The hunt for the Blue tree monitor on Batanta Island, Indonesia: Subsistence on a treasure?

The tree monitors, Varanus (Hapturosaurus) are highly valued in international pet trade. These lizards are somewhat striking in their colouration, among which is the Blue tree monitor, Varanus macraei. Body colouration of this species is dominantly blue, which is unique to this monitor lizard species. This distinctive colouration together with its limited distribution has put the species as high-priced export commodity for at least 20 years. Because the lizard is endemic to Batanta Island and the nearby islets in the Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia, we made a trip to the islands in 2019. We visited the village of Amdui on Batanta, where we made several casual interviews with hunters. Here we report results of our interviews and brief survey on the habitats of V. macraei, in order to identify the roles of local hunters in the trade of tree monitors for international pet markets. Some residents of Amdui have been in search for Blue tree monitors and other monitor lizard species since mid1990s and continue their hunt until very recently for fast cash. Because hunting is yet a large part of their culture more than farming, villagers rely on this method for subsistence. We recommend a socio-cultural approach to inform hunters on the idea of sustainability of harvest, for which a stable livelihood will be a possible consequence.

Tebat Rasau Geopark: Ethnobiology and Ethnogeology of a Pleistocene River in Belitung, Indonesia

Belitung is an island on the south eastern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Geologically, Belitung is an continental island and during Pleistocene was united with Sumatra and Borneo to form a subcontinent named Sundaland indicated by the existence of an archaic Pleistocene river located in Tebat Rasau in the East Belitung Regency with the presence of Asiatic arowana (Scleropages formosus) and non-poisonous freshwater pufferfish from the genus Pao, which is identified here as resembling Pao hilgendorfii. The existence of these biota strengthening the concept of Sundaland and has put Belitung tributaries closer to mainland Borneo’s river system rather than that of Sumatra’s. Fascinating discoveries found in this current study are the fact that the people of Tebat Rasau acknowledge based on the presence of the Asiatic arowana and non-poisonous pufferfish about the union of Belitung with the mainland Borneo and Sumatra in the past long before the concept of Sundaland itself was formulated and published. This knowledge has put the people of Tebat Rasau more aware on the conservation of the area and fully supports the appointment of the Tebat Rasau vicinity as a National Geopark. The local products have also produced from the vicinity including the well-known herbal tea from the leaves of Pelawan tree (Tristaniopsis merguensis; Myrtaceae) known as “Pelawan Tea”.

The Utilization of Tokulo (Kleinhovia hospita L.) as Traditional Medicine by Wawonii Community in Lampeapi Village, Wawonii Island, Southeast Sulawesi

Tokulo (Kleinhovia hospita L.) is an herbal plant, it is widely used as a vegetable and alternative drink for tea by Wawonii community. Tokulo has various benefits to support body health. This plant, especially its leaves have active compounds that is used as ingredients in traditional medicine. This study aims to determine the utilization of this plant as traditional medicine by Wawonii community, the origin of cultivation process and its uses as herbal medicine, as well as it can be used as a basis for policy making by local government for increasing local people’s income.

Ethnobotanical Study of Zingiberaceae Rhizomes as Traditional Medicine Ingredients by Medicinal Plant Traders in the Pancur Batu Traditional Market, North Sumatera, Indonesia

Traditional markets are places for buying and selling medicinal plants and are a source of ethnobotany research data. This study aims to determine the uses and characteristics of Zingiberaceae rhizomes have been used as traditional medicine and traded in the traditional market of Pancur Batu, North Sumatra. This research was conducted with an ethnobotany approach through surveys, interviews and observation participatory. The respondents are all medicinal plants traders in the Pancur Batu traditional market. The things that were asked of the traders included local names, special characters, benefits, and how to recognize the rhizome. The medicinal plant traders in the Pancur batu traditional market have been utilized and traded as many as 10 species of Zingiberaceae rhizome, most of them belonging Curcuma and Zingiber genera. The characteristics of rhizomes are recognized by traders through their size, color, and aroma. The cross-section of the rhizomes of each species is different in structure and color which is used as the main marker for each species. Rhizoma Zingiberaceae is used as the main ingredient for tawar (semi-solid medicinal herbs consumed by brewing), parem (solid medicinal ingredients), and oukup (traditional Karo sauna). The rhizome aroma of each species belonging Zingiberaceae is very distinctive which is related to the content of essential oils. The use of Zingiberaceae rhizomes as tawar and parem ingredients needs to be studied further so that they are developed into standardized herbs.

Using Measurable Indices to Evaluate the Cultural Importance of Socio-religious Plants: Comparative Data from the Three States of India

The aim of the present study is to do the balancing between the science and cultural practices in an increasingly complex developing society and policy on the traditional knowledge landscape. Various quantitative indices are proposed to determine the cultural importance of socio-religious and ethnobotanically valuable plants as a tool for the evaluation of cultural heritage. These indices were applied to an ethnobotanical, sociocultural survey of plants and plant parts traditionally used and consumed in the selected study area. Selected plants were grouped into seven use categories for further analysis. The cultural value index (CV), use value index (UV), the relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), and cultural importance index (CI) were calculated for different plant species cited by 45 informants in different traditional societies from the studied states. The calculated values of the cultural importance of plants through diverse indices generated interesting variations from three regions of India. There were eight common species through all the three states. Among these eight species Butea monosperma shows the highest values from Rajasthan and Ziziphus jujube shows the lowest values from Gujarat region. While Nelumbo nucifera, Vigna mungo, and Nymphaea lotus were also portrayed high calculated values in the CI, RI, and CVs. The combined use of these indices makes it possible to quantify the role which has given to a particular plant within a specific culture in one or many festivals in general or religious rituals.

