Assessing Conservation–Development Interactions in Masakambing Island EEA, Indonesia: A SIAPA Approach

Essential Ecosystem Areas (EEAs) aim to balance biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, particularly on small islands where ecological vulnerability and economic dependence are closely linked. This study evaluates conservation effectiveness and conservation–development interactions in the Masakambing Island EEA, a key habitat of the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea abbotti). It applies the System for the Integrated Assessment of Protected Areas (SIAPA), a multi-criteria framework assessing ecological, management, socio-economic, and governance dimensions of protected areas. Nine ecotourism destinations were evaluated across seven dimensions: conservation status, planning, management, socio-economic context, social perception, conservation threats, and effectiveness. Data from 54 respondents were analyzed using multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation. Results show that natural attractions achieved the highest scores, including Cockatoo Sleeping Trees (1.20), Mangrove Forest (1.19), and Cockatoo Nest Trees (1.18), while Keramat Ujung Cemetery (0.70) and Jurang Cinta (0.92) scored lowest. Regression results indicate that planning, conservation status, management, and socio-economic context significantly influence performance. A strong positive correlation was observed between socio-economic context and social perception (r = 0.914), indicating community support aligns with perceived economic benefits. SIAPA reveals imbalances between ecological assets and governance capacity, offering insights to strengthen conservation governance, community participation, and sustainable development.