Environmental Biology and Conservation Expert from FMIPA UI: It Takes a Long Time to Restore the Ecosystem in the Mount Bromo Area After Forest and Land Fires

The forest and land fire (karhutla) that occurred from September 6 to 15, 2023, transformed the vast savanna in the Mount Bromo area into a sea of ash. The fire was reportedly caused by the use of a flare as a prop for a pre-wedding photo shoot, which inadvertently ignited flames in the middle of the savanna. As a result, more than 500 hectares of vegetated land were scorched within the conservation area of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), spanning across four regencies in East Java—Malang, Probolinggo, Pasuruan, and Lumajang.

TNBTS Has a Unique Ecosystem

Dr. Luthfiralda Sjahfirdi, M.Biomed., an expert in environmental biology and wildlife conservation from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), also expressed regret over the fire incident, considering that TNBTS is a conservation area listed by UNESCO as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. TNBTS has a unique ecosystem as it consists of both a desert or sea of sand and a savanna. Within the savanna ecosystem lies a vast grassland known as Teletubbies Hill.

In addition to the savanna, TNBTS also hosts centuries-old large trees, such as the mountain pine (Casuarina junghuhniana), the coniferous jamuju tree (Dacrycarpus imbricatus), edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale), as well as various species of orchids and rare grasses. The plants and trees surrounding TNBTS include centigi (Vaccinium varingiafolium), acacia (Acacia), pine trees, and many types of grasses.

These plants also serve as habitats for various wildlife species that inhabit TNBTS. In this area, there are at least 38 protected wildlife species, including 24 bird species, 11 mammal species, 1 reptile species, and 2 insect species. Some of them are the Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi), the Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas), and the Javan lutung (Trachypithecus auratus).

The Impact of Forest and Land Fires in TNBTS on Biodiversity

The forest and land fires that occurred in the Mount Bromo area can have both short-term and long-term impacts on biodiversity in TNBTS. In the short term, several endemic plant species were burned, such as malela grass, edelweiss, and the Tosari orchid, which is endemic to the mountains of Java. Some experts suggest that fires tend to “weed out” certain plant species while promoting the growth of others, particularly grasses. Over the long term, the rapid growth of grasses may transform the burned areas into regions dominated by grassland.

In addition, the forest and land fires in the Mount Bromo area also have a detrimental impact on wildlife. Animal species that are weak in movement and unable to hide are likely to perish in the flames. Young and small animals are particularly at risk during such disasters, as some of their natural escape strategies prove ineffective. Certain slow-moving species may choose to stay still and hide in trees, but ultimately become trapped and consumed by the fire.

In the long term, even if some animal species manage to escape the flames, herbivorous animals may still struggle to survive due to the loss of various plants or trees that serve as food sources. Similarly, carnivorous species that manage to survive may not be able to sustain themselves if there are no prey species available.

Steps That Must Be Taken After the Fire

Dr. Luthfiralda stated that, based on various research reports gathered, fire incidents trigger a series of changes in plants, microbes, fungi, and other organisms that inhabit post-fire forests. Not only living organisms are affected—fires also impact the environment. Water flow, such as rivers, can undergo changes depending on factors like turbidity, chemical content, and river structure. These changes can lead to the death of aquatic invertebrate species, which in turn affects terrestrial animal life and ultimately disrupts the food chain.

To restore land function after a fire, according to Dr. Luthfiralda, several steps must be taken—one of which is identifying the affected vegetation and understanding both the biology of the plant species and the characteristics of the forest. Some plant species have seeds that thrive in heat. Fires often trigger dormant seeds to germinate. High temperatures are crucial for the reproduction of many plant species whose seeds respond not only to water but also to fire.

It Takes a Long Time to Restore the Ecosystem in TNBTS

A one-year-old forest will have a different variety of plants and animals compared to a forest that has existed for decades. In tropical regions, burned areas can begin the process of succession once the rainy season arrives. Citing the statement of Patricia Kennedy, a wildlife biologist from Oregon State University, forest fires can act as a "reset" button, allowing old forests to regenerate. However, this succession process greatly depends on both biotic and abiotic factors, including environmental conditions and seed availability.

“Post-fire forest ecosystem recovery depends on the landscape, the extent of the damage, and the species present within it. Human intervention in the recovery process is crucial to accelerate the restoration. Many experts have conducted research on land recovery after fires. They believe it takes a considerable amount of time—often decades—to return the environment to its original condition,” said Dr. Luthfiralda.

News source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/