The Potential Diversity of Fruit-Based Agroforestry System to Support Eco-Tourism on Karimunjawa Island, Indonesia

Diverse fruit-producing plant species can be found in community-managed agroforestry systems on the Karimunjawa Islands, but their potential for ecotourism integration is yet underdeveloped. This research aims to explore and evaluate the possible diversity of fruit-producing vegetation in agroforestry systems to support ecotourism. A mixed-method approach was used, integrating structured community perception questionnaires with field vegetation assessments. Forty respondents from two villages, Karimunjawa and Kemujan, which are situated at varying distances from tourist destinations, participated in the purposive sample impression survey. Vegetation analysis was carried out on 10 measurement plots with the size of each plot being 20m x 40m. Tree basal area, species diversity index (H'), Important Value Index (IVI), and household income from agroforestry products are among the observed factors. The reported annual sales volume was multiplied by local market prices to determine income. Mangifera indica, Tectona grandis, and Cocos nucifera had the highest Importance Value Index among the 25 families and 49 species found in the vegetation analysis, including 27 edible fruit species. Low-to-moderate diversity was indicated by the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H') average of 1.08. Based on statistical analysis, The diversity index (H’) in Karimunjawa village (H'=1.16) is higher than that in Kemujan village (H'=1.0). Local fruits that have the potential to support ecotourism include Mangifera indica, Syzygium samarangenses, Anacardium occidentale, Cocos nucifera, Archidendron pauciflorum, Dimocarpus longon, Musa acuminata, Muntingia calabura, Artocarpus heterophyllus, and Sandoricum koetjape. Income analysis revealed higher agroforestry-based profits in Kemujan Village (a village far from the ecotourism center) than in Karimunjawa Village (a village near the ecotourism center). These results highlight agroforestry's dual ecological and socioeconomic significance in tackling global issues like biodiversity loss, tourism-related land-use pressure, and the necessity of connecting conservation with livelihoods. Incorporating native fruit varieties into ecotourism plans could improve biodiversity preservation and assist island populations economically. It could also provide insights for agroforestry planning, protected area management, and sustainable tourist regulations in comparable situations around the world.