Abstract
We studied human perceptions on the management of bamboo-tree gardens in two villages with contrasting agroecological conditions in the upper Citarum basin. We undertook interviews to reveal perceptions on the tenure, function, and management strategies of multi-layered agroforest. Owners in a village located lower in the basin perceived the gardens more positively than those in an upland village, where market pressures were felt more keenly and for a longer period. There was not always a direct correlation between perceptions and behavior with respect to bamboo-tree garden management. However, we concluded that an understanding of human perceptions could provide valuable insight to the process of formulating strategies that might be effective in minimizing the conversion of bamboo-tree gardens to more intensive and less ecologically diverse agricultural systems. Specifically, since the villagers retained a strong cultural perception of the heritage value of the bamboo-tree gardens, they would likely be responsive to conservation efforts that increased the economic value of the gardens and reduced the opportunity cost of not converting them to production that is more intensive or other land uses.
Highlights
Human activities are the primary drivers of dynamic agricultural systems, which in turn determine the structure and function of agroecosystems
Human perceptions shape the decision-making processes that lead to the actions that affect agroecosystems [3] and determine whether production and conservation goals are harmonized in the development of agricultural systems
This paper describes the perceptions of bamboo-tree garden owners in two villages of contrasting agroecological conditions within the upper Citarum basin with regard to the management of this traditional agricultural system
Summary
Human activities are the primary drivers of dynamic agricultural systems, which in turn determine the structure and function of agroecosystems. Human activities in agroecosystems are the result of attitudes derived from a combination of ideas, motivations, and experiences [1]. Human perceptions shape the decision-making processes that lead to the actions that affect agroecosystems [3] and determine whether production and conservation goals are harmonized in the development of agricultural systems. Because of this intrinsic link between perceptions, decisions, and actions, gaining an understanding of human perceptions is a critical first step to achieve sustainable agriculture
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