Agriculture system and bioresources utilization in villages around Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park: A case study of Ilomata village, Gorontalo

It is a common trait for villages surrounding conservation areas to be dependent on the forest ecosystem for food and economic needs. This is also the case for Ilomata Village, a village bordering the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park. This research aims to identify agricultural systems, bioresources utilizations, ecological threats and the potential development of an ecologically based agricultural system in Ilomata Village, Gorontalo Province. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and focus group discussions. Further, descriptive statistics are utilized to analyze the data. The result shows two forms of agriculture. First, the monoculture system is characterized by one main commodity (corn). Second, the polyculture system is characterized by a combination of crops, plantations, forestry, and livestock. For the bioresources’ utilization, as many as 79 species of vegetation were used by the community. This research also notes the forms of utilization that have the potential to threaten the ecosystem, as well as several potentials that can be developed. This research concludes that although there is an ecological-based agriculture system in Ilomata Village, it has not been implemented optimally by utilizing the existing potential. The result implies that it can be used to determine an ecologically-based agriculture intervention model.


Introduction
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (BNWNP) is the largest land conservation area on the island of Sulawesi and has an area of approximately 282,008.757ha [1] to 282,098.93 ha [2].BNWNP is administratively located in two provincial areas: in the eastern region, it is in the Province of North Sulawesi, while in the western region, it is in the Province of Gorontalo, which is bordered only by Bone Bolango Regency [2].
As a unified landscape, BNWNP is not only a habitat and conservation area for various flora and fauna, but also plays a role as a life support system for the community around the area [1,2].One of the villages directly adjacent to the BNWNP area is Ilomata Village, Bulango Ulu District, Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province.As an agricultural-based village, the community is highly dependent on the condition of its natural ecosystem and is directly the primary user of existing ecological services.
Basically, people around the forest are very dependent on the natural environment and forest ecosystems, both for their subsistence and economic needs [3].In Indonesia, forests have long been used and managed by local communities for cultural, livelihood, and trade purposes [4].Communities often utilize the available bioresources and develop agricultural systems that are in accordance with existing ecological conditions [3][4][5].However, there are several agricultural practices and the utilization of bioresources that can have impact on the sustainability of the existing natural environment [5,6].Particularly, in the massive utilization of bioresources and agricultural practices that rely on production by extensification and intensification of conventional agriculture [4].This becomes even more complex in communities bordering conservation areas, where limited land and access to conservation forests often lead to conflicts [3].
In fact, agricultural activities and natural uses can go hand in hand with ecosystem and biodiversity conservation practices [5].There have been many models of ecological agriculture and/or climatesmart agriculture that have been proven to be able to improve people's welfare while maintaining the condition of natural ecosystems [7][8][9].This can be implemented on a community-based basis, which encourages the community as the main subject or actor in agricultural and conservation activities [8].
However, encouraging the application of ecological agriculture or climate-smart agriculture requires information about the existing conditions of the location, ecological conditions, biodiversity, local wisdom, and socio-economic conditions [5,[10][11][12].Therefore, this research aims to identify agricultural systems, the utilization of bioresources, ecological threats, and the potential for developing ecologically based agricultural systems in Ilomata Village.This information are critical for exploration of existing potentials and problems, which can be used to determine agricultural models that are suitable for the existing conditions, through the consent of the local community.

Research Locations
This research was conducted in Ilomata Village, Bone Bolango District, Gorontalo (Figure 1).This village is approximately 5.5 km from the sub-district capital (Mongiilo), has an area of approximately 7.84 Km 2 and consists of 3 hamlets, namely: Hamlet 1 (Indupo), Hamlet 2 (Bohulo), and Hamlet 3 (Pilomateya).Until 2021, this village has a total population of 517 people, with the majority farmers [13].Observation and data collection were carried out for approximately 1 month (August -September 2022).

Data Collection
This research employs an exploratory approach to collect basic data and initial information on an object or research location.Data collection was performed using three main methods: in-depth interviews, exploratory-participatory observation, and focus group discussions (FGD).Informants were determined using purposive snowball sampling.There were 5 informants, all of whom were male and worked as farmers.Meanwhile, there were 35 FGD participants consisting of 26 men and 9 women.The FGD participants represented the village government, farmers, women's groups, youth groups, community leaders, and traditional leaders.Then the triangulation method was utilized to check the validity of the data by using several methods of data collection and simultaneous data analysis in research (results of in-depth interviews, participatory observation, exploration of literature studies, and FGD results), including using informants as a tool to test the validity and analyze the results of the research.

