Speleo Project Overview

Cave Fauna of Java: the diversity and its contribution to karst conservatio

Project duration: 2007-2008 

Indonesia has an extensive karst area ranging from Sumatra to Papua. Unfortunately, its biological information in most areas is still poor and uneven.

 

Caves in Java have an extensive development, but there are very few biological surveys, especially on cave fauna diversity. Caves are home for huge number of species such as arthropods and bats, but only 5 described species have been found in Java. This is very low compare to Maros Karst, which has over 15 species. The most recent cave obligate species from Java, Stenasellus javanicus, was described in 2006. The species was found in small puddles of small caves near limestone’s quarry. The status of the population still remains unknown. Moreover, several species are still waiting to be described and believed to be obligate cave fauna that new to science. Survey on arthropods and a bat in Java’s karst areas is tremendously needed, as the result will provide baseline data for more critical conservation steps.

 

Karst areas in Java are densely populated and threatened by limestone quarry, habitat conversion, and many other human activities. Since none of these karst areas have been designated as conservation area, it is very difficult to manage the karst ecosystem to ensure the conservation of cave faunas and its habitat.

 

The project will be focused on cave arthropods and bats that form an important link between subterranean and epigean world. The main objectives of the project are to (i) explore and to study the diversity of cave fauna focusing on cave arthropods and bats, (ii) build a baseline data for further activities and support for conservation and management, (iii) promote the importance of cave fauna in order to increase public awareness to its diversity and roles in karst conservation, (iv) support the declaration of karst protection using cave fauna baseline data

 

Objectives of the project are to:

 

(i) explore and study the diversity of cave fauna focusing on cave arthropods and bats

 

(ii) build a baseline data for further activities and support for conservation and management.

 

(iii) promote the importance of cave fauna in order to increase public awareness to its diversity and role in karst conservation

 

(iv). support the declaration of karst protection using caves fauna baseline data.

 

Contribution to nature conservation

 

Since December 6^th, 2004, two karst areas in Java, Gunung Sewu and Gombong, have been declared as EKO KARST Region by President of Republic Indonesia. The extensive underground rivers in both areas are believed to be home of evolution process of certain fauna, which are restricted in some ecological requirements and are endemic to limited karst area.

 

Cave faunas, such as bats and cave obligate arthropods, are fragile and do not tolerate disturbance and habitat changes. A detailed survey on cave fauna is very useful in providing the preliminary data, both taxonomically and ecologically. Impact of human activities on these karst areas can be studied by long term monitoring in time and space. The availability of cave fauna baseline data in long term monitoring will provide better understanding in environmental changes. The results of the project will be useful for government, non-government organizations and private companies to manage the karst area. The project will also help to promote the EKO KARST region. Baseline data and guidebook on cave fauna will be very useful to help governmental agencies to identify cave faunas, subsequently it will be very useful for the conservation and management of karst area.