Physical and Chemical Soil Characteristics

The measurement of peat water and peat soil was measured from 3 types of land cover (secondary forest, L. articulata land, and open area which no L. articulata). Measurement of the pH of peat water and soil used a pH meter from Hanna Instruments (HI 98107). Measurements were repeated 3 times. The water level is measured in the observation hole by measuring the distance between the peat soil surface and the peat water level.

Research Objects and Locations

The object of ecological research was the L. articulata plant and its habitat is peatland. The object of the socio-economic research is the community managing L. articulata who live in 5 villages in Haur Gading District, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Both peatland research location and the L. articulata plant show in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, respectively.

The equipment used was equipment for interviewing the community in the form of a list of questions, stationery and a camera. The list of questions contain the number of family members working in the management of L. articulata; the age of the respondents involved in the management of L. articulata; gender of the respondent involved in L. articulata management, total income from L. articulata management, period of income from L. articulata management, equipment and materials used in L. articulata management. The equipment used for the terrestrial survey is GPS, camera, pH tools, EC meter, peat drill. The materials used for peat soil analysis in the field are distilled water and H₂O₂ to detect the presence of pyrite in peatlands. Lokasi penelitian di Haur Gading District is located between 20 1’ 37”– 2 0 35’ 58” South latitude, and 1440 50’ 58” – 1150 50’ 24” East longitude.

Data collection divided into 2 methods, namely collecting ecological data (soil, water and vegetation) and collecting socio-economic data. Terrestrial surveys for collecting ecological data consist of three types of measurements. Firstly, measuring pH and pyrite of soil and peat water. The pH of peat water and peat soil were measured from 3 types of land cover (secondary forest, L. articulata land, and open area which no L. placed articulata). Measurement of the pH of peat water and soil is measured directly using a pH meter (HI 98107). Identification of pyrite is done by dripping liquid hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on a soil sample. The soil sample is in a container and then dripped with H₂O₂. The resulting droplets of liquid hydrogen peroxide on the sulfidic material will cause an explosive foam reaction indicating the presence of sulfidic material (pyrite) in a layer of soil [21] pH measurement and pyrite identification were carried out with 3 times of repetition. Secondly, measuring the groundwater level in peatlands. Finally, measuring tree and understorey vegetation, using a measuring plot of 20 m x 20 m for measuring tree level, measuring plot 10 m x 10 m for measuring pole level, measuring plot 5 m x 5 m for measuring sapling level, and measuring plot 2 m x 2 m for measuring seedlings and understoreys. Vegetation measurements were carried out on 3 forms of land cover, namely: secondary forest, purun land and open land. 10 measuring plots were made for each land cover. Placement of measurement plots was done in purposive.

Fig. 1.

Research Location at Haur Gading Sub-District South Kalimantan Indonesia.

Fig. 2.

Plants of L.articulata on peatland.

The collection of socio-economic data carried out by interviewing 40 villagers. The interview method used is semi-structured interviews, where questions asked openly while still guided by the list of questions that have been made. The social data collected related to the individual characteristics of the community including age, formal education, non-formal education, length of residence and social status. The economic data collected is in the form of income from purun harvesting and processing of purun crafts. Several socio-economic data collected from village documents and other supporting documents.

Stages of Purun Management by Forest Farmers

The analysis was carried out descriptively by describing the process of land preparation, planting, harvesting, post-harvest processes and woven processing. Management descriptions are presented in a narrative and tabular matrix. Community income data obtained from interviews. The income referred to here is family income [22], which is the total income earned by a family from various activities. The formula approach is as follows:

The income in question is income from businesses based on the management of L. articulata and income from businesses based on non-peat ecosystems. Management of L. articulata includes several activities (stages) including land preparation, planting, protection and maintenance, harvesting, post-harvest, and the process of making woven products. Land clearing was the initial activity in the management of L. articulata. It was done manually using simple tools. Land clearing activities were executed without burning and were generally carried out in April and May. Next activity after land clearing was planting and was done in June and July. Protection and maintenance of plants during research was to prevent fires. Harvesting was generally done after the plants are ≥6 months and it was by the community in stages up to ±3 months. Post-harvest handling was accomplished by drying and pounding the material. Meanwhile, the process of making handicrafts was performed after the woven material had dried and flattened. The process of making woven was carried out as long as the material is available.

Income derived from the management of L. articulata includes income from selling raw materials of L. articulata, wages from pounding L. articulata, and income from selling handicrafts produced from L. articulata.

The analytical method used for ecological characteristics consists of parameters of soil, water and vegetation found in peatlands. Analysis of peat soil and water parameters using a tabulation matrix. The analytical method for vegetation parameters is in the form of species composition, and the Shannon’s Diversity Index [23]. The formula for determining Shannon’s diversity index is as follows:

with: H’ = Diversity Index N = Total Number of Individuals of all species ni = Number of Individuals of the i type In = natural logarithm

The criteria for the parameter of species diversity are classified into several weight criteria and classifications. If the H’ value >3 the species diversity is high, if the H’ value = 2-3 then it indicates moderate species diversity, and if the H’ value <2 the species diversity is low [23].

