Examining Agricultural Communities' Views on Provisioning Ecosystem Services from the Batang Toru Forest

Hamid Arrum Harahap; Yonariza; Endrizal Ridwan; Yuerlita

doi:10.46703/jurnalpapuasia.Vol9.Iss1.433

Authors

Hamid Arrum Harahap Program Doktor Ilmu Pertanian, Universitas Andalas
Yonariza Sekolah Pascasarjana, Universitas Andalas
Endrizal Ridwan Sekolah Pascasarjana, Universitas Andalas
Yuerlita Sekolah Pascasarjana, Universitas Andalas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46703/jurnalpapuasia.Vol9.Iss1.433

Keywords:

Ecosystem services, agriculture, Batang Toru forest, rural livelihoods, sustainability

Abstract

Our study investigates the significance of ecosystem services for agricultural production and rural livelihoods, specifically focusing on the Batang Toru forest in North Sumatera. Through household surveys and descriptive analysis, we gather data on farmers' preferences for specific ecosystem services and examine their benefits for agriculture. Our findings highlight the crucial role of provisioning services, including food crops and non-timber forest products, in sustaining farmers' livelihoods within the study area. We also underscore the prevalence of agroforestry practices and stress the necessity for targeted interventions to enhance sustainability and productivity. Furthermore, our study provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between farmers' perceptions of ecosystem services and various influencing factors in the Batang Toru forest context. Positive correlations are observed between land size, frequency of interactions with forested areas, benzoin farmers, and farmers engaged in other non-timber forest products, signifying the importance of these factors in shaping farmers' recognition of the forest's contributions. By understanding these factors, policymakers and practitioners can develop effective strategies to promote the sustainable management and utilization of ecosystem services in the Batang Toru forest region, benefiting both farmers and the surrounding environment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Achmad, B., Sanudin, B., Siarudin, M., Widiyanto, A., Diniyati, D., Sudomo, A., Hani, A., Fauziyah, E., Suhaendah, E., Widyaningsih, T. S., Handayani, W., Maharani, D., Suhartono, D., Palmolina, M., Swestiani, D., Budi Santoso Sulistiadi, H., Winara, A., Nur, Y. H., Diana, M., … Ruswandi, A. (2022). Traditional Subsistence Farming of Smallholder Agroforestry Systems in Indonesia: A Review. In Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 14, Issue 14). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148631

Armenteras, D., & Orlando Vargas. (2017). Farmers ’ perceptions on ecosystem services and their management (Issue September 2016).

Benjamin, E. O., & Sauer, J. (2018). The cost effectiveness of payments for ecosystem services—Smallholders and agroforestry in Africa. Land Use Policy, 71(September 2016), 293–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.12.001

Bhatta, L. D., Van Oort, B. E. H., Stork, N. E., & Baral, H. (2015). Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management, 11(2), 145–155.

https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2015.1027793

Cooper, N., Brady, E., Steen, H., & Bryce, R. (2016). Aesthetic and spiritual values of ecosystems: Recognising the ontological and axiological plurality of cultural ecosystem ‘services.’ Ecosystem Services, 21(July), 218–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2016.07.014

Costanza, R., de Groot, R., Braat, L., Kubiszewski, I., Fioramonti, L., Sutton, P., Farber, S., & Grasso, M. (2017). Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go? Ecosystem Services, 28, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.008

Dale, V. H., & Polasky, S. (2007). Measures of the effects of agricultural practices on ecosystem services. Ecological Economics, 64(2), 286–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2007.05.009