Conservation management rules for reconstructing Moluccan Scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei) egg-laying habitats

Abstract

This research focused on the efforts of indigenous people invested into the reconstruction of damaged Moluccan Scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei) egg-laying habitats, as well as, on the ways how the current conditions of the landscapes are conserved by indigenous people. This is a qualitative and quantitative study that used a combination of observation and interview methods. We also used descriptive analysis and spatial analysis including remote sensing techniques. The results showed that the abrasion process that destroyed the Moluccan Scrubfowl egg-laying habitat left a remaining sandbar with an area of 1,161 m2, or about 17% of the area of the initial sandbar. Even though the habitat has not fully recovered, Moluccan Scrubfowls still lay their eggs there. The details of the reconstruction activities carried out by indigenous people are as follows: making embankments, adding sand to the eroded area, replanting supporting coastal vegetation, and making breeding sites. In addition, efforts were also made to restore the surrounding support areas that were also damaged. The activities carried out were as follows: replantation of coral reefs, turtle breeding, nurseries and mangrove planting, nurseries of other plant species such as cloves and nutmegs, picking up trash along the coast, and early education for children in how to be environmentally conscious.

Traditional egg-harvesting policies for the endemic Moluccan ScrubfowlEulipoa wallaceion Haruku Island, Indonesia, and its conservation implications

“…Haruku Island is one of the islands in Maluku, Indonesia (3.5670S, 128.4830E) (Figure 1). The people of Kailolo Village have made egg harvesting at Cape Maleo a tradition due to the influence of their traditional beliefs (Heij et al 1997, Heij 2001, Heij and Rompas 2011, Saiya and Heij 2017. Cape Maleo is an important bird-nesting site in Central Maluku and is located on the island's north-western coast.…”

“…Strong support for imposing sanctions on those responsible for destroying bird-nesting habitats or capturing birds reflects the communities' dedication to protecting bird habitats (Figure 5f). Thus, the whole community can feel the benefits of bird eggs (Heij et al 1997, Heij and Rompas 2011, Saiya and Heij 2017. The auction winner is tasked with managing nest habitats in Cape Maleo so that birds continue to nest and eggs are always available.…”

“…This traditional policy has a conservation flaw in that it needs to regulate the maximum number of eggs collected or the time of egg collection. At a second nesting site on Haruku Island, just off the coast of Haruku village, traditional policies prohibit egg collection in areas designated as customary protected areas, but harvesting is permitted outside them (Saiya andHeij 2017, Simanjuntak et al 2020). In Kao Village on Halmahera Island, the community and government have forbidden the collection of Moluccan Scrubfowl eggs since 2018 to increase the population (Simanjuntak et al 2020).…”

“…Historically, eggharvesting activities have been regulated in both nesting areas to preserve bird eggs' availability for harvest (Heij et al 1997, Heij and Rompas 2011, Simanjuntak et al 2020. Compared with Halmahera Island, the traditional policy of harvesting bird eggs in Cape Maleo is heavily influenced by the belief of the Kailolo Village residents that their ancestors gave them bird eggs to use (Heij et al 1997, Heij 2001, Heij and Rompas 2011, Saiya and Heij 2017. Therefore, decisions are made regarding the time for harvesting eggs and the price for selling eggs so that all levels of society benefit from the bird eggs, and it is hoped that the birds will continue to nest.…”

“…Their policy is based on the belief that their ancestors provided them with bird eggs to use. Therefore, harvesting bird eggs must be governed to ensure that all villagers benefit(Heij et al 1997, Heij and Rompas 2011, Saiya and Heij 2017. The traditional policy for managing egg harvesting consists of three stages: (1) auction of the lease of bird egg-harvesting rights; (2) distribution of auction proceeds; (3) actual egg harvest.…”