Land use cover changes: Indonesia case study

Indonesia, phytogeographically, is located in the Malesia Region; very rich in biodiversity. The country is one of agricultural dependent economy; for the mayority of the population whom are still in a subsistent level of living. Rich natural resources and the tropical rain forest, on the other hand, which store a huge (monetary) values of food and forest product (includingprime quality coals) become a strong temptation for their exploitations. The economic progress, especially as pushed by rapid industrialisation. during the last 25 yers, had also caused substantial inprovement in the level of incomes and welfare of the societics. All these would most likely lead to unwise exploitation and utilisation of the natural resources, land in particular. Demand for sattlement increase substantially, improvement in agricultural technology demand investment in agricultural infrastructure and fasilities, forest cutting through logging and mining concessions, and many other activities altered the earth surface; most likely from the previously optimal ecological systems to one that would lead to imbalanced environment and living space. All those changes should be continuously monitored ang evaluated as the basis for wiser utilisation and exploitation of the natural resources.