Research and Collaboration Continue to be Critical Focus Areas for RER
- Partnerships agreed with a number of wildlife protection organisations in 2023
- Latest RER Progress Report also highlights rising inventory of biodiversity in RER are
The latest Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) Progress Report has highlighted the ongoing importance of research and multi-stakeholder collaboration to the operations of the project, as well as providing updates on progress and key milestones achieved last year.
Set up in 2013 by APRIL Group and located on Sumatra’s eastern coastline, RER comprises 150,693 hectares of forest situated in two areas. 130,095 hectares are located on the Kampar Peninsula, while Another 20,599 hectares are located on the nearby Padang Island.
“The RER project is a world-class example of business leadership in nature protection demonstrating how strong partnerships with local communities, conservation organisations, scientific researchers and government can create a model of sustainable conservation that benefits nature, advances science and supports education,” says Bey Soo Khiang, Chairman, Advisory Board, Restorasi Ekosistem Riau.
In the research field, a major highlight in 2023 was the publication in Nature of a paper by APRIL’s peatland science team in collaboration with international researchers that compared the balance of greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration by different landscapes. The data will be crucial for understanding the climate implications of land-use changes on tropical peatland.
This study adds to a growing list of collaborations with researchers from different parts of the world. Since 2016, RER has hosted research teams from ten universities in eight countries, including UK, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Singapore and the U.S.
Active collaboration with a range of stakeholders also remains critical. Last year, RER entered into a collaboration with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) and the Indonesian Orangutan Habitat Restoration (RHOI). This partnership is aligned with the Indonesian government’s goals in promoting forest protection and supporting the conservation of endangered species like orangutans.
In 2023, the RER team also collaborated with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to initiate the APRIL-WCS Strategy to Prevent Illegal Wildlife Trade. This focuses on providing RER and APRIL field teams with the latest technology and training to mitigate the risks of illegal wildlife activities within the APRIL landscape.
Engagement with local communities around the RER landscapes continues to be a priority. In 2023, a five-year partnership was agreed between RER and the Segamai community, located close to one of the RER concession areas. The aim is to assist in protecting and managing the village forest while providing support to improve residents’ livelihoods. Activities under this partnership include training in forest protection and wildlife identification, and capacity building in forest management.
In the area of biodiversity monitoring, the 893 species of animals and plants identified in surveys in 2023 was 47 higher than the tally for 2022. This increase includes two birds, three plants, and an impressive 42 Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) species. Among the 893 plant and animal species identified in the RER area, 75 species are categorized by the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable (41), Endangered (21), and Critically Endangered (13).
Last year also marked a decade of progress since the RER project was first set up. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the RER team hosted screenings of the feature-length documentary Frontier Sumatra in six major Indonesian cities, captivating more than 1,200 university students with the story of the project’s beginnings.
Screenings of Frontier Sumatra are now also a key component of visits to the Eco-Research Camp, set up in 2021 on the edge of the RER forest to facilitate greater access to the area for scientists and researchers.
The full report can be viewed here.
