Ani Mardiastuti

Effects of deforestation and forest modification on understorey birds in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Summary To estimate the potential of forest birds to persist in the increasingly deforested island of Sulawesi, we undertook a mist-net survey in the understorey of natural as well as modified forest (forest garden and heavily logged forest) at submontane elevations in Central Sulawesi. A total of forty 102 m mist-net lines were distributed over five 16 ha study sites. Two of the sites were situated in an extensively forested valley, and three in a valley with severely fragmented forest. Of 23 species captured, only seven were typical understorey dwellers of submontane forest, five of which are Sulawesi region endemics. Most were found in similar numbers in natural and modified forest, but one species was significantly more common in modified forest. Of the five endemics, two species were confined to, and one species was significantly more abundant in, the extensively forested valley compared with the severely deforested valley. Our results suggest that the conservation of the remaining submontane forest is crucial to the conservation of Central Sulawesi’s understorey bird diversity, but that many Sulawesi endemics might be able to survive in modified habitats.

Home Range, Diet and Behaviour of the Tonkean Macaque ( Macaca tonkeana ) in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi

According to Fooden (1969, 1980) there are 19 species in the genus Macaca, of which seven occur endemically on Sulawesi, an area covering less than 2% of the total generic range (Albrecht 1978 cited in Bynum et al. 1997). Although there are already several field studies on Macaca nigra, Macaca nigrescen, and Macaca maura (MacKinnon 1980, Sugardjito et al. 1989, Supriatna 1991, Kohlhaas 1993, Kinnaird and O’Brien 1995, 1996, Reed et al. 1997, Rosenbaum et al. 1998, Okamoto and Matsumura 2002), only little has been done on the behaviour and ecology of the Tonkean macaque Macaca tonkeana. The Tonkean macaque (Macaca tonkeana) is a Central Sulawesi endemic and considered at lower risk/near threatened (Lr/nt) by IUCN categories (Hilton-Taylor 2000). Sulawesi Macaques are found in lowland and hill forests but only uncommon at elevations above 1500 m (Sarasin & Sarasin 1905, cited in Whitten, 1987). For Macaca tonkeana, the primary conservation issue at this time appears to be the ability of populations to persist in highland protected areas, since habitat encroachment, hunting and eradication as crop raiders appear to pose problems at moderate elevations (Bynum et al. 1999). The Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi is located in the centre of the species’ range and comprises generally mountainous terrain with over 90% of the park area located above 1000 m (Wirawan 1981).

RATTAN DIVERSITY AND BROAD EDAPHIC NICHES IN A TROPICAL RAINFOREST OF BUTON, SULAWESI, INDONESIA

PRITCHETT, R., PHILLIPS, A., MARDIASTUTI, A. & POWLING, A. 2016. Rattan diversity and broad edaphic niches in a tropical rainforest of Buton, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Reinwardtia 15(2): 99 – 110. — This paper attempts to answer the question: how can at least 20 species of rattan palms in the genus Calamus (family Palmae (Arecaceae)) co -exist in a rainforest? A survey of rattans was made in Lambusango Forest on Buton, an island close to south east Sulawesi, in Indonesia. Rattan species and numbers were recorded in 87 quadrats of 30 × 10 m, laid out along linear transects in habitats with a variety of soils. Evidence for edaphic (soil) niches was sought. Different rattan species were found to be adapted to soils with different conductivity and pH values. Standardised mean difference (d) scores were calculated for pairs of species based on their response to soil pH. Of the 66 pairs tested, 61 were found to be significantly different statistically. Such differences suggest, but do not prove, that many species occupy different edaphic niches. It was found that species which show a preference for soils with intermediate pH values (5.0 to 6.5) can grow in soils with a wide range of pH values, implying broad edaphic niches and that competition between these species is weak. Correspondence analysis shows that many species do not distinguish greatly between many soils with intermediate pH values. It is concluded that rattan species show evidence for having different edaphic niches, although the niches for many species are broad. It is speculated that many rattan species may be ecologically equivalent and that a weak version of ecological neutrality theory may apply.

KEBERHASILAN BERSARANG BURUNG REMETUK RAWA Gerygone magnirostris DAN REMETUK BAKAU G. levigaster PADA HABITAT MANGROVE DI DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

Despite its large distribution, very few studies have been done on the reproductive ecology of the genus Gerygone, a member of the family of Australo-Papuan warblers. Mangrove Gerygone and Large-billed Gerygone use mangrove habitats for breeding in the Top End of Australia. This study attempted to reveal the nesting success of those species. Both conventional method and Mayfield method were used to calculate the nesting success. The results showed that nesting success of both species was low compared to those of other Australian passerines. Keywords: Nesting success, gerygone magnirostris, gerygone levigaster, mangrove habitat, mayfield methodSylvery gibbon (Hylobates moloch) is endemic species in western part of Java Island. Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park currently is known to be place of viable population for the species. Threatened on habitat is a primary problem for its conservation. Therefore it is an urgent need to study its habitat suitability distribution. The main objectives of the research are: 1) to analyze habitat suitability of sylvery gibbon (H. moloch Audebert) in Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park using Geographical Information System, 2) to examine of its habitat condition. Result shows that habitat suitability of the species can be accurately predicted by using thematic maps of elevation, slope, distance from road, river, and land cover. Based on our prediction, potential habitat for sylvery gibbon in Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park is about 33018 ha, in which classified as lowest habitat suitability (846.27 Ha), intermediate habitat suitability (12,311.9 Ha) and high habitat suitability (24,624.2 Ha). Most of the suitable habitat is under forest cover. Keywords: Habitat, Hylobates moloch, suitability