From Genome Sequencing to CRISPR-Based Genome Editing for Climate-Resilient Forest Trees

Due to the economic and ecological importance of forest trees, modern breeding and genetic manipulation of forest trees have become increasingly prevalent. The CRISPR-based technology provides a versatile, powerful, and widely accepted tool for analyzing gene function and precise genetic modification in virtually any species but remains largely unexplored in forest species. Rapidly accumulating genetic and genomic resources for forest trees enabled the identification of numerous genes and biological processes that are associated with important traits such as wood quality, drought, or pest resistance, facilitating the selection of suitable gene editing targets. Here, we introduce and discuss the latest progress, opportunities, and challenges of genome sequencing and editing for improving forest sustainability.

Conflict transformation and collaboration in developing social forestry in Flores, Indonesia

Social movements to realize forest tenure reforms have been ongoing since the 1970s, particularly through policies under the broad umbrella of social forestry. In Indonesia, social forestry programs are initiated by the government, communities, NGOs, academics, companies, and donors, and are based on specific socio-economic and ecological interests. Weak synergies, however between programmatic implementation and stakeholder interests, triggers various forest tenure conflicts. The research examines the complexity of these conflicts, namely focusing around the approaches to conflict transformation that can lead to collaboration in realizing forest sustainability that also support interests of people living in and around forests. I employed a qualitative approach by collecting data through in-depth interviews and participatory observations in Flores in 2017 and 2020. The results show that forest tenure conflicts have occurred since the 1970s due to state forest territorialization. Conflicts culminated in the determination of state forest area boundaries through the 1984 state program entitled the “consensus-based forest land use planning” initiative. Until 2008, efforts to resolve conflicts by offering the community access rights through community forestry programs initiated by the government were rejected by NGOs and the local community. NGOs facilitated communities to demand the return of state forest land as customary forest. This conflict presented the opportunity to facilitate multi-stakeholder forestry programs through a conflict transformation approach by building long-term stakeholder collaboration. Since 2010, the collaboration between stakeholders took place through the community forest program. This study shows the need for more direct attention to studying conflict resolution under an integrated and long-term approach to conflict transformation and collaboration. Pragmatically, this study shows the importance of integrated social forestry policies that synergize various schemes initiated by stakeholders to realize forest sustainability and support local community interests.

Current Challenges and Prospects of Indonesian Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs): A Review

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) management can lead to various benefits for community livelihood and forest sustainability. However, such management has not been carried out optimally and sustainably in Indonesia, due to various limiting factors including ineffective policies, undeveloped cultivation technologies, and inadequate innovation in processing technologies. Further, the diversity of NTFPs species requires that policy-makers determine the priority species to be developed. Agarwood (Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp.), benzoin (Styrax spp.), sandalwood (Santalum album L.), and cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi Powell) are aromatic NTFPs species in Indonesia that forest-dwellers have utilized across generations. This paper reviews the current governance, cultivation systems, processing and valuation, and benefits and uses of these species. We also highlights the future challenges and prospects of these NTFPs species, which are expected to be useful in designing NTFPs governance, in order to maximize the associated benefits for the farmers and all related stakeholders.

Pengembangan Tanaman Multi Guna bagi Masyarakat di Kawasan Taman Hutan Raya Nipa-Nipa Kelurahan Gunung Jati, Kota Kendari

The people of Gunung Jati Urban Village, Kendari District, Kendari City have a relatively low economic level amidst the increasing demand. The agricultural products obtained by the community are still considered unable to meet the needs of life. In addition, they are located in the area around the Nipa-Nipa Grand Forest Park (GFP) which is relatively steep and critical, so there is great concern if the community is cutting trees that could threaten forest sustainability. Therefore, the purpose of this service are 1) To provide understanding to farmers about the importance of developing multi-purpose plants and 2) Realizing forest conservation by providing multi-purpose plant seeds to be planted on community-owned land. The method of implementing the program is community-based, namely through multi-purpose plant cultivation training accompanied by assistance with counseling and discussions. The results of this service are 1) The understanding of farmers has begun to increase, namely about 18 people (72%) who already have a very good understanding of developing MPTS plants and 2) The success of planting can be seen from the percentage of seeds that grow and develop by 90% which is part of from vegetative conservation. Lack of public awareness in preserving the Tahura Nipa-Nipa including maintaining the plants that have been given, because economic pressure is still a serious obstacle. Therefore, there is still ongoing assistance with socialization and the addition of multi-purpose plant seeds in the next program.

