Withaningsih S, Noorahya F, Megantara EN, Parikesit, Husodo T. 2018. Nest existences and population of Pangolin (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) at the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 153-162. Pangolin (Manis javanica) is one of the unique mammals found in Indonesia, which is categoryzed as protected species. However, the scientific information regarding with the population and distribution of this species is still low. Therefore, the study aimed to estimate the total population, distribution, and potential threat to Pangolin in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java. Study was conducted using three methods; direct observation (survey) of animal signs (nest, footprint, tail print, claw marks, and feed left over), camera traps placement, and semi-structure interviews. The result shows that the active and abandoned (inactive) nests were found within the study site, and could be classified as tree nest, rock nest, and ground nest. The total population of Pangolin in Cisokan hydropower project site was estimated around 6-20 individuals. This population was distributed in five different areas; first areas were Pasir Gagak, Cigintung, Batu Nunggul, and Batu Sahulu; second area was Batu Wulung; third areas were Curug Japarana and Curug Walet; fourth areas were Hutan Gowek and Cadas Gantung; fifth area was Pongpok. The potential threats experienced by Pangolin were from illegal hunting activity and habitat fragmentation caused by infrastructure development and field clearing for crops plantation.

Abstract. Permana S, Iskandar J, Parikesit, Husodo T, Megantara EN, Partasasmita R. 2019. Changes of ecological wisdom of Sundanese People on conservation of wild animals: A case study in Upper Cisokan Watershed, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1284-1293. In the past Sundanese rural people had a very close relationship with the environment. They utilize natural resources based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and is strongly influenced by their perception of nature. This article elucidates the mythology of Sundanese rural people on wild animals and the changes of rural people perceptions and their behavior to wild animals in the rural ecosystem based on a case study in Bojong Salam and Sukaresmi villages, Rongga district, West Bandung, the upper Cisokan watershed, West Java. Method used in this study was qualitative, while some techniques, including observation, participant observation, and semi-structured interview were applied. The result of study showed that in the past Sundanese the rural people of Upper Cisokan watershed, West Bandung, West Java owned myths on some wild animals that is inherited from their ancestor through oral and using mother language. The influence of these myths on wild animals caused the rural people had prohibited to kill these animals and important role for traditional conservation. Nowadays, however, some myths on wild animals of rural people have not eroded or not recognized by young generations. Consequently, some taboos in hunting and catching animal based on myths on wild animals have tended not been applied to conserve wild animals traditionally. Therefore, to develop appropriate nature conservation, the biophysical, the socio-economic and cultural aspects must be holistically considered.

Abstract. Mustikasari IA, Withaningsih S, Megantara EN, Husodo T, Parikesit. 2019. Population and distribution of Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica F. Cuvier, 1823) at designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20:  762-769. One of the endemic species of Indonesia is the Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica). Sunda porcupine is a big rodent which has unique defense mechanism behavior using its quills. This research was conducted in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower (PLTA Cisokan), in West Java, Indonesia. The method in this study is qualitative to determine the total population and distribution. Data collection techniques were carried out by sign surveys (burrow, footprints, quills, food sites, and feces), camera traps, and semi-structured interviews. The result shows the number of porcupine populations in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower is 6-29 individuals. Porcupine population is distributed in five regions, namely the first region consisting of Pasir Gagak, Cigintung, Batu Sahulu and Batu Nunggul; the second region is Batu Tumpeng and Batu Wulung; the third region is Curug Japarana; the fourth region consists of Sarongge and Cadas Gantung; and the fifth region is Pongpok. Based on the type of land cover, the porcupine population is commonly found in the types of shrub/huma /ladang, talun, and natural forests.

Shanidah SS, Partasasmita P, Hudoso T. Parikesit, Febriato P, Meganatara EN. 2018. Short Communication: The existence of Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) in the non-conservation forest areas of Cisokan, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 42-46. There is no accurate data about the number of individual leopards in Java Island in both conservation and nonconservation areas. In West Java, deforestation for plantations and agriculture is widespread, although it is unknown if leopard uses these human-altered habitats. Therefore, it is important to research the existence of leopards in Non-Conservation Forest Area (NCFA) in western Java, Indonesia. The aim of this research is to investigate: (i) evidence of leopard’s existence (ii) encounter rate of leopard’s existence; and (iii) estimation of individual leopards in NCFA, Cisokan, Cianjur, and West Java. Indirect data were obtained from sign surveys for feces, scrapes, footprints, and residual prey. We also obtained direct data with camera traps. We found 13 footprints, 2 feces, 4 scrapes, and 2 direct encounters by observers. The camera trap data recorded 12 independent leopard events and 8 leopard photos/100 trap days. Estimated number of leopards in Cisokan ranged 1-3 individuals.

