Useful plants from Wolomeze Protected Forest, Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara

• Main Authors: R. SYAMSUL HIDAYAT, RIA CAHYANINGSIH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MBI & UNS Solo 2017-03-01
• Series: Prosiding Seminar Nasional Masyarakat Biodiversitas Indonesia
• Subjects: Flores; inventory of useful plants; random survey; remnant forest; Wolomeze
• Online Access: http://biodiversitas.mipa.uns.ac.id/M/M0301/M030110.pdf

Abstract. Hidayat RS, Cahyaningsih R. 2017. Useful plants from Wolomeze Protected Forest, Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 7: 56-61. Wolomeze protected forest is a well maintained tropical forest in Nginamanu Village, Wolomeze Subdistrict, Ngada District, on the island of Flores in Indonesia. The Ture people, one of the largest tribes in this area, have a strong connection with the forest. They seek and obtain building materials, some alternative food, and natural medicine from the forest. Our research aimed to compile an inventory of the useful plants growing in the protected forest and to ascertain their particular uses. A survey was carried out in an area of forest 400-600 m above sea level that the people frequently visit. The empirical observations of the field survey were supplemented by key informant interviews with local elders. A list was obtained from 40 plant species that can be used as medicinal plants, food sources, building materials, and for other purposes. Despite the folk wisdom and respect for nature that exists in the local traditions of the community keep the forest healthy, the pressure of increasing human needs will damage and diminish it. Thus, the serious effort by various stakeholders is needed to be applied to the on-going maintenance of the forest’s integrity.