Management Analysis of L. articulata in Supporting Conservation Activities

The variables used for the analysis of L. articulata management (description process is listed in Table 1) in conservation are a) Ecological value of L. articulata management; b) Social value of L. articulata management; c) Economic value of L. articulata management; Technical aspects related to the use of materials and tools in planting L. articulata;

e) Technical aspects related to the use of materials and tools in harvesting L. articulata; f) Technical aspects in obtaining raw materials for L. articulata; g) Other technical aspects in management L. articulata such as land preparation/ land clearing process, maintenance process, post harvesting process, process of screening material quality. A description of the variables and indicators for the analysis of conservation support from the management of L. articulata is listed in Table 2. Conservation support is analyzed from the indicator values obtained. The level of conservation support used consists of 3 classes, namely: low, medium and high. The value interval equation for determining the level of conservation used the following equation [24] and spreadsheet software version 2016:

Description of Purun Plant Management in Peatlands

The L. articulata plant (Fig. 2) managed by the community is the result of community planting on open peatlands. Tree felling was not carried out during land preparation for L. articulata plantations. The planting location is not directly adjacent to settlements and can be reached by boat.

Land clearing is done manually using a “tajak” (a type of traditional machete for wetlands) to remove grass or water weeds. The planting process is carried out simply by digging a 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm hole in peat soil and then planting young purun saplings, then allowing them to grow naturally without special maintenance. L. articulata can be harvested when it reaches the age of 6-8 months. L. articulata is a group of perennial plants and takes 7 months to reach its maximum weight. The productivity of this plant biomass can reach 8.2 tons per hectare per year [25].

Harvesting done by selecting strands of plant stems that are mature with the characteristics of sturdy stems, green color and no yellowish spots, stems that are not wilted, and hard skin. After a few strands of stem selected and then removed by hand. Old stems, young stems and roots of purun are not harvested. The production process does not require combustion activities [26]. Harvesting by the community 4-5 days a week with a duration of 5-6 hours per day and its workforce dominated by men. L. articulata harvesting was not carried out during the peak of the dry month (July-August), because the river water in the peat receded, making it impossible for boats to reach the plant location. Harvesting is also not done during the peak of the rainy season (December-January), because inundation can reach 1.5-2 m above the peat surface. The high inundation made it difficult for farmers to harvest L. articulata. The number of harvest months in a year is ±8 months. The drought factor in the dry season and the overflow of water in the rainy season did not kill the L. articulata plant, because this plant is able to adapt to climate fluctuations that occur.

Fig. 3.

The process of drying L.articulata.

The harvested L. articulata tied into several parts and then put into the boat. After arriving at the settlement location, the stems of L. articulata were dried in a circular pattern in the sun (Fig. 3). Drying is carried out for ±5 days, until the stems dry with the remaining moisture content ≤10%. The dried stems of L. articulata pounded to flatten and soften the hard bark. Crushing done manually using a wooden block or using a crusher. L. articulata stems that pounded can be split or not split before being made into plaits. Splitting is done only for certain woven products. Some forms of handicrafts use synthetic dyes and some other forms of handicrafts without dyes. Until now there has been no innovation made by the community in using dyes from natural materials for purun crafts. The average time used in making purun crafts is around 5-7 hours per day. The number of days in the manufacture of woven under normal conditions is 5-6 days/week. Most of the management activities of L. articulata are indicated to be environmentally friendly on both aspects, materials and equipment as well as the various management processes carried out. The cultivation of L. articulata does not require drainage to regulate water management. L. articulata grows naturally without having to dry out the peat soil [26].

Revenue and Revenue Contribution of L. articulata Management

The population in Haur Gading District reaches 16,379 people in which as many as 8,040 people are male residents and 8,339 people are female residents. The population density reaches 431.00 people/km. As much as 72.41% of the village community, their main job is as rice farmers. Other than farming, he also works as a daily labourer, catches fish and raises local chickens. The farming pattern adopted by the community is paddy farming in producing rice. Community income categories are divided into 4 categories. The results of the identification of the community’s average income/ month are listed in the Table 3.

The income of the dominant community ranges from 1 million to 2 million rupiah, while income >4 million occupies the smallest percentage. The community’s main business of paddy farming often fails due to high water stagnation. Community efforts in managing L. articulata in peat swamp land are quite helpful in overcoming the phenomenon of declining rice yields. As much as 82.76% of village community members are involved in L. articulata management efforts. This phenomenon has an impact on the availability of jobs for the community. The average income from managing L. articulata by the community is IDR 1,721,000/ month or IDR 16,820,000/year. The average income of the community from businesses other than managing L. articulata is IDR 1,065,000/month or IDR 12,780,000/ year. The average total population income per year is IDR 29,600,000.-. So that the contribution of people’s income from L. articulata business is 56.82%.

