Biological and economic values of Dipterocarpaceae, the main timber forest product of Indonesia

Dipterocarpaceae is known as a very important tree family both biologically and economically. Its distribution around the world covers the areas of Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi, Maluku to Papua. Dipterocarpaceae family has a high economic value, such as producing wood, balsam, resin, charcoal, fat, fruit, bark, essential oil, and camphor. Its products have very important roles for domestic use and export needs. As representatives of Dipterocarpaceae, the economic value of Shorea Roxb. ex Gaertner f, Dipterocarpus Gaertner f, and Dryobalanops Gaertner f will be discussed. Considering the very important role of Dipterocarpaceae, both biologically and economically, it is necessary to handle it sustainably, through the following actions such as conservation of genetic resources, seed physiology, seed handling, seedling ecology, root symbiosis and nutrition, pest and disease, management of natural forest, and plantation, and also non-timber forest product from Dipterocarpaceae. Dipterocarpaceae dikenal sebagai famili pohon yang sangat penting baik secara biologis maupun ekonomis. Penyebarannya di seluruh dunia meliputi wilayah Semenanjung Malaysia, Filipina, Sumatera, Kalimantan, Jawa, Sulawesi, Maluku hingga Papua. Famili Dipterocarpaceae memiliki nilai ekonomi yang tinggi, seperti menghasilkan kayu, balsam, damar, arang, lemak, buah, kulit kayu, minyak atsiri, dan kapur barus. Produk-produknya memiliki peran yang sangat penting untuk kebutuhan domestik dan ekspor. Sebagai perwakilan Dipterocarpace, nilai ekonomi Shorea Roxb. ex Gaertner f, Dipterocarpus Gaertner f, dan Dryobalanops Gaertner f akan dibahas. Mengingat peranan Dipterocarpaceae yang sangat penting, baik secara biologis maupun ekonomis, maka perlu dilakukan penanganan secara berkelanjutan, melalui tindakan-tindakan seperti konservasi sumber daya genetik, fisiologi benih, penanganan benih, ekologi semai, simbiosis dan nutrisi akar, hama dan penyakit, pengelolaan hutan alam, dan perkebunan, serta hasil hutan bukan kayu dari Dipterocarpaceae.

Carrying capacity analysis of nature tourism at Selabintana, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, West Java

Selabintana management area is one of the nature tourism areas in the Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (GGPNP) which located in Sukabumi District, West Java. Within the management area which covers 2,547.93 ha, there is a camping ground and waterfall which both are the most attracted for visitors. Efforts are needed to harmonize nature tourism activities with conservation mission, so that visitors can enjoy but the natural environment is maintained. The objective of this research is to determine the carrying capacity for daily tourism and camping activities by considering the aspect of physical, environmental and management aspects. The survey conducted through interviews and questionnaires to 62 tourists, traders and managers of the national park area. The data were analyzed using the carrying capacity assessment method developed by Cifuentes, i.e. calculating the Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC). As a result, EEC for daily tourism is 84 visitors/day (PCC RCC ECC with a score of 3,269 98 84), while EEC for camping is 60 visitors/day (PCC RCC with a score of 2,155 69 60). Thus, carrying capacity of nature tourism activities in conservation areas can be calculated based on physical carrying capacity, real carrying capacity, and effective carrying capacity.Kawasan pengelolaan Selabintana merupakan salah satu areal wisata alam yang ada di Taman Nasional Gunung Gede Pangrango (TNGGP) yang terletak di Kabupaten Sukabumi, Jawa Barat. Di dalam areal pengelolaan yang luasnya 2.547,93 ha terdapat camping ground dan air terjun yang merupakan daya tarik utama yang bagi para pengunjung. Diperlukan adanya upaya untuk menyelarasakan kegiatan wisata alam dengan misi konservasi, agar pengunjung dapat menikmati namun lingkungan alam tetap terjaga. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menentukan carrying capacity untuk kegiatan wisata harian dan berkemah dengan mempertimbangkan aspek fisik, lingkungan dan manajemen. Survey dilakukan melalui interview dan kuisioner terhadap 62 wisatawan, pedagang dan pengelola kawasan taman nasional. Data dianalisis dengan metode penilaian carrying capacity yang dikembangkan oleh Cifuentes, yaitu menghitung Daya Dukung Fisik (PCC), Daya Dukung Ril (RCC), serta Daya Dukung Efektif (ECC). Sebagai hasil, EEC untuk wisata harian adalah 84 pengunjung/hari (PCC RCC ECC dengan skor 3.269 98 84), sedangkan EEC untuk berkemah adalah 60 pengunjung/hari (PCC RCC dengan skor 2.155 69 60). Jadi, carrying capacity dalam kegiatan wisata alam di dalam kawasan konservasi dapat ditentukan berdasarkan daya dukung fisik, daya dukung riil, dan daya dukung efektif.

