rainfall, and cooling the air for miles around. In addition, tropical forests replenish the air by utilizing carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. By fixing carbon they help maintain the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels low and counteract the global "greenhouse" effect.
Forests also moderate stream flow. Trees slow the onslaught of tropical downpours, use and store vast quantities of water, and help hold the soil in place. When trees are cleared, rainfall runs off more quickly, contributing to floods and erosion.

Student Guide

Rattan Gardens as an Agroforestry System for Development in East Kalimantan

2008-08-26T23:10:00.000-07:00

By Judit Mayer, Institute ‘Current World Affairs’, USA

Global views of agroforestry in East Kalimantan are expected for contribution of its studies and development. Proper development showed by its trend / pattern which are distinguished intoupstream areas and downstream areas.

Downstream areas are more capable to apply adventageous factors of development by with both technical and aspects of business modification. Information in more detail about each sub areas is limited for its studies and debelopment policy.

Agroforestry in East Kalimantan is related with shifting cultivation system. Each local relationship may differ. Agroforestry development will be supported by rice field formation, market demand of comodities and provision of facilities and infrastructure. Constrains are mainly market orientation capability of local people which are not adequate yet at the moment.

Cultivation of rattan sega (Calamus caesius) is integrated with shifting cultivation of paddy in much Southern Kalimantan. In the village of Tiwei (Subdistric of Long Ikis, Distric Pasir), with 28 households, the sale of rattan has long provided families with their major source of cash income. While the village area has up to 300 hectares of rattan garden land from current and old plantings, most rattan-cultivating households use only 2 – 5 hectares at any time.

From this land, rattan harvests can reach 1 ton per year. Harvests very greatly, are depending on rattan prices and other work demands. Besides rattan, coffee is also grown, and together with rattan provides for family needs with rising expectations. Recently, many rattan growers are rejuvenating old, exhausted rattan gardens by clearing competing small vegetation (tebasan) to promote the growth of rattan shoots. This system conserves many ecological values of the old secondary forest where the rattan gardens are located, and provides additional income with harvest.

Part of Tiwei’s village land has been designated for possible expansion of an oil palmplantation and transmigration project (PTP VI/PIR VII). This lack of land tenure security has caused some villagers to hesitate to make long-term investments in new plantings (kebun), while others have increased their planting and rehabilitation hoping for greater future income, or for compensation if their lands are taken for oil palm plantation.

Encountering Nature Through the Twelve Senses

2008-08-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

by: Josef Graf

Silence stillness immensity

forest stretching endlessly

snow covered, quietly breathing its tremendous, wide, conifer expanse

And the sough of wind rising and falling

Most beings here - plant or animal - are melded into this spacious and soul-purifying landscape

As is the human

But the human is also, at least in part, separate from the land.

And human nature can discern, by way of the 12 senses, aspects and nuances of the natural world through these 12 portals.

The snow sifts down into the forest, falling windless and so light as to seem almost weightless, afloat in place. A deep silence holds sway, an ocean of stillness that invites entry. And there is space enough here for any size contemplation.

In the northern, boreal realm, across this endless range of semi-homogenous evergreen forest radiating its steadfast and grounded, robust energy - across the conifer deep - here and there, an accent counters the etheric expanse with an astral focus, an animal being - raven, jay, squirrel-hunting marten, wolf, moose, or chickadee.

Tracks in the snow tell the stories. A snowshoe hare nips birch tips from a fallen tree. A luxuriously furred marten pursues a red squirrel. Unless the squirrel quickly makes it to one of its underground dens it will become the marten's meal.

Sometime in the night the wolf came near. It came to investigate who was howling in the evening, howling like, yet unlike, another wolf (it's own sense of language revealing that, although the sound of my howl seemed very similar to a wolf's, there was a subtle difference). It came near enough to discern the scent of human presence, approached as near as it dared, always keeping a periphery of safety as it circuited the area of the cabin.

What curiosity was left unquenched? And in the daylight I could feel the wolf watching me from somewhere in the woods, as I went out on the frozen lake to investigate the passage of its own movement, the story told by its tracks.

Surely, from the wolf's point of view, it experiences the most challenge of interpretation (in a sense, the wolf's level of conceptual sense) from the human community. As is well known, the wolf can read, very intimately, the comings and goings, the various aspects of, the moose, and other inhabitants of its immediate neighborhood. But the human being becomes rich in enigma, embodies a broad range of Unknown in the sphere of the wolf's experience.

Snow-shoeing through a forest during a snowfall can be an ideal setting to attune to the landscape. Distractions are reduced - sound is muffled and visibility is confined to a radius of a few feet (of course it goes without saying that one has to exercise care, bring a compass and be good at orienteering, or you can end up in oblivion!)

Overall, the Spirit of the boreal forest - the heart of the boreal forest landscape, like the heart of one of its trees, one senses, is golden, intricate, warm despite the climate, perhaps because of the climate, to counterpoint the cold.

In sharing this encounter with nature through the twelve senses, I will begin with the outermost, least penetrating sense and proceed to the deepest-registering sense (please note that the following presumes a basic understanding of the 12 senses. If the reader wishes to prime him/herself on this subject, use the links under "Further Resources" at the end of the article. Alternatively, information is readily available by entering an internet search via "12 senses" - and adding "Rudolf Steiner" can be helpful):

Touch.

The longer I touch the snow and ice here, the number grows this sense. Then, in turns, it is awakened by prickle of conifer needle, rasped by bark, or caressed by the soft feel of usnea moss. Whatever the sensate experience of touch, I have to admit that it defines my separation, the self's bounds, or at least the physical body's self-bounding. I do touch nature with this sense, but only her outermost surface, a Braille of rebuff, no entry past the outermost edge. As we continue down this list, we enter, increasingly, into the inner nature of things. But the sense of touch is the most external.

For example, when the wind gusts across my face, my sense of touch feels the impact of that gust, but my sense of temperature registers how cool or warm it is.

A manatee, with more brain space dedicated to touch than any other mammal, has a long-distance sense of touch. Whisker like hairs all over its body act as sensors, so that it can, in effect, "touch" from a distance.

Life.

After a long day of snow-shoeing my sense of life feels drained, very low in energy/chi, even despite practicing energy-enhancing Qi-gong along the way (I'm not by any means a master in the art yet).

Overall, as I undertake this trek, my sense of life is both enhanced and exhausted. My constitutional energy is put to the test, the body forces are working at their limit. However, the etheric energy of the forest is so resplendent that there is a constant influx of vitality. An interesting point to be made here is that in urban areas people have to enhance their life sense due to the lack of nature-borne vitality. In consideration of this, we can say, if asked what is truly the most valuable property in, say, New York, the answer is that Central Park has more worth that all the rest of Manhattan combined!

Migrating birds can detect and use magnetic fields of the Earth to navigate by. Is this so-called "magnetic field" actually part of the sense of life of the planet streaming forth? And are the birds, in a way, projecting their own sense of life outward to detect the Earth's energy in this manner?

Wolves are known to stare into the eyes of their prey before opting to attack, reading in their potential prey the nature of their sense of life, their overall constitutional strength and condition of health.

Movement.

This sense of awareness of the body-in-motion enables us to know where any part of our body is even with eyes closed. It is a sense that can be refined and enhanced, as in the case of intricate choreography.

When projected outward, we can sense movement in others. One evening, as I was bent over a campfire, cooking a meal, I could sense something passing over above me. As I looked up I saw an owl flying in the trajectory I had been sensing. The owl, as we know is capable of flying quite silently. I did not hear its passage, nor could I see it in any way, until after I looked up.

Tracks of a solitary snowshoe hare enter the woods, appearing to have crossed the frozen lake - a distance of about 2 miles. What could have drawn the hare across such an long open distance? Its progress would have been little noticed as its coat matched the snow so well (here again, a developed sense of movement projected outward would have helped to sense the hare's passage.)

Does the weasel sense the movement of mice and voles in the sub-nivean chamber beneath the snow, before it dives in?

Often have I watched a flock of shorebirds, or snowbirds, as they fly in complete unison, twisting, turning, diving, swooping as one. Here, the sense of movement has been refined and con-joined to each member of the flock, as though a single being is operating every nuance of movement. This particular example can also shed light on how the sense of ego operates within the realm of nature - more on that below.

Balance.

The human sense of balance is conveyed through inner ear structures. In animals, "otoliths" serve a similar purpose. In nature, we are often challenged to refine our sense of balance, as the terrain is often rugged and variable.

As with movement, deep appreciation of a dance presentation actually requires us to project our sense of balance, as we extend ourselves into the performance.

Within the animal kingdom, exceptional acrobatics in the balance arena include the cat and squirrel.

Smell.

A blossom permeates the air with it's gaseous aroma. Forces of will meet, from outer (e.g., the rose's "will") and inner, as our own will streams out to meet it.

Desert animals can smell water vapor over a great distance. A wolf's nose has been estimated to be from a hundred thousand to a million times more sensitive than a human's. The bear has one of the most sensitive olfactory capacities of the animal kingdom, and is able to track through water, or read information from a scent trail several days old.

Taste.

Just as the sense of smell operates via the airy element, taste depends on the liquid element. A substance must first be partly dissolved before we can taste it. Nature has a way of producing the most flavorful tastes, for example, in fruits that evolve in natural conditions. Despite humankind's most lengthy and deliberate attempts to improve crops in this regard, nature cannot be topped. Notice how the smallest fruits, such as a wild strawberry, have the most incredible taste. The larger agri-business causes its fruits to grow, the more the taste of its products seems to fall bland.

Salmon are famous for their ability to taste their way back up to waters from which they originated. Some fish can detect substances diluted to one part per billion. Bees have taste receptors on their jaws, forelimbs, and antennae.

Vision.

One night, as I lie in my sleeping bag, I am enchanted by a pre-sleep show courtesy of Aurora borealis. I look through the window up into the night sky, past willow and spruce to the backdrop of stars and drink in the Aurora ribbons, the northern angel flights, radiating, dancing in striations that breathe in and out in fanning coruscations.

