Illegal logging detection technology based on sound pressure level in mangrove forests in Meranti Islands Regency

Abstract

Mangrove forests are the best carbon emission absorbers. According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, mangrove forests can absorb 4 – 5 times more CO₂ than land forests. 1 hectare of mangrove alone can absorb 39.75 tons of CO₂/ha/year or the equivalent of emissions from 59 motorcycles per year. This means that mangrove forests have great potential to contribute to accelerating emission reductions by 2030. Only 15 countries have mangrove forests, including Indonesia. In the 1980s, the area of Indonesian mangrove forests reached 4,250,000 hectares. However, it was recorded that between 2013 and 2019, the remaining area of mangrove forests was only 3,311,245 hectares. Several causes of ecosystem damage in mangrove forests. First, illegal mining conversion (even though the productive limit of former mangrove forest ponds is 5 years). Second, the conversion of forests into plantations. Third, the conversion of forests into residential areas. Fourth, illegal logging, namely the illegal cutting of mangroves for firewood and charcoal raw materials. In Riau Province, the area of mangrove forests ranges from 75,000 – 343,750 Ha, with 25,619 Ha owned by the Meranti Islands Regency. The main problem in this area is in point 4 of the causes of damage to the mangrove ecosystem above, namely due to illegal logging. The idea proposed is to create a technology in the form of a tool that utilizes the sound pressure level (SPL) method and is equipped with a camera to detect illegal logging activities in real-time. This tool consists of input and output components. The input components used are sound sensors (detect and record sound), sensor nodes (capture and send sound data), ESP32 (microcontroller and send sound to the database), ESP32-CAM (photograph the surrounding environment), and solar panels (provide power during the day). While the output components used are the blunk IoT application, telegram, and gadgets to store sound and send notifications and photos.