Potential High Conservation Value of Mount Ungaran as a Step-stone for Essential Ecosystem Area Plan

Abstract

High conservation value (HCV) helps stakeholders conduct sustainable forest management by considering social and environmental aspects. It requires a high level of protection to ensure the high conservation value of an area persists in the long term. Mount Ungaran is one of the essential areas in Central Java for migratory bird areas, endangered species habitat, and water catchment areas that require fundamental action steps for sustainable conservation. Hence, this preliminary study aims to evaluate the feasibility of Mount Ungaran for HCV assessment as support for terrestrial essential ecosystem areas in Central Java. This preliminary study is an exploratory observational study. Data were collected using observation, interviews, and focus group discussions supported by data analysis from previous studies. Based on the observation, Mount Ungaran meets the criteria for HCV assessment for sustainable development of forest area conservation. However, the application of HCV needs to be considered for cross-sectoral integration and cooperation. The initial evaluation of the potential HCV inventory shows that the Mount Ungaran area has met the conservation area assessment criteria. Furthermore, Mount Ungarant plays an essential role as a habitat of endangered and protected species, provides economic incomes, social and cultural benefits. It makes the Mount Ungaran area ought to be conserved sustainably. Based on these criteria, an HCV assessment needs to be carried out as a first step in the commitment to establishing a crucial terrestrial essential ecosystem area on Mount Ungaran