LCLUC Indonesia - Background

	Background
		Land use and land cover changes are parts of the overall earth natural and anthropogenic dynamics. Throughout the earth's history, land cover changes caused both by gradual and catastrophic events have been recognized as fundamental phenomena. Despite this recognition, however, detailed knowledge on the cause and effect, magnitude, and spatial and temporal distributions of these changes are far from complete.
		The Indonesian archipelago as one of world's most ecologically diverse ecosystems has also experienced significant land cover and land use changes. The issue of changes becomes more critical, as the population living in the archipelago increases, leading to the increase in the demand for space, and the complexity of activities potentially changing the land cover and land uses at a more rapid pace. Adding global environmental change concerns on top of these existing conditions, it is extremely clear that better knowledge on the mechanics of land cover and land use change are in urgent need.
		A more organized effort in Land Use and Land Cover Change (LUCC) research in Indonesia was initiated when a number of Indonesian scientists were involved in the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP)-START initiative for Southeast Asia through Southeast Asia Regional Committee for START (SARCS). Initiated by two SARCS meeting in July and October in 1992 in Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a regional research network was formed through an informal collaboration of scientists from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Through SARCS meeting held in Manila, Philippines in 1993, the SARCS-LUCC work plan was defined. Subsequently, a more systematic research on land use and land cover change was initiated focusing on case studies to develop operational methods for analysis of change magnitude and its associated drivers.
		Through SARCS-LUCC project three interrelated activities were outlined, namely: 1) development of case studies, 2) capacity building and training, and 3) acquisition and processing of baseline datasets. The overall objective of these activities is to help develop internal capacities within the Indonesian scientific endeavor to systematically improve the body of knowledge in land cover and land use change, particularly in the Indonesia's environmental context. The SARCS-LUCC project outline was developed using long-term science management approach, although the funding support to implement the activities is obviously beyond the capacity of SARCS and IGBP. The UNOPS funding facilitated by START is, in fact, part of an effort to bridge the implementation of the project toward more sustainable national scientific research program modality.
		In the context of Indonesia, implementation of the SARCS-LUCC project including its subsequent UNOPS supported components, is being conducted by a network of scientists coming from various institutional background. At the Steering Committee level, the Indonesian Space and Aeronautics Institute (LAPAN) coordinates the chairmanship. Whereas at the implementation level, the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) coordinate the research works with participation of scientists from LAPAN, the Surveys and Mapping Agency (BAKOSURTANAL), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), and the University of Indonesia.

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