Conservation of the Sabangau Forest and its Biodiversity in Kalimantan

The Sabangau peat forest in Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia covers an area of 6,300km2 and is one of the most important regions for the conservation of biodiversity in Borneo.

The area is still under severe threat and logging is rife in the remote areas. WildCru and partner organisation OUTROP, conduct research focused on the impact of illegal logging, drainage of the ecosystem, and ecological monitoring to support habitat management. Animals studied include clouded leopards, gibbons and orangutans.

The research aims to strengthen the evidence base for the conservation of biodiversity, in line with the objectives of the Convention on Biodiversity and CITES. It also works to improve the capacity of Indonesian organisations; in particular the National Park staff to carry out conservation work by introducing scientific techniques, equipment and experience.

Headed by Dr Susan Cheyne, WildCru also works on forest regeneration and restoration ecology, as well as many aspects of tropical peat-swamp forest ecology and biodiversity. In 2011, ADMCF filled a 12-month funding gap to support WildCru to continue this much-needed research.