Journal article
Alternative futures for Borneo show the value of integrating economic and conservation targets across borders
RK Runting, E Meijaard, NK Abram, JA Wells, DLA Gaveau, M Ancrenaz, HP Posssingham, SA Wich, F Ardiansyah, MT Gumal, LN Ambu, KA Wilson
Nature Communications | NATURE PORTFOLIO | Published : 2015
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7819
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..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Douglas Sheil, Duan Biggs and Oscar Venter for comments on the manuscript. We are grateful to Art Klassen, Benjamin Jarvis and Sugeng Budiharta for assistance with administrative cost estimates. We would also like to thank Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department and WWF-Germany for data and Matthew Struebig for facilitating data collection from WWF-Germany. This research was funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and the Arcus Foundation. K.A.W. and H.P.P. were supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and the Laureate Fellowship, respectively.