Socio-Ecological System perspective of seagrass ecosystem in Wakatobi

Abstract

The Socio-Ecological System (SES) perspective is widely used to identify and explain the relationship between seagrass ecosystem and their dependent community. These relationships can be recognized when humans utilize the seagrass ecosystem that benefits as a dependent community. Further, these utilization patterns can be used as a basis for managing the seagrass ecosystems themselves. This study was conducted to identify and map the relationship between seagrass ecosystem and their communities in Wangi-wangi Island, Kaledupa Island and Tomia Island. The data were collected in June–July 2019 through observation, focused group discussions and interviews with 59 respondents. The relationship between the seagrass ecosystem and its community was analyzed descriptively. The results show that the SES built a simple pattern. Seagrass ecosystems were used as the main source of daily food for island people. Seagrass products were traded limited inside the island. Resource users, infrastructure providers, as well as public infrastructure formed a short-chain. It is important to preserve the condition of seagrass ecosystems by ensuring existing legal rules and local wisdom to enhance the SES.