Multistoried agroforestry system of Gaharu (Gyrinops verstegii (Gilg.) Domke) in Flores Island East Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

Flores is one of islands that the producing agarwood from Gyrinops verstegii (Gilg.) Domke. The plant population in nature has been threatened due to over extraction and poaching. Therefore, the plant is cultivated in a cropping system with other crops by some local communities. This study examined the agroforestry pattern of agarwood cultivation in Flores. The purposive sampling plots (20m x 20m) were used to record the composition and structure of vegetation, as well as the environmental conditions in five districts (East Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ende, Sikka, and East Flores) of Flores. The agroforestry species of agarwood in the study areas consisted of 23 species. Cacao, Robusta coffee, clove, and coconut were the most dominant species in agroforestry patterns of Gyrinops verstegii plantation. The growing of agarwood in the intercropping patterns with estate crops in agroforestry conditions in Flores Island should be maintained to sustain its production. This study could have an implication as to inform conservation managers to maintain agarwood sustainability and thus further study is required to improve a better cropping system of the agarwood under the natural conditions of Flores Island.