Relationships Among Biomass, Carbon, and Microfibril Angle in Young Shorea spp. (Dipterocarpaceae) in Indonesia

Indonesia, particularly the island of Java, is dominated by a number of Shorea tree species (Dipterocarpaceae). Trees of the genus have been utilized for various practices, and they play a fundamental role in managing the stability of tropical forests. This study was carried out to understand the relationships between biomass and microfibril angle in Shorea spp. growing in West Java, where Shorea spp., are abundant. A total of 35 young trees belonging to 5 species were studied. The average age of these trees was 9 years, but in general there was a wide variation in tree diameter and total height. On average, biomass was the highest in S. leprosura and the lowest in S. palembanica. The lowest average microfibril angles (MFAs) were found in S. leprosura and S. mecistopteryx. The regression relationship between biomass and diameter was strong with an R2 value of 0.85, while the strength of the relationship between MFA and diameter was weaker (R2 = 0.195). In general, the MFA degree decreased with increased biomass accumulation Shorea species, which affects tree resistance to environmental variables and competitiveness in Indonesian tropical forests.

Ethnobotany and conservation applications in the Noken making by the Sougb Tribe of West Papua, Indonesia

Documenting local ecological knowledge is critical for understanding complex ecological-cultural interactions to protect indigenous community entities. Woven baskets known as Noken have been part of Papuan indigenous culture for centuries, yet ethnobotanical aspects of Noken making remain poorly understood. Hence, this study describes Noken-making from an ethnobotanical perspective. We acquired ethnoecological knowledge by interviewing respondents who were actively involved in the production of Noken. The results revealed that the Sougb Tribe (from South Manokwari District, West Papua, Indonesia) utilized pineapple as a primary material for weaving and other natural materials as dyes, with this process undertaken mainly by women. We also document the Sougb Tribe's adaptation and continuous interaction with their dynamic environment that has evolved during Noken's making. Moreover, the recommendation to conserve Noken preserves biocultural diversity and habitats for key plant species. Since Noken has played an essential part in shaping the Sougb Tribe's cultural identity, conserving the use of Noken will aid in preserving the habitats of plants used as materials for Noken. In the future, the provincial government should assist habitat biocultural conservation by granting tribes customary forest status to facilitate plant habitat protection in line with the sustainable development agenda of West Papua Province

Vegetation dynamic post-disturbance in tropical rain forest of Birds's Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia

The tropical rainforest has a high level of biodiversity and plays an important role as a stable ecosystem.  However, an anthropogenic disturbance took place in some parts of the tropical rainforest.  The recovery of the disturbed forest is less scientifically understood.  Therefore, this study aims to examine the recuperation process of vegetation in Fef, Tambrauw Regency, and West Papua, in Indonesia by comparing the composition of primary forest life forms as control of the natural, five-year disturbed, and seven-year disturbed forest.  The results showed that the species diversity in the primary forest was not significantly different from the seven-year disturbed forest while the five-year disturbed forest was significantly different from the two types mentioned earlier.  Moreover, the similarity index showed that the primary and seven-year disturbed forest were identical and both were different from the five-year disturbed forest.  In addition, eight life forms were enumerated, viz. bamboo, climber, fern, herb, rattan, shrub, small tree, and large tree in which they were dynamic during the post-disturbance compared to primary forest. The residual forests should therefore be part of the intention of local people and government, in other not to exploit the forests by allowing the disturbed forests to recuperate naturally.