Ethnobotany and conservation of indigenous edible fruit plants in South Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Suwardi AB, Navia ZI, Harmawan T, Syamsuardi, Mukhtar E. 2020. Ethnobotany and conservation of indigenous edible fruit plants in South Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 1850-1860. The traditional knowledge system is immensely important in the context of plant resource conservation, utilization, and environmental management. The objectives of this study, therefore, were to document local knowledge on the diversity, utilization and sustainable management of indigenous fruit yielding species in the South Aceh region of Indonesia. This research was based on extensive field surveys, plant collection, and interviews with the local people, and a total of 56 indigenous edible fruit species belonging to 24 families were identified. Furthermore, the recognized varieties have numerous applications and serve multiple use categories. For example, they have been adopted as food (56 species), by medicine (16 species), construction materials (14 species), furniture (13 species) and firewood (12 species). These indigenous edible fruits are mostly used in the treatment of cough, stomach ache, diarrhea, fever, and digestive problems, and the following species are commonly traded in traditional markets Durio zibethinus, Garcinia mangostana, Mangifera indica, Mangifera foetida, Mangifera odorata, Baccaurea macrophylla, and Baccaurea lanceolata. The agricultural expansion activities in South Aceh region are assumed to present significant threats to the sustainability of indigenous edible fruit species. Conservation of indigenous fruit plants can be performed through the preservation of traditional knowledge and the promotion and domestication of indigenous fruit plant species.

Short Communication: The fruit plant species diversity in the home gardens and their contribution to the livelihood of communities in rural area

“…The fruit plants are rich in nutrition to ensure food quality and dietary diversity to the maintenance of human health (Mabaya et al 2014;Khruomo and Deb 2018;Suwardi et al 2019;Navia et al 2019). Most rural communities have received income from selling various fruits in the traditional market (Navia et al 2020;Suwardi et al 2020b;Suwardi et al 2020c).…”

Ethnobotanical investigation of spice and condiment plants used by the Taming tribe in Aceh, Indonesia

“…Ethnobotany studies the relationship between human beings and plants, not only their use, but also ecological, economic, social, and culture (Maheshwari et al 2018;Suwardi et al 2018;Supiandi et al 2019;Mulu et al 2020). Ethnobotany can be used as a method to record the traditional knowledge of the local communities that have used various plants to support their livelihoods (Suryadarma 2010;Navia et al 2020;Suwardi et al 2020b;Suwardi et al 2020c). Given the lack of data on spice used in the traditional Aceh Tamiang people's dishes, ethnobotany studies are needed.…”

Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd. Euphorbiaceae

“…In Indonesia, this species has been used since a long time ago to treat hair loss (Arlene 2013). The bark is used by the local people of South Aceh, Sumatra to treat dysentery (Suwardi et al 2020). In Sibanggor Julu of Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatera, the tree is cultivated for its febrifugal properties (Marpaung 2018).…”

“…The nut is often cooked by people in South Aceh (Suwardi et al 2020). The fruit is also used by the Batak Karo of North Sumatra, as one of the components of "terites soup."…”

“…People of South Aceh in Sumatra use the seeds as a substitute for soap (Suwardi et al 2020). Seeds are sources of bio charcoal that can be used as adsorbent.…”