May 28, 2026
Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (Riau Ecosystem Restoration – RER), APRIL Group’s ecosystem restoration programme, has joined a global effort to track the recovery of threatened species.
The Green Status of Species (GSS) Assessment was developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and uses a methodology that complements its more familiar Red List. While the IUCN Red List classifies extinction risk, the GSS framework addresses the other side of the coin, asking how close a species is to full recovery in its natural habitat.
In February, Desita Kusumaningrum, a herpetologist and member of RER’s Communications team, joined 34 academics and practitioners from across Indonesia for a workshop organized by the IUCN Indonesia Species Specialist Group (IdSSG). Held at IPB University in Bogor, the five-day event focused on the practical application of GSS metrics to evaluate the long-term efficacy of conservation actions.
Under the GSS framework, a species is defined as “fully recovered” if it is present, viable, and fulfilling its ecological role across its indigenous range. These metrics result in a “Green Score,” ranging from 0 to 100%, offering a transparent data point for conservation progress.
On a global scale, these assessments are a critical lever for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted by 196 nations in late 2022. Specifically, the RER’s adoption of this methodology aligns with Target 4, which mandates not only the cessation of human-induced extinction but also the proactive recovery and conservation of species.
Spanning 150,693 hectares of peat swamp forest, RER serves as a vital laboratory for this methodology. Since its beginning in 2013, APRIL has funded the project’s mission to protect and restore this highly biodiverse landscape. To date, the RER team has successfully neutralised threats, restored natural hydrology by closing artificial drainage canals, and reforested severely degraded areas with native species.
“For RER, participating in the GSS workshop reflects our continued commitment to evidence-based conservation,” said Desita. “The methodology offers valuable insights and tools to help track species recovery, assess the impact of conservation interventions, and strengthen biodiversity reporting.”
Workshop participants have identified 230 wildlife species across Indonesia for the initial assessment phase. Among these are several high-priority species resident within the RER landscape, including the Agile Gibbon (Hylobates agilis), Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris), Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), and the Malayan Giant Turtle (Orlitia borneensis).
By integrating these global standards, RER continues to contribute to the collective international goal of achieving measurable, permanent, and impactful nature-positive outcomes.
