Case of Java Island -- Part II
Factor Analysis & Effects of Deforestation in Indonesia
Deforestation in Indonesia occurs mainly for agricultural land and urban usage. Effects of deforestation includes enormous carbon emission, wildlife threat, and, one may not expect, ethical problems.
Factor Identification
I. Expansion of Palm Farms for Palm Oil Production
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The Arecaceae, also known as palm, is a family of perennial, flowering plants in the monocot order Arecales. Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. Those having a tree-like form are colloquially called palm trees. Currently, 181 genera with around 2,600 species are known, most of which are restricted to tropical and subtropical climates.
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Palm oil, derived from Arecaceae, is a key ingredient widely applied in many cosmetics, food products, and biofuels. Palms are known for their oil yield – approximately 10 times more than other species such as soybean and sunflower. On average, a person can consume 17 pounds of oil products globally. 60% of palm oil was generated in Indonesia, according to World Agricultural Production (WAP). Although some research have been conducted by organizations such as International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to show that the negative effects of deforestation outweigh the benefits of planting palm farms, the high profitability of palm oil and self-interest have encouraged continuous expansion of oil palm monoculture in Indonesia, leading to the clearing of vast forested areas.
Palm Tree
Palm Oil
Deforestation for Palm Farm
Factor Identification
II. Overpopulation and Urban Sprawl
Java is the most densely populated island in the world, with a population density of 1,400 people/km² (statistics for comparison: Indonesia: 151 people/km2, Hawaii: 82.5 people/km2). The population density is still increasing, leading to continuous land conversion for housing and infrastructure and demand for timber and agricultural land, further accelerating deforestation.
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Research shows that the number of villages in Java is constantly increasing, and urban expansion is a very serious problem the government is now unable to solve. Although the government tried to implement spatial plans, those plans were not detailed enough to be practised, failing to prevent urbanization. If this phenomenon cannot be controlled, the deforestation rate in Java will further increase.
Urban Sprawl in Jakarta
Villages in Indonesia
Deforestation for Spaces in Indonesia
Effect analysis
I. Carbon Emissions & Methane Discharge
Deforestation contributes to carbon emissions, intensifying climate change, especially global warming. In Indonesia, this problem is exacerbated by planting oil palms on peatlands. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Although palm oil was found to have lower life-cycle emissions compared to conventional gasoline and diesel, it failed to meet the required 20% reduction in emissions needed for inclusion in the new biofuel blends. What’s worse is the shift towards the use of peatland to grow palms – studies showed that in 2008, 70% of new plants were grown at peatlands. Besides common release of carbon dioxide, peatlands contain methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) that is much stronger than carbon dioxide. In fact, the global warming potential (GWP) of methane is about 16~17 times greater than the one of carbon dioxide. Indonesia is already among the top 10 GHG emitters worldwide, with most of its GHGs coming from deforestation for palm land. If the trend continues, the GHG emission will further increase, worsening global warming.
Peatland
Effect analysis
II. Endangering keystone species
Deforestation also destroys habitats and endangers biodiversity, including key species that contribute to ecosystem stability, especially orangutans and Sumatran Tiger.
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Orangutan, meaning “man of the forest” in Malay, is a keystone species that is native to and heavily rely on rainforests in Indonesia. Considered as one of the most intelligent non-human species and “gardeners” of the forest, orangutans help promote seed dispersal and maintain forest biodiversity. All three types of orangutans, the Bornean Orangutan, the Sumatran Orangutan, and Tapanuli Orangutan, the latter of those only found in rainforests in Indonesia, are listed as “critically endangered” mainly due to habitat loss.
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Sumatran Tiger, the only tiger species preserved in Indonesian forests, is also prone to distinction. The Sumatran Tiger strongly dislikes palm farms, but plays a great role in maintaining plant diversity by controlling the number of herbivores.
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It’s obvious that, if deforestation continues worsening, these keystone species will become extinct, devastating the biodiversity in rainforests, especially plant diversity.
Orangutan
Sumatran Tiger
Effect analysis
III. Ethical Issues and Economic Loss Concerning Indigenous Settlers
Deforestation also raises social conflicts worldwide, including regions in Indonesia. It violates indigenous land rights and triggers illegal immigrant labor influxes, further causing land crowding and urban sprawl. It also threatens cultural (including religious) services rainforests provide to indigenous people. Additionally, according to the Rainforest Action Network, 99 million indigenous Indonesian people rely on rainforests for their livelihoods, generating 21% of Indonesia’s GDP. Thus, deforestation will not only cause social conflicts, but also lead to unemployment and loss of economic values.
Effect analysis
IV. Other Negative Effects
Other effects include:
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Oil palm monoculture causes specific nutrients to be depleted due to constant utilization.
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Most palm farms are created by slash-and-burn methods. That is to burn rainforests to create agricultural land. This is a very unsustainable approach, as nutrients generated from organisms will be quickly depleted, and cannot be regenerated.
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Like any form of deforestation, erosion rates of soil increase as tree roots no longer stabilize the soil, leading to runoff of sediments, fertilizer, and pesticides, decreasing water quality of seas and oceans nearby.
