This paper develops an optimization framework to decide where reforestation and afforestation should happen first in Belitung Island to deliver the biggest gains for people and nature. The team integrates spatial data on land use, degradation, and ecosystem services—carbon storage, water regulation, habitat quality—then runs scenarios to identify high‑impact restoration zones under real‑world constraints.
The findings show that targeting mosaic landscapes—mixes of degraded forest, shrubland, and idle concessions—can maximize co‑benefits. Prioritized areas simultaneously lock away significant carbon, buffer communities from floods, and reconnect habitat corridors. The framework also highlights trade‑offs: for example, maximizing carbon alone can shift plantings away from zones that most reduce flood risk. By making these trade‑offs explicit, the model supports transparent decision‑making among local governments, businesses, and communities.
Importantly, the study is designed for policy uptake. It uses widely available datasets and open‑source methods so the workflow can be replicated by district planning offices. Stakeholders can adjust weights (e.g., to emphasize water security or biodiversity) and update inputs as better maps arrive. That flexibility matters as Belitung navigates post‑mining transitions and develops eco‑tourism.
By focusing on outcomes people feel—safer villages, cooler microclimates, better water quality—this research links ecosystem restoration to daily well‑being. It directly advances SDG 15 (terrestrial ecosystems) while supporting SDG 13 (climate mitigation) and SDG 11 (resilient, green towns and cities).
Read full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2024.101199
Credits
Universitas Padjadjaran authors: Zuzy Anna.
Other institutions involved: Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB); Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS); Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM); Government of Belitung Island Regency (various offices).
Hashtags: #UnpadResearch #SDG15 #Restoration #Belitung #EcosystemServices