Which natural forests were lost when and where between 1985 and 2009?Over the past 23 years, Sumatra lost almost half of its forest cover, at an average rate of 542,000 hectares (2.1%) per year (Map 4). By 2008/9 this had reduced the natural forest cover of the 44 million hectare Sumatran mainland to 12.8 million ha or 29%. Map 4 a to d of the report.—Natural forest in Sumatra in 1985, 1990, 2000 and 2008/9 (green) and lost since 1985 (red). Eighty-one percent of the island’s forest loss occurred below 150 meters elevation – generally much easier to clear and plant than hills and mountains (Map 5). Low-lying area are highly threatened and under-represented among the island's conservation areas, despite the fact that they contain high carbon stores, especially those located on peat soil, represent highly threatened eco-floristic sectors and are habitat for highly threatened mega-fauna species.
Map 5 of the report.—Natural forest loss 1985 to 2008 by soil and elevation. Peatland forest (dark green, close to 100% are below 150 meter above sea level) and non-peatland forest <150 meters, 150–300 meters and >300 meters above sea level remaining in 2008 and lost since 1985. Sumatra’s central province of Riau had the highest deforestation rate (Figure 2). By 2008/9, it lost 4.4 million ha (63%) at an average annual rate of up to 4.8% (202,373 ha). More than one third of the island’s forest loss over the past 23 years occurred in this province (Fig. 2). Plantations increasingly have been replacing much of that forest: Riau produces more palm oil and more pulp for paper than any other province in Indonesia.
Figure 2 of the report.—Natural forest loss in Sumatra’s mainland provinces from 1985 to 2008/9. Dense natural forests like those on the left photo and the top of the right photo are being cleared to make way for acacia pulp wood and oil palm plantations © WWF Indonesia. Most of Sumatra's very recent forest loss in central Sumatra: Riau (35%), Jambi (19%), South Sumatra (14%) and West Sumatra (13%) (red areas in Map 6). Central Sumatra is one of the world’s top pulp for paper production centers with three huge pulp mills being operated by Asia Pulp & Paper and APRIL. The companies continue to rely on natural forest to feed their mills.
Map 6 of the report.—Natural forest remaining in Sumatra in 2008 (green) and lost in 1985-1990 (brown), 1990-2000 (yellow), 2000-2006/7 (orange) and 2006/7-2008/9 (red). Read more:
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