Data Analysis
Data analysis used a descriptive-qualitative method, by describing or explaining/narrating the results of interviews, observations, and FGDs.In addition, descriptive statistics are used in the form of percentages and averages to facilitate the interpretation of the data.The data are further presented in the form of tabulations, graphs, and pie charts.

General description of agricultural forms and farming systems in Ilomata Village
3.1.1.Dry land farming.Based on observations, interviews and FGD results, it is found that the dominant farming system in Ilomata Village is dry field farming which is dominated by corn.This is common in Gorontalo because corn is the second most cultivated commodity after rice, and is the favorite commodity in Gorontalo [14,15].The corn farming practice has become massive in this area since the Provincial Government of Gorontalo introduced a corn-based Agropolitan program [15].
Corn fields in Ilomata Village are spread all over the open area around the village, even on land with a slope of over 25-40%.Basically, corn farming practices in Gorontalo are cultivated on almost all slope classes, including 0-3%, 3-8%, 8-15%, 30-40% and > 40%, which has the potential to cause land degradation [16].

Perennial plants.
Based on observations and FGDs, several types of perennial plants were identified, namely, durian, langsat, candlenut, jackfruit, clove, cocoa, coffee, mango, and rambutan.The existing conditions of perennial plants in Ilomata Village are presented in Table 1.Often bears fruit.Used for subsistence, especially for customary purposes.In some conditions, also traded with neighbours.Planted around the yard and some were planted around gardens and fields as land boundary markers.

Clove(Syzygium aromaticum)
Not yet fully fruitful.Just started planting around 7-8 years, but less maintained.Planted around the house and fields.Mango (Mangifera sp.) Often fruitful and used for subsistence.Planted around the house and some were planted around gardens and fields as land boundary markers.Rambutan (Nephelium sp.) Often fruitful and used subsistence.Planted in the yard around the house.

Matoa (Pometia pinnata)
Not yet fully fruitful.Just started planting around 3-5 years, but less maintained.Planted around gardens, and forest boundaries.
Currently, there are still many durians and langsat trees, but according to local residents, these trees rarely bear fruit.Based on field observations, it can be concluded that this is most likely caused by three factors: first, the age of the durian, which has exceeded its productivity limit, second, the loss or reduction of pollinators, and third, invasive parasite attacks.This is supported by field findings: first, durians in Ilomata Village were planted during the 1970s.Second, the loss of bat pollinators due to hunting.According to the village head and several informants, there used to be lots of bats around the village, and outsiders came to hunt these bats.Currently, according to the community, the number of existing bats have been greatly reduced.This relates to the ecological role of bats as pollinators for trees and food crops, as well as seed dispersers [17].Furthermore, [18] reported that bats are the main pollinators of durian in Sulawesi, and one of these bat species is Acerodon celebensis which is also widely found in Ilomata Village.Third, the attack of mistletoe (Dendrophthoe sp.) on Langsat in Ilomata Village.The langsat that is attacked by the parasite no longer bears fruit and is damaged, and some even die.Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe sp.) is known to cause damage and even death to the host plant [19,20].

Palm.
In general, palm sugar production in Bulango Ulu District in 2019 amounted to 202.48 tons, which places palm sugar as the largest commodity compared to other plantation commodities [21].One of the villages contributing to the high production of palm sugar in the District of Bulango Ulu is Ilomata Village.However, the commercial use of palm trees for palm sugar is relatively new in Ilomata Village.
Based on interviews, it is known that palm sugar processing activities began to develop after 2010 and began to be popularly cultivated around 2015.This is also in accordance with the 2020 report, which stated that in Bone Bolango Regency, the villages bordering the BNWNP, including Ilomata Village, just started cultivating sugar palm as their main source of livelihood 5-10 years ago [22].
The area of sugar palm in the BNWNP is around 50 hectares, spread over the villages of Sukamakmur, Ilomata, Pilolahea, Mongi'ilo, and Lonu'o (Gorontalo Province), and in Tapao Village, Pusian Barat, Matayangan (North Sulawesi Province) [22].This size area does not include areas outside the forest, such as forest boundaries.Even though the area of sugar palm that grows naturally in the BNWNP is relatively small, it contributes to support ecosystem restoration efforts in areas that have been cultivated by the community, especially in areas that are currently designated as rehabilitation zones [22].So far, the use of palm trees in Ilomata Village is still limited to processing sap for palm sugar.Several informants stated that there had been some extensions regarding the use of sugar palms, such as product diversification of processed sap, kolang-kaling processing, and palm fiber utilization, but the community only focused on one processed product: palm sugar.The polyculture cropping pattern in Ilomata Village is an agricultural system that can be classified as a simple integrated farming system by combining agricultural crops, plantations, forestry, and animal husbandry [9].In certain specific lands, it can be categorized as a simple agroforestry system, which is characterized by a combination of agricultural, plantation, and forestry crops (Figure 3).Livestock and fishery conditions.The livestock raised by the community of Ilomata Village are cattle and native chickens.Information from the headman stated that the government aid cattle had been fulfilled for all of the families in Ilomata Village.The average community has more than 1 cow.However, the cattle raising process is still carried out traditionally by driving cattle in fields and gardens.Some people claim to make open cages, but in general, the community does not implement a housing system.
Part of the community also cultivates several types of freshwater fish, by building fishponds in their yards.The types of fish farmed are tilapia, goldfish, and catfish.Fish farming is cultivated simply for subsistence purposes.This can also be seen from the relatively small area of the pond, and fish feed from household food scraps.

