However, rehabilitation alone may not be enough. Effective forest recovery must be integrated with improved law enforcement, responsible spatial planning, and comprehensive disaster mitigation strategies that combine technological innovation with public education. Reforestation should be seen not only as a climate adaptation measure, but as a long-term investment in disaster risk reduction and ecological resilience.
Crucially, the selection of plant species for rehabilitation must be undertaken with care. Restoration efforts should prioritize native and site-adapted species, reflect local ecological conditions, and aim to rebuild functional forest ecosystems rather than monoculture plantations. While such restoration may require greater investment and patience, once it done correctly, it offers long-terms returns by reducing flood risk, sustaining biodiversity, and protecting livelihoods, and at the same time restoring the natural heritage that once defined Sumatra’s forests.
Author information:
Name: Alnus Meinata
Affiliation: Graduate School of Life and Earth Science, PhD Student, Faculty of Forestry Universitas Gadjah Mada, Lecturer
Interest: Forestry, Biodiversity
Name: Agung Hasan Lukman
Affiliation: Graduate School of Life and Earth Science, PhD Student, Faculty of Forestry Universitas Bengkulu, Lecturer
Interest: Ecology, Biodiversity