Traditional knowledge of biodiversity in the community surrounding Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, Riau, Indonesia

The Objective of this study is to analyze the potential for biodiversity and traditional knowledge in the buffer zone of the Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve (GSK-BB). The research was conducted descriptively-quantitatively by analyzing two variables, i.e. biodiversity and community traditional knowledge. Biodiversity monitoring report documents from PT Sakato Pratama (PT SPM) and PT Bukit Batu Hutan Alam (PT BBHA), profiles of Temiang and Sepahat villages, questionnaire data taken from village community representatives, as well as the results of in-depth interviews were used in the analysis. The results show that in the PT SPM area, there are 177 species of plants and 55 species of animals. Meanwhile in the PT BBHA area there are 146 species of plants and 46 species of animals. Based on information from the community of Temiang Village, there are 51 species of plants and 18 species of animals, while according to the people of Sepahat Village, there are 73 species of plants and 83 species of animals. The biodiversity utilized by the community in the two villages consists of 36 species of plants and 15 species of animals, but only three species are wild animals, i.e. sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), horseshoecrab (Limulus sp.), and seahorse (Hippocampus sp.) .), and one species of plant (rattan, Calamus sp.). The rest are cultivated plants and livestock. From the analysis, it can be concluded that the relationship between biodiversity and traditional knowledge in both Temiang and Sepahat Villages is very limited. Awareness of the strategic value of wild plants and wildlife in the buffer zone of the biosphere reserve needs to be increased.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis potensi keanekaragaman hayati dan pengetahuan tradisional di zona penyangga Cagar Biosfer Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu (GSK-BB). Penelitian dilakukan secara deskriptif-kuantitatif dengan menganalisis dua variable, yaitu keanekaragaman hayati dan pengetahuan tradisional masyarakat. Dokumen laporan monitoring keanekaragaman hayati dari PT Sakato Pratama (PT SPM) dan PT Bukit Batu Hutan Alam (PT BBHA), profil Desa Temiang dan Sepahat, data kuisioner yang diambil dari perwakilan masyarakat desa, serta hasil wawancara mendalam digunakan dalam analisis. Hasil menunjukan bahwa di kawasan PT SPM tercatat terdapat 177 jenis tumbuhan dan 55 jenis satwa. Sementara itu di kawasan PT BBHA terdapat 146 jenis tumbuhan dan 46 jenis satwa. Berdasarkan informasi dari masyarakat Desa Temiang terdapat 51 jenis tumbuhan dan 18 jenis satwa, sedangkan menurut masyarakat Desa Sepahat terdapat 73 jenis tumbuhan dan 83 jenis satwa. Keanekaragaman hayati yang dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat di kedua desa tersebut terdiri atas 36 jenis tumbuhan dan 15 jenis satwa, namun hanya tiga jenis yang merupakan hewan liar, yaitu beruang madu (Helarctos malayanus), belangkas (Limulus sp.), dan kuda laut (Hippocampus sp.), serta satu jenis tumbuhan (rotan, Calamus sp.). Selebihnya merupakan tanaman budidaya dan hewan ternak. Dari hasil analisis, dapat ditarik kesimpulan sementara bahwa hubungan keanekaragaman hayati dengan pengetahuan tradisional di kedua desa Temiang dan Sepahat sangat terbatas. Kesadaran tentang nilai strategis tumbuhan dan satwa liar yang ada di kawasan penyangga cagar biosfer perlu ditingkatkan.

Sustainable traditional markets development in Bogor District

Bogor District consists 40 sub-districts and 483 villages, with development policy in the development of Metropolitan Jabodetabekpunjur, which makes the potential to grow rapidly. The increase of GRDP value is indirectly affected by the condition of economic activity, including the existence of economic facilities and infrastructures and its sustainability. The objectives of this research are to identify market development location (environmental aspect), to identify market development feasibility (economic aspect), and to draw up the concept of distributed market development (social aspect). This research uses the methodology of agency and field surveys, observations and interviews using descriptive analysis technique, scoring system, descriptive statistics and strategic decision making. The results obtained from this research: there are 26 sub-district traditional markets and 47 village traditional markets by lacks of 450 markets, under the category of 12 most feasible markets, 16 feasible markets, and 12 unfeasible markets; the first optimization model is achieved by Kemang sub-district while the second position is achieved by Dramaga sub-district and the third position is achieved by Ciawi sub-district; and the development in 2018-2038 by the highest population in Gunungputri and the lowest population in Cariu, under total needs of 280 markets and still lacks of 202 markets.

