The utilization of trees by endangered primate species Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) in shade-grown coffee agroforestry of Central Java

Abstract

Although human intervention remains high, a shade-grown coffee agroforestry in Kemuning, Central Java still have important roles for biodiversity conservation. Among various fauna, the Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus), a critically endangered species, can survive in this agroforestry system. The use of spatial method on shade-grown coffee agroforestry seems unusual. We aim to investigate the utilization of tree and other vegetation by Javan slow lorises in a shade-grown coffee agroforestry ecosystem in Kemuning Forest. We followed two individuals (male and female) of slow lorises from December 2018 until May 2019 using radio collar. We recorded both vertical and horizontal positions of each individual based on their position on trees at two spatial dimensions (vertical and horizontal). To explore whether lorises select certain tree species, we laid 275 plots (20×20m) in their habitat and using Chi-square test for the analysis. Our findings show that both male and female of Javan slow loris in shade-grown coffee agroforestry use different forest stratum for their activity. The female used 42.11% of their time to do exploratory activity in the outer part of the canopy, regardless the vertical position, and 43.76% in the middle part (vertical position) and the outer part (horizontal position) of the canopy. While the male mostly uses the inner part of the canopy (52.57%) and upper part of the canopy for feeding activity (64.37%). Both male (Chi-square test = 264.05, p < 0.05) and female (Chi-square test = 357.35, p < 0.05) lorises select tree species for their behavior. We provide here evidence of biodiversity conservation services by shade-grown coffee agroforestry practices in Indonesia. The intensity of coffee management under tropical trees seems does not impact significantly to the presence and behavior of slow loris, however precautionary measures to reduce poaching should be done as this endangered species threatened by illegal activity. Benefivial values from managing shade-grown coffee agroforestry for generating income for locals such as wildlife-friendly coffee production can also be alternative hand in hand to reduce poaching.

Bird Assemblages in Coffee Agroforestry Systems and Other Human Modified Habitats in Indonesia

“…Diverse shade systems have been known to play important roles in maintaining biodiversity and crop productivity [ 22 ]. Coffee agroforestry systems are potential refugia for various wildlife including butterflies [ 23 ], birds [ 24 , 25 ], and mammals [ 16 , 26 , 27 ]. Evidence on the effect of shade tree removal on wildlife diversity are, however, still unclear and evidence is biased towards the Neotropics and Africa [ 8 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 26 , 27 ].…”

“…Coffee agroforestry systems are potential refugia for various wildlife including butterflies [ 23 ], birds [ 24 , 25 ], and mammals [ 16 , 26 , 27 ]. Evidence on the effect of shade tree removal on wildlife diversity are, however, still unclear and evidence is biased towards the Neotropics and Africa [ 8 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 26 , 27 ]. This is a huge gap in knowledge since the response of these interventions are taxon-specific and depend on other local factors such as biogeographical regions and resource availability.…”

“…While protected areas on Java are small and scattered [ 30 ], wildlife related exploitation for wildlife trade has a profound negative effect on avian [ 33 , 34 ] and mammal [ 35 ] conservation. Agroforestry systems using shade grown coffee can serve an important role in the future of biodiversity conservation on Java [ 13 , 26 , 33 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”

Identifying Important Areas for the Release of Five Endemic Species in a Mountainous Landscape: Inference from Spatial Modeling Techniques

“…According to the response curve of Maxent's modeling, the habitat suitability of javan slow loris tends to be higher closer to the secondary forest. Moreover, bamboo woods and agricultural lands, such as coffee and rubber plantations (Cabana et al, 2017;Nekaris et al, 2017;Sari et al, 2020;Sodik et al, 2020), are frequent habitats for Javan slow loris (Voskamp et al, 2014;Nekaris et al, 2017). Owing to the large amount of feed in agricultural areas, the habitat of the javan slow loris has a very wide niche (Pliosungnoen et al, 2010).…”

The Importance of Unprotected Areas as Habitat for The Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) on Java, Indonesia

“…Java's production forests are also important to other species, including some that are threatened, endangered, or declining. They provide habitat for javan surili Presbytis fredericae (Setiawan et al 2007;, javan gibbon Hylobates moloch (Nijman 2004), javan slow loris Nycticebus javanicus (Lehtinen et al 2013;Nekaris et al 2017a;Sari et al 2020), and entire avian communities (Imron et al 2018). In fact, many of these forests, though traditionally thought longdepleted and degraded on Java, are actually of high conservation value (HCV) (Sulistyowati & Hadi 2018).…”