Community-based conservation through stakeholder collaboration in the Essential Ecosystem Area (EEA) of Kao, North Halmahera Regency

Abstract Mangrove forest in Kao Village, North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, is a Key Biodiversity Area. Since 2017, the community has been protecting mangrove forests through Kao Village Regulation No.03/2007. In 2020, through the collaboration between stakeholders from universities, NGOs and the government, the Kao mangrove forest area of 300.92 Ha was designated as an Essential Ecosystem Area (EEA) based on the North Halmahera Regent Decree No.078/102/HU/2020. This study describes the biodiversity and the community-based conservation through stakeholder collaboration in the EEA of Kao. The study found that there are 13 mangrove species and 56 bird species, of which 10 are protected species. In 2020, the community has built a mangrove nursery and rehabilitated 8 ha of degraded mangrove forest with the participation of about 70 people. Since the establishment of EEA, the community has stopped hunting for eggs of the endemic moluccan scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei) and is trying to increase its population through semi-natural hatching on the beach. The community has also learned to use non-timber mangrove forest products and ecotourism through the support of stakeholders.