Effective monitoring and conservation prioritisation of threatened mammals in Sumatra

Effective conservation requires accurate assessments of biodiversity and the optimal allocations of conservation efforts. This is especially crucial in tropical regions that are not only rich in biodiversity but also subject to some of the highest anthropogenic pressures, where conservation efforts are often hindered by limited resources and expertise. Based on research in Indonesia, my thesis investigates various approaches to enhancing biodiversity conservation in tropical forests, with two main objectives: 1) improving the effectiveness of biodiversity monitoring, and 2) targeting conservation actions through systematic conservation planning. I begin with a systematic review of research on medium and large mammal populations in Indonesia published between 2000-2020 (Chapter 2). This review identifies key knowledge gaps, including: 1) a disproportionate focus on a few species; 2) geographical bias toward western Indonesia, 3) limited study design and analysis, and 4) a lack of long-term studies. Building on