Abstract. Withaningsih S, Parikesit, Iskandar J, Putri R. 2019. Socio-ecological perspective of local bio-resources based production system of palm sugar and palm flour from aren (Arenga pinnata): Case study of Sukaresmi Village, West Bandung, Indonesia. Biodiversitas. 20: 1990-1997. The heterogeneity of landscapes, from a socio-ecology viewpoint, has resulted in the emergence of various systems of production for the same end products, which have developed with wide variations and distinctiveness and are based on the local availability of bio-resources. Even on landscapes with extreme biophysical and social conditions, various systems of production can still be encountered. Bio-resource-based systems generally exist on a small scale and in poorly-resourced communities. This study aimed to determine the use of local bio-resources and palm management techniques in different systems used for the production of palm sugar and palm flour. This study utilized a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Primary data were collected using structured and semi-structured interviews, observations, and participants’ observations. The results showed that palm sugar was processed by peeling the midrib, passing, tapping, and making the midrib into sugar, whereas palm flour was processed by cutting down trees, grating, squeezing, and precipitating the end product. The local bio-resources used in the production of both included Chinese albizia (Albizia chinensis), giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus), tali bamboo (Gigantochloa apus), kemang (Mangifera kemanga), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), and sobsi (Maesopsis eminii). Local knowledge regarding the processing of palm sugar was passed from generation to generation, whereas the knowledge regarding the processing of palm flour was achieved through independent learning and asking questions.

Suryana, Iskandar J, Parikesit, Partasasmita R. 2018. Ethnobotany of tree ferns in Pasir Menyan Hamlet, Sukamandi Village, Subang, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 2044-2051. Tree ferns are plants that grow mostly in the highlands, such as in the forest area of ​​Tangkuban Perahu Mountain, Subang, West Java, Indonesia. The existence of tree ferns and their population are threatened, along with forest damage and over-exploitation. The present study was directed to examine the local knowledge of the community around the forest area of ​​Mount Tangkuban Perahu in term of local names, utilization, suitability to grow, and conservation efforts of tree fern. This research was conducted in Pasir Menyan Hamlet, Sukamandi Village, Subang, West Java in March-June 2017. The method used in this study was mixed-method, a combination of qualitative and quantitative, while some field techniques, including observation, semi-structured interviews, structured interviews, and botanical survey of tree ferns were carried out. The results of the study showed that it was recorded 8 landraces of tree fern were recognized by informants, namely pakis tihang, pakis sieur, bagedor, pakis minyak, pakis payung, pakis cempor, pakis bulu, and sijabrig. In terms of local knowledge on tree ferns, people with ages 50-59 years old recorded a right a higher percentage of tree ferns than the children and younger people. Regarding education, the result showed that a low level of education had the highest level of knowledge of local names and utilization of tree ferns as vegetables, ornamental plants, growing media, and for handicrafts because of they still intensive interaction with forest ecosystem and tree ferns. On the basis conservation of tree ferns, the rural people of Sundanese people have a tradition to prohibit (pamali) to cut forest on the river bank, open slopes, closed forests, damaged forest areas, and in the valleys. In addition, traditional conservation practice on tree ferns has recorded, for example, rural people of Pasir Menyan Hamlets have traditional prohibited to open sacred forest, including to take of tree ferns.

Shanidah SS, Partasasmita R, Hudoso T. Parikesit, Meganatara EN. 2018. Short Communication: Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) in the Cisokan non-conservation forest areas, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 37-41. Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) in the Cisokan non-conservation forest areas, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: xx, xxx.There is no accurate data about the number of leopard individuals in Java Island in both conservation and non-conservation areas. Besides, human continue to deforestation for the necessities of life, such as agriculture, plantation, etc. Therefore, it is important to research about the existence of leopard cat in Cisokan of Cianjur Regency. The aim of this research is to investigate evidence of the leopard cat’s existence, encounter rate of leopard cat and estimation of leopard cat individual in the non-conservation forest areas, Cisokan, Cianjur. Indirect observation sign survey and direct observation with camera trap were carried out to find evidence of the existence of leopard cat (feces and footprint). The results of the study showed that the evidence of leopard cat’s existence are 6 footprints, 27 feces, and 1 individual which was able to observe. The encounter with camera traps was 29.16 independent detections /100 camera days, resulting in 7-12 estimated individuals.

Rusa timor (Cervus timorensis)merupakan salah satu rusa asli Indonesia dan ditetapkan sebagai satwa yang dilindungi karena perburuan yang dilakukan secara terus menerus dengan tidak memperhatikan keseimbangan ekosistemnya. Penelitian mengenai pola aktivitas harian rusa dilakukan di penangkaran rusa Cagar Alam Pananjung Pangandaran dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui pola yang khas pada tingkat individu berdasarkan jenis kelaminnya. Pengumpulan data penelitian dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode scan samplingdan ad libitum. Objek penelitian ini adalah betina induk, jantan induk  dan anak. Aktivitas harian yang diamati terdiri dari aktivitas makan, bergerak, istirahat dan aktivitas lainnya (diantaranya membersihkan diri, kawin, urinasi).  Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pola aktivitas harian rusa betina induk terdiri dari makan (45,83%), bergerak (27,5%), istirahat (25%) dan lainnya (1,67%).  Aktivitas rusa jantan induk terdiri dari makan (34,16%), istirahat (27,5%), bergerak (26,7%) dan lainnya (11%).  Adapun proporsi aktivitas rusa muda (anak) lebih banyak melakukan aktivitas makan (47,5%), daripada aktivitas istirahat (23,33%), bergerak (26,67%), dan lainnya (2,5%). Penelitian ini menghasilkan informasi mengenai pola distribusi waktu yang digunakan oleh rusa timor untuk aktivitas hariannya sehingga pengelolaan dan konservasi baik secara eksitu maupun insitu dapat dioptimalkan.