Identifying Appropriate Surrogate for Gunung Leuser Priority Species by Using their Characters and Distributions: A Review

Abstract

Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP) priority species is a surrogate species representing four wildlife, Panthera tigris sumatrae, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, Elephas maximus sumatrensis, and Pongo abelii living within GLNP. GLNP priority species was appointed based on the extinction status, endemicity, population and habitat conditions, threat, and regional representation of wildlife. “GLNP priority species” terminology was considered from flagship species, keystone species, umbrella species, or charismatic species. This literature review aimed to clarify the appropriateness of GLNP priority species to other surrogates by comparing the characters and distributions of GLNP priority species to the definition of surrogate species. This review identified five surrogate species: key-stone species, indicator species, umbrella species, flagship species, and charismatic species. GLNP priority species are appropriate to be GLNP flagship species based on two considerations: (1) the characters of all GLNP priority species which are endemic wildlife of Sumatera and are critically endangered based on the International Union for Conservation of Natures’ status and (2) the condition of the priority species distributions which periodically decreased (elephant and rhino) and are threatened (tiger and orangutan). Besides, tiger and orangutan also can be determined as umbrella species considering their distribution spreads which are extensively covering the GLNP area.