Vision is a sense that begins to penetrate further than the foregoing senses. When our eyes perceive the blue-green color of the spruce tree, compared with the yellow-green color of the pine tree, we begin to discern something about the inner nature of these different trees.

Bees, birds, and some animals can see in the ultraviolet range. A hawk has 20/5 vision - it can see from 20 feet what most people can see from 5 feet. A falcon can see a 10 cm object from a distance of 1.5 kilometers. A buzzard can observe small rodents from an altitude of 15,000 feet.

Temperature.

We can sense outer surfaces via touch, but we actually use another sense when it comes to detecting temperature variations. As stated above, the wind is physically felt on one's skin, but its relative cold or warmth is sensed via our sense of temperature.

Because an object is permeated by its warmth or cold, the sense of temperature reaches still deeper than vision, further into the foundation of things.

Pit vipers, and some boas, have a heat sensitive organ between their eyes and nostrils, with which they can ascertain body heat in another organism.

Hearing.

As I journey on, I can hear the rise and fall of the wind through the trees, and the crunch of my snowshoes atop the crusty snow.

Resonance, the sound quality that permeates an object, in its vibrational tone reveals much about the nature of the object. Consider candle ice clinking together. The tone the snow gives forth when walking reveals a lot about snow conditions underfoot. When sawing firewood, the sound of the particular log reveals much about the wood's quality. As we listen to the sounds of both things and living beings, in a certain way hearing begins to tell us something about the soul level of what we are encountering.

A pigeon can detect sounds in the infrasound range far below our own limit, as low as 0.1 Hz. Bats can hear through a range from 3,000 to 120,000 Hz (compared with the human range - 20 to 20,000 Hz.).

Language.

Language is a sense that goes beyond merely hearing something spoken. By the sense of language we are able to perceive meaning behind an expression. Language in nature is a great challenge to de-code. The language of animals and birds, the language of a landscape. Once some familiarity is attained in this area, the human element of language interpretation (that is, truly understanding another in one's native tongue) becomes more facile.

One morning, a ptarmigan singing its dawn poem became a particular challenge to interpret. As the sun began to rise, and the ptarmigan began its song a few meters from the cabin I was waking in, I could sense an intricacy to what it was voicing. But my own sense of language, being not yet sufficiently developed, wasn't up to interpreting its message. However, in my research I have discovered that within the human community there are individuals who are becoming increasingly adept at this level of communication.

Besides the human capacity to interpret language, within the animal kingdom there are some who can use this sense fairly effectively - e.g, the gorilla. However, on a deeper level, all animals have a Spirit of the species aspect that is as egoic as ourselves, and thus capable of fully exercising this faculty. And so, by evoking connection with, say, the Spirit of the Wolf, we can begin to enter into a viable level of communication.

Concept.

As with language, the sense of concept is an arena in which individual animals reach a limit. "One can be directed by intelligence without possessing it, and that is how if is for animals," according to Rudolf Steiner. Here, he is referring to how the over-lighting being, the Spirit of an animal species, can utilize the higher senses - language, concept, and ego - on a par with human capacities, but not in the case of a single animal.

This is not to say animals are not intelligent - only to acknowledge a level of conceptualizing that differs from human. The Spirit of an animal is, indeed, intelligent, and has much to offer in ways that can deepen our understanding about our sojourn upon Earth.

Sense of concept can be a potent arena due to the way in which prana/chi has moved from its traditional forum (the breath) to thinking. Once we learn the ropes, through our thinking life we can enhance our energetic levels.

Nature causes me to conceptualize in particular ways. One key mode is to reflect on the spiritual ecology of aspects of nature. How does the spruce tree part of me have its being? The wolf? The squirrel? The forested part of my inner terrain? the spring? The lakeshore part? The starry dome? What does the magic of Aurora borealis evoke in me?

Ego.

Sense of ego - among ways of getting to know oneself further - that is, using one's sense of ego upon oneself - relating to others is primary. But so, also, is spending time in nature in solitude. Nuances of one's individuality can be explored. How do I experience solitude over a duration? What issues arise? What fears are met and what are my individual "edges" therein? For example, fears related to loneliness, or provision (as one's food stock depletes), of the darkness (what shapes form in the dark out of fear?), or what mid-life issues still prevail?

Central to this line of questioning is - how am I in the face of prolonged silence and stillness, the great leveler of humankind and human aspiration. In what ways does this sabbatical from my life cause me to reflect on my life? What things to strengthen? Or to change? Or to come to terms with? Or seek more understanding about? How do each of the animals, plants, etc I encounter resonate with various parts of my being?

Addendum

In reference to animals, the world is in a state of spiritual evolution, meaning that while we humans are evolving toward a fifth kingdom level of being, animals are also becoming more egoic - individualized, and more and more capable of abilities that were once attributed only to humans (or to the overall species level of the animal). Especially those animals who are spending time with humans, pets, are advancing more rapidly in this way.

All forms of life are advancing, including the other two realms of life on Earth. as plants develop more astral qualities, and the mineral kingdom becomes increasingly etheric.

Hearing and vision - nature automatically creates aesthetically beautiful forms in both aural and visual arenas. Humanity chooses to create beautiful, or not-so-beautiful forms. The more one spends in nature, the more one is immersed in aesthetic beauty.

Projecting one's sense of motion onto the snowflakes, and there is a feeling of softly sifting down through one's being.

Projecting to high mountain peaks, there is a feeling of excarnation, or moving up out of one's body, in a sense.

Similarly, on the West Coast, where the energy is experienced as diffusive - all the rain and sea and growth and abundance of plant life, rainforest exuberance, calls for an extra degree of focusing to counteract the diffusion.

The 12 senses referred to here pertain primarily to the physical aspect of humanity. Other senses come into play as we enter into our spiritual nature, including the human astral body. Steiner refers to some of these metaphysical senses as imagination, inspiration and intuition. Earth Vision proposes to delve into this subject, along with a more extensive examination of the 12 senses in relation to the natural world - a book will likely result in the foreseeable future. If you would like to contribute to this project, please contact author Josef Graf through the email on the EV site.

Josef Graf presents nature in the light of spiritual ecology through articles and E-books on the Earth Vision site - http://www.evsite.net

A General Thought about Agroforestry Development in East Kalimantan

2008-08-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

by Djoko Suharna Radite, Gajah Mada University, Indonesia.

A general thought about agroforestry development in East Kalimantan intends to increase the information for research and development. The suitability of development is indicated by its main direction, which is principally different for coastal areas and hinterland. Detailed information is still limited and should be increased by deeper studies in some subregions. In connectiom with the local land use systems it is significant that development will be dependent of the development of swamp rice cultivation, of the market demand and of the availability of additional infrastructure.

Role of Agroforestry Development in the Surrounding of catchment areas in Samarinda by Razak Rahim.

Role of Agroforestry Development in the Surrounding of catchment areas in Samarinda is proposed to control the frequent flooding in the inner parts of the city. This development is furthermore expected to contribute to a higher income for the farmers and other people. To achieve this goal, the local governments such as enforcing law have implemented some political efforts, and other integrated planning measures. Agroforestry will be combined with agroindustry. Main constraints identified in the implementation of agroforestry are land tenure, high costs for conversion and the allocation of sufficient land in the surrounding of catchment areas in Samarinda.

Alternatives in Rural Area Development with Agroforestry Approaches in The Industrial Timber Estate Units by Heri Suprapto and Alfred Ch. Ruga, PT ITCI, Balikpapan

As one of the provinces of Indonesia with a big potential for the Industrial Timber Estate (Hutan Tanaman Industri: HTI) programme, East Kalimantan is actively carrying out this programme in the recent years. Until now, however, the development of HTI is concentrated on the establishment of pure plantations. In order to increase its profitability and to support its success, it is necessary to improve, and to develop new approaches, to its performance. Agroforestry is considered one alternative, and the objectives of such an approach are to create new jobs, to achieve optimal land use, and to ‘control shifting cultivation as a pilot project in the context of rural development.

DEVELOPMENT OF AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM IN EAST KALIMANTAN

2008-08-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

Janes Siahaya, Mulawarman University, Indonesia

Agroforestry systems are well known throughout the world since ancient times. People lived in the forest at that time and cultivated their gardens just for subsistance.
A garden, when there are agricultural and forestry plants planted together, is called an “agroforestry garden”. In Indonesia, forestry plants are not systematically planted by farmers, but rather amateurish. They are used only as shelterbelts or boundaries but not commercially since farmers still can easily gather wood and other products from the forest, especially outside Java and Madura like in East Kalimantan. In forest or timber company areas, in contrast, the agricultural plants are planted not by the company butby the workers, like vegetables, seasonal fruit trees, grains and tuber crops (cassava, etc.), just as a hobby or to fulfill their needs and interests.
In Indonesia as a whole, and EastKalimantan in particular, a change of the land use system from pure agriculture to agroforestry systems in the farmer’s gardens will be connected with some dificulties. However, chances for success and development are good if the folowing factors are taken into account to meet the conditions of the regional development plans:
1. The availability of land (minimum two hectares per farmer),
2. The intensive extension in the field of agro-forestry,
3. An intensive forest annd forestry control,
4. Market access for forest products,
5. A personal interest of the farmers, and
6. Easy availability of credits from rural banks for farmers.
The mentioned factors are essential for solving problems involving food, energy, environment and social-economic functions for an increasing number of population while the area of the land is constant. Prediction of this number for the future is, of course, also needed to enable us to distribute the land to the farmers accordingly. Other factors will become major after the land is utilized.
Several terms agroforestry that is significantly gardening in an area of the forest in part:
1. Agricultural cntractor system (Jamaica).
2. Baumfeldwirtschaft, Brandwirtschaft or Waldeldbau (Germany).
3. Bosakherbouw (Dutch).
4. Chena (Sri Lanka).
5. Consorciacao (Brazilian).
6. Cultures sylvicole et agricole combinée, culture intercalaires, la méthode sylvo-agricole, le système sylvobananier or plantation sur culture (French)
7. Dhya, Jhooming, kumri, punam, taila or tuckle (India).
8. Kaingining (Filipino)
9. Ladang (Malay)
10. Licensed cultivator system (Tanzanian).
11. Parcelere (Puerto Rico).
12. Shamba (Kenya)
13. Tahmil (Libyan)
14. Taungya (Burma), other region used this name (hill cultivation).
15. Tumpang Sari (Indonesian)

DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

2008-07-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

Please distribute widely

******************
DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Yale University's School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES) seeks
outstanding candidates for the Deanship of the School. F&ES is more than a
century old, and recognized worldwide as a leading institution for forestry,
environmental science, industrial environmental management, environmental
policy, environmental social science, and related fields, teaching and research
being carried out by nearly 40 academic faculty and frequent distinguished
visitors. The School will move into Kroon Hall, designed as a LEED-platinum
building, at the end of 2008.

