Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 26 No. 12 (2025)

Ethnobotanical role of sago in wetland biodiversity and resilience in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia

TISRIN MAULINA DEWI (Department of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang. Jl. Sekaran Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Central Java, Indonesia)
WORO SUMARNI (Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang. Jl. Sekaran Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Central Java, Indonesia)
SAIFUL RIDLO (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang. Jl. Sekaran Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Central Java, Indonesia)
ADITYA MARIANTI (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang. Jl. Sekaran Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Central Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jan 2025

Abstract

Abstract. Dewi TM, Sumarni W, Ridlo S, Maryanti A. 2025. Ethnobotanical role of sago in wetland biodiversity and resilience in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 6232-6239. Sago (Metroxylon sagu) is a tropical plant that plays an important role in wetland ecosystems and socio-economic resilience in Indonesia, particularly in the Riau Islands. This study aims to explore the role of sago ethnobotany in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in two locations, Musai (Lingga) and Alai (Karimun), and to identify how local wisdom-based sago management contributes to the conservation of the wetland ecosystem. The research approach employed was qualitative, semi-structured interviews (n = 40) with informants from various categories, including community leaders, traditional processors, farmers, and traditional leaders. Participatory observation was also conducted to explore local knowledge about sago management. The results showed that sago plays a dual role, serving as both a food source and economic commodity, and contributes to ecosystem management through management practices based on traditional ecological knowledge, such as crop rotation and selective pruning. Ethnobotanical index analysis shows that sago has the highest use value in the food category (UV = 1.00) and household economy/trade (UV = 0.63). This sago management also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), by increasing carbon sequestration capacity and preserving wetland ecosystems. Strengthening local sago-based management and integrating traditional practices into wetland policy frameworks are essential for achieving both livelihood security and biodiversity conservation in the Riau Archipelago.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biodiv

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

The Biodiversitas Journal was first published in 2000 by the Department of Biology, FMNS, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia, then in 2006 it was co-published by the Society for Indonesian Biodiversity and that department; since 2017 it was also hosted by Smujo. From 2003-2012 it was ...