Overview and evaluation of the Indonesia's water resources management policies for food security

Water and water resources must be maintained by their functions and benefits to meet the needs of all sectors and future generations. One important part of sustainable water resource management that is of considerable interest to the government is irrigation which aims to achieve food security. Food security in Indonesia Development in the field of food security and poverty alleviation in rural areas is one of the leading sectors in the nine national development priority agendas contained in “Nawa Cita”. The development of food security in Indonesia faces many complex problems, such as irrigation infrastructures maintenance, regulations, land use change, population, policy implementation, coordination among stakeholders and also budget issues. The method in this study is a qualitative method through the literature review related to the management of water resources for food security in Indonesia. This paper seeks to evaluate the development irrigation policies as part of sustainable water management that supports food security in Indonesia. Literature sources are 5 main regulations, 5 papers and some government reports. To support increased food security, the direction of the Indonesian Government's policy in strengthening food security from the irrigated agricultural sector is realized through a strategy to increase production capacity and improve irrigation network services. The problem of the availability of irrigation water must be addressed quickly by upstream conservation, maximizing capacity through normalization of existing reservoirs, and continuing to build dams to have water storage containers that can accommodate planting season throughout planting. Air dan sumber daya air harus dijaga fungsi dan manfaatnya untuk memenuhi kebutuhan semua sektor dan generasi mendatang. Salah satu bagian penting dari pengelolaan sumber daya air berkelanjutan yang cukup menarik perhatian pemerintah adalah irigasi yang bertujuan untuk mencapai ketahanan pangan. Di Indonesia, pembangunan di bidang ketahanan pangan dan pengentasan kemiskinan di pedesaan merupakan salah satu sektor unggulan dalam sembilan agenda prioritas pembangunan nasional yang tertuang dalam “Nawa Cita”. Pembangunan ketahanan pangan di Indonesia menghadapi banyak masalah yang kompleks, seperti pemeliharaan infrastruktur irigasi, regulasi, perubahan penggunaan lahan, kependudukan, implementasi kebijakan, koordinasi antar pemangku kepentingan dan juga masalah anggaran. Metode dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kualitatif melalui studi pustaka terkait pengelolaan sumber daya air untuk ketahanan pangan di Indonesia. Tulisan ini berupaya mengevaluasi kebijakan pembangunan irigasi sebagai bagian dari pengelolaan air berkelanjutan yang mendukung ketahanan pangan di Indonesia. Sumber literatur adalah lima peraturan utama, lima makalah dan beberapa laporan pemerintah. Untuk mendukung peningkatan ketahanan pangan, arah kebijakan Pemerintah Indonesia dalam memperkuat ketahanan pangan dari sektor pertanian beririgasi diwujudkan melalui strategi peningkatan kapasitas produksi dan peningkatan pelayanan jaringan irigasi. Masalah ketersediaan air irigasi harus segera diatasi dengan konservasi di wilayah hulu, memaksimalkan kapasitas melalui normalisasi waduk yang ada, dan terus membangun bendungan untuk memiliki wadah penampung air yang dapat mencukupi kebutuhan pasokan sepanjang musim tanam.

Correlation between the willingness to compromise and effectiveness of regional regulations with green consumer behaviour