F&ES has a widely-acclaimed doctoral program and a large Master's program (one
of the oldest in the country in this field), and it shares coordination of Yale
College's new undergraduate Environmental Studies major. The school has a
global orientation, as reflected in its involvement in a number of areas of
global research and its active recruitment of international students, who
comprise nearly one-third of the student body.

F&ES plays a central role in Yale University's widely recognized activities in
environmental scholarship, education, and operations. Yale's Office of
Sustainability is internationally recognized as a leader in these areas, and the
University is among the few organizations of any kind to have made a firm
commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to pre-1990 levels.

Candidates for the Deanship should have demonstrated strong capabilities for
leadership, as well as a record of scholarship in a suitable area of forestry or
environmental studies, either in an academic setting, the non-governmental
sector, or a government agency. Extensive international experience and an
international perspective are desirable, as is a record of leadership in
multidisciplinary research and in graduate and undergraduate education, and a
record of successful funding for research and institutional development.

Applications should include a letter of interest, a complete CV, and a list of
three references. All information should be sent to Robert Burger, FES Dean
Search Committee, Office of the Provost, Yale University, 1 Hillhouse Ave., P.O.
Box 208365, New Haven, CT 06520-8365, USA. Inquiries can be sent to the
committee at FES.Dean.Search@.... Applications received by September 15,
2008 will receive full consideration.

Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Men and
women of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply.
Women and minority candidates, as well as candidates from developing countries,
are particularly urged to apply.

Ben Cashore, Professor
Environmental Governance & Political Science
Director, Program on Forest Policy and Governance
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University
230 Prospect Street, Room 206, New Haven, CT 06511-2104
203 432-3009 (w); 203 464-3977 (cell); 203 432-0026 (fax);
www.yale.edu/environment/cashore; www.yale.edu/forestcertification

Fauna and Flora International Project Officer:- Corparate Partnership - Asia Pacific

2008-07-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Salary range: IDR 120,000,000 to IDR 249,000,000 per anum dependant on skills and experience
Duration of contract:1 year fixed term contract, with potential to extend subject to funding
Location: Fauna & Flora International, Indonesia, based in Lombok. Some travel within Indonesia, and possibly overseas, will be required.

Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world's longest-established international conservation organisation. Our vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it. We aim to do this through the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. We operate primarily in developing countries where there is little capacity to conserve endangered and threatened habitats and species. We have become a trusted entity in the world of conservation. Today FFI is active in over 40 countries.

FFI has been working with the private sector for some 15 years. We believe engaging with the private sector is fundamental to FFI’s ability to achieve our conservation objectives. Our aspiration is to create an environment where business has a net positive impact on biodiversity.

Fauna & Flora International is recruiting a Project Officer, Corporate Partnerships – Asia Pacific to assist the Corporate Team with the management, administration and delivery of the corporate partnership programmes and projects. The Project Officer will in particular be providing support to FFI’s contribution to the British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership.

The successful candidate will have a degree in conservation biology, forestry, natural resources management, social sciences, rural development, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility or agriculture or other discipline related to this post and a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience. A broad understanding of biodiversity conservation issues in an international context is essential and international experience in a paid or voluntary role and experience in working with an NGO and or corporate on environmental issues would be advantageous. Fluency in spoken and written Bahasa Indonesia and English is essential.

For more information on FFI and its Corporate Team, a detailed job description and information on how to apply, please visit our website at www.fauna-flora.org. Applications consisting of a covering letter, full CV and contact details for two referees should be sent to Laura Somerville, Programme Officer, Conservation Partnerships, Fauna & Flora International, 4th Floor - Jupiter House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2JD, United Kingdom, or emailed to laura.somerville@fauna-flora.org

Please mark your application ‘Project Officer, Corporate Partnerships - Asia Pacific ’.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 25 July 2008.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Agroforest Management Officer (AMO)-based in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

2008-07-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

Agroforest Management Officer (AMO)-based in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
The Position

ICRAF Indonesia has numerous on-going projects related to smallholder agroforestry that include rubber, cacao and other fruit and timber species as key components in Jambi, Aceh, Lampung, Kalimantan and Java.

The research for development projects also provide some support on tree crops (rubber, cacao, timber and fruit trees), nurseries and land use planning in their target areas. ICRAF has accumulated wealth of information and knowledge on a range of technological options and modeling tools for assessing agroforestry options. In order to strengthen the dissemination of appropriate rubber and timber, fruit, vegetable based agroforestry technology under different projects, ICRAF is opening a new AMO position. The officer will contribute to its research program to assess traditional and emerging agroforestry systems and take a leading role in developing, testing and promoting improved agroforestry systems for smallholder farmers in Indonesia. In addition to technical and socio-economic aspects, the AMO will also take a leading role in training, testing and implementing computer simulation models in the evaluation of agroforestry options under different contexts. It is expected that the AMO will need to spend about half of her/his time in the field, mainly in Aceh Barat.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of Leader of the Agroforest Management Unit of ICRAF Bogor, the AMO will perform the following tasks:

· Under supervision of ICRAF scientists, complete the establishment of demonstration plots of Rubber Agroforestry System (RAS) in Aceh Barat, with a clear strategy for regular monitoring and observations of bio-physical, social and economic aspects of RAS prepare protocols for demonstration plots of improved Rubber Agroforestry Systems (RAS) relevant for Aceh Barat.

· Provide technical supervision and guidance to ICRAF and partner colleagues on development and promotion of tree crop based agroforestry.

· Organize training and other capacity enhancing activities for farmers, government and NGO officials in order to develop local capacity for agroforestry development.

· Develop and maintain effective communication and partnership between ICRAF, farming communities and partner institutions in Aceh Barat, Jambi and Kalimantan.

· Assist in the research (field surveys, data collection and compilation, field reporting) related to environmental aspects (biodiversity, carbon, hydrology) of traditional agroforestry (currently planned for Aceh).

· Take lead in training and support activities for ICRAF partners, students and visitors on various agroforestry models developed or enhanced by ICRAF modelers (e.g. Spatially Explicit Individual-base Forest Simulation, FALLOW and WANULCAS).

Qualification

Must have at least the following qualifications:

· An S2 (MSc) with relevant experience or S1 (BSc) with at least five years of relevant experience on smallholder agroforestry (preferably rubber), data collection (bio-physical, social and economic), compilation, interpretation and analysis and reporting.

· Experience in participatory on-farm research, training-of-trainers (TOT), field supervision and working with farmers, NGOs and government institutions.

· Good networking skills and knowledge

· Experience with simulation models; good aptitude for computer modelling

· Excellent communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English (reading, writing, oral and presentation); command of Bahasa Aceh will be an advantage.

· Prepared to spend considerable time in the field.

Applicants are invited to send a letter of application, accompanied by curriculum vitae, transcript of record, names and address of two referees (including telephone, fax numbers and email address).

Applications should indicate 'AMO Application' on their application letters and email submission. All correspondence should be addressed to:

Human Resources Unit, ICRAF
via email: ICRAFSEA-HR@CGIAR.ORG
OR
Fax: (0251) 625416

This is an immediately opening position. Applications will be considered until July 10, 2008

We invite you to learn more about ICRAF by accessing our web site http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea

Partnership Manager, Rare Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Timor Leste

2008-07-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

Partnership Manager, Rare Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Timor Leste

Deadline of Application : July 30, 2008
Application to : bogor@rareconservation.org
Level : Manager
Location : Bogor, Indonesia
FLSA Classification : Exempt
Reports to : Director for Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Timor Leste
Last Updated : June, 2008
Travel : Up to 25%

Organization Background
Rare is a fast-growing, international conservation organization that runs state-of-the-art communications and outreach projects in more than 40 countries around the world. Named to Fast Company magazine’s list of “Top Social Capitalists” for the last four consecutive years, Rare is committed to bringing a spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity to solving one of this century’s great challenges – building public support for conservation.

Rare partners with more than one hundred groups at the international and local levels, including The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, Aveda corporation, United Nations Environment Programme, Mexico’s National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and many others.

All Rare projects are managed by local partners; we focus both on building community support for conservation and tangibly reducing threats to the environment by working closely with the world’s top local environmental organizations. We recently awarded the Rare Award for Inspiring Conservation to Pulitzer Prize winning conservation leader E.O. Wilson who described Rare’s value as follows: “In an original manner, Rare attends to conservation where it has ultimately the most lasting effect, through education tuned to the culture and needs of local people.”

Description of Position
Rare’s success – in fact the success of local conservation outreach globally – is contingent on attracting the best and brightest leaders at the community level. Rare has already trained more than 200 local conservationists both in the field and at Rare’s three university centers (in the UK, Mexico, and Indonesia). Yet given Rare’s expected growth in both scale and impact by 2011, we need to greatly increase Rare’s investment in recruiting new conservation leaders and partnering organizations at the local level.

The Partnership Manager, based at Rare office in Bogor, is a vital position at Rare that will be responsible for developing and facilitating a robust Pride candidate pipeline to ensure growing demand for Rare’s work around the world and the highest caliber of Pride campaign managers. As the primary interface with all potential new partners in the Bahasa Indonesia (Malay)-speaking world, the Partnership Manager will have the opportunity to help create a key program from the ground up, and interact with a vast network of partners around the world.

