FRAGMENTASI HUTAN ALAM LAHAN KERING DI PROVINSI JAWA TENGAH

Abstract

Dryland natural forest in Central Java Province is decreasing and being fragmented at an alarming rate. This, consequently will impact on the survival of biodiversity that inhabit inside the dryland natural forest. This research was aimed to study the process and rate of fragmentation of dryland natural forest in Central Java Province and to evaluate the possible consequencies on wildlife. The result showed that in 16-year period (1990-2006) Central Java Province has lost 446,561.09 ha (88%) of its dryland natural forest. The remaining forests are commonly scattered in the top of mountains that are difficult to be accessed by human activities. From 1990 to 2000 the fragmentation caused the increase of total edge from 42.43 km to 133.88 km. During the period of 2000-2006, as the forest patches disappeared due to the attrition process, the total edge decreased to 8.75 km. During 1990-2000 the edge density of dryland natural forest increased from 151,061.8 m 2 to 473,200.6 m 2. The edge density decreased during the period of 2000-2006 down to 31,076.6 m 2 due to the process of attrition. Fragmentation of dryland natural forest in Central Java Province is mainly caused by conversion for agriculture, plantation forest, crop estate, settlement, and infrastructure development such as artery roads, highway, and ultra high voltage network. The forest fragmentation in Central Java Province must be stopped. Spatial planning should not only consider the extent of the forest but also take into account the compactnes and connectivity among the forest patches. To avoid the extinction and to increase the survival of wildlife inhabiting the forest patches, corridors and buffer zones must be developed to extend the existing habitat. State forest areas that have been deforested must be reforested. Production forests must be functioned as habitat extention and corridors among the fragmented wildlife habitat.