Homegardens have long been recognized for contributing to household food security, nutritional status, and ecological sustainability in especially poor, rural areas in low-income countries. However, as markets and policies drive the commercialization of food and farming systems, and of rural livelihoods in general, it becomes increasingly difficult for smallholder farmers to maintain homegarden plots. Rather than autonomous spaces to grow food for self-consumption, farmers are transforming the land around their dwellings into an income-generating space by planting commercial crops for sale in urban and processing markets. The objective of this study was to examine homegarden commercialization in the Upper Citarum Watershed of West Java, Indonesia, and its effects on food security and food sovereignty. We employed a mixed-method approach to survey 81 village households involved in agricultural production. For quantitative analysis, we calculated a "homegarden commercialization index," and developed indicator frameworks to examine relationships between commercialization, household food security, and food-related decision-making. Accompanied by insights from qualitative interviews, our results show that homegardens are highly commercialized, which contributes to the spread of monocultural production in the region. We argue that homegardens should be included and supported in food, agricultural, health, environmental, and rural development policy, in Indonesia and generally.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Reservoirs play a strategic role in the context of sustainable energy supply. Unfortunately, the majority of the reservoirs are facing water-quality degradation due to complex pollutants originating from activities both in the catchment and inside the reservoir. This research was aimed at assessing the extent of the water degradation, in terms of corrosivity level, and at examining its impacts on hydropower capacity and operation. Water quality data (total dissolved solids, pH, calcium, bicarbonate, and temperature) were obtained from 20 sampling stations in the Cirata Reservoir from 2007 to 2016. The results show that the river water is already corrosive (Langelier Saturation Index, LSI = − 0.21 to − 1.08), and, the corrosiveness becoming greater when entering the reservoir (LSI = − 0.52 to − 1.49). The water corrosivity has caused damage to the hydro-mechanical equipment and lowering production capacity. The external environment of the catchment hosts complex human activities, such as agriculture, land conversion, urban and industrial discharge, which have all played a major role in the water corrosiveness. Meanwhile, the internal environment, such as floating net cage aquaculture, has intensified the problem. As the water corrosiveness has increased, the maintenance of the hydro-mechanical facilities has also increased. Strategies must be applied as current conditions are certainly a threat to the sustainability of the hydropower operation and, hence, the energy supply.

Abstract. Withaningsih S, Parikesit, Alham RF. 2020. Diversity of bird species in the coffee agroforestry landscape: Case study in the Pangalengan Sub-district, Bandung District, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2467-2480. Traditionally, shade-grown coffee agroforestry is home to diverse taxa, including insects and mammals. However, research has shown that shade-grown coffee agroforestry is also an important habitat for various types of birds. A study on the diversity of bird species was performed in the coffee agroforestry landscape area of Perum Perhutani, Pangalengan Sub-district, Bandung District, West Java. Bird diversity data was collected using the point count method, and landscape structure analysis was performed, to quantify the characteristics of the landscape. The results were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis to determine the relationships between landscape structures and bird species diversity. The results of the study recorded 60 species of birds, from 29 families, among 1,581 individuals. The most dominant bird species were Pycnonotus aurigaster, Orthotomus sutorius, Orthotomus ruficeps, Streptopelia chinensis, and Brachypteryx leucophrys. The highest species abundance value at the research site was recorded for Pycnonotus aurigaster, with a relative abundance value of 22.02%. The diversity of bird species found at the study location was classified as high (H ' = 3.10). Thus, coffee agroforestry landscapes are associated with bird diversity, and diversity appears to increase when the total area (TA) increases; however the patch edge length (TE), number of spots (NP), the complexity of patch forms (MSI, MPFD) and landscape heterogeneity (SHDI) decrease. The coffee agroforestry landscape may represent an important habitat for many bird species.

Common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Pallas 1777) is one species of mammal that has high ecological and economical functions. The ecological function of common palm civet is as an agent of forest rejuvenation by dispersing seeds of forest plants. A study to estimate the abundance and distribution of common palm civet was carried out in Sukaresmi village, West Bandung Regency. The study proposed to collect the data of common palm civet abundance and distribution that can be used as a reference for common palm civet protection and conservation measures. Three methods were used: direct survey on common palm civet encounter, direct survey on common palm civet signs, and semi-structured interviews with local informants. The result showed that common palm civet abundance in the study site was estimated between 12 and 66 individuals. The dominant habitat type was kebun campuran (annual-perennial rotation garden) and shrubs. The potential threats to the population of common palm civet was the presence of coucang, bats, squirrels, and frugivorous birds as rivals, dholes as predators, and human as illegal poachers. The effort to protect common palm civet is not yet carried out by the local people as the population is still regarded as abundant and it is not yet of protection concern. Nevertheless, local knowledge about the important roles of common palm civet in the environment can lead to an awareness aimed to reduce illegal poaching.