Leveraging selected Local Wisdom Species in developing peatland restoration in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper examines applying Local Wisdom Species (LWS), namely Purun (Eleocharis dulcis Hensch); Sago (Metroxylon sago Rottb); Gelam (Melaleuca cajuputi Powell) and Honeybee, and Gaharu or Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk), to involve rural communities in peatland restoration. If LWS disappear due to pressure from industrial plantations, rural communities will be controlled by the international trade system, which threatens their rural lifestyles, and they will be pushed out of the peatlands where they have lived for hundreds of years. This research aimed to reveal selected LWS in developing peatland restoration. This study applied field surveys, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Purposive sampling was used to get the data, collected, processed, and analysed. For rural communities, the LWS was developed for economic, technical, social, and environmental reasons. If the government can help rural communities to develop the LWS, then it is likely that rural communities will benefit from better management of peatland restoration. It requires collaborative efforts between rural communities, researchers, and policymakers to bridge traditional knowledge and modern science, encouraging a more comprehensive approach to addressing global challenges. This finding is very useful in participating rural community-based peatlands restoration using four approaches, namely decentralization, conservation, protection and optimization. With these four approaches, it is possible for this research finding to be implemented in the field.