Fauna biodiversity as one of Repong Damar forest health indicators

Repong Damar Pekon Pahmungan has a diverse fauna, especially primates. Primates have great benefits for forest sustainability, because the fruit seeds ingested by primates will help spread biodiversity and forest regeneration. The presence of primates can also be an indicator of forest health. The health condition of the repong damar forest is very influential on its sustainability so that one of the health indicators that can be used is biodiversity. Biodiversity of fauna can be identified by using the FHM (Forest Health Monitoring) method to determine the diversity and condition of its health status. Repong Damar has a diversity of primate fauna, namely long-tailed monkeys and gibbons found in cluster plots 3 and 5. Based on this, Repong Damar Pekon Pahmungan has poor forest health status.

The capacity building of an agroforestry demonstration plot: participatory market chain approach

Establishing the Cempaka forestry partnership agroforestry demonstration plot in the Batutegi Forest Management Unit, Lampung Province, should increase small-scale farmers’ participation in planting and enhancing their welfare. They need facilitation and supporting programs to evolve continuously, grow business rapidly, and enable forest sustainability. From previous research, the existing training and the extension supporting programs focus on technological improvements in agroforestry demonstration plots, such as modern nurseries training and incentives awarding. There is minimal understanding of small-scale farmers about the broader market chain beyond their direct market. However, improving the market chain will be sustaining the process of innovation and environmental empowerment. The upscale market chain has an impact on poverty alleviation by enhancing institutional capacity and market linkages. Therefore, integrating a market chain perspective is a crucial priority for planning the demonstration plot capacity program. This research intends to design the procedures for linking small-scale farmers to the market chain using a three-sequence phase usually elaborated in the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA). The data were collected by applying a questionnaire, and then they were described by using a narrative-based qualitative method. The emerging results from this study are the policy implications for improving the performance of the market chain in a standard timeline, namely the assessment phase, the innovation phase, and the action phase. Ideally, policy leaders should pay attention to the assessment phase that identifies interactions among market chain actors. The innovation phase develops on-site learning exercises and tests shared innovation. The action phase promotes in topic meetings and action groups.

Community involvement in KPH Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Forest Management Unit) land management: a case study of RPH Mangunan

The management of protection forests in KPH Yogyakarta has involved the surrounding community. Community involvement is expected to keep forest sustainability and contribute to the surrounding community’s income. Community engagement activities in the protection forest at RPH Mangunan have been developed long time before the KPH Yogyakarta was formed. Several social forestry activities was designed by utilizing forest land to involve the community in protection forests, especially in RPH Mangunan. Activities with the community on KPH land are permitted as long as the crops and trees are not disturbed. This paper aims to identify community involvement in RPH Mangunan and calculate the economic contribution of each land area used by the community. The research was conducted in July-August 2018. The collection of socio-economic data are obtained through household surveys of KPH land users, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) of parties involved in KPH land management. The income from managing the KPH land is still below the needs of one household based on Yogyakarta provincial minimum wage. Apart from carrying out agricultural activities, some community members have other sources of livelihood. To increase the community’s income and support forest sustainability, some strategies need to be implemented.

IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT RESTORATION PROGRAM IN PROTECTION FOREST

A restoration program is needed by West Lampung District, because 80% of the protected forests in this district have been damaged. Bina Wana (BW) Community Forest Group (CFG) has been successful in carrying out restoration program of 465 ha of Bukit Rigis protected forest. It resulted in an 80% increase in its members' income and an increase by 2.58% of the forest cover. To maintain the success of a sustainable restoration program, high commitment from the community is needed. This research has been conducted in June-July 2019 at West Lampung District, Lampung Province, Indonesia. The objective of this research is to analyse the social variables that affect restoration in the protection forest. The dependent variable is income and independent variables consist of respondents’ characteristics as individuals and social characteristics of the community. Based on the multiple regression linear analysis from 75 respondents, it was found that the significant variables for the sustainability of the restoration of Bukit Rigis protected forest are as follow: age, sex, education, status in CFG, distance from home to CF areas, social aids and social capital (networks, norms and trust). Existence of the youth groups namely Himpunan Pemuda Peduli Hutan dan Lingkungan (HPPHL) and Melati Women Forest Farmer Group (WFFG) plays an important role in implementing the restoration program. Establishment of HPPHL will ensure regeneration in maintaining the sustainability of restoration achievements. The role of WFFG is also important because their households’ income is supported by WFFG and enables the BW CFG members to be more concentrated in maintaining forest sustainability.