Forest utilization of indigenous communities is intimately connected to experiences and knowledge arising from the interaction between people and their environment. The traditional ecological knowledge of the Dayak Tunjung communities in East Borneo offers an interesting example of the interrelation between agricultural food production, forest management and local culture. This study describes how the local villagers manage their rice cultivation system combined with forest succession based on traditional ecological knowledge. Data were obtained through direct participatory techniques by interviewing key informants about their practices and perception as well as field observations on farming activities and forest management. Traditional ecological knowledge on food production and forest management has evolved over many generations but is degrading rapidly. The Dayak people base their practices on a shifting cultivation system of rice intercropped with other foods, while at the same time maintaining forest succession after abandonment. Traditional knowledge relates to ecological reasons for different shifting cultivation stages, selection of suitable cultivation plots, soil classification and culturally embedded 'signs of nature'which signs to look out for during which month of the year and which activities to undertake. Throughout Indonesia, traditional ecological knowledge can prove to be instrumental for future forest resource and conservation management.

Abstract. Siahaya ME, Matius P, Aipassa MI, Rayadin Y, Ruslim Y, Aponno HSES. 2021. Ecotourism development through biodiversity potential identification and community perception in the protected forest on Buano Island, Western Seram, Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3179-3191. Forest as part of a large ecosystem has an important meaning and role in supporting living systems. Various great benefits can be obtained from the forests through its functions as a provider of water resources for humans and the environment, the ability of carbon sequestration, oxygen suppliers in the air, global climate regulators, and tourism service providers. The community has important role and participation in ecotourism that are different from other forms of tourism. Perception is a fundamental element that needs to be known before planning several activities that will involve the local community. This study aims to identify the potential of flora and fauna in the protected forest area for tourist attraction and analyze the Buano island community’s (Western Seram District, Maluku Province, Indonesia) perception of ecotourism development activities. The vegetation data were collected using the combination of the path method and the compartmentalized line method. The method used for collecting wildlife data in the field is the line transect method as well as direct and indirect observations. Meanwhile, data related to community perceptions were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The results show that the villages on Buano island have biodiversity and cultural potential that could be developed as ecotourism attractions. In addition, the community’s perception supported that they strongly agree on the development of ecotourism in the villages of Buano island.

Abstract. Siahaya ME, Matius P, Aipassa MI, Rayadin Y, Ruslim Y, Aponno HSES. 2021. Potential analysis of location, socio-culture and biodiversity as ecotourism attraction in Valentine Bay on Buano Island, West Seram, Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 438-448. This study aims to analyze the potential of flora and fauna in the mangrove ecosystem as an attraction for ecotourism development, knowing the role of stakeholders in supporting ecotourism development strategies in the mangrove area of Valentine Bay in Buano island, West Seram, Maluku (Moluccas), Indonesia. Based on the results of the study, it was found that (i) The mangrove vegetation had 28 species of plants under 19 families. Vegetation at the level of seedlings, saplings, and trees was found, the dominant species being Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Xylocarpus granatum. The diversity of animals in the Valentine Bay mangrove ecosystem consist of birds, insects, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, fish, and mammals. Furthermore, there was an endemic fauna of Buano island, namely the Kehicap buano/black-chinned monarch bird (Symposiachrus boanensis) which has started to become rare, and was declared as critically endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; (ii) Stakeholder involvement in ecotourism activities were very supportive; (iii) Development strategies were to develop ecotourism, promote ecotourism attractiveness, develop educational tourism and promote study on the diversity of flora, fauna, culture, and traditional customs on Buano island.

This study entitled “The Effect of Agricultural Diversification on Community Income in the East Taniwel District”. The research objective was to determine the relationship and influence of agricultural diversification on people's income in the East Taniwel District. The data used in this study are primary data from eight villages in East Taniwel District, West Seram District, Maluku Province. This data is the result of a baseline survey at the household level, where the sample is determined using the Slovin formula. The data analysis technique used is the application of the backward method in multiple linear regression modeling based on OLS. The results showed that there was a relationship and influence between agricultural diversification and the income of rural communities in East Taniwel District.

