Physiological Response of Sumatran Elephant (Elephas Maximus Sumatranus) to Land Cover Changes at TWA Holiday Resort, North Sumatra

Le résumé fourni par la source

Land cover changes due to anthropogenic activities are one of the main threats to the sustainability of the Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) habitat. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the physiological conditions of Sumatran Elephants and land cover changes in the North Sumatra Holiday Resort Nature Tourism Park (Indonesian term: Taman Wisata Alam/TWA). The study was conducted on three individual elephants, namely Nurhalimah, Sudarwanto, and Merry. The physiological data observed included age, body temperature, body condition, appetite, fecal condition, rest duration, and stress levels. Land cover data were obtained through the interpretation of satellite imagery and secondary data from the area. Data analysis was carried out using multiple linear regression, beginning with classical assumption tests and hypothesis tests. The results of the study indicate that during the period 1990–2024, there was a very significant change in land cover, where secondary dryland forests were almost entirely converted into plantations, settlements, and other non-forest lands. The results of the F test indicate that all physiological variables simultaneously had a significant effect on land cover changes (p<0.05). The Adjusted R Square value of 0.652 indicates that the observed physiological variables can explain 65.2% of the variation in land cover change. Partially, only stress levels significantly influence land cover change with a significance value of 0.003 and a beta coefficient of 1.120. These results indicate that stress levels are the most sensitive physiological indicator in responding to habitat changes. Therefore, conservation efforts for Sumatran Elephants at the TWA Holiday Resort need to be directed at habitat restoration and reducing anthropogenic pressures to maintain the welfare and sustainability of the elephant population in the area.

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