The term dimorphism comes from the Greek word dimorphos, meaning “two forms”. In the animal kingdom, sexual dimorphism refers to differences in characteristics between males and females of the same species. These differences can be seen in colour, body size, wing shape, body ornaments and even behaviour.

These differences in appearance are not simply a matter of beauty. In some animals, certain characteristics are associated with finding mates, competing with others and surviving in their surroundings.

From Competition to Mate Choice

One factor that contributes to the development of sexual dimorphism is sexual selection, a process in which certain characteristics increase an animal’s chances of successfully finding a mate.

Sexual selection can occur through competition between individuals of the same sex or through mate choice. In some animal species, males may compete with other males to attract a mate or defend a territory. Males that are stronger, larger or possess particular physical characteristics may have an advantage in such competition.

In other species, females may choose mates based on certain characteristics, such as bright body colours, tail shape or vocalisations. If these characteristics continue to be favoured from one generation to the next, the differences between males and females can become increasingly pronounced.

Beyond sexual selection, differences between males and females may also be related to their respective roles and needs. In some bird species, for example, females incubate eggs and protect their young. A more subdued body colour that blends with the surrounding environment can help females remain camouflaged and less visible to predators while incubating their eggs.

This fascinating phenomenon can also be observed in the Batang Toru Ecosystem. At least three groups of fauna found here display sexual dimorphism: birds, dragonflies and butterflies.

Birds: Colour as an Attraction

In birds, sexual dimorphism is most easily recognised through differences in colour. Males generally have brighter and more striking plumage than females. These characteristics are thought to be associated with attracting mates and demonstrating an advantage in competition with other males.

By contrast, females of several species have more subdued and less conspicuous colours. Such appearances can help camouflage their bodies within the surrounding environment, particularly while incubating eggs.

Several birds in the Batang Toru Ecosystem that display sexual dimorphism include the Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma), Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker (Prionochilus percussus), Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis). The differences in colour among these birds offer one of nature’s ways of showing that beauty does not always appear in the same form.

Dragonflies: Striking Red, Protective Yellow

Sexual dimorphism in dragonflies can also be observed through differences in body colour. One example is the Termite Dragonfly (Neurothemis terminata).

Adult males have a striking dark red colour, while females tend to be yellowish-brown. Their contrasting colours can make them appear, at first glance, as though they belong to different species, even though they are actually the male and female of the same species.

In males, the striking colouration is thought to play a role in attracting females, while also helping them display or defend their territories. Meanwhile, the female’s softer colouring may help reduce attention from predators while she is in her surroundings.

These differences in colour reveal how a single species can have two remarkably different appearances, with each serving its own role in the animals’ lives.

Butterflies: Different Wings, Equal Beauty

Butterflies are another group of fauna that clearly display sexual dimorphism, particularly through differences in wing colour and patterns.

One example is Hypolimnas bolina. Males have dark brownish-black wings with white patches that can reflect a bluish-purple sheen. Females, meanwhile, are generally brown with white or orange bands and have a larger body size.

These differences show how each sex can possess distinct characteristics. In males, the striking sheen and wing patterns are thought to be associated with attracting the attention of females.

Two Forms, One Life

Sexual dimorphism reveals one of the ways nature creates diversity within a single species. Striking colours, larger bodies or different wing patterns are not merely ornaments; they can be connected to how animals find mates, compete, protect themselves and survive.

Amid the rich biodiversity of the Batang Toru Ecosystem, these differences remind us that every living creature has its own way of navigating life.

One species can have two forms. Different in colour and shape, yet still living as part of the same ecosystem. This is where nature reveals its beauty not only through what we can see, but also through the unseen roles behind every difference.

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Through the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Agincourt Resources uses spatial data to support biodiversity management while ensuring that operational activities remain aligned with environmental conservation objectives.

Every day, Agincourt Resources’ Biodiversity team carries out a range of field monitoring activities, including vegetation surveys, wildlife observations, camera trap inspections, and the mapping of orangutan food trees. Data collected using GPS devices and the Avenza Maps application are subsequently processed through GIS software to produce informative digital maps that facilitate accurate analysis and decision-making.

Rather than serving merely as collections of geographical coordinates, these data are transformed into meaningful insights that illustrate wildlife distribution patterns, the locations of key tree species, rehabilitation areas, wildlife corridors, and environmentally sensitive zones requiring particular attention. This spatial information provides a scientific foundation for more informed environmental management decisions.

GIS also strengthens the landscape approach adopted by Agincourt Resources in its biodiversity conservation efforts. By helping maintain habitat connectivity, the technology supports safe and sustainable movement for wildlife, including the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis). In addition, GIS enables the integration of multiple sources of information, including biodiversity survey results, camera trap records, wildlife corridor patrols, and research conducted in collaboration with conservation partners.