Using prior experience in program marketing and community engagement, this position will identify suitable candidates for Rare comprehensive capacity development program by leveraging and maintaining Rare’s regional network of contacts and partners, as well as serving as an ambassador to new target audiences in the Bahasa Indonesia (Malay)-speaking conservation community. The Partnership Manager will also work closely with Rare’s Director for Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Timor Leste and Director of Strategic Partnerships to create aligned recruitment strategies and methods and coordinate prospective partner interviews, participation in Rare global workshops, and submission and review of completed new partner application packages. The Partnership Manager will also have the opportunity to work with Rare’s experienced alumni network to harness their enthusiasm and knowledge to contribute to a cohesive global network of conservation practitioners that ensures a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Under supervision of Rare’s Director for Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Timor Leste the Partnership Manager will be responsible for:
• Brand Awareness and Outreach
• Build Rare’s brand among current and potential partners to generate increased demand for Rare Pride through new partner outreach and lead generation
• Represent Rare at conferences and meetings to further awareness of Rare and build the pipeline of high quality applicants
• Hold regular meetings with partners
• Support and Facilitation of all Bogor-based Pride Recruitment
• Coordinate Bogor recruiting efforts with Rare's global recruiting strategy through regular communication, planning, and implementation with Rare’s Director, Strategic Partnerships and global recruiting team
• Support the development of a regional recruiting strategy
• Utilize Rare’s existing network of contacts and Pride alumni
• Build new recruiting streams and relationships in the global conservation community in line with Rare’s global recruitment strategy
• Regularly manage and update Rare’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, Prideforce
• Lead applicants through the recruiting process by communicating with leads and applicants regularly
• Ensure a healthy recruiting pipeline against timing and targets
• Organize and help to deliver recruiting workshops
• Support and assist accepted applicants through the required preparatory phase prior to university training
• Marketing and Communications
• Coordinate the marketing and communications of Rare Pride successes, campaign news, new partnerships, alumni newsletters and recruiting efforts
• Manage and maintain regional Pride alumni network, including facilitating adoption of the network through online and offline communications tools and creatively designing new approaches to engage current and past Rare partners.
• Customize globally-provided recruiting tools
• Manage local revision and production of materials, as necessary

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with an international focus in communications, biodiversity conservation, environmental education, international development, environmental policy, or related field.
• Work experience of at least 4 years required.
• Prior success in marketing, recruitment, pipeline development and management, and/or social network development preferred.
• Experience in mentoring, training, coaching or guidance, especially in a long-distance setting.
• Strong background in leadership, community engagement, and relationship building.
• Knowledge of key players in the national, regional and international conservation/community development community helpful.
• Experience in online communications and alumni network development desired.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite required, experience with SalesForce or other online sales and/orpipeline management tool preferred.
• Written and spoken fluency in English.
• Experience in coordinating communications and marketing efforts across long distances.
• Strong project management skills required.
• Intercultural/multicultural experience and attitude.
• Note that willingness for significant travel is required (up to 25%).

Call for application: Project Management and Leadership Training

2008-07-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

Call for application: Project Management and Leadership Training
Dear all,

British Council will conduct this Project Management and Leadership Training programme in Indonesia , 24-29 August 2008 by inviting a large group of young eco-visionary leaders, age 20-35, from Indonesia , Australia , Japan , Korea , Malaysia , Singapore , and Thailand . Kindly distribute this information below to your partners, contacts, and friends who are keen to apply as the participants.

Please note that the deadline of application is 20 July 2008 Shall you have any enquiry about this programme, please liaise with our team: pmt@britishcouncil. or.id . For further information please go to: http://www.bcnow60.org/cpmt/

Thank you and best regards,

Project Management and Leadership Training Team
British Council T +62 (0)21 515 5561F +62 (0)21 515 5562
E: pmt@britishcouncil. or.id
W: www.britishcouncil.or.id

THE AGROFORESTRY OF EAST KALIMANTAN

2008-06-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

Darwin Chaniago and Roostiny Ch., Budi Daya Alam Foundation

The regional development of rural towns carved from virgin forest in East Kalimantan and the consequences experienced during the period of Repelita III to the early Repelita V are studied in this paper. An overview and history of development efforts in East Kalimantan Province and the primary objectives at the national, provincial and distric level are given as being basically to eradicate poverty and breakdown segregation and the un balance of socio-economic distribution by developing agroforestry in agricultural buffer areas the small rural areas cut from the jungle.

The selected economic crops both for local demand and commodity export developed in this area include sugar cane, coffee, pepper, clove. The five sub-regional development areas of East Kalimantan’s boundary projects highlight several development principles. The area concerned are Udjoh Bilang of the Long Bagun Distric in the west center, Long Bawan of Kerayan Distric in the north center, Mensalong of Lumbis Distric as the center of Sabah boundary and Nunukan of Nunukan Distric in the north coastal center.

Success results from the use of interdisciplinary central planning and integrated rural development approaches in order to develop a region. Not understanding of both social and ecological effects leads to problems. Agroforestry development is successful when special attention is given to allocate the new land to landless and poor income families. The rural development has successfully increased the number of population, improved infrastructure, transportation, helath, and raised income and career quality of families. Unticipated effects have occurred regarding the population, physical environment, aborigine people and socio-economy.

Despite large expenditures to developed the rural areas with some infrastructure and giving land to qualified poor, the population has not grown as expected. In the early stages of development, extensive erosion of valuable top soil, silting of rivers as well as dying off of forest at development site edges occurred and problems of forest fire caused by shifting cultivation araised. The virgin forests are inhabited by aborigine people, who have been displaced and whose culture, was disrupted by the rural development schemes.

Socio-economic goals have not been fully met in such as the unbalance of economic and population distribution, elimination of poverty, attractionof small bussiness to rural boundary towns, although large progress has been achieved. Recommendation incuding training more local environmental professionals for input into the planning process in order to minimize the environtment impact of development and in order to increase public awareness of the environmental problems. To developed basic infrastructure and investment in rural towns will take more time and should be considered in the Repelita on provincial level and further discussed in the Rakorbang Tingkat II. More research on preservation of natural conservation areas and natural resources within a development site is needed. Making capital more available will encourage small bussiness and industries to invest in the rural boundary towns especially in the northern coastal area of Nunukan and Sebatik.

APPLIED RESEARCH IN AGROFORESTRY AND EVALUATION SYSTEMS

2008-06-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

H.J. von Maydell, Hamburg University

Applied Research in Agroforestry

Many previous rural development schemes and programmes have failed, because they did not fully incorporate the people involved, the socalled target-groups.

From this very reason, although technically and economically highly advanced, they often proved to be impracticable. One of the main constraints emerging from such desintegration was that the most energetic and capable people left their rural home and migrated to urban centers, leaving behind women, children and elder people, struggling for survival under harsh conditions but not open for innovations.

Is there a realistic chance to create more and more attractive jobs through agroforestry? People will only accept and further develop agroforestry if “it pays”. Thus agroforestry must not be primarily the art of skillfully combining forest and fruit trees with annual and perenial crop plants and/or animals but the art of making rural life, primary production, interdisciplinarity, etc. more attractive. “Attractive” may involve a variety of criteria, ranging from maintaining cultural identities and traditions to tenural arrangements, over higher (cash) income, lower risks, etc. to prestige and reducing the expenditure of (manual) work.

The latter appears to be reciprocal to the demand for more jobs, but only at the first glance. It may include reorganization of the labour division between specific social groups and even within families, redistributing responsibilities between men, women and children. Again, first steps were made within the last 10 years, but in future agroforestry will have to be much more oriented towards socioeconomic than ecological and technical progress.

Nevertheless, agroforestry must never be an attempt to return to stoneage practices of land use or to merely re-allocate resources subject to ideological trends. If agroforestry is to be successful in future, the most dynamic and advanced technologies will have to be fully incorporated like those of biotechnology, and spesifically gene tecnology. It is indispensable to benefit from the wisdom and deeprooted, site-specific experience of rural people, cultivating their lands according to well-established traditional rules, but it is likewise indispensable to be ahead of other land uses in order to become or remain competitive.

Agroforestry research will thus have to be diversified and to expand into hitherto increasingly higher skills for interdisciplinary work and utmost standards of quality. If such research is carried out by specialists at international level, they will be the danger of isolating the scientist’s progress from the grassroot practice.

Quoting an ICRAF publication, “The nutritional value of any food that is not eaten is zero, regardless of its chemical composition”. In other words, applied research, however dynamic and progressive, will have to make sure that its results will be transferable and at a given time applicable by those for whom they have been developed. The “primitive” farmer’s family is expected to verify what research teams and computers have designed. This is essential for future evaluation of agroforestry progress. Evaluation, after diagnosis and design, should from a local research topic for the future. So far, much is still left to subjective empirical judgement, and to presumption rather than on hard facts. This will have to be changed.

International research in agroforestry should, therefore not only be propagated and further developed in a horizontal dimension, i.e. initiating wordl-wide cooperation, but also in a vertical dimension, i.e. from top scientists and “high-tech” institutions to the people working with their fields, forests and livestock. This depends on the result of their labour and many risks, and more than often they were left alone if national or regional programmes did not correspond with political developments.

Oncemore, agroforestry is more than a technique. It has, therefore, a high potential to change structures and functions of rural systems. This implies both, a challenge and specific responsibility. Agroforestry research has endevoured not only to create awarness and expectations but also to find answers to many questions, today and tomorrow and provide the “knowhow” for a wide practical implementation.