The objective of this study is to find the correlation between the effectiveness level of regional regulations and willingness to compromise with green consumer behaviour. This research applied use correlational surveys with 100 samples housewives in Bogor city. The data analysis technique used is multiple regression. The result of this research shows that there is a very significant positive relationship that has a local regulation permit with green consumer behaviour, with a variable contribution of 56.2%. There is a very significant positive relationship between willingness to compromise with green consumer behaviour, with the variable contribution being 38.3%. There is a very significant positive relationship between the application of local regulations and the willingness to compromise together with green consumer behaviour, with the variable contribution being 57.9%. The functional relationship between the application of local regulations and willingness to compromise with the green consumer behaviour variable fulfills the regression equation Ŷ12 = 21.866 + 0.404X1 + 0.214X2 and this relationship is significant.Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara tingkat efektivitas peraturan daerah dan kemauan berkompromi dengan perilaku konsumen hijau. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survei korelasional dengan sampel 100 ibu rumah tangga di kota Bogor. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan positif yang sangat signifikan antara izin peraturan daerah dengan perilaku konsumen hijau, dengan kontribusi variabel sebesar 56,2%. Terdapat hubungan positif yang sangat signifikan antara kesediaan berkompromi dengan perilaku konsumen hijau, dengan kontribusi variabel sebesar 38,3%. Terdapat hubungan positif yang sangat signifikan antara penerapan peraturan daerah dengan kemauan berkompromi dengan perilaku konsumen hijau, dengan kontribusi variabel sebesar 57,9%. Hubungan fungsional antara penerapan peraturan daerah dan kemauan berkompromi dengan variabel perilaku konsumen hijau memenuhi persamaan regresi 12 = 21,866 + 0,404X1 + 0,214X2 dan hubungan ini signifikan.

Government, the private sector, and local communities in ecosystem restoration governance and practices

Ecosystem restoration is not only a concern for countries such as Indonesia, but has become a global concern, as the UN has announced the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration for 2021-2030. Ecosystem restoration is an important way of restoring degraded landscapes, ensuring the sustainability of biodiversity, as well as being an effective pathway for reducing emissions in the land-based sector. Indonesia has committed to ecosystem restoration through national statutory law since 2004, although it is no longer explicitly listed in the Omnibus Las No. 11 of 2020 and Government Regulation No. 23 of 2021 on Forestry Stewardship. Indonesia has demonstrated good progress in the implementation of ecosystem restoration in several priority provinces coordinated by the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency, as well as in initiatives led by the private sector. Although both involved rural communities in restoration activities, I propose here that an innovative ecosystem restoration business model is necessary to make their participation more financially attractive to local communities. This paper provides an analysis of progress and the needs for ecosystem restoration improvement in Indonesia.Restorasi ekosistem tidak hanya menjadi perhatian negara-negara seperti Indonesia, tetapi telah menjadi perhatian global, karena PBB telah mengumumkan Dekade Restorasi Ekosistem untuk 2021-2030. Restorasi ekosistem merupakan cara penting untuk memulihkan bentang alam yang terdegradasi, memastikan keberlanjutan keanekaragaman hayati, serta menjadi jalur yang efektif untuk mengurangi emisi di sektor berbasis lahan. Indonesia telah berkomitmen untuk melakukan restorasi ekosistem melalui peraturan perundang-undangan nasional sejak tahun 2004, meskipun tidak lagi secara eksplisit tercantum dalam Omnibus Las No. 11 Tahun 2020 dan Peraturan Pemerintah No. 23 Tahun 2021 tentang Penatagunaan Kehutanan. Indonesia telah menunjukkan kemajuan yang baik dalam pelaksanaan restorasi ekosistem di beberapa provinsi prioritas yang dikoordinasikan oleh Badan Restorasi Gambut dan Mangrove, serta inisiatif yang dipimpin oleh sektor swasta. Meskipun sama-sama melibatkan masyarakat lokal dalam kegiatan restorasi, saya mengusulkan di sini bahwa model bisnis restorasi ekosistem yang inovatif diperlukan untuk membuat partisipasi mereka lebih menarik secara finansial bagi masyarakat lokal. Makalah ini memberikan analisis kemajuan dan kebutuhan perbaikan restorasi ekosistem di Indonesia.

Prediction of expected genetic gain in progeny test of Samama [Anthocephalus macrophyllus (Roxb.) Havil.] in West Seram District, Maluku Province, Indonesia