Ecological Characteristics

Vegetation characteristics found in the peat ecosystem are divided into three, namely secondary forest, L. articulata meadows and non- L. articulata open areas. The secondary forest formed formed a pure stand at the tree and pole level with species control >90%. The dominant vegetation level of trees and poles in the secondary forest is Combretocarpus rotundatus. Other species found in limited quantities are Adina minutiflora, Alstonia pneumatophora, Syzygium sp., Melicope sp., and Pternadra azurea. C.rotundatus was the most dominant species found in peatlands that had been repeatedly burned [27]. Undergrowth found in the secondary forest include Nepenthes mirabilis, Stenochlaena phalustris and L. articulata.

Certain spots on the land cover of L. articulata are overgrown with C.rotundatus and Adina minutiflora with a limited number of individuals. Non-L. articulata open areas dominated by aquatic plants such as Pistia stratiotes, Eichhornia crassipes, Ludwigia octovalvis, Scleria laevis, Phragmites karka, and Salvinia molesta. Diversity index values (H’) for all growth stages both in secondary forest, purun grasslands and non-purun open areas <1 (low category). Another ecological characteristic is the nature of the peat soil and water. Some of the physical and chemical properties of peat soil and water can be seen in Table 4.

The pH value of peat soil and water is included in the acid soil category. L. articulata can grow well in soils with acidic pH [28] and acid sulfate soils [19]. L. articulata plants can become indicator vegetation for acid sulfate soils because they are resistant to high acidity (pH 2.5-3.5). Maintaining forests in peat ecosystems is one of the mechanisms for reducing the height of waterlogging. The presence of L. articulata plants showed lower inundation than non- L. articulata open land. The inundation height that occurred in L. articulata land was relatively low and close to the secondary forest inundation height. Indications of the presence of pyrite were not found in L. articulata land and secondary forest, but in non- L. articulata open land there was an indication of pyrite content. L. articulata can absorb toxic compounds such as Fe and SO4 in water [20] L. articulata is able to absorb heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and Zn [19]. Rainfall in Haur Gading District is 2,667.40 mm. It was found that only 1 month was in the dry month category (rainfall intensity <60 mm), 11 months was included in the wet month category (rainfall intensity>100 mm), as a result the peat ecosystem became inundated. L. articulata still grows and develops in flooded soil conditions.

Support for Peat Ecosystem Conservation from L. articulata Management

Support for peat ecosystem conservation from L. articulata management is indicated through 7 variables and 17 indicators. The categories of conservation support in the management of L. articulata are ≤56% (low), >56%-78% (medium), >78% (high). The results of the identification of the role of group business forms on peat conservation can be seen in Table 5.

The results indicate that purun management is included in the category of supporting conservation. The conservation value obtained from the management of L. articulata is the reduction in illegal logging activities in peat forests. This finding is similar to the efforts of the community of Rasau village in West Kalimantan to manage Aloe vera on thin peat (peat depth <50 cm) which can reduce access to illegal logging in peat ecosystems [29]. Management of L. articulata is also carried out without burning and without disturbing the peat water system. Apart from maintaining the management of L. articulata, a revegetation program needs to be carried out using many tree species that are adaptive to growing on peatlands. Revegetation with many types will increase plant diversity in peatlands. S.balangeran is an adaptive species that can grow well in peat ecosystems [30]. Several dominant and fast-growing tree species from peatlands also can be recommended as species of choice for revegetation on peatlands, such as Cratoxylum glaucum, Garcinia rigida, Horsfieldia crassifolia, Camnosperma auriculatum [31]. Classification of ecosystem service from Management of L. articulata such as provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services are clearly shown in Table 6.

Communities can be encouraged to use natural dyes in making handicrafts, so that the processing of woven materials from L. articulata becomes more environmentally friendly. There are several sources of natural dyes from plants. Communities in Central Kalimantan use rattan sap (Daemonorop sp.) as a natural dye for rattan matting [32]. Other community in Central Kalimantan shows that the farmer community obtained socioeconomic profiting from successful peatland cultivation and management [33]. The bark of Ploiarium alternifolium, Artocarpus odoratissimus is used by the people of West Kalimantan as a natural dye for woven bamboo and rattan crafts [34]. L. articulata woven can be categorized as a green product, because the process of planting, harvesting and processing is environmentally friendly. Increasing consumer awareness and concern for the environment influences their decision to pay higher prices for green products [35]. Increasing demand for various green products will increase income for the community.

L. articulata also has the potential as a natural medicinal ingredient. The ethanolic extract of the rhizome of L. articulata contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and anthraquinone compound [36]. The rhizome of L. articulata has antimalaria and antioxidant activity [37]. Traditional medicinal raw materials from plants are often constrained by scientific research in clinical trial research and standardization of these traditional medicinal raw materials [38].