Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – Professor Syartinilia, a landscape management expert at IPB University, stated that Sumatra has the highest trend of biodiversity loss in Indonesia. Recent data confirms this decline is sharper than in any other region.
"Analysis at the meso scale in Sumatra using the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) demonstrates that based on global data for the period 2017-2020, Sumatra recorded the highest level of biodiversity loss in Indonesia," Syartinilia said in a statement on Friday, December 26, 2025.
Syartinilia noted that under a business-as-usual scenario, biodiversity loss will reach 15 percent by 2050. However, a sustainable approach could limit this loss to 11 percent. Her research also focused on the habitats of key species, including Sumatran elephants, orangutans, and tigers.
The study predicts that elephant habitats will shrink by 66 percent if current trends continue. In contrast, a sustainable model could lead to a 5 percent increase in habitat. "The sustainable approach has proven to significantly reduce habitat loss," she said.
Based on these findings, Syartinilia recommends focused restoration, community conservation, and large-scale investment, with Sumatra as the priority.
Projection of Indonesia's ecosystem in 2050
Syartinilia also shared a study on Indonesia's ecosystem projections regarding human activity and climate change. This research tracks national vulnerability through 2050 to help plan climate adaptation. The team used a multiscale approach to analyze climate exposure and vegetation quality across the country. By combining these variables, they ranked landscape vulnerability into nine levels.
"The results show that nationally, Indonesia is still dominated by low to moderate vulnerability, although there are areas with high vulnerability," said the lecturer from IPB's Faculty of Agriculture. She also serves as the Secretary of the International Research Institute for Climate and Environment (IRI LPI).
The analysis found that wetlands and mountain ecosystems are the most vulnerable types nationwide. "Spatially, Sumatra is recorded as the region with the highest vulnerability, followed by Papua, Kalimantan, and Maluku," she said. This data will contribute to the National Communication document for climate change adaptation.
Syartinilia emphasized that historical data and future projections show that climate change and human activities are linked. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and sea-level rise are all part of a single process. "Anthropogenic factors have a significant contribution to strengthening the impact of climate change on Indonesia's ecosystems," Syartinilia said.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2076232/sumatra-faces-highest-biodiversity-loss-in-indonesia-expert-say