Linkages of Farmer’s Perception on their Livelihoods with Mangrove Forest Conservation in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

One of the wetland ecosystem having potential to be developed for some interests of all living beings is the mangrove forest, which has very high values in the ecologic, economic and environmental aspects. Therefore, it should be conserved and managed in effective, efficient and sustainable ways. The research aimed to analyze linkages of farmer’s perception on their livelihoods with mangrove forest conservation in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Surveys and interviews are conducted for households around the forest. Data were collected by Focus Discussion Group (FDG) approach from 240 household surveys, interviews with respondents with and key informants with questioner, further local meetings were carried out to identify problems of the forest with AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) approach. The research results in conclusion that resource extraction comes from fuelwood, fodder, fish, shrimp, and fruits, especially from fuel wood, fish and lotus leaves. Fuelwood is the most extracted from forest complex by households. Household size, age, and land ownership increase household dependence on the forest resources. The forest resources contributed significantly to the total income of farmers, where middle categories of households depend on the forest resources. Although most of the livelihood of households depends on the forest resources, people who are aware of the conservation forests are very limited. No differences were observed between the perception of indigenous people and migrants on the trend of forest resource sustainability. So far, forest conservation measure is only promoted by government; while the farmer’s participant is very low even though conservation could directly benefit farmers. Rehabilitation of mangrove forest land is done by Avicennia sp., Rhizopora sp., Sonneratia sp., and Bruguiera sp through government policy reforestation.