Analysis of land cover changes on the Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) habitat due to forest fires in Gunung Leuser National Park

Abstract

Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP) is home to Indonesia’s native species, the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii). The GLNP in some of its areas has experienced forest degradation, one of which is by land clearing activities by burning. The purpose of this study is to analyze land cover changes due to forest fires in the habitat of Sumatran orangutans in GLNP, Langkat Regency, North Sumatera Province. This study used temporal and spatial analysis of fire hotspot data with land cover. Temporal analysis of land cover changes was conducted between before and after forest and land fires in the study area. There are at least 6,783 ha of forest fires, of which 1,541 ha were habitat distribution areas for Sumatran orangutans. From 2000-2019, 158 hotspots were detected, of which 36 hotspots were in the distribution area of Sumatran orangutan habitat. Land cover in the study area has mostly changed from primary dryland forest to plantations. The primary dryland forest that remained in the study area only 483.51 Ha in 2019 after converting since 2000. Communities around GLNP need to be assisted in the process of ecosystem restoration through a conservation partnership pattern to restore the function of the area, one of which is as a habitat for Sumatran orangutans.