Socio-Ecological Study of Forest Gardens: Traditional Management and Vegetation Diversity by the Dayak Pitap Community

There is still little knowledge about community-based forest management techniques. This knowledge can be used as a scientific basis for making strategies and policies to mitigate environmental management in order to remain sustainable. Community-based (traditional) forest management techniques are still carried out by the Dayak Pitap community living in Langkap Village, Balangan Regency in the form of forest gardens. The purpose of this study is to analyse the management and utilisation of forest gardens and the vegetation structure of forest gardens carried out by the Dayak Pitap community. Research on the management and utilisation of forest gardens used semi-structured interviews and participatory observation. Sampling was conducted using purposive sampling method. Data collection techniques for vegetation diversity were carried out by analysing the importance value index. The results showed that the management of forest gardens by the Dayak Pitap community is divided into 4 namely preparation of land, procurement of seeds, planting, and maintenance. Forest garden utilisation is carried out subsistence and commercially. Vegetation diversity in Langkap Village obtained 68 types of vegetation from seedling to tree level with the dominant species being Hevea brasiliensis and Durio zibethinus. The condition of this forest garden is categorised as semi-natural because despite human intervention, the forest garden can still regenerate itself naturally. However, the high dominance of cultivated species means that the pressure on natural vegetation is high enough that mitigation is needed to balance the growth of superior commodities with local species. Keywords: Agroforestry, Biodiversity, Forest Garden, Social-Ecologist, Traditional Management