Utilization Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) To Identify The Sumatran Orangutan Feed Tree (Pongo Abelii) At The Monitoring Post Of The Gunung Leuser National Park Halaban

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Introduction

The Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo Abelii) is a critically endangered species that relies heavily on feed trees in its natural habitat. To understand the ecology of orangutans and plan effective conservation, accurate and efficient mapping of feed trees becomes crucial. One innovative solution is the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which can provide accurate data with broad area coverage in a relatively short time. This study aims to map the distribution of orangutan feed trees at the Halaban monitoring post and determine the dominance of feed tree species found there.

Background

The Sumatran Orangutan is a species that is endemic to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is a critically endangered species due to habitat loss and fragmentation, primarily caused by deforestation and agriculture. The orangutan's diet consists mainly of fruits, leaves, and bark, which are obtained from specific tree species. The identification and mapping of these feed tree species are essential for understanding the ecology of orangutans and planning effective conservation strategies.

Methodology

This study employed a combination of aerial photography and object-based image analysis (OBIA) to map the distribution of orangutan feed trees at the Halaban monitoring post. The aerial photographs were taken using a UAV and processed into an orthomosaic format using Agisoft Metashape software in TIFF format. The resulting orthomosaic image was then classified into different classes using OBIA, which allowed for the identification of specific tree species.

Results

The results of this study showed that 1,206 aerial photographs of the orangutan feed tree species were obtained using the UAV, covering an area of 38.62 hectares with a ground sampling distance (GSD) of 1.87 cm/pixel. The classification results revealed eight different classes, including Diospyros Buxifolia, Macaranga Indica, Macaranga Gigantea, Macaranga Hypoleuca, Macaranga Conifera, Vitex Pinnata, feed plants other than orangutans, and Halaban monitoring posts.

Field Survey

A field survey was conducted to validate the results of the UAV-based classification. The survey revealed 11 species of orangutan feed trees, with the highest important value index (IVI) value in the Macaranga Indica species (121.07%). The results of the OBIA classification on the 100 scale segmentation showed that Macaranga Indica has the most extensive canopy area based on IVI. Conversely, the Canarium Denticulatum species, which is a type of forest durian, showed the lowest IVI value (3.20%).

Discussion

The use of UAV in this study demonstrates the great potential of technology in biodiversity conservation and monitoring. With the ability to reach a large area and collect detailed data, UAV provides efficiency that cannot be achieved through traditional field surveys. By utilizing this kind of technology, researchers can identify and map species of feed trees more quickly and accurately, which in turn supports the conservation efforts of endangered species such as Sumatran Orangutans.

Conclusion

The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the tropical rainforest ecosystem and the specific needs of orangutans. The knowledge of dominant feed tree species such as Macaranga Indica is essential for managing orangutan habitats and developing more effective preservation strategies. The importance of this research lies not only in the discovery of existing species but also in how the data can be used to formulate conservation policies and actions.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  1. Continued use of UAV technology: The use of UAV technology should be continued to monitor the distribution and abundance of orangutan feed trees in the Halaban monitoring post.
  2. Development of conservation policies: The results of this study should be used to develop conservation policies and actions that prioritize the protection of orangutan habitats and the preservation of dominant feed tree species.
  3. Restoration and conservation efforts: Restoration and conservation efforts should be targeted towards the preservation of orangutan habitats and the protection of dominant feed tree species.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions should focus on the following areas:

  1. Long-term monitoring: Long-term monitoring of the distribution and abundance of orangutan feed trees should be conducted to understand the dynamics of the ecosystem.
  2. Species-specific conservation: Species-specific conservation efforts should be developed to prioritize the protection of dominant feed tree species.
  3. Community engagement: Community engagement and education should be conducted to raise awareness about the importance of orangutan conservation and the role of dominant feed tree species in maintaining the ecosystem.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

  1. Limited spatial coverage: The study was limited to a single monitoring post, and the results may not be representative of the entire Gunung Leuser National Park.
  2. Limited temporal coverage: The study was conducted over a short period, and the results may not reflect the long-term dynamics of the ecosystem.
  3. Limited species identification: The study was limited to the identification of dominant feed tree species, and other species may also be present in the ecosystem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of UAV technology in biodiversity conservation and monitoring. The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the tropical rainforest ecosystem and the specific needs of orangutans. The knowledge of dominant feed tree species such as Macaranga Indica is essential for managing orangutan habitats and developing more effective preservation strategies. The importance of this research lies not only in the discovery of existing species but also in how the data can be used to formulate conservation policies and actions.

Q: What is the purpose of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in this study?

A: The purpose of using UAV in this study is to map the distribution of orangutan feed trees at the Halaban monitoring post and determine the dominance of feed tree species found there. UAV technology provides a cost-effective and efficient way to collect data on a large area.

Q: How does the UAV technology work?

A: The UAV technology used in this study involves taking aerial photographs of the study area using a camera mounted on a drone. The photographs are then processed into an orthomosaic format using Agisoft Metashape software, which allows for the creation of a high-resolution image of the study area.

Q: What are the benefits of using UAV technology in biodiversity conservation and monitoring?

A: The benefits of using UAV technology in biodiversity conservation and monitoring include:

  • Cost-effectiveness: UAV technology is a cost-effective way to collect data on a large area.
  • Efficiency: UAV technology allows for the collection of data in a relatively short time.
  • Accuracy: UAV technology provides accurate data on the distribution and abundance of species.
  • Reduced risk: UAV technology reduces the risk of injury or death to researchers and conservationists.

Q: What are the limitations of using UAV technology in biodiversity conservation and monitoring?

A: The limitations of using UAV technology in biodiversity conservation and monitoring include:

  • Limited spatial coverage: UAV technology is limited to a specific area and may not be representative of the entire ecosystem.
  • Limited temporal coverage: UAV technology is limited to a specific time period and may not reflect the long-term dynamics of the ecosystem.
  • Limited species identification: UAV technology may not be able to identify all species present in the ecosystem.

Q: What are the implications of the results of this study for orangutan conservation?

A: The results of this study have significant implications for orangutan conservation. The identification of dominant feed tree species such as Macaranga Indica is essential for managing orangutan habitats and developing more effective preservation strategies. The knowledge of the distribution and abundance of orangutan feed trees can be used to inform conservation policies and actions.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research directions for this study include:

  • Long-term monitoring: Long-term monitoring of the distribution and abundance of orangutan feed trees should be conducted to understand the dynamics of the ecosystem.
  • Species-specific conservation: Species-specific conservation efforts should be developed to prioritize the protection of dominant feed tree species.
  • Community engagement: Community engagement and education should be conducted to raise awareness about the importance of orangutan conservation and the role of dominant feed tree species in maintaining the ecosystem.

Q: What are the recommendations for conservation and management of orangutan habitats?

A: The recommendations for conservation and management of orangutan habitats include:

  • Protection of dominant feed tree species: The protection of dominant feed tree species such as Macaranga Indica is essential for maintaining the ecosystem.
  • Habitat restoration: Habitat restoration efforts should be conducted to restore degraded habitats and promote the growth of dominant feed tree species.
  • Community engagement: Community engagement and education should be conducted to raise awareness about the importance of orangutan conservation and the role of dominant feed tree species in maintaining the ecosystem.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study in other ecosystems?

A: The potential applications of this study in other ecosystems include:

  • Biodiversity conservation: The use of UAV technology can be applied to other ecosystems to monitor and conserve biodiversity.
  • Ecosystem management: The use of UAV technology can be applied to other ecosystems to inform ecosystem management decisions.
  • Climate change research: The use of UAV technology can be applied to other ecosystems to study the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.