Plants diversity and the management of private forests in Ciamis District, West Java

Abstract

Achmad B, Diniyati D. 2015. Plants diversity and the management of private forests in Ciamis District, West Java. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 460-465. Sustainable private forest management generates incomes for farmers as well as keeping the biodiversity. Even though there is a similarity in developing species throughout Ciamis District, West Java, but the dynamic of diversity at each region tend to generate a certain form. The form was due to not only biophysical difference, but also presumably related to the farmer characteristics resulting the management systems practiced by farmers tend to differ. The research was conducted to identify management system of private forests as an agent of diversity in relation to the farmer characteristics in Ciamis District. The research was conducted at three villages representing three regions i.e. Ciomas for upper region, Kalijaya for the central region, and Kertaharja for lower region. Data were collected during May to July 2010 using interview technique and field observation. At each village was purposively selected 20 respondents who had been developing agroforestry system, thus the total respondents were 60 farmers.Collected data were analyzed using the descriptive method. The results showed that the more establish farmers economic tend to less aware to keep diversity by practicing monoculture system. They usually also practice clear cutting to harvest woods. Reversely, the subsistence farmers more aware of keeping diversity by practicing agroforestry system. They usually practice selective cutting system so called “tebang butuh†to harvest woods. Education level and productive ages of the farmers influence the decision to choose the management system which generates high income while keeping the environmental aspect. To guaranty reaching of benefits both economically and environmentally balance, the continual extension is urgently needed.