The research objective is to find out genetic variation, estimated heritability value and the expected genetic gain of Samama [Anthocephalus macrophyllus (Roxb.) Havil.] on variation in stem diameter and plant height as superior seed producers. The research was conducted in Uraur Village, West Seram Regency, Maluku Province. The trials consisted of 80 families. All of the trials were laid out in randomized complete block designs (RCBD), 4-trees plots with 4 replications (blocks) at spacing of 5m×2m. Data collection was carried out for 2 months (February to March 2020) and was focused on observing growth variations and genetic parameters in the progeny trial block at 4 years of age including plant height and diameter at breast height. The results of this study indicate that there are variations in growth, where the Anova test results show very significant differences in the plant height parameters namely Family (F = 3.417 p 0.01), Block (F = 437.465 p 0.01) and Family and Block Interactions (F = 3.351 p 0.01). The stem diameter parameters also showed very significant differences, namely Family (F = 2.785 p 0.01), Block (F = 353.095 p 0.01) and Family and Block Interaction (F = 2.611 p 0.01). The value of family heritability and individual heritability on plant height characters belonged to a high category with a family heritability value of 0.7213 and individual heritability value of 0.8811, while the stem diameter character for individual heritability was high with a value of 0.4406 but family heritability was moderate with value of 0.5204. The value of genetic correlation was high and positive and generally shows a greater value than the phenotypic correlation. Genetic correlation values ranged from 0.967 while phenotypic correlation values ranged from 0.8944. The highest selection priority was found in the height of the stem with a weight constant of 0.239. Predicted expected genetic gain was 3.0% for diameter parameter and 3.2% for height parameter.Objektif dari penelitian ini adalah menemukan variasi genetik, taksiran nilai heritabilitas serta peluang perolehan expected genetic gain tanaman Samama [Anthocephalus macrophyllus (Roxb.) Havil.] pada variasi diameter dan tinggi pohon sebagai penghasil benih unggul. Penelitian dilakukan di Desa Uraur Kabupaten Seram Bagian Barat Provinsi Maluku. Percobaan ini menggunakan 80 famili. Penelitian ini dibangun dengan desain randomized completely block design (RCBD), jarak tanam 5 x 2 m, 4 ulangan (blok) dan 4 treesplot. Pengumpulan data dilakukan selama 2 bulan (Februari sampai dengan bulan Maret 2020) memfokuskan pada pengamatan variasi pertumbuhan dan parameter genetik yang berada di blok uji keturunan pada umur 4 tahun meliputi tinggi dan diameter setinggi dada. Hasil Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat variasi pertumbuhan, dimana dari hasil uji Anova menunjukkan perbedaan sangat nyata pada parameter tinggi yaitu Famili (F=3,417 p0,01), Blok (F=437,465 p0,01) dan Interaksi Famili dan Blok (F=3,351 p0,01). Pada parameter diameter juga menunjukkan perbedaan sangat nyata yaitu Famili (F=2,785 p0,01), Blok (F=353,095 p0,01) dan Interaksi Famili dan Blok (F=2,611 p0,01). Nilai heritabilitas famili dan heritabilitas individu pada karakter tinggi tanaman memiliki kategori tinggi dengan nilai heritabilitas famili 0,7213 dan nilai heritabilitas individu 0,8811, sedangkan pada karakter diameter tanaman untuk heritabilitas individu tergolong tinggi dengan nilai sebesar 0,4406 namun heritabilitas famili tergolong sedang dengan nilai 0,5204. Nilai korelasi genetik bernilai tinggi dan positif serta secara umum menunjukkan nilai yang lebih besar dibandingkan dengan korelasi fenotipik. Nilai korelasi genetik berkisar 0,967 sedangkan nilai korelasi fenotipiknya berkisar 0,8944. Prioritas seleksi tertinggi ditemukan pada tinggi batang dengan nilai konstanta bobot sebesar 0,239. Prediksi expected genetic gain diperoleh 3,0 % untuk parameter diameter dan 3,2 % untuk parameter tinggi.

