Oil palm plantations depend on the microclimate conditions generated by nearby forests, and the rivers emanating from orangutan habitat. Not all plantations concessions on the map have been cleared and planted yet. The majority of concessions are oil palm, but the map also contains rubber and other plantation crops. The establishment of many of these plantations has resulted in significant losses in orangutan habitat, since they have been created by converting forests instead of making use of already deforested areas, such as existing agricultural or low current use value land.

Year: 2011

From collection: Orangutans and the Economics of Sustainable Forest Management in Sumatra

Cartographer: Riccardo Pravettoni, UNEP/GRID-Arendal