Spatial modeling of conflict vulnerability of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) with humans in Besitang

Abstract

High human activity around and in the forest is one of the causes of damage to Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) habitat in the forest landscape of Besitang. Deforestation and degradation have caused forest fragmentation so that Sumatran elephant habitat becomes narrow. As a result, Sumatran elephants look for a new space outside their natural habitat such as agricultural land and plantations owned by communities around the forest. The conflict between Sumatran elephants and humans cannot be avoided. The objective of this study was to get information about the vulnerability distribution of Sumatran elephant conflict with humans based on the influenced factors in Besitang. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method was used to select and weight the factors that are thought to influence the distribution of Sumatran elephant conflict with humans. Overlay analysis of the factors that influence the conflicts distribution between Sumatran elephants and humans was done using Geographic Information System (GIS). The results of the study showed that the vulnerability of human-elephant conflict could be divided into three classes, namely the highly vulnerable areas of conflict which are 43,981.11 ha (26.99%), medium vulnerable areas which are 41,632.74 ha (25.56%) and not vulnerable areas which are 77,291.73 ha (47.45%). The results of the model validation test showed a value of 87.5%.