Jakarta, October 26, 2024 – The Europe Today: The National Research Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia is conducting an extensive analysis of the Sumatran orangutan’s food sources and habitat suitability to bolster conservation efforts for this critically endangered species. Aimed at understanding and predicting the orangutans’ distribution, the research seeks to create an accurate habitat suitability model, as outlined by Salmah Widyastuti, a post-doctoral researcher at BRIN’s Applied Zoology Research Center.
“This project uses spatial data and existing information on orangutan presence to identify areas with optimal habitat conditions,” Widyastuti stated on Friday. Her team employs advanced machine learning algorithms and a combination of predictive models to assess habitat suitability, which will allow conservation programs to target areas most beneficial to the orangutans.
In Gunung Leuser National Park, a critical habitat for Sumatran orangutans, the model analyzes food plant distributions as indicators of suitable environments. Researchers identified seven key plant species—such as Calamus sp., Garcinia penangiana, and Ixora insularum—from a list of 221 food sources in the park and surrounding areas. “Understanding the composition of these plants helps us assess nutritional resources and their link to orangutan population density,” Widyastuti explained.
The study recorded 1,144 data points of orangutan presence from direct sightings, camera traps, and nest observations, feeding into the model’s predictions. This data helps pinpoint potential release sites for orangutans, particularly in regions currently lacking presence data.
Widyastuti emphasized the importance of technology and collaboration among government, academia, and local communities to strengthen orangutan conservation efforts. “Collective awareness and partnership are essential to ensuring the survival of this endangered species,” she affirmed.
BRIN’s ongoing research is a critical step toward sustaining the Sumatran orangutan population, enhancing habitat management strategies, and securing viable ecosystems for future generations.