Bioresources Utilization
3.2.1.Diversity of Vegetation Utillized in Ilomata Village.Identification of vegetation species in this research is limited to the community's knowledge of the vegetation species used, both cultivated and non-cultivated.The utilization referred to in this research consists of two components, namely: the purpose of utilization and the utilization allotment.Utilization purposes consist of commercial and subsistence, while utilization allotment consists of food, construction materials, medicine and or customary needs.In addition, the identification results also found that several multifunctional vegetation species are used for several purposes and that is used for several utilization and allotment purposes.
Based on interviews and FGD results, it was recorded that 79 species of vegetation were utilized by the Ilomata community.The vegetation consists of 36 families (Figure 4) and is dominated by the Poaceae family as the most widely used family.To facilitate discussion, data is presented and discussed based on the category of vegetation utilization.Based on Table 3, it is known that of the 38 types of vegetation used as food, only six species are used for commercial purposes, namely: aren (palm tree), binde (corn), coconut, durian, langsat, cloves, and candlenut.But of the six species, corn, sugar palm, and coconut are the main types of agricultural commodities cultivated.
Apart from the species that are used commercially, several species are used for subsistence.As a village that is relatively far from the city and has limited access to markets, the community developed subsistence to meet their basic food needs by growing several types of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and several sources of carbohydrates other than rice, such as cassava and bananas.
Based on the habitat, the vegetation used as food can be grouped into three, namely: yards, gardens, and forests.Although several species are cultivated and/or grow in several habitats, based on the grouping, it is known that most of the food vegetation comes from the yards (Figure 5).

Vegetation species for construction and building materials. In general, the people of Ilomata
Village still depend on the wood resources available around the village and forests for construction and building materials.Based on the identification, 17 species of vegetation were recorded, which were used as construction and building materials (Table 3).Of the 17 vegetation species, there are 2 species based on global threat status included in the IUCN red list, namely Tolotio (Drypetes globosa) in the vulnerable category and Tonala (Pterocarpus indicus) in the endangered category [23].Based on the habitat, the vegetation species used for construction/building can be grouped into 3 namely: yards, gardens, and forests (Figure 6).From these data, it is known that most of the wood for construction and building materials comes from the forest.This was also supported by interviews, which showed that of the 17 types of vegetation used for construction, only three species were cultivated by the community, namely: coconut, nantu, and cempaka.

Vegetation species for customary and medicinal.
The Ilomata people, who are mostly Gorontalo ethnic, still adhere to their customs.This can be seen from the processions, rituals, and customary arrangements that are still being carried out and specifically through the use of vegetation for customary purposes.Based on the results of the interviews, 19 species of vegetation were recorded that were used for traditional and medicinal purposes (Table 4).The use of vegetation for customary needs is mostly used for wedding processions (hantaran and reception), bai'at and mandi lemon.The Ilomata community in general cultivates all types of vegetation for their customary needs.Meanwhile, for medicinal needs, people generally use herbs grown in their yards.However, there are 4 species that grow wild and are not cultivated, namely: Bajaka (Spatholobus littoralis), Bintalo (Jatropha curcas), Molowahu (Hibiscus tiliaceus), and Sirih (Piper aduncum).Based on the habitat, most of the vegetation used for customs and medicine is in the yard (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Percentage of vegetation species for customary and medicinal based on habitat
In addition to the list above, based on interviews, it is also known that some vegetation is used specifically in palm sugar processing (Table 5).In general, the people in Ilomata use gas as fuel for cooking, so all the firewood is only used for processing palm sugar.Based on Table 6, it is known that as many as 15 species (68%) of the total 21 species are intended for firewood in palm sugar processing.There is a reference to the type of firewood, according to the informant, not all types of wood can be used as firewood because some types of wood cannot burn properly or burn but not for a long time.Communities have a high preference for using Butungale (Pometia coriacea), Nantu (Palaquium sp.), and Tohetutu (Canarium asperum) as firewood.The firewood used is raw wood because it is considered to burn longer than dry wood.The community also uses the remaining building material wood to make firewood, including coconut (Cocos nucifera) and lasi (Adina fagifolia).Based on the habitat, the vegetation species used for palm sugar processing can be grouped into three, namely: yards, gardens, and forests (Figure 8).

