What Five Years of Monitoring Reveal About Birds in Oil Palm Plantations

Monitoring over five years across 12 oil palm plantations in Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan revealed a notably rich birdlife. In total, 292 bird species from 65 families were recorded. Sumatran plantations supported 159 species, Central Kalimantan 187, and West Kalimantan had 151. Impressively, 69 species were found in all three regions. Among them are several species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or near threatened - highlighting the conservation importance of these landscapes. By striking a balance between biodiversity protection and responsible plantation management, the palm oil sector can play a significant role in promoting sustainable development. Keywords: Bird species diversity, IUCN Red List species, biodiversity, sustainability in oil palm.