Evaluation of Agroforestry Sytems

Monitoring and evaluation are the main instruments for adapting an agroforestry project to changing conditions and/or demands and thus have a direct influence on re-designing and current control. Quite often, however, monitoring and evaluation are still restricted to linear causa-effect functions whereas the highly complicated feedback functions within system networks are rarely recognized and the dynamics of evaluations/developments hardly elaborated. A number of questions can be applied to get answer:

- Is agroforestry effective i.e. are the methods and practices appropriate to meet the objectives of integrated land use? (No matter how much it costs).
- Is agroforestry efficient, i.e. can the input/output ratio be justified for a given project or farm?
- Is a specific agroforestry system or practice significant, i.e. does it have lasting relevance (sustainalility) and multiplier effect? If accepted, can it be transfered and further developed?

Mos important, however, is the question wether the so called target group, the rural population, will be ready and capable to continue with their own means and resources after an initial, outside-sponsored introduction or improvement of agroforestry.

Energy Resources and Renewable Fuel Indonesia Future

2008-05-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

By: Dr.Rudianto Amirta
Lecturer Faculty of Forestry, University Mulawarman-Borneo

As we all know, Indonesia is one of several countries in the world known to have forest areas are still relatively high, in addition to Brazil and Zaire. Indonesia's geographical location is right on the Equator line, make this country as one of the owners of wet tropical forests are still owned by the world today. Indonesia wet tropical forest areas known to store a variety of biological richness (biodiversity). WWF Indonesia even reported that the forest area in Indonesia, especially those in East Kalimantan (Kayan Mentarang Malinau) has about 15,000 species of plants in each square kilimoter of the region, and the value of this diversity is the highest, when compared to any region in advance earth (Pio, 2008).

Not only that, the forests of Borneo is also known to store the wealth of diverse endemic plant species. 6000 recorded plant species are classified into this classification, including 155 species dipterokarpa an economically and ecologically has a very important role to people's lives in this region. But unfortunately, the potential for a high diversity is not fully felt the benefit, given that most of the wealth of biodiversity is not yet known and the unknown function and usefulness, both economically and ecologically to support human life that inhabit it in a sustainable manner.

Lignocellulose is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and also ligninKetidaktahuan nature and function will be a major factor and potential cause of ketidakbermanfaatannya forests and a rich source of biomass is lignocellulose content. Today, forests are not only built to produce wood-construction timber to meet the needs of building construction, meubeler well as pulp and paper raw materials alone. Since the last few years, developing ideas and also the potential of forest biomass utilization technologies are big and rich content of this lignocellulosic (lignocellulosic biomass) as a feedstock to produce fuel, energy and chemicals are renewable (Watanabe, 2007).

Lignosellulosa is a term commonly used to describe the main components of a plant constituent, either in the form of wood (wood), and non-tree (non-woody) such as grass, hay and so forth. These components can generally be found starting from the roots, stems and leaves of plants. As shown in Figure 2., Chemically berlignosellulosa biomass will be composed of three main components: cellulose (38-50%), lignin (15-30%), and hemisellulosa (23-32%) (Sierra et al. , 2007).

Today, the use of forest biomass that is rich in content of lignocellulose as penghara (feedstock) in producing environmentally friendly fuel (bioethanol) becomes very important and interesting to be mainly based on three main advantages it has. First, biomass berlignoselulosa a source of raw materials which are renewable (renewable resources), so it can be developed in a sustainable future. Second, the type of fuel in biomass sourced produce almost no emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), thus a very positive impact on the environment.

Closed carbon cycle on the use of fuels derived from biomass that berlignoselulosaKetiga, biomass fuels have economic potential of a highly profitable and significant, especially if associated with the phenomenon of declining production and the ever increasing price of fossil fuels in the future (Cadenas and Cabezudo, 1998; Demirbas , 2007). Moreover, forest biomass, waste wood industry and agriculture that are rich in lignocellulose content is not a food, so their utilization as fuel and energy will not interfere with the availability of food reserves that we have (non-edible biomass).

Especially with regard to bioethanol, the government of Indonesia has prepared a road map or roadmap development, production of renewable fuels. In the roadmap, the government plans to produce bioethanol by using materials sourced berlignosellulosa biomass from forests, the timber industry and agricultural waste to replace the use of food, as it exists today (planned for the years 2016 to 2025).

In response to the plan and as a first step in order to create and fill the bioethanol industry roadmap development of an independent Indonesia, since two years ago we have been conducting a series of studies we focused on efforts to identify and perform the selection of the suitability of the use of several plant species, especially the wood- tropical wood that has the potential to be converted into bioethanol. Identification and selection process we have done by analyzing the chemical content of the wood and the potential for reduced sugar held (after the hydraulic enzymatically) by the tropical forest biomass berlignoselulosa. As this research we do as part of adaptation to the rapidly growing technological advances, particularly in the manufacturing process of bioethanol.

Roadmap development of bio-ethanol industry Indonesia 2006 ~ 2025 (ESDM - Anonymous, 2010) The results of the research we've done shows that some types of tropical forest timber which is known as a pioneer species of secondary forests, fast growing and can adapt to poor soil environment which would be elements of nutrients, and so far not been used and very low economic value as applicable, breadfruit, and sengon Bungur proved to have a very high level of compliance, and potential for development as a major raw material of bioethanol in the future (lignocellulosic biomass). Positive suitability assessment will use the wood as raw material for bioethanol is characterized by the potential of the sugar content is classified as very high tereduksinya, where applicable wood (Artocarpus elasticus) reached 73.59%, sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria) 70.25%, Bungur (Lagerstromia speciosa) 69.06% and breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) 67.84% (w / w). As far as we know, the results of this study is the first findings that show the potential of technology in the manufacture of sugar Variation bioetanolterreduksi a very high level of timber pioneer tropical regions, especially of pioneer species that grows and many encountered in Southeast Asia.

Not only that, the forest and plantation area in Indonesia is also a raw material reserves tremendous energy for Indonesia. Biodiesel and energy pellets can also be developed to exploit the potential of this large biomass. Today, almost every district and city areas, particularly those in Sumatra and Borneo is a center or base of the development of plantations and palm oil processing industry in this country.

Nationally, coconut oil is one of Indonesia in achieving commodity exchange. For 20 years (1985-2005) recorded accretion of oil palm plantation area as much as 837%, this is evidenced by the contribution of oil palm on national export as much as 6%, is also the number one commodity of Indonesia products beyond oil and gas sector. However, the positive impact of the development of the oil palm industry also generates a negative effect on the environment if the waste generated is not well managed.

Mass balance in the palm oil processing industry (Kismanto, 2006-modified; Amirta et al., 2008) If we examine the processing of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) into crude palm oil (CPO), then approximately 45% of the input of fresh fruit processed will eventually turn into solid waste in the form of a shell / shell (shell), fibers (fiber) and oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) (Fig. 6). Half of the amount of solid waste is a palm empty fruit bunches. A very large number, considering the amount of fresh oil palm fruit is processed continues to increase from time to time, as well as the capacity of the oil processing industry plantation.

As an example of East Kalimantan Province, currently operates several oil palm plantation companies with the realization that the planting area has reached 714,000 ha with an annual production level of crude palm oil (CPO) of 2.5 million tons (annual production of fresh fruit ± 12, 5 million tons). A large amount of production is supported by the presence of 18 palm oil mills scattered in most areas of this province (Anonymous, 2010). If it is assumed that 20% of waste empty fruit bunches will be generated from the processing of oil per ton of fresh fruit, then at least there are currently about 2.5 million potential waste, which is ready to be harnessed into products of high economic value, one of which is bio-pellets ( pellet energy).

So far the utilization of oil palm solid waste to generate energy is limited as a solid fuel in boilers (boilers), especially for solid waste in the form of shell / shell and fibers. Particularly for the waste palm empty fruit bunches, utilization as a solid fuel boiler has a constraint / obstacle is the high content of water (moisture) 60% and the resulting pollution.

However, the technology development process that has been done, we were able to significantly improve the quality and calorific value of energy produced bio-pellet/pellet products. So far, our results could change padatn waste oil palm empty fruit bunches into alternative energy products with average calorific value or heat of ± 5000 kcal / kg. Not only that, the results of this study is also the first to report findings that the waste oil palm empty fruit bunches can be processed into a source of energy that could have a calorific value / heat are relatively high, reaching a value of 5354 kcal / kg, equivalent to 22.4 MJ / kg.

The product is potentially vast energy pellets to be developed. Industrial development opportunities and bio-pellet production is very dependent on the level of demand for these products on the market of energy, whether originating from within the country (domestic), as well as from abroad. With a calorific value that is owned by the bio-pellets made from waste oil palm empty fruit bunches at this time, ie> 5000 kcal / kg, in fact, is well above the requirements of the Low Rank Coal (LRC) or low-calorie coal required by the Electricity Company State (PLN) for use as fuel pembangit electricity (power plants) nationwide, to support programs of national electricity supply (the heat / heat 3900 ~ 4700 kcal / kg).

PLN needs to LRC was published and delivered in a variety of occasions and in several national media coverage. Citing media coverage of Indonesia at the end of 2009, `PT PLN (Persero) to tender the procurement of low-calorie coal (low rank coal - LRC) to meet the power needs of 3.26 million tons per year`. That means, bio-waste pellets palm empty fruit bunches is a big chance to be developed to meet national energy needs from year to year tend to increase.

Therefore, East Kalimantan and several other provinces which became centers of palm oil plantation and processing likely to be the center of industrial development bio-pellet/pellet energy raw materials of oil palm solid wastes, given the extensive plantations and palm oil production levels which have been held at this time. Not only that, the oil palm plantation development program of 1 million hectares was initiated by local governments will also be synergized with the development of bio-pellet industry in order to realize the capabilities and independence of the region in producing energy from renewable sources they have at this time.

In addition to having on the domestic market, renewable energy products such as bio-pellets of solid waste from palm oil is also a big chance to be exported to overseas. Current trends world's needs for energy pellets are very good products and continue to increase from year to year. Reported by Swaan and Melin (2008) and Ekstrom (2009), each year the countries of Europe and America needs about 14 ~ 15 million tons of pellet energy products, both made of wood, agricultural waste, and so forth. Generally, energy pellets used as fuel for heating purposes in winter. However, the current need for energy pellets tend to increase, along with the development of its use as a fuel substitute for coal substitution for the purposes of existing industries in those countries.

