akar.earthForest Carbon and EUDR in Southeast Sulawesi
Forest carbon in Southeast Sulawesi: Rawa Aopa Watumohai, Wakatobi, nickel mining, Kolaka cocoa, cashew, mangroves, project fit and EUDR exposure explained.
Southeast Sulawesi’s forest carbon potential lies in protecting forest under pressure from nickel mining and farm expansion, cocoa agroforestry in Kolaka, and conserving its long, mangrove-lined coasts. EUDR exposure comes mainly from cocoa; nickel, cashew and coconut are not covered.
Forest and land cover profile
Southeast Sulawesi covers the island’s south-eastern peninsula and the islands of Buton, Muna, Kabaena and the Wakatobi group. The mainland has lowland and hill rainforest, savanna and swamp. Forest on ultramafic soils, which carry nickel, has distinct, often stunted vegetation with specialised plant species.
Key areas:
- Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park: a mix of savanna, swamp forest, lowland forest and mangroves, unusual for its range of ecosystems in one park.
- Wakatobi National Park: a large marine park with coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves around the Wakatobi islands.
- Buton and Muna: islands with their own forests. Muna was historically known for teak.
Like the rest of Sulawesi, the province sits in Wallacea and has endemic species such as anoa and several macaques.
Peat and mangroves
There is no major peat, though Rawa Aopa contains swamp forest. Mangroves are extensive along the mainland coasts and around the islands. Some have been converted to fish ponds; others are affected by sediment from mining upstream. Mangrove conservation and restoration are strong options. See blue carbon and mangrove restoration carbon.
Main commodities and drivers of forest loss
- Nickel: large-scale mining in Konawe, North Konawe, Kolaka, Bombana and Kabaena, with smelters and industrial estates. Not an EUDR commodity.
- Cocoa: Kolaka and East Kolaka are important smallholder cocoa areas. See cacao.
- Cashew: Muna and Buton are known for cashew. Not covered.
- Coconut and clove: widespread. Not covered.
- Teak and other timber: state and smallholder sources.
- Asphalt: Buton has natural asphalt deposits.
The main drivers of forest loss are nickel mining and its roads and infrastructure, farm expansion at forest edges and logging. Mining sediment also damages coastal mangroves, seagrass and reefs.
Which carbon project types fit
| Project type | Fit in Southeast Sulawesi | Key issue |
|---|---|---|
| Forest protection | Forest outside mining permits but near mining frontiers | Overlapping permits; leakage |
| Cocoa agroforestry | Kolaka, East Kolaka | Ageing gardens, small plots |
| Mangrove conservation and restoration | Mainland coasts, Buton, Muna | Sediment, pond tenure |
| ARR and post-mining restoration | Degraded and mined land | Reclamation duty, ultramafic soils |
Post-mining restoration on ultramafic soils is difficult because few species tolerate the soil chemistry. Mining companies’ legal reclamation obligations also limit additionality. See additionality.
REDD+ near mining frontiers must handle leakage: protecting one area can push mining or clearing elsewhere. See leakage accounting.
EUDR exposure
Cocoa is the main exposure. Smallholder cocoa passes through collectors to traders in Kendari or Makassar. Exporters need:
- plot geolocation for every supplying farm,
- evidence of no deforestation since 31 December 2020,
- legal land status, including for gardens in forest estate.
See EUDR and cocoa. Wood from teak and other sources also needs harvest-area geolocation.
Customary land and social forestry
Tolaki, Moronene, Muna, Buton and Bajau (sea-dwelling) communities live in the province. Moronene communities have customary claims within and around Rawa Aopa Watumohai. Mining permits frequently overlap customary land, which has caused conflict.
Permenhut 6/2026 recognises customary communities and social forestry groups as legitimate carbon participants. Projects must check for overlapping mining permits and customary claims before planning. See customary forest carbon.
Islands, Bajau communities and blue carbon
The islands of Buton, Muna and Wakatobi and the coasts of the mainland host Bajau communities, often living in stilt villages over water. They depend heavily on mangroves, seagrass and reefs for fish, shellfish and building materials. Mangrove projects in these areas must recognise customary use rights, and benefits should flow to the households that use and protect the mangroves. Wakatobi National Park already has a zoning system that defines use and no-take areas, which can be used to design mangrove and seagrass conservation. Sediment from upstream mining is a growing threat to these coastal ecosystems, which means that coastal projects may need to address land-based pressures as well. For mangrove methods, see mangrove soil carbon and VM0033.
Practical next steps
Map mining permits, forest estate status and customary claims together. Compare with South Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi, and see the forest carbon hub.
Frequently asked questions
How does nickel mining affect forest carbon in Southeast Sulawesi?
Nickel mining in Konawe, North Konawe, Kolaka and other districts has cleared forest, increased sediment in rivers and coasts, and brought processing industry. It is the province's fastest-growing driver of forest loss.
Which carbon project types fit Southeast Sulawesi?
Forest protection in areas threatened by mining or farm expansion, cocoa agroforestry in Kolaka, mangrove conservation and restoration along extensive coasts, and restoration of degraded land.
What is Southeast Sulawesi's EUDR exposure?
Mainly cocoa from Kolaka and other districts, plus some wood. Cashew, coconut and nickel are not EUDR commodities.