Alternative futures for Borneo show the value of integrating economic and conservation targets across borders

Rebecca K. Runting, Erik Meijaard, Nicola Abram, Jessie Wells, David Gaveau, Marc Ancrenaz, Hugh P Possingham, Serge A Wich, Fitrian Ardiansyah, Melvin T Gumal, Laurentius N. Ambu, Kerrie A. Wilson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Balancing economic development with international commitments to protect biodiversity is a global challenge. Achieving this balance requires an understanding of the possible consequences of alternative future scenarios for a range of stakeholders. We employ an integrated economic and environmental planning approach to evaluate four alternative futures for the mega-diverse island of Borneo. We show what could be achieved if the three national jurisdictions of Borneo coordinate efforts to achieve their public policy targets and allow a partial reallocation of planned land uses. We reveal the potential for Borneo to simultaneously retain ~50% of its land as forests, protect adequate habitat for the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), and achieve an opportunity cost saving of over US$43 billion. Such coordination would depend on enhanced information sharing and reforms to land-use planning, which could be supported by the increasingly international nature of economies and conservation efforts.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)-
    JournalNature Communications
    Volume6
    Issue number6819
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

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