Citizen scientist of Medini subvillage during Javan Hawk-Eagle observation

Keystone species can be used as an approach in biodiversity conservation because distribution information and habitat characteristic of keystone species can be used as starting point to managing biodiversity in certain area. This project aimed to initiate biodiversity conservation in Mt. Ungaran and motivate society of Medini village near Mt. Ungaran to be involved in conservation act through keystone species management and its habitat. In Mt. Ungaran, Javan Hawk-eagle is the most suitable predator to be used as keystone species. Javan Hawk-eagle is the species that able to create a natural ecosystem balance (Prawiradilaga, 1999). In Indonesia, this raptor considered majestic. In 1993 the species was declared as Indonesia’s National Rare/Precious Animal. Moreover, this Javan endemic species is listed as “Endangered” in IUCN red list of endangered species. Conservation efforts has been conducted in several areas, but the conservation effort of this species outside the conservation area still rarely conducted.

Mt. Ungaran is one of the last montane rainforest remnants in Central Java which has important value for biodiversity and watershed conservation. This area is also determined as Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site and important bird area (IBA) by BirdLife International. Even so, this area is not determined nationally as conservation area, and the biodiversity in this area has not become the focus conservation management yet. Also, this area is surrounded by human settlement and agricultural plantations that make this area to be more vulnerable to hunting and land-use change. These conditions will become a threat to biodiversity in Mt. Ungaran.

There are few records about presence of Javan Hawk-Eagle in Mt. Ungaran. Study in Mt. Ungaran was conducted by van Balen in 1994, he mentioned that Javan Hawk-Eagle recorded in Mt. Ungaran, near Limbangan District. However, the information about distribution and habitat characteristic need to be collected. It can be used as guidance for biodiversity monitoring in Mt. Ungaran. Motivate society to become citizen scientist is the way to make local people as main actor in biodiversity conservation. As citizen scientist, they will be able to provide ecological information about Javan Hawk-Eagle and biodiversity of Mt. Ungaran. In addition, they will be able to spread their knowledge to general public, media, even government to trigger their awareness and their pride toward biodiversity richness of Mt. Ungaran.