From the school level, we have learned about biodiversity, and one of the sub-topics of discussion is about diversity in West Papua. Papua Island is known to have extra diversity because of its strategic location for flora and fauna life.
Biodiversity is a condition of the diversity of organisms as a whole. This diversity includes genetic variations, types, forms, and also about ecosystems. From genes, for example, this will provide variations in living things based on hereditary traits.
While the level of species, diversity does not differ as a whole, but only has different types. For example, certain types of animals have different variations and this is common in Papua. About ecosystems, it’s mean the adaptation conditions of flora and fauna.
Each area must have different natural conditions as well, so this will form a diversity of ecosystems. From here, we can already see how beautiful the natural conditions are for the flora and fauna of Papua, and they offer a lot more!
Flora and Fauna Diversity in West Papua
In the beginning, we will discuss the diversity of flora and fauna on the island of Papua and its surroundings. Geographically, this island is located in a very strategic location for the conservation of animals and plants in an area around 800,000 square kilometers.
But not all of them are Indonesian areas, and the area included in Indonesia is about 394 thousand km2, the rest is Papua New Guinea. This strategic location makes the ecosystem more supportive of vegetation zones for the flora and fauna of West Papua.
The unique character is the main value of the flora and fauna here and many of them cannot live in other areas. Flora and fauna that are actually difficult to find in other parts of Indonesia can be easily seen in Papua, for example, the variety of whales.
Regarding flora, there are also many types of plants that thrive in this area and cannot be found in other areas. But if other plants are to be grown here, it is likely that they will be successful because of the favorable geographical and structural conditions.
Timber plants may be unique to Papua’s forests, with their taller size and extraordinary durability making the rate of wood distribution in this area very fast. But it must also be realized that conditions will not last forever, there needs to be a strategic change.
How the Offsets don’t Stop West Papua Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity loss can be caused by many things, but inherently relying on offset will not have any effect, it is a scheme that seems to show its capabilities. The offset will not be a solution for the state of biodiversity loss there.
Indeed, offsets target the balance of the ecosystem, but they do not help solve the flaws by highlighting the negative environmental impacts. Biodiversity provision and loss can only be overcome by addressing social risk and receiving financing.
Although many admit that balance in the ecosystem is needed, the no-net loss is the right thing, not having to sacrifice the surrounding environment to achieve this. Especially in the Papuan forest, a concept like this will not work effectively.
What does West Papua offer for Biodiversity?
If we discussed the geological conditions of Papua’s forests and all their potentials to be used as areas for resource development, what we can see today is that biodiversity is even more diverse. Climate, sunlight, humidity, and soil, maybe the reason.
Now we can see various ecosystems in Papua and their distribution is also wider. But what exactly is being targeted and what does this province want to offer in the light of its diversity? From these similarities, the biodiversity that Papua can offer are:
- Foodstuffs
Papuan local people are known as more traditional so they often take advantage of nature directly. And this is the use of biodiversity in this province as well. They can take advantage of food conditions as a material for growth.
- Building Materials
Get away from food, the biodiversity offered by West Papua is also often used as a building material. Papuan wood is known as a species that is stronger than other regions, not to mention fire and shock resistance, so it is widely chosen.
- Science
In the field of education, biodiversity will also have an impact. The vegetative work undertaken of course requires different genes for results that have never existed before. The more variations, the more scientific results.
- Scenery
We can not deny the beauty of the island of Papua as a whole. West Papua has amazingly beautiful scenery and if coupled with even more diverse flora and fauna, this will be an extraordinary eye-entertainment package.
- Medicines
Biodiversity is also often used as an ingredient to find the right drug prescription. Utilizing natural resources for health clearly provides great benefits. An example is the use of the crown of the gods for medicinal growth.
Seeing the natural conditions in Papua, the next generation should find the most strategic solution for the formation of a more strategic nature system. West Papua has a lot to offer from its ecosystem, but how to develop it also needs to be developed again.