Start from the various explanations that have been given, we sincerely hope we can follow the explanation and the results of this research into an investing opportunity in order to maximize the use of natural resources at our disposal, energy and fuel supply sufficient for the community, especially for those who rural region of residence, about forests and plantations that so far relatively untouched by the reliable supply of energy and fuel as we who live the urban region. Moreover, through these efforts we can actually play an active role in maintaining the environment, save it from global warming is going through a real effort in the form of environmentally friendly energy use, renewable and derived from renewable biomass that we have a lot of this.

Journey To The Clouds (Part. 3)

2008-05-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Final Step to ‘Mordor’

January 20, 2008

A woman walked down the path carrying a bamboo basket on her shoulders. Her cheeks were reddish tanned. As she walked, her old skirt swayed lightly in cool breeze. Next to her, two little boys chatted cheerfully. One of them covered himself with a sarong. They brought a small-size axe and a handmade fishing rod. When I stepped behind them, the little boys suddenly turned back looking at my carrier. A friendly cute smile then came to me. With a shy childish voice, they greeted me, “Mbak, mau kemana?” (Sister, where are you going?).

It was wonderful and surprising. In my normal life, I am the one who agree the words ‘never talk to stranger’. But it didn’t work to those little boys. I walked closer to them and answered, “I’ll go to Bromo. Wanna go with me you guys?”

They looked at me for a while then shaking their heads, still smiling shyly. At the end of the path we parted. Those two boys followed the woman climbed the hill where the green vegetable field waiting for them in serenity of morning.

That was my last day in Ranu Pane.

From Ranu Pane village, I continued my trip to Bromo-Tengger Mountains in Probolinggo regency. It took three hours riding Land Rover from Ranu Pane. The weather was fine though the fog came and went easily. The glorious sandy summit Mahameru was hidden behind the thick fog as we rode down the village. I felt hard to go at first. If only I had longer holidays, I would camp at least a week long in Ranu Pane.

As the Land Rover moved, I tried to record as much memory as my mind can keep. I want to remember the way the little boys greeting me, the freezing night at Ranu Regulo, the floating thin fog above the lake … everything! Well, most of my friends say that I am a nostalgic person. But it’s okay. I don’t mind what they say. Sometimes people need to be nostalgic to see how far they have gone through this life.

At about 11am, after passing the Bantengan Hill, we got the T-intersection to Bromo-Tengger Mountains. The Land Rover turned left tracing the path downward to the wide green savannah dominated with asparagus bushes. Above us, the clear blue sky embraced the earth in natural harmony. No fog at all! The combination of green wide savannah and blue sky was something rare to find in my coastal hometown.

Didn’t want to lose that amazing scenery, I asked my friend to stop the car. I spent 20 minutes to take a look around admiring the great masterpiece of God. I lost my words. I remembered what Domenica Santolina Doone* ever said: I am the dot. Yup, I was like a tiny dot in the middle of savannah. Nothing but the dot! God is great!

Then the Land Rover moved again till the paving block path was end. Now we entered Tengger sand sea. The scenery turned dramatically from gorgeous green into gloomy gray as if we came to another world. The blue sky changed into grayish white. The cold wind blew the sand away everywhere we go. It changed my white veil into something-like-pale-grey color :p.

Far across the sand sea, the Tengger caldera lied together with Mount Bromo and Mount Batok. If you ever watch Peter Jackson’s Trilogy of Lord of the Rings, you will find that Tengger caldera looks similar like Mordor’s Mount Doom where the two Hobbits - Frodo and Sam - threw the ring away. Once again the Land Rover stopped to give me a chance to look around. Unfortunately, it took only five minutes since the thick fog started to float around us.

By the noon, we finally arrived at Mount Bromo. It is one of Indonesian’s active volcanoes and very popular of its beautiful sunrise. Once a year, Tengger people around Mount Bromo hold a Hinduism ritual ceremony called ‘Kasada’. In this ceremony, they will throw various crops and even livestock into the caldera in order to express their thankful to the God.

My friend parked our Land Rover in front of the Hinduism Temple near the mountain area. Next, I should guide my two friends – Odah and Yuni – to the peak of Mount Bromo. We took a short hike to the foot of Mount Bromo then we climbed 250 stepladders to the peak. For my two friends, this experience might be their historical moments. It was their first hiking and they had taken a long windy road to get it.

To tell the truth, they were the main reason I took this trip. I wanted to show them that hiking is not a ridiculous thing like some people usually say. I wanted they see the wonderful world I used to see. Instead, the most important thing was, I wanted to make their dream comes true.

Eleanor Roosevelt was truly right that the world belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. That day, Odah and Yuni had lived their dream to hike. And I was proud to be part of their dreams. I believe they’ll never forget this trip.

On my way back to Malang, I hummed softly Michael Buble’s song against the sound of the Land Rover machine:

I see skies of blue, clouds of white

Bright blessed day, dark sacred night

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world …

Finally, here I’d like to thank my Dear God, Allah the Almighty and everyone who had made this trip possible: Debi, Sofia, Brother Dodo, Ali, Andi, Keke, Sutris and Yudi. Nice hiking with you all guys. I’ll miss this time!!! It’s a kinda bless having you as my friends.

Last but not least, thanks to YOU for spending your time to read this journal. See ya next time :)

*Domenica Santolina Doone was the main characters of Sharon Creech’s Bloomability, a teens novel that I love to read. So motivational and inspirational!

Journey To The Clouds (Part. 2)

2008-05-20T18:34:00.001-07:00

A Walk to Remember

“Thousand miles journey must begin with a single step”

-An adventurer

January 17, 2008

The first step:

It was Thursday. The weather in my hometown was clear and fine. The wide blue sky stretched along the horizon. It was near perfect since I had prayed for this weather two weeks before in every single day. The same as always, I went to the airport on my own carrying my 60 liter carrier. As a matter of fact, after six years I didn’t carry it, suddenly it seems too big for me :p.

My plane took off at 9.45am. The flight was nice except the last twenty minutes. I was sleeping on my seat when the plane experienced a light turbulence. The stewardess then announced we went for bad weather forward. Well, I was so worry that time. I found myself holding my breath and gripping the armrest tightly. Thanks God it didn’t take a long time.

I called Debi as soon as I arrived at Juanda Airport Surabaya. He couldn’t fetch me because of his works but he already arranged everything for me. From the airport, I continue my trip to Malang by a travel car Debi rented for me. I spent my first day visiting some old friends. They welcomed me warmly like a long-long-lost-friend. We talked so much about our past and I enjoyed every word we shared. After that short reunion, I headed to my senior’s house where I stayed during a week visitation.

January 18, 2008

The second step:

The next day I repacked my carrier leaving all the hiking stuff inside it. I had planned to hike on the third day. Debi ‘kidnapped’ me in the middle of the night. It was the craziest part of this trip. He made me lift that 60 liter carrier in sleepy eyes and taking me for two hours driving to his house in Pasuruan. If only he wasn’t my best friend, I would never do it. If there’s somebody who will never change, he must be Debi!

In his car, we talked so much about the times we were together in the university until finally he grumbled, “You know what? University is like a labyrinth for me. Once I enter the maze, I will never find the way out. So please stop questioning me when I will graduate from the uni.”

Hahaha!

January 19, 2008

The third step:

The real journey really came on the third day. I headed to my old campus. As I got there, Debi and my hiker friends had already waited for me with a classic Land Rover behind them. Woohoo, it was so damn cool!!

There were twelve of us altogether in a Land Rover (what?). It was lucky that we have our slim body so there was no big problem for us. We rode for an hour leaving the city of Malang to Tumpang regency. Beautiful green scenery knocked our eyeballs along the way. It was like a giant painting on the earth canvas. There was no time for us to take our sight out of the window. That’s why I always longing for this journey back!

We stopped for a short rest at Poncokusumo-Tumpang and continuing our four hours long trip to Ranu Pane Village on the foot of Mount Semeru. We drove through the 2 meters wide paving block path. On the left and right side of us were deep gorges. It is dangerous driving here unless having a good driving skill. Years ago, I strongly chose villagers’ truck to take me to the village. I thought it was more safety since the villagers know every inch of the path so well.

As our Land Rover climbed to Ranu Pane Village, the temperature started to drop colder. It could be a special problem for me who spends life most in a tropical city whose temperature range between 32 – 36 Celcius degree. For my lucky, it was not my first time hiking on Semeru region. I reached 3676 meters above sea level Mahameru summit in 1996 so I didn’t get any difficulty to acclimatize with the drop of temperature.

By the evening, we entered the area of Ranu Pane. In front of us was a giant Mahameru sandy summit. It looked gorgeous in thin foggy veil and golden sunset. I regretted that we didn’t have any chance to take pictures of the amazing moment (my friend said I could shoot it the next morning on our way back home, but actually as we went down, the thick fog covered whole village in completely white. I am so sorry, readers …). It was the first annoying thing I found in my trip.

The second, because of some reason such as weather and landslides, the mountain officer didn’t permit us to hike until Ranu Kumbolo in 2800 meters height. All we could do then was taking a five minutes walk passing Ranu Pane to Ranu Regulo. Oh, for your information, the word ‘ranu’ means ‘lake’ in English. We camped a night at Ranu Regulo. I did my evening and night pray at the small quay near the lake under the bright starry night sky. Thank you, Allah, for giving me one more chance to back here.

January 20, 2008

The fourth step:

I woke up early in the morning. The temperature was still freezing everyone inside our tent. After doing my morning pray, I slipped into the warmth of sleeping bag waiting for sunrise. When the soft light of the sun appeared from the eastern hill, I zipped my windbreaker and left the tent to the quay. Sitting at the quay I saw a blanket of thin fog floating on the lake. It was beautiful and mysterious at the same time. Far across the quay, there was a Tengger man fishing alone.

