A note on the progress of biodiversity research in Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia is the second largest country in the world in terms of tropical rain forest areas, after Brazil in South America, which consist of many forest types and also very rich biological diversity. Indonesia is one of the main world centers for biodiversity and it can be said to have “mega diversity” . The high pressure on tropical forest ecosystems in the form of natural and man-made disturbances, i.e. deforestation and other practices has caused the high rate of biodiversity losses on an unprecedented scale. To curtail this problem, we must be aware, do more research and act to save our biodiversity, which includes ecosystem, species and genetic diversity. Loss of biodiversity also means loss of human traditional knowledge on biodiversity. This paper will discuss awareness, research on biodiversity (government and non- government) and what kind action and regulation have been made by the Indonesian government, in connection with saving, protecting and conserving biodiversity.