Journal La Lifesci
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): Journal La Lifesci

The Importance of Sago Forest for Local Food Security and Climate Change Management on Small Island

Marcus Luhukay (Soil Science Study Program, Department of Agricultural Cultivation, Faculty of Agriculture, Pattimura University, Indonesia)
Aryanto Boreel (Forestry Science Study Program, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Pattimura University, Indonesia)
Marthina Tjoa (Forestry Science Study Program, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Pattimura University, Indonesia)
Gun Mardiatmoko (Forestry Science Study Program, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Pattimura University, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Jun 2026

Abstract

Small Island worldwide are highly vulnerable to local food security and climate change. Therefore, appropriate spatial planning is needed to prevent the massive conversion of forest to non-forest areas, including sago, mangrove, and other natural forest on these small Island. This study used a method comprising a variety of activities, including field surveys, drone mapping, and interviews with sago owners and processors. The results showed that Ihamahu Village, on the small island of Saparua (Eastern Indonesia), had a sago forest area of ​​82.08 hectares with an average potential wet starch production of 450 kg per tree and a dry sago starch yield of 443 tons. This production enables local communities to process sago for household use and sell to the Saparua wholesale market. As sago has traditionally been a local food, the community continues to conserve forest in the region. In other words, sago potential has become a primary source of food security for local communities. With the ongoing conservation, the forest ecosystem is increasingly protected. The biomass content, especially of Mature Felling sago trees, was 30.33 tons per hectare, and this biomass would be even greater with the inclusion of Non-Mature Felling sago trees. This indicates that the sago forest ecosystem is capable of absorbing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby playing a significant role in mitigating climate change.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JournalLaLifesci

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Chemistry Earth & Planetary Sciences Environmental Science Immunology & microbiology

Description

International Journal La Lifesci is peer reviewed, open access Academic and Research Journal which publishes Original Research Articles and Review Article editorial comments etc in all fields of life sciences including Agricultural, Fisheries, Earth, Environmental Science, Botany, Zoology, ...