Human dimensions of gain and loss of plant species diversity surrounding oil palm plantations

Abstract

Changes in plants diversity occurring the establishment of oil palm plantations, have been considered as the reasons for the changing pattern in community livelihoods. Hence, the values of plants diversity to the local community worth considering. This research was conducted to identify the local communities’ perceptions related to gain and loss of plant species diversity due to the establishment of oil palm plantation. The study was carried out in the indigenous Dayak Villages of Tajok Kayong and Nanga Tayap, West Kalimantan Province of Indonesia in March 2018. Data were collected using field observation and interviews. Our results indicate that the establishment of oil palm plantation have resulted in the gain of 3 plant species and the loss of 8 plant species functional values (medicine and food). Nevertheless, as many as 75.68% of interviewed person stated that the presence of oil palm plantations increased plant diversity, in terms of flowering plants and other non-functional plants. These findings reveals that local community were not affected by the species loss since prior to the plantation’s establishment, their living patterns were already transformed into semi modern and modern living styles in which the people have lower dependence on their surrounding plants.