The occurrence of Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) in an industrial plantation forest area, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Sumatran tiger lives in the remaining forests on the Sumatra island, both in conservation and production areas. There are not many tiger monitoring activities conducted in production forest. Using camera traps this occupancy survey of Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) carried out in a plantation forest area of PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (PT. TPL) to obtain information and monitor tiger presence in the area. However, there were no Sumatran tigers captured by the camera traps during the occupancy activities. The existence of Sumatran tiger was proven by the finding of footprints and scrapes. Other species were photographed by the camera traps, such as marbled cat ((Pardofelis marmorata), pig-tailed monkey (Macaca nemestrina), treeshrew (Tupaia sp.), Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), lizards (Eutropis sp.), Hoogerwerf’s pheasant (Lophura hoogerwerfi), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) as well as birds. It is assumed that the Sumatran tiger didn’t cross the location of research during the camera installation period. However, there are several other reasons why Sumatran tigers weren’t captured by camera traps, such as the camera traps observation time was too short and didn’t cover a larger area, so it lessens the opportunity of encounter with Sumatran tiger.Harimau Sumatera hidup di hutan yang masih tersisa di pulau Sumatera, baik di kawasan hutan konservasi maupun hutan produksi. Kegiatan pemantauan harimau di hutan produksi belum banyak dilakukan. Dengan menggunakan camera trap, survei okupansi harimau sumatera (Panthera tigris sumatrae) ini dilakukan di areal konsesi hutan tanaman industri PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (PT. TPL) untuk mendapatkan informasi dan memantau keberadaan harimau di kawasan tersebut. Namun, tidak ada harimau sumatera yang terfoto oleh kamera trap selama kegiatan survei okupansi. Keberadaan harimau sumatera dibuktikan dengan ditemukannya jejak tapak dan cakaran. Selain itu, terdapat ppesies lain yang terfoto oleh kamera trap, seperti kucing batu ((Pardofelis marmorata), beruk (Macaca nemestrina), tupai tanah (Tupaia sp.), musang pandan (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), kadal (Eutropis sp.), sempidan aceh (Lophura hoogerwerfi), tikus hutan (Apodemus sylvaticus) serta burung. Diasumsikan bahwa harimau sumatera tidak melintasi lokasi penelitian selama masa pemasangan kamera. Namun, terdapat beberapa alasan lain mengapa harimau sumatera tidak terfoto kamera trap, seperti waktu pengamatan kamera trap yang terlalu singkat dan tidak mencakup area yang lebih luas, sehingga memperkecil peluang perjumpaan dengan harimau sumatera.

The results of applied research for solutions to environmental problems, expected!

With this issue, the Indonesia Journal of Applied Environmental Studies (InJAST) enters its second year, having been first published in April 2020 just as the Covid-19 pandemic was spreading globally. In the first two issues, InJAST published 13 articles, which were the results of research and ideas from academia, researchers from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and members of conservation NGOs. Within its first year, the InJAST website has been visited by around 1,500 visitors from 50+ countries. Although the majority were from Indonesia, 30% were from across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, and included the USA, UK, Australia, and India.One of InJAST's missions is to provide a vehicle for academia (students and lecturers), members of environmental NGOs, and young researchers, particularly from Indonesia, who are just starting to publish their ideas, literature reviews and research findings or articles in scientific journals. InJAST was also developed to accommodate scientific papers related to broader environmental topics, but as yet, most articles have focused on plant/wildlife ecology, nature conservation, and forest restoration (61%). Others were the result of the studies on environmental education (8%) and on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other environmental issues (31%).As we start the third decade of the 21st century, the environmental challenges we face are ever more complex and demanding. The UN’s global action plan for the next 10 years set out in the "UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", puts forward special measures to achieve a world that is fairer, more prosperous, and more respectful of the environment. The main global environmental challenges that, according to the UN, must be resolved in this decade, are climate change mitigation and adaptation, pollution problems and their effects on health, protecting oceans, the energy transitions and renewables, a sustainable food model, protecting biodiversity, sustainable urban development and mobility, hydric stress and water scarcity, extreme meteorological phenomena, and overpopulation and waste management. As academics, environmental researchers, and members of environmental NGOs, we can and should support the UN agenda by seeking the solutions to these major global environmental problems that affect all of us. We do this by carrying out relevant research and, just as importantly, publishing them in scientific journals so that we can disseminate our findings as widely as possible and suggested interventions can be trialed and then implemented on the ground.This new issue of InJAST contains several papers focusing on plant ecology, endangered species conservation, and forest restoration, all of which are closely related to one of the main global problems identified by the UN, namely protecting biodiversity. Another paper analyses determinants and typology of hydrometeorological disasters that may relate to the problem of extreme meteorological phenomena. Strong pro-environmental legislation and government regulations are very important in implementing existing environmental policies, and environmental awareness and responsibility are also important to assess whether people are willing to participate in addressing global environmental problems at the local level. This is explored in two other papers in this issue of InJAST.We reflect further that we are in a hugely different place from where we were at the start of 2020. The Covid pandemic, obviously a global tragedy, has changed many people’s behavioral patterns and our subsequent impact of nature and the environment. It seems to have in many ways heightened people's awareness of nature and environmental issues, and the relationships between unsustainable production and consumption and the nature and climate change crises. A plethora of new research is emerging on these interdisciplinary questions and we look forward to submissions tackling these questions in future editions of InJAST.Finally, as Editors-in-Chief, we have been working hard to improve and expand our peer review community, as well as the processes of online submission, reviewing and publishing. We are delighted to be presenting Volume 2 No 1 of InJAST and we encourage our colleagues from all sectors to submit their papers for the next issue.