Biocultural key species: an assembly of biotic resources with biocultural importance

Background The cultural importance assigned to biodiversity is a complex subject, its study has been developed from ethnobotany and ethnomicology, mainly. A new proposal to address cultural importance is from the biocultural key species. Therefore, integrating information on the knowledge and use of various biological groups, the species with the greatest cultural relevance were selected. Methods An index (BKSI: Biocultural Key Species Index) was integrated, which assesses the relevance based on general attributes associated with fauna, flora and funga. The study was carried out in the Náhuatl community called El Barco, Lolotla; in the Huastec Hidalguense region. Field work was carried out for two years (2018–2019) with 24 field trips. Percentage ethnographic method combined with snowball (10% of the population) were applied; and as the ethnographic tool multiple free listings (n = 50) were used. Results In total of 335 species associated to 537 traditional names in Spanish and indigenous language (Náhuatl) are reported, that belongs to different biological groups (fungi and plants; fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). The biocultural relevance degree was categorized respect to the obtained value in the index (BKSI); a representative set of each biological group was selected, being those with the highest biocultural relevance. Conclusions It is proposed that these species constitute a useful tool in the application of programs that promote the conservation of diversity from a biocultural approach; they may even promote the proper use of resources or biological restoration.

The Reconstruction of a Javanese Civilization Cultural Landscape in 8 AD based on Canggal Inscription in Gendol Hill Complex, Magelang, Central Java

The research took place in the Gendol Hill complex, Magelang, Central Java. One of the peaks in the hills complex is Mount Wukir, where a Canggal Inscription was found. The Canggal Inscription mentions an area named Java, rich in agricultural products with many sacred buildings. The term Javanese refers to an area of Gendol Hill complex, which is part of the Kedu–Central Java region. This paper aims to 1) interpret the cultural landscape of the Gendol Hill complex, 2) reconstruct the spatial structure (layout), and its utilization as a settlement area for Javanese society in the 8th century. This paper interprets the Canggal Inscription and collates information about the potential of both biotic and non-biotic resources. Data processing is conducted through inductive–explanatory analysis. The results suggest that the Cultural Landscape of Gunung Wukir Temple was in a place protecting it from disaster. The complex was protected by Gendol Hills, acting as a barrier against volcanic eruptions from Mount Merapi. Gendol Hill complex was located in an environment that flourished with both biotic and non-biotic resources. The community cultivated its alluvial plains and established settlements in this area. The denuded structural hills were also perceived as sacred spaces to erect temples with natural resources close by such as andesite rocks available from rivers around the hills.

Macromycetes of the San José educational park, municipality of Zinacantan, Chiapas, Mexico

Chiapas is one of the most biodiverse regions of our Planet; however, the knowledge of tropical mushrooms in this state is limited. As a consequence of this lack of information of the mycobiota of Chiapas and areas such as San José (SJ) park, it is very important to carry out inventories of biotic resources as a basic and fundamental research tool for some protected areas, in order to develop studies for conservation. This study aims to prepare a list of the macrofungi species in the SJ park. Specimens were collected along five consecutive years, and 148 species (21 Ascomycetes and 126 Basidiomycetes) were identified. The most common substrate was humus (110 species, 74.82%). Forty-six species that can be used for human consumption were found. Thus, the mycological value for the study area was 31.29%. Also, 27 new records for Chiapas (5 Ascomycotina and 22 Basidiomycotina) were found.

Dark diversity reveals importance of biotic resources and competition for plant diversity across broad environmental gradients

Species richness is the most commonly used metric to quantify biodiversity. However, examining dark diversity, the group of missing species which can potentially inhabit a site, can provide a more thorough understanding of the processes influencing observed biodiversity and help evaluate the restoration potential of local habitats. So far, dark diversity has mainly been studied for specific habitats or largescale landscapes while less attention has been given to variation across broad environmental gradients or as a result of local conditions and biotic interactions. In this study, we investigate the importance of local environmental conditions in determining dark diversity and observed richness in plant communities across broad environmental gradients. We use the ecospace concept to investigate how abiotic gradients (defined as position), availability of biotic resources (defined as expansion), spatiotemporal extent of habitats (defined as continuity), as well as species interactions through competition, relate to these biodiversity measures. Position variables were important for both plant richness and dark diversity, some with quadratic relationships, e.g., plant richness showing a unimodal response to soil fertility corresponding to the intermediate productivity hypothesis. Competition represented by community mean Grime C showed a negative correlation with plant richness. Besides position, organic carbon was the most important variable for dark diversity, indicating that in late succession habitats such as forests and shrubs, dark diversity is generally low. The importance of Grime C indicate that intermediate disturbance, such as grazing, may facilitate higher species richness and lower dark diversity. Comparing various biodiversity metrics and their influencing factors might reveal important drivers of biodiversity changes and result in better conservation decision-making.

Plankton Diversity in Karst River, Masigit - Pawon Cave, West Java, Indonesia

Karst Citatah region has been known strategies economic value of biotic and a biotic resources. This study investigated plankton biodiversity potency on Cibukur and Cibodas rivers where it already made in Karst Citatah region, particularly on Masigit-Pawon. The result of four stations showed that Karst Masigit-Pawon region was high potency with Plankton biodiversity resources with Diversity and dominancy index almost 1. The numbers of Plankton identified were of 24 species of phytoplankton consist of 9 class and 16 species of zooplankton consists of 6 filum. The high abundance of Plankton was Navicula sp(5.280 species), Synedra sp(4.092 species), dan Cyclops sp(2.904 species) respectively.

SUMBER DAYA ALAM SEBAGAI MEDIA LITERASI DI BALI

Bali has an abundant cultural heritage, one of which is a literary culture of ancient manuscripts, written on media taken from nature, preserved, shaped, to a script. The purpose of this research is to understand the utilization of natural resources as media literacy in Bali. The data of this research were collected through direct observation, interview, and literature study. The result of this research is the utilization of biotic resources such as palm leaves, intaran tree bark, yam gadung, spices of isin rong wayah, coconut base bark, aubergine leaf, and candlenut. In addition to the utilization of biotic resources are also utilized abiotic resources such as clean water, sunlight, salt, wind and soot. Based on the results of the analysis it can be seen that the media literacy in Bali is very dependent on nature, because this function will affect the environmental sustainability, and grow a sense of appreciation, then trying to create harmony to nature. Bali memiliki warisan budaya yang melimpah, salah satunya adalah budaya literasi berupa naskah kuno, ditulis pada media dari alam, diawetkan, dibentuk, hingga menjadi naskah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pemanfaatan sumber daya alam daun lontar dan prosesnya sebagai bahan pembuatan media literasi serta proses penulisan literasi di Bali. Data penelitian dikumpulkan melalui observasi langsung, wawancara, dan studi pustaka. Hasil penelitian berupa pemanfaatan sumber daya biotik; daun lontar, kulit pohon intaran, ubi gadung, rempah-rempah yakni isin rong wayah, kulit pangkal pohon kelapa, daun terong, dan kemiri. Selain pemanfaatan sumber daya biotik juga dimanfaatkan sumber daya abiotik; air bersih, sinar matahari, garam, angin dan jelaga. Kesimpulan penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa media literasi di Bali sangat bergantung kepada alam, karena fungsi ini berdampak kepada kelestarian lingkungan, dan tumbuh rasa menghargai untuk menciptakan keharmonisan terhadap alam. Kata kunci: sumber daya alam, media literasi, bali.