Abstract. Aipassa MI, Siahaya ME, Aponno HSES, Ruslim Y, Kristiningrum R. 2023. Participation of community in mangrove conservation in coastal area of the Valentine Strait, West Seram, Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 2467-2474. A mangrove forest is composed of mangrove plants and constitutes a crucial ecosystem in coastal areas. It is a vital source for maintaining aquatic ecosystems between the sea, coast, and land. Additionally, it provides benefits to humans, such as contributing to a more comfortable climate and weather conditions that can prevent natural disasters. However, the mangrove in the Valentine Strait area (West Seram, Maluku, Indonesia) is threatened by land conversion, leading to damage and loss. Some people are trying to preserve and maintain mangrove in their area. Therefore, the aim of this research was to describe the actions of the local community in the area, using the concept of cultural capital. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, and both primary and secondary data were collected. Primary data were gathered directly from the research location, while secondary data were obtained through local community information, various websites, and documents related to the management of natural resources. Additionally, key informants, including local community leaders, Kewang, and LPPM Maluku (NGO), were interviewed to collect relevant data on the cultural capital possessed by the community. The data for identifying mangrove species were calculated and tabulated to determine the species density in the Valentine Strait area. Furthermore, the collected community data were analyzed using cultural capital theory. The results indicate that community has started to reapply the concept of cultural capital of the Sasi tradition as ecological knowledge to maintain and preserve mangrove; hence, ensuring conservation in the Valentine Strait area. Mangrove forests have become home to fish, shrimp, and crabs and are also important for birds, primates, and reptiles.

The streamflow hydrograph recession curve notes that behavior of the relationship between the aquifer structure and dependencies with the groundwater outflow towards river basin channel. The recession behavior of river basin hydrographs will investigate to understand the hydrology processes of the river basin in the future. This research was conducted with the aim: to analyze the characteristics of the baseflow recession based on the parameters and coefficients of the recession, and the shape of the individual recession curve and the master recession curves both manually and through the processing of genetic algorithms using a linear reservoir model of hydrooffice software package recession curve (RC) 4.0. The results of the visualization of the recession curve shape of the watershed of the research shows there is a very interesting trend in the watershed storage process.The characteristics of the baseflow recession to research watershed with the recession curve slope describe the baseflow recession conditions, especially excellent water storage. The river basin of Keduang have the form of a relatively sloping recession curves, both individual and master recession curve with relatively high recession constant ranged between 0,80 – 0,90 have baseflow recession characteristic is excellent, i.e. the watershed water storage which is the higher volume of water storage.

Land cover change is an urgent global issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Its dynamics are of the greatest importance to Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) along the Wallacea Corridor, including Buano Island, whose land and sea are rich in biodiversity. KBA Buano Island is home to endemic and endangered birds, such as Moluccan scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei) and black-chinned monarch (Monarcha boanensis). Black-chinned monarch only lives on the island (single-site species). Buano waters have an interestingly diverse life, including dugong (Dugong dugon), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and many species belonging to the dolphin family (Delphinidae) and beaked whale family (Ziphiidae). This study was designed to analyze and map the spatial-temporal patterns of land cover changes on Buano Island. It employed a multi-temporal analysis on Landsat images from 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, until now, and a t-test to analyze the results further. The t-test analysis produced t-count ≥ t-table at confidence level (α) of 0.05, indicating significant changes

Development of land cover change in IUPHHK-HA PT. Gema Hutani Lestari is very important to know, so that future patterns of land cover change can be predicted so that negative land cover changes can be prevented or reduced, so that land cover changes that occur can be analyzed. This study aims to access land cover change in the IUPHHK-HA PT. Gema Hutani Lestari between 2013, 2016 and 2018. The methodology used by this study is guided classification with maximum and visual likelihood estimates, spatial data analysis, field checks and using overlays for landsat 8 data in 2013, 2016 and 2018. This study shows that land cover in IUPHHK-HA in Buru Regency, Maluku Province in 2013-2016 changed from forest to open land (69.26%) and from forest to allang-allang (29.03%) dominated by Main Swamp Forest (39.27%), Primary Dry Forest 27.08% and Secondary Swamp Forest ± 17.12%. While the smallest land cover is 0.01% pasture. The largest land cover change occurred in the Secondary Dryland Forest which was reduced ± 693,444 Ha. The most significant change when compared to the situation in 2005 was the Bush Intervention Dryland Agriculture which increased ± 190.69%. Deforestation that occurred was ± 1,122.21 ha (± 160.32 ha / year) and degradation was ± 100.19 ha (± 14.31 ha / year).