Ethnobotany of Community Around Gunung Simpang Nature Reserve (A Case Study in the Village Balegede, Naringgul Subdistrict, Cianjur Regency, West Java).

Abstract

The relationship between human and their environment, especially related to the use of plants known as ethnobotany. Plants utilization by local communities that based on local culture produced typical knowledge known as traditional knowledge. A change in lifestyle of a society can threaten the existence of traditional knowledge held by the community. This study aimed to determine the type of plants utilization and traditional knowledge in the form of plants used by communities in the surrounding area of Gunung Simpang Nature Reserve. This research was conducted at Miduana Hamlet, Balegede Village, Naringgul Subdistrict, Cianjur Regency, West Java in January, February, and May 2010. Tools and materials used in this study include questionnaires, digital camera, transparent plastic size 40x60 cm, newspapers, hanging labels, plant identification books, alcohol 70%, the data area of Gunung Simpang Nature Reserve, and demography of Balegede Village, while the object was Miduana Hamlet’s community and surrounding vegetation. Data collected include primary and secondary data. Primary data included the data of plants used by the respondents. This data was collected through semi-structured interviews on 30 respondents, direct observation, and making herbarium. Respondents selected using snowball sampling technique. The secondary data included the condition of Gunung Simpang Nature Reserve and demography of Balegede Village. Data analysis was performed by classifying the use of plants to 13 groups of usage, calculating the percentage of habitus and the percentage of parts used, and analyzes preference ranking and use value. The communities of Miduana Hamlet used 191 plant species from 69 families that classified into 13 group of usage. They used 62 species for food, 74 species for medicinal purpose, 43 species for ornament purpose, 19 species for indigenous utility, 14 species for building materials, 12 species for cattle feeding, 12 species for aromatic purpose, 9 species for firewood, 14 species for ropes, wickerwork, and crafts, 4 species for dyes, 4 species to exceed pest, 4 species for beverage, and other uses as many as 7 species. Although traditional knowledge of plants used in Miduana Hamlet already decrease, there were some people who still keep the values of traditional knowledge that was visible from the activities of plants used, conservation efforts to utilized plant, and still doing some traditions related to respect for the rice (Oryza sativa).