FERN MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN LEMBANG, WEST BANDUNG DISTRICT, WEST JAVA

• Main Author: Helmi Dermawan, Septian
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/80079
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Fern (Pteridophyta) is a group of plant with high potential in ecology or socio- economic sector. Economically, ferns are used as ornamental plants. Harvesting of fern from natural habitat in high intensity leads to decreasing species diversity. This research is conducted to discover fern’s potential and to design management strategy to conserve ferns. This research is conducted in three areas, Cikole and Cihideung Village, Cikole Forest Preserve, and Gunung Tangkuban Perahu Nature Preserve and Nature Park. Ecological survey, interview with villagers and stakeholders related to harvesting intensity, perception of fern and conservation, and SWOT analysis were carried out in this research. Based on interview with 43 villagers and 10 stakeholders (KPH Perum Perhutani, Orchid Forest, BBKSDA Jawa Barat, PT. Graha Rani Putra Persada, dan Aparat Desa Cihideung dan Cikole), there are six fern species are widely used by community, such as paku sayur (Diplazium esculentum), paku gunung (Nephrolepis exaltata), paku harupat (Nephrolepis bisserata), paku tanduk rusa (Platycerium bifurcatum), paku sarang burung (Asplenium nidus), and paku pohon (Cyathea spp.). The ecological data shows that estimated population number of N. exaltata is 488.040 - 926.280 individuals; D. esculentum is 244.020- 732.060 individuals; A. nidus is 244.020 - 957.820 individuals; P. bifurcatum is 244.020 - 639.100 individuals; and Cyathea spp. is 16.600 - 34.860 individuals. N. exaltata was found as the higest species that harvested from nature (6.2 individual/year). Cyathea spp. has economically important and valued about IDR 1.238.333 per tree. Therefore, monthly profit from Cyathea spp. can reach up to IDR 4.946.666/month. High harvesting intensity, high economy value of those ferns, no specific rules for fern harvesting, and lack of management’s supervision in nature drive the decreasing of population number in Tangkuban Perahu area. Therefore, this data is important to propose management strategy for conservation. SWOT analysis result, strategy chosen is the ST (Strength-Threat) or diversification strategy and recommens to (1) making a specific rules about fern, (2) involving all stakeholders to develope management plan, and (3) increasing community awareness via education for villagers.