Tengger tribe is native inhabitant of Ranu Pane, just like Sherpa in Nepal. They make their life by farming. They are physically characterized by their short body, white skin and reddish cheeks. Most of them live their life in a pure simplicity. I was still sitting at the quay when four Tengger boys passed by the path. I guessed they were about 8 or nine years old. The smallest boy brought a small axe while the others carried a heavy bunch of firewood on their little shoulders.

As they passed our campsite, they stopped to look around. I didn’t know what kind of feeling it was but I took a pity at them. Their ragged clothes and boots remind me of the ones I wore thirty years ago. I called them and asked them to have breakfast with us. The smile of happiness on their cute face really touched me when they walked shyly to me. Well, I am a teacher. Children have been the biggest part of my life. But these little Tengger boys inspired me more. That time – while the little boys were having their breaksfast – I wished one day I can be a teacher here, in Ranu Pane village.

Next, at about 9.30am, we packed our stuff and prepared to leave Ranu Regulo. The next destination was waiting for us. (To be continued)

Journey To The Clouds

2008-05-20T18:32:00.001-07:00

I count every single day by thinking about my trip to Mount Semeru next month. Alright it’s not my first experience hiking there. But still I need to prepare anything since it had been six years I didn’t go hiking. I did it during my years at uni (eventhough my parents had never permitted me to. I was the black sheep of the family). That time I joint KAPA ’85, the nature lover club at my campus. Our activities were not only hiking (mountaineering) but also rock climbing, caving, white water rafting, outdoor journalism and natural resources conservation. I had tried them all though finally I chose mountaineering and rock climbing as my specialization. Semeru is one of the highest mountains in Indonesia located in Bromo-Semeru-Tengger National Park, East Java. Later I will write further about this beautiful mountain

I went hiking and climbing regularly along my uni years in Malang-East Java. I totally stopped doing it when I did my final thesis. As I graduated from the uni, I went back to my hometown, Balikpapan-East Borneo. I worked as a journalist for about four months then working as a teacher till now. There’s no mountainous area in my hometown and outdoor activity wasn’t as popular as in Malang. Fortunately, my school has an annual field trip program. It’s like a summer camp in US but this program is focused on environmental education and character building.

I always give a hand in this program since it reminds so much of my uni years I spent mostly staying outdoor from one mountain to another. I like to take my students jungle trekking along Sungai Wain Protected Forest and showing them how to tie webbing into simple harness we used for rapelling and flying fox. I am so glad to find that my outdoor skill is useful for others.

One day, Odah, one of my teacher friends told me her dream to climb a mountain. Surprisingly, she had been dreaming about it since she was in high school. At first I couldn’t believe what she said. You know, Odah is so calm and feminine, not the black sheep like I am :p. Beside that, Odah is married woman with a five-years-old-son. Man, I couldn’t imagine what she is going to say to her hubby about hiking. My parents had four children and they never permitted me to go hiking. It must be uneasy to her hubby, I told myself.

“There’s nothing to worry about my hubby and my son,” Odah said for sure. “I don’t want to live in dream. I should live this dream. And you’re the one here who can help me.”

I was speechless for a while. I wasn’t sure what should I say. I spent five minutes only to gaze at her figure from top to toe. She looked more like a porcelain doll, how can she dream to climb a mountain? No way!

“It’s okay if you can’t take me to the mountain soon. I will wait till that time,” she shrugged as if she understood what I was thinking of.

I was still quiet. At one side I couldn’t believe what she said and on the other side I felt proud of myself. Gee, I had never been so important like this before. It felt like being invited to the Annual Academy Award :p.

“Umm, I can’t decide it yet. Sorry.” I broke the ice.

“Come on, don’t you miss to go hiking again? Don’t fool yourself. We should do it soon before we’re getting older, you know?”

I bit my lower lip in hesitate. I felt the black sheep inside me was waking up from its hibernation. For a moment I heard Britney Spears’ Oops I Did It Again played over my mind. All I could imagine next was the yellowish green savannah and the gorgeous evening sky. In front of me, Odah made a smiley face.

“Gotcha! So, when will we go for sure?” she burst into laugh.

I sighed (but smiling on my mind!).

“Please don’t look so happy like that. At least, give me a chance to check my saving account, okay?”

Along The Highway It Comes

2008-05-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Years ago, before Lapindo mud tragedy, I really loved to travel along the highway between Malang-Surabaya, East Java. It was two hours long trip and I didn’t have any special reasons why I loved it. Simply it was just because I loved to see the beautiful sceneries during the trip. Yes, it was. I could see the gorgeous Mount Arjuno stands beside Mount Penanggungan on the left side of the highway. On the other side of it, I could see amazing Mount Semeru in her blue shadows. Not only those beautiful mountains, but I could also refresh my eyes by staring at the wide green rice fields and savannah. If you take this trip in the morning or close to evening, the scenery would be more heavenly beautiful. It made me addict to do it more and more.

Actually, I was not the only one who had this strange hobby. I had a friend for this, but he was crazier than me. When he was in the blue mood, he would go to the bus station and wusssss ….. He was off to Surabaya. As he arrived, he would take another bus and heading back to Malang again. Just for looking at the scenery along the highway. Hahaha. I had never thought that there was an odd man like him.

Once we had an experience traveling this route together. One morning, I met him on my way home from campus. He sat in front of the library wearing white t-shirt and his fave stone-washed jeans. His yellow The North Face was carried on his back.

“Have you had breakfast?” he asked.

“Nope. I’m late,” I replied shortly.

“Come on. Go breakfast with me.”

“Where?”

“Surabaya. Through the highway. I treat you.” He grinned.

Well you know, I couldn’t let the good chance useless. So I went with him together to the bus station. The weather was great. The sun shone softly warming the world around us and the sky was brightly blue, almost as blue as The North Face on my back. In other words, it was a good day to trip!

We didn’t talk a lot on the bus. I was busy with my Wrigley Spear Mint in my mouth while my friend sat quietly most of the time. I thought he was in his blue mood once again. I saw him sank deep in his daydream. He tore his bus ticket into pieces and every five minutes he threw a piece of it to someone’s curly hair in front of him.

I felt uneasy and worry that that curly-haired man would be angry. I nudged him to remind but he just blinked an eye and said, “He doesn’t mind, believe me.”

Gosh!

Soon after we got Surabaya we had our brunch (breakfast and lunch) at Plaza Tunjungan. Still there wasn’t any meaningful conversation. It seemed that my friend had serious trouble that made him dropped to silent. So why did he ask me to go with him? Really I didn’t understand. Odd friend, I told myself.

We finished our meal when the blue sky changed into cloudy grey. As we sat on the bus home, the rain started to flick against the window leaving wet dots on the glass. The world outside was dramatically turned into gloomy paintings.

“What in this world can make you so sad?” My (odd) friend broke the ice between us.

I scrunched up my mouth for a while and replied him, “Many causes, I can’t tell you exactly. But the saddest moment was when my mother passed away.”

He stared at his feet.

“Then how can you be so strong?”

Our bus now entered the highway. The rain was over. Outside the window a wide green savannah freshen up everybody’s eyes. But I chose to look up the sky.

“Have a look,” I pressed my index finger onto the window. “Can you see that silver line at the edge of the cloud?”

My friend leaned over me getting closer to the window.

“So what?”

“It means that every trouble has a good side. That cloud is like the troubles we had and that silver line represents all possibility for us to be better. Imagine, what will happen to the silver line if the wind blows the clouds away?”

He went mute for a minute.

“What will happen is … the sky turns bright, or … there will come the rainbow.”

“Alright, which one is better, cloud or rainbow?”

“Of course the rainbow is better, are you kidding me?”

“If it is so, why do you feel so sad? No matter what your problem is, you know you have better choice kept behind it. Go and find.”

He smiled at me.

“What a words! How can you be so smart like this, huh?”

I made a face.

“Not that smart I think. I adopt those words from my high school English textbook: every cloud has silver lining,” I giggled.

Anyway, when we arrived at Malang, my friend looked more cheerful. I didn’t know whether it was because of the beautiful scenery along the highway or it was just because of that idiom.

Before parting at the campus, he said, “Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep it on my mind.”

“OK, but please don’t ask me to go with you when you get mad next time. It’s boring!”

Again he laughed as if he had forgotten his troubles.

“No, I promise. If I get mad again next time, I’ll look up the sky and I know everything’s fine. There’s no need to worry.”

I shrugged lightly leaving him alone, “Well, I hope so. See you dude.”

Life On Rainy Friday

2008-05-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

The world turns on and on.

The flick of raindrop now becomes a lullaby embracing me all the night long. To my ears the distant thunder sounds like an acoustic percussion of natural orchestra. Really, several days raining made me getting familiar with them all. Even the cold air I breathe gives me an exotic sensation inside my lungs. Once more there’s no warm golden sunlight to greet pedestrians on the street. But life doesn’t need any choice. It keeps going on no matter the picture of gray cloudy sky still hanging outside my window.

I spent my last Friday to have jungle trekking to the heart of Sungai Wain (in English it means Wain River) Protected Forest. I went there with my grade 9 students in correlation with their Biology project. SWPF is pure tropical rainforest in East Borneo. It is a living laboratory where the Dutch scientist Gabriela Fredrikson did her research on sunbear (Helarctos malayanus) population.

Having jungle trekking on such rainy days actually could be funny and challenging experience especially for my students. The hard rain the days before had changed the trek line into a 3 kilo meters blanket of slippery mud. It was exactly where the worm leech family hid. A group of mosquito welcomed us every step we took. Every fifteen minutes I heard a student screamed when his/her body successfully landed on that soft sticky mud. It felt like rollerblading along the jungle trek :p. Lucky for us, the sky was a little bit brighter. The soft sunshine was shining through the canopy of leaves above us.

As we walked deeper to the inner side of SWPF I wished to see the legendary sunbear or the species of orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). I thought it must be brilliant if I could see them right on their habitat. But the only animal I found was a giant centipede crawling on the trunk of tropical tree. Eka, our guide said that sunbear and orangutan were completely shy and sensitive mammals. It meant we couldn’t find them easily.

