Two students from Charles Darwin University, Australia, named Michael Stauder and Diego Alvarez, have conducted research on the ecology of customary forest of Wonosadi, Beji village, Gunung Kidul regency. The research focuses on water supply conservation to know the economic value of the forest.
The research is part of the Central Java Field Intensive (CJFI) 2016 programme organised by Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada. Both students found out that the Wonosadi customary forest is protective, supplying natural ecosystem. In terms of ecosystem conservation, the forest has unlimited value. “Natural biodiversity of the existing plants may help the conservation of biopores around the location,” said Michael Stauder in a release sent out on Tuesday (30/8).
According to Michael, they also learn the local wisdom of the Wonosadi people through exploration of community condition. “Many of the ecology wisdoms are manifested in a life that is in balance with nature. When people elaborate and practise such concept, the nature will immediately befriend us and provide a comfortable environment,” he said.
Diego Alvarez presented his research on types of plants they found in the forest, including Cyathocalyx sp., Syzygium racemosum, Syzygium aquenum, Tectona grandis, and Syzigium cumini that are abound in that forest.
“The number of Tectona grandis reaches 33% of the sample site, although it’s low in diversity and it can only be found in the form of trees, not seeds.
The outlook of the community to forest existence and significance leads to ecology concept, which is forest as water supplier, spring conservation, erosion prevention, pollution prevention, and support to conservation of the nature.