Preliminary Study of Ecology, Harvest and Trade of Dalbergia parviflora in Central Kalimantan Indonesia

¹ Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, BRIN, Indonesia
² Conservation for Natural Resources Regional Office Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: tika002@brin.go.id; tikadewiatikah@gmail.com

Abstract

Dalbergia parviflora, locally known as Akar Laka, are harvested for commercial purposes such as medicine, incense, joss sticks, and craft. D. parviflora is a thorny liana that usually grows along riverbanks or moist soils with stems reaching up to 30 m long. Indonesia has been exporting this species since the '90s, but since it was listed in Appendix II CITES in 2017, the trade of the species has been restricted by a quota. This quota must be based on scientific information such as population, distribution, harvest, and trade system. This study aims to provide data on the ecology, harvest, and trade. Most of the species traded were collected from dead woods. The dead wood’s population was varied, between 4-12.5 kg/4m²,while the standing stock was 17 individuals/400m². The hunters collected wood from the riverbanks, sold it to middlemen and collectors, and exported it. This species is traded in various diameters ranging from less than 3 cm to more than 4 cm with prices between Rp.7000 to Rp.20,000 per kg from hunters to collectors. An estimated 1300 Indonesians in three districts are involved in the trade. This trade provides opportunities for rural communities to improve their well-being and livelihood resilience.