For Agincourt Resources, GIS is far more than a mapping tool. It is an integral part of an adaptive, science-based approach to biodiversity management. By developing a comprehensive understanding of the Batang Toru ecosystem, the Company continues to maintain a balance between responsible mining operations and environmental stewardship, creating lasting benefits for nature and future generations.

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LADR is an internal company approval mechanism that ensures any activity with the potential to disturb land is conducted in accordance with applicable permits while also considering environmental protection. Through this procedure, the area proposed for clearing is first verified to ensure alignment with environmental documents such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL – Analisis Mengenai Dampak Lingkungan) and its supporting documents.

Read Also: The Importance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Mining Management

In addition, every LADR submission undergoes evaluation by management and the environmental team. This process ensures that the proposed land disturbance area is strictly aligned with operational requirements and that all potential environmental risks have been identified and properly managed from the outset.

Biodiversity Management and Mitigation Hierarchy Implementation

Another important aspect of this procedure is the protection of biodiversity. The operational area of Martabe Gold Mine is located near the Batang Toru ecosystem, which is known for its high biodiversity and serves as a habitat for various protected wildlife species. Therefore, before any land clearing takes place, the company requires a pre-clearing survey, an initial assessment conducted to identify the presence of important flora and fauna within the proposed area.

In addition to the preliminary survey, a field inspection is conducted no later than 24 hours before land clearing activities begin. The team carries out a direct inspection to ensure that no protected wildlife—such as orangutans, tigers, pangolins, or hornbills—are present in the area. If any indication of these species is found, land clearing activities must be temporarily halted until the situation is confirmed to be safe.

This approach is aligned with the mitigation hierarchy principle in environmental management, which prioritises avoiding impacts, minimising habitat disturbance, and rehabilitating areas that have already been affected. At Martabe Gold Mine, areas that are no longer in use are rehabilitated through land reshaping, soil quality improvement, and replanting with local plant species.

Through the implementation of the LADR procedure, all land disturbance activities at Martabe Gold Mine are carried out in a controlled and well-documented manner while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental sustainability in the surrounding operational area.

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PTAR’s initiative establishes a new benchmark for resource extraction, demonstrating how large-scale mining can be paired with significant, measurable contributions to conservation. The Batang Toru Ecosystem is the sole habitat of the Critically Endangered Tapanuli orangutan.

The session, held at the IUCN Asia Pavilion, was moderated by Professor Jatna Supriatna, Chairman of the Research Center for Climate Change (RCCC) ISER FMIPA at Universitas Indonesia, underscoring the necessity of robust scientific input in private sector environmental stewardship.

A Dual-Pronged Strategy of Substantial Scale

PTAR Vice President Director, Ruli Tanio, detailed a strategy that moves far beyond minimal compliance to achieve a net positive impact on the region’s biodiversity through two major, landscape-scale land-use initiatives.

First, refugia within the mining concession. PTAR has formally designated approximately 2,000 hectares of its Contract of Work (CoW) area as an actively managed, long-term biodiversity refugia. This on-site area acts as a crucial buffer and an essential ecological corridor, strategically maintained to sustain the health and movement of local wildlife, including key primate species.

Second, a large-scale biodiversity offset project. The Company committed to developing a large-scale biodiversity offset project located outside the mine’s immediate operational area. This significant compensatory project, which is expected to encompass circa 3,700 hectares, is aligned with the final stage of the international mitigation hierarchy. It is designed to compensate for unavoidable biodiversity impacts by securing and enhancing a much larger, ecologically significant area.

“Our commitment goes far beyond our immediate operational footprint. By dedicating 2,000 hectares within our concession as a managed refugia and committing to a significant additional offset area, we will be securing a substantial amount of land for the long-term protection of the Batang Toru ecosystem. This is a deliberate, science-driven effort to deliver a net positive impact,” said Ruli Tanio.

Science and Innovation Drive Conservation

PTAR’s land protection commitment is coupled with innovative, evidence-based ecological projects:

• Ecological Connectivity: The company continues to install arboreal bridges with camera traps across fragmented areas, ensuring the safe passage of tree-dwelling wildilfe and contributing valuable data to conservation research.
• Expert Oversight: The entire conservation strategy is overseen by an independent Biodiversity Advisory Panel (BAP) of top Indonesian and international scientists.
• Research Hub: PTAR has also established an on-site orangutan research station and specialized laboratories to foster evidence-based conservation within the ecosystem.

The “Beyond Extraction” session, which also featured contributions from other major Indonesian production companies, emphasized the potential for industrial landscapes to serve as unexpected but vital refuges for endangered species.

PTAR positioned itself as a leader in nature-positive mining, demonstrating that strategic planning, dedicated land-use, and scientific collaboration allow resource development to meaningfully contribute to reversing biodiversity loss. As Ruli Tanio quipped at the session, “Instead of treating us as enemies, our dear conservationist and biologist friends should view us as an ally—maybe not natural, but a strategic one.

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