Carbon Potentials in Biomass of Fruit Trees in Home Gardens in the Bogor Regency, West Java

A study using the point centered quarter method for trees and quadrats for saplings in homegardens of 41 hamlets within 40 districts in the Bogor Regency, West Java, revealed a rich diversity of fruit trees. Artocarpus heterophyllus, Nephelium lappaceum, Mangifera indica, and Durio zibethinus were the dominant and widely distributed fruit tree species. Above ground biomass of trees and saplings were calculated using allometric equations and the C (carbon) stocks were estimated by assuming that C constitutes 50% of biomass. The total biomass of trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 10 cm amounted to 1,081.7 tons, varied between hamlets from 10.1 to 66.7 tons/ha and the mean per hamlet of 26.4 ± 9.9 ton/ha, while that of saplings with diameter of 2 to 9.9 cm recorded to be 390.4 tons with a range between hamlets of 3.9 to 12.9 tons/ha and the mean per hamlet of 9.5 ± 3.7 tons/ha. The total aboveground C stocks was 540.9 tons for trees with a range between hamlets of 5.1 to 33.4 tons/ha and the mean per hamlet of 13.2 ± 4.9 tons/ha, while that of saplings was 195.2 tons with a range between hamlets of 0.7 to 9.4 tons/ha and the mean per hamlet of 4.9 ± 1.8 tons/ha. The main fruit trees with highest carbon sequestration capacity were Artocarpus heterophyllus, Mangifera indica, Mangifera foetida, and Sandoricum koetjape.

An Ethnobotanical Study of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) on Malay Ethnic Group in Tanjung Balai, Karimun, Riau Islands

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) is one of the tropical forest plants in Indonesia, which is utilized as a raw material in the manufacture of various modern and traditional medicines. However, information regarding the potential and conservation of this plant in indigenous communities in Karimun, Riau Islands has not been well-documented. Therefore, researchers conducted a study in Pongkar Village and Karimun Anak, Tabing, Riau Islands concerning the potential and conservation of tongkat ali for the lives of the people in these research locations. Data were collected through an ethnobotanical approach and interviews with selected respondents, traditional healers, village heads, the representative from Karimun Forestry Conservation Office, and local people who utilize this plant in their daily lives. The results showed that the local community utilized tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) as medicinal ingredients to treat fever caused by malaria, to increase stamina, and to be an alternative source to increase the family’s income. In addition, efforts to conduct in-situ and ex-situ conservation supported by the community, indigenous communities, and government agencies are highly needed so that its utilization can be carried out sustainably.

An Ethnobotanical Study on the Farming System of the Makian Ethnic Group in Halmahera Island, North Maluku

Farming is an activity carried out by humans to utilize biological resources, especially for producing food. Bale Village, Oba District, Tidore, Halmahera Island, North Maluku is inhabited by the Makian ethnic group, originating from Makian Island. They are local transmigrants. In this study, researchers conducted direct observation and interviews with key informants who had expertise and information in agriculture at the research location. The results showed that the farming is carried out in yards (kintal) and fields (doba). The agricultural pattern implemented by the Makian people is still traditional. They still use simple technology. Coconut, nutmeg, cocoa, and coffee are the Makian people’s main commodities. The local wisdom that is still practiced by them is planting and harvesting their agricultural products according to the customs of their ancestors. They also do not sell their agricultural land to outsiders.

Medicinal Plant Diversity in the Market of Cibinong and Ciluar, Bogor

The pattern for documenting plants in various regions is a form of understanding theimportance of plant resources in society. Plant resources are a natural asset that used asmedicine, for example for the communities around Cibinong Market and Ciluar Market,Bogor. The purpose of this study was documenting species of plants, parts used andprocessing methods for medicinal plants. The used method was data collection and directobservation at Cibinong Market and Ciluar Market. Interviews were conducted directly withtraders of vegetables, spices and potpourri. The data from the observations showed 43 speciesof plants are used as medicine with an knowledge from generation to generation.

The Making of a Montane Taro Garden

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is an essential crop in Papua New Guinea, especially in the highlands where taro grows at high altitudes (above 2,000 m) and sweet potato is absent. Taro and its cultivation are part of the collective memory of the Oksapmin society, in Sandaun province. The creation, maintenance, and harvest of a taro garden follow elaborate techniques and rules, the knowledge of which is not universal among villagers. This article describes the making of a taro garden by Oksapmin cultivators. The process is divided into two parts: activities related to the “mother garden”, where cuttings for the garden-to-be must be harvested, along with activities and techniques involved in preparing the new taro garden. The author discusses the significance of taro gardens in Oksapmin society.