It took about two hours to finish the trek. When we got to the camp, the rain poured down once again. After having lunch, the boys went to the close mosque to do Friday praying and the girls prayed at the camp. At 2pm we made our way to Tanah Merah beach. Based on the schedule arranged by the Biology teacher, the students had a final project observing mangrove ecosystem there.

During that one hour trip, the weather didn’t seem to be better. I let myself lost in the green scenery outside the bus and wondering what I am going to write in my daily journal. Writing about another rainy day would be so boring if I couldn’t smartly alternate my words. It is the hardest part in writing an interesting journal since I am not a professional writer. Describing what I have experienced on my own words and way is something what I am doing right now. In most part of its process I often let my instinct leading my way to the source of inspiration. Write it or leave it. That’s all.

Finally it didn’t take along time to stay on Tanah Merah beach. As soon as the students finished their Biology project, we were heading back to the school. The mangrove was 300 meters in front of me but I was too lazy to walk under the rain all over again. I think I’d be better choose another day. The mangrove can wait.

Well, the world turns on and on.

Should I miss the sunset on that rainy Friday evening?

THE ROLE OF CONSERVATIONNIST IN ECOTURISM

2008-05-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

By: Erasmus Owusu Henaku, Ghana

Ecoturism occurs in wilderness areas, often protected areas. The world’s poorest people usually live in and around these areas. Conservationists role is to help to establish a balance between the needs and demands of the protected area site and all resource user including local residents, national/international companies and tourists.

Given its potential costs and benefits, conservationists have mixed feelings about ecoturism. It presents difficulties and obstacles to the mission of preserving biological diversity and promoting sustainable development. It may hinder conservation and development activities.

Of greater significant ecoturism presents opportunities to advance conservation and development goals. It offers ways to capture more attention and funds for conservatioan and development schemes in areas that attract visitors.

Conservationists need examine the specific issue areas where ecoturism intersects with their conservation mission. Some of the main issue areas where ecoturism and conservation intersect and where problems and opportunities are presented are:

- Protected area management.
- Sustainable development in conifer zone areas.
- Environmental policy and
- Directing consumer demand.

Within each of these five issue areas, conservationists can devise many strategies to maximize the opportunities presented by ecoturism and minimize its problems. One of the most pressing issue areas is protected area management because so many parks are experiencing great increases in visitation and are totally unprepared.

One of the best strategies to help parks be in better position to manage and benefit from tourists, is to promote a comprehensive planning process and assist in creating ecoturism plans.

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT ESTONIAN FORESTRY

2008-05-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

By: Erik Konsenkranius, Estonia

Estonia is a small Baltic State on the coast of Baltic Sea. The area under forests is about 1,819,000 ha (42% of total area). The greater part of the trees are pines, spuces and birches.

The state of Estonian forests is annually estimated through monitoring and inventories. The damaged area of forests is 4800 ha. Most of the damages are caused by animals (moose, roe deer and beavers) and by Heterobasidion annosum or Armillaria sp. The damages caused by air pollution are not very acute yet.

Our biggest problem is how to manage our forests. Our country is now in economic crisis and almost everybody sees a way of escape in forest business. Our timber export volume increases every day and the potential risk of damage, caused by people, increase too. Total feelings in Estonian forests is officially about 3,007.5 th. Solid m3, but the actual cut will be different.

Our biggest trade partners are Finland, Russia and Sweden. We sell timber and saw-mill products to Finland and Sweden, and buy forest machinery from Sweden and Germany. This is our second problem. How much to use machinery?

On 15-17 Feb 1993 our university was visited by Prof. Dr. Hans-Jurgen von Maydell. During his tree-day visit he explained to us the world forestry situation. He advised us to think about forestry mechanization. Is it right to spend a lot of foreign currency to buy big machinery from abroad and minimize the number of forestry workers?

Is ist right for us to copy forestry economic policy form big industrial states like Germany, Canada, etc., or created our own policy? How to decrease unemployment in forestry and what to do with those people who live in forests, but are now out of work? How much does big machinery damage our forests soils?

The answer we must find ourselves, but friends and advisers are always welcome! I think that this is not only our problem. The world is one for us and we must be thinking all together …..

EXPORTING EXOTIC SPECIES

2008-05-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

By: Tasso Resende de Azevedo, Brazil

The Eucalyptus hatd its natural habitat in Australia, but was transplanted with success all over the world. In Brazil, its cultivation was developed to provide firewood for the trains of the CEEP – Companhia Paulista de Estrada de ferro in the 60’s.

However, the exceptional wood characteristics and the perfect acclimatization of (variety) species to the most diverse climatic conditions and soils that Brazil, presents position the Eucalyptus between the most important species used in the reforestation in the country.

In the late 60’s and during the 70’s and 80’s, a policy of low taxes encouraged the research and the expansion of the areas planted with Eucalyptus. Nowadays the species supply basic elements for paper and pulp industries, charcoal for siderurgy, wood for panels, boards and lamp-posts among others. These product are exported too many countries.

The most significative species in Brazil are Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophyla. For these two, a few years of research were carried out and if in the beginnings of 70’s its cut-age was 15-20 years, today the companies are working with cycles of 4-7 years and a productivity of 50-70 st/ha/yeas. The clones produced in some places can produce more than 100 st/ha/year. The cost of production is around US$ 1700,00/ha on the first rotation and US$ 650,00/ha on the second and subsequent.

Besides these many others are used. One that has interesting destiny Eucalyptus citriodora; essential oils produced from its leaves are used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Some institutes like IPT – Technological Research Institute – are studying the possibilities of using the Eucalyptus as timber-wood in civil buildings, houses, the furniture industry and others.

But it’s not all wonderful, if on one hand the Eucalyptus together with other exotic species, helps to reduce the pressures on the tropical forests, having, for example, to obtain of pulp and paper companies their products exclusively from the plantations, on the other hand many of areas virgin forests were clear cut to plant Eucalyptus, like in the north of Espirito Santo State.

Quercus suber L.

2008-02-29T08:46:00.000-08:00

by: Cristina Goncalves, Portugal

The cork oak is an evergreen tree belonging to the family Fagaceae and the genera Quercus.
Its origin is placed without a doubt in the Mediterranean and can be traced back to the Tertiary period.

Quercus suber is not a very widely spread species, presenting similar characteristics throughout its range. It can be found forming stands in Algeria, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia, though it can be found isolated as an ornamental tree in some other countries.
The distributio of this species is located between 44^o N and 33^o N and about 16^o E and 2^o W.

As the ecological and cultural characteristics of this species, it can be said that it requires a mean annual temperature between 22^o and 24^o C in the summer and 8^o and 10^o C in the winter and the annual precipitation between 400 and 800 mm, but stands well precipitations up to 200 mm. The cork tree can not live at temperatures below -5^o C.
The culture of the cork tree is well suited to regions above 200 m altitude but it can reach 2400 m without any loss of vigor. It prefers coastal areas, though it grows well inland.

It does better in silical and xist soils, but does not grow well in compact and calcium-rich soils. It is not a demanding species in terms of soil nutrients, growing in soils of low fertility where other species can not go.
The cork oak is slow-growing and can reach 20 m in height. It is a tree of great longevity, easily reaching 200 years of age and capable of living much longer.
The crown is characterized by an irregularly globose to an umbrella with thick, almost horizontal branches with age and pruning.

Its stern is short and thick, with big branches that have an open angle of insertion, if it grows isolated. When in stand, the stem is longer and the branches have smaller insertion angles. Its bark is very characteristic: thick and corky and forming sinuous interconnecting ridges. Its colour is grayish-brown.
The root system of this tree is constituted by the main, vertical and well developed root and numerous lateral roots capable of great expansion. This last characteristic is common to the xerophytes.

The leaves are persistent, remaining on the tree for 2 or 3 years. This oak has an accentuated heterophylly with sizes between 3 – 7 X 2 – 3 cm. The most common shapes are ovate or ovate-oblong with a long and desenly pubescent petiole. The leaf has a main vein and 5 – 8 pairs of lateral veins that emerge from a somewhat sinuous midrib. Its margins are wavy with spine-tipped teeth. The lower face is grey and covered with the dense tomentous layer of star-shapped hairs. The upper face is dark green and smooth, with less dense tomentum than on the lower face.

The flowers form catkins situated in the leaf axils. The male inflorecences are placed at the extremity of the annual shoot and form thin, pendulous catkins. The female flowers are disposed in a short ear or spike in the middle part of the annual shoot. The flowering period lasts from April to June.

The fruits are acorns. The cup which encloses half of the nut, is 1.2 – 1.8 cm wide and is composed of long scales that project at right development of one year. They mature from the middle of October until the end of December.

The cork tree starts to fruit when it is about 15 – 20 years old and usually alternates years of very good productions with others of very bad ones.
The most important product is the cork. It can be used for many things, but its most noble product is without a doubt the stops for wine and champagne. One can not forget the other uses of cork that are: parquet for floors, insulation from heat and noise, floats, shoes (this use dates back to the Roman Empire), and cork paper used for folders, purses or dresses.

The fruits were used to fatten pigs in the Iberian Peninsula. Nowadays they provides feed for sheep, cattle and even ostriches.
The last two products are the cambium and felogene, and wood. The first one was used for the easy to work and not having very good quality, is used mainly for coal or firewood.

Nowadays, the main problems with the culture of Quercus suber are the diseases caused by:
Totrix viridana L.
Coeliodes rubber Marsh.
Orchestres irroratus Kiews.
Orchestres crythopus Germar.
Periclista Andrei Konow.
Lymantria dyspar L.

The major problem that affects the cork stands (montados de sobro) is the existence of large areas of dying stands. This is caused by the advanced age of the trees, or by the premature death caused by plowing and deep grading for agricultural purposes that impede the natural regeneration of the cork trees and improvish the soils. In these conditions the trees are attacked by:
Hypoxylon mediterraneum De Not.
Coraebus undatus Fab.
Coraebus florentinus L.