Sustainable Use and Management of Wild Edible Fruit Plants: A Case Study in the Ulu Masen Protected Forest, West Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wild edible fruit plant species (WEFs) are species that are not cultivated or domesticated but are available in their natural habitat, providing a readily available source of food, medicine, and economic value to the local people. In recent times, WEFs have been threatened by over-exploitation, land-use changes, and biodiversity loss. This study aims to (1) identify and document wild edible fruit plant species, (2) investigate the patterns of knowledge, use, and management of WEFs in the Ulu Masen protected area; and (3) assess threats to wild edible fruit plant species and recommend possible management scenarios for their conservation. The study was conducted in six villages of Pantai Ceuremen subdistrict, Southeast Aceh, Indonesia, namely Sikundo, Jambak, Canggai, Lawet, Pulo Tungoh, and Keutambang. The plant materials were randomly collected from the study area, while local knowledge was gathered through a semi-structured survey and in-depth interviews involving 209 respondents that were selected using random sampling. A total of 53 wild edible fruit plants from 30 genera and 21 families were found to be commonly used. Syzygium pycnanthum, Syzygium littorale, Syzygium polyanthum, Garcinia xanthochymus, Baccaurea polyneura, Flacourtia rukam, Sandoricum koetjape, and Baccaurea racemosa were the most important species for local communities in the study area. The WEFs in the study area is influenced by a variety of factors, primarily agricultural expansion, which means that conservation practices need to be improved through the implementation of management strategies, prioritizing species currently used by local communities. Management strategies based on traditional knowledge, such as community-based forest management systems (CBFMS) are being considered for future conservation, and they are also being implemented in other developing countries with similar circumstances.