Value of vegetation diversity for indigenous (Adat) community of Kasepuhan Karang

Abstract

The indigenous community of Kasepuhan Karang has legal authority to manage a 486 ha forest area in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (GHSNP) as a customary forest. As 95% of the customary forest is located in the conservation area of the GHSNP, the Kasepuhan Karang community is responsible for conserving and utilizing forest resources sustainably. Due to the diverse landscape, biodiversity, and their ecological function of the area as well as the necessity to increase community welfare, managing customary forest is challenging. The scientific information on vegetation diversity, proportion, and its compatibility to the landscape characteristic and function will assist the customary leader(s) to apply proper strategies based on ecological and economic benefits. This study was aimed to calculate the economic benefits of the forest for the community and identify the compatible commercial crops that meet with the ecology of the customary forest. The research was conducted in Jagaraksa village of Lebak District, Banten Province, during the period from April to November 2018. The data analysis used was descriptive analysis and market prices. The highest value of economic benefits was obtained from plantation crops, with a benefit value per unit of above IDR 10 million/unit, namely petai (Parkia speciosa), jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum), coffee (Coffea sp) and sugar palm (Arenga pinnata). Thus, these four species are highly recommended to be cultivated by the Kasepuhan Karang community.