Potential Threats
Based on observations, interviews, and data processing, several things were found that have the potential to be good threats to the natural ecosystem in Ilomata Village: 1. Intensification and extensification of corn farming.The intensification in question is the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides at high intensities, in massive doses.Intensification here also refers to the intensity of planting, which is carried out continuously without a land sculpting system or crop rotation.While extensification is land expansion, land conversion, and the occupation of sloping land for corn crops, as well as the opening of new fields in forest areas [14].2. The high use of wood sourced from forests for building and construction materials.The need for building and construction materials has encouraged several communities in Ilomata to harvest several types of wood in the forest.Even though it is used for subsistence, harvesting continuously and without replanting can have the potential for forest degradation.As previously explained, several types of wood used as building and construction materials are included in the IUCN red list category.3. The high use of firewood sourced from the forest for palm sugar processing.The processing of palm sugar, which is traditionally carried out in Ilomata Village, is very dependent on the availability of wood as fuel.As it is known, the process of cooking sap to produce palm sugar takes approximately 4-5 hours.During that time, the consumption of firewood was very high.The analysis reveals that there are 15 types of vegetation used as firewood in palm sugar processing, and most of the wood comes from the forest.4. The presence of invasive species attacking fruit trees.As previously explained, many langsat trees are attacked by parasites (Dendrophthoe sp.).The parasite is an invasive species that can cover its host plant, making it difficult to photosynthesize and ultimately not bear fruit.In addition, the parasite also obstruct the tree growth as it obtains food from its host, and over time, it can cause the death of the tree. 5. Wildlife attacks on agricultural land/crop-raiding.The proximity of the residents' agricultural areas to forest areas or the disturbance of the natural habitat of wildlife could be a factor in the attack of several types of animals, such as Sulawesi wild boar, monkeys, and rats, on the community's agricultural land.People perceive these species as "pests", which can increase conflicts between people and wild animals.

Landscape capital as Ecotourism
The conditions of the landscape, hydrology, biodiversity, forest ecosystems, and agricultural agro-ecosystems in Ilomata Village are very supportive of ecotourism activities.

Palm product diversification
The population of palm trees is relatively large and spreads out in almost all areas of the village, including gardens and fields as far as the forest area.However, until now, the use of palm trees has only been limited to processing palm sap into palm sugar.Organic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides Availability and abundance of raw materials for the processing of organic fertilizers, organic pesticides, and herbicides, such as livestock feces, papaya leaves, soursop leaves, lemongrass, etc.

Various fruit production
The abundant and varied types of fruits in Ilomata Village are generally used for subsistence.Some fruits, such as mangoes, jackfruit, and bananas, are often rotten and not used, so they can be processed and utilized so they have economic value.

Freshwater fisheries
The availability of water sources and the installation of water networks, as well as the existence of several resident fishponds, can be developed productively on an ecological basis.

Development of livestock, forage and fodder
Existing livestock conditions can be developed with a livestock system that is integrated with existing agricultural systems, as well as the development of forage and animal feed, such as grasses, legumes, and other crops cultivated, including corn, that can be used in the form of hay, silage, pasture, and fodder.

Social capital and skills
In general, the social life of the people in Ilomata Village is based on family ties and strictly adheres to Gorontalo's customary rules.In addition, based on interviews, it is known that Ilomata Village has received mentoring assistance from several institutions with several programs.Starting with physical assistance as well as technical assistance and skill improvement.

Local Wisdom Practices
Based on observations and interviews, several local wisdom practices related to agricultural activities were found.This local wisdom is part of the culture of the people of Gorontalo.The practices are: 1.The use of the growing season calendar is based on the calculation of the stars.In the Gorontalo tradition, there is knowledge in the field of agriculture called Panggoba.Panggoba is basically the practice of reading the stars and natural phenomena to determine the planting season and what types of crops to plant, as well as to overcome pest attacks [15,24].Unfortunately, this practice is starting to be abandoned, with the excuse of pursuing productivity, especially for corn crops.2. The use of rituals in dealing with attacks by wild animals in gardens and fields.The community performs the Molapo ritual [15] such as burning Alama (incense) to drive away pests and several types of wild animals that disturb fields and gardens such as wild boars, monkeys and rