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ArchivesStaff: Visiting Research FellowsVisiting Research Fellow (Term: February. 1, 2010 - July 31, 2010) Division of Human-Nature Dynamics Research InterestsI am interested in human-nature relationships and their impacts both on
human and also on nature. In Sumatra, especially in Riau, I am studying
the transformation of natural ecosystems into production ecosystems, such
as agricultural lands, plantations, agroecosystems, and also into human
habitats (homegardens in rural and urban areas). The general objectives
of my studies are: (1) to characterize the nature of such transformations;
(2) to assess their impacts; and (3) to explore most possible ways to enhance
their sustainability. I use four major measures to assess the level of
sustainability, i.e. how much such transformations support human livelihoods
and cultures (especially smallholders), biodiversity and ecosystem functions,
local hydro-orological balance, and local contribution to global climatic
balance.
Environmental changes have been taking place very rapidly in Riau since the beginning of 1980s. These changes have been particularly marked by the rapid loss and fragmentation of natural forest cover and large scale alterations of fragile landscape systems, such as the wet lands and peat lands. The landscapes in Riau, like elsewhere in Sumatra, are undergoing ‘homogenization’ through the expansive establishment of oil palm and pulpwood plantations. Industrial plantations (including oil palm farms owned and maintained by smallholders) are now replacing much of the remaining natural forests, even in protected areas, old species-rich rubber forest-gardens, ‘sialang’ forests, durian gardens, and homegardens. Turning, almost blindfolded, to palm oil farming, smallholders in rural areas are loosing the diverse natural and traditional resources for livelihoods. This trend is alarming, given the richness in biodiversity that this equatorial province is endowed with. I am currently studying the smallholder rubber farming systems in Riau in collaboration with Prof. Yasuyuki Kono. We are exploring farmers’ knowledge about rubber cultivation and the types of management in practice, the ecological and socioeconomic characteristics of rubber farms in different areas of this province, and also their contribution to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Academic Career
Publications
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