Community Cultural Aspects and Vegetation Importance in Conservation of Repong Damar Forest

The Lampung local community is one of Indonesia’s indigenous communities in the Pesisir Barat, Lampung Province. They have local wisdom about the vegetation that grows around the Repong Damar forest. The management pattern of Repong Damar has become a cultural unity within the community. This study examines efforts to preserve vegetation based on the cultural values of the culture of Lampung local community, called community cultural aspects, and analyzed through the Cultural Significance Index (ICS). The study was conducted in two villages purposively, namely Pajar Bulan Village and Penengahan Village, Pesisir Tengah District, Pesisir Barat Regency, in October - December 2022. Primary data was obtained through a survey of 30 households selected by purposive sampling. The biodiversity index is calculated using the formula H’ (biodiversity), E (evenness), and IVI, while ICS is analyzed based on the intensity, quality, and exclusivity of plant use. Spearman correlation analysis evaluated the relationship between community characteristics and ICS and IVI values. The results showed a moderate level of biodiversity in the research area (H’ = 1.64–2.69) with sufficient evenness (E = 0.58–0.74). A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was found between the length of local community stay and higher ICS values, reflecting a strong cultural attachment to the main species. In contrast, limited tree regeneration indicates the need for plant enrichment. Local wisdom and ecological indicators in sustainable Repong Damar management strategies must be considered in decision-making, prioritizing cultural conservation, ecological restoration, and community participation. Keywords: Biodiversity, repong damar, cultural significance index (ICS), importance value index (IVI), local wisdom.