WWF finds record number of species in highly threatened Indonesian forest

Posted on February, 04 2002

A new survey done by WWF has found that the tropical forest of Tesso Nilo, on the island of Sumatra, harbours the highest level of lowland forest plant biodiversity known to science. But WWF also warns that this forest could be lost in less than four years.

Gland, Switzerland - A new field survey done by WWF has found that the tropical forest of Tesso Nilo, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, harbours the highest level of lowland forest plant biodiversity known to science.

But WWF also warns that this forest could be lost in less than four years if the current rate of logging continues, and is calling for Tesso Nilo to be set aside as a protected area.

The survey done by WWF scientists in the 1,800 square kilometre Tesso Nilo forest shows that it contains up to 218 vascular plant species in just one single 200 square metre plot.

This is nearly twice as high as the previous number of 114 species recorded using this same technique elsewhere in Sumatra.

It is also much higher than other humid, tropical lowland forests evaluated similarly in 19 other countries, including Brazil, Cameroon, New Guinea, and Peru.

One of Sumatra's single largest remaining blocks of lowland forest, Tesso Nilo is also home to a wide range of wildlife including elephants, tigers, gibbons, and even tapirs.

But, according to WWF, Tesso Nilo is being heavily logged for timber and pulp by both small-scale illegal loggers and an international corporation, with devastating effects on both plant and animal life.

"I am proud that the world�s richest forest, Tesso Nilo, is located in the Riau Province. This heritage should be safeguarded. I welcome anyone to come to Riau, learning to appreciate this biodiversity richness," said the Governor of Riau, H.E. Saleh Djasit. "However, situations in Riau are complex, and I am prepared to support all parties involved to come up with agreeable solutions."

On satellite images, Tesso Nilo stands out like a green ark harbouring Sumatra's unique wildlife in a rough sea of clear-cutting and plantations.

The logging that threatens Tesso Nilo is part of a pattern across Indonesia, where large financially troubled corporations, often with foreign ownership, liquidate standing forests for a tiny fraction of their true economic potential and without regard to their biological value.

Illegal logging in the country is a complex issue which involves various actors, including communities, bureaucrats, military personnel and global market interests.

Nevertheless, the Minister of Forestry has committed to crack down illegal logging. WWF believes that in Tesso Nilo, Indonesia has a good opportunity to show how such a commitment can be fulfilled.

On the ground, WWF is assisting parties involved to prevent further damage. "We urge the Government of Indonesia to act now and set aside the Tesso Nilo forest as a protected area for the good of future generations," said Agus Purnomo, Executive Director of WWF-Indonesia.

"Indonesia has a rare opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to conservation, which the global community would certainly welcome," added Dr Claude Martin, Director General of WWF International.

WWF also calls on the key consumer countries, notably the G8, to halt the international trade of illegal timber and at their next G8 Summit in June to commit to purchasing timber from legal sources that originate from sustainably managed forests.

For further information:

Nazir Foead, Coordinator WWF AREAS Indonesia, tel.: +62 21 576 1070 ext. 205 or +62 811 977 604 (mobile)
Jan Vertefeuille, Communications Officer, WWF-US, tel.: +1 202 861 8362
Olivier van Bogaert, Press Officer, WWF International, tel.: +41 364 95 54