Sourcing critical metal from critical habitat: is the trade-off worth making?
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Azizah, Latifah
Singh, Minerva
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This study analyzes the environmental impact of nickel mining on biodiversity in Indonesia’s Wallacea region, using habitat quality as a proxy. It employs the Integrated Valuation of Eco-system Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) Habitat Quality Model to project current and future habitat quality and degradation. Findings confirm that nickel mining significantly threatens habitat quality. Under a future scenario, 10% (513 km²) of excellent-quality habitat is projected to be lost across the study area. Specifically, mining zones face severe degradation and a future absence of excellent habitat, though protected areas are expected to maintain excellent quality. The study highlights Indonesia's core dilemma between economic nickel dominance and severe environmental destruction, stressing the need for equitable global risk-sharing. We recommend three strategies: 1) an Integrated Land-Sparing Strategy, 2) Responsible Mining Practices, and 3) Risk Mapping with Equitable Global Risk-Sharing Policies.
Date Issued
2026-02-01
Date Acceptance
2026-02-04
Citation
Land, 2026, 15 (2)
ISSN
2073-445X
Publisher
MDPI
Journal / Book Title
Land
Volume
15
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
©2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
273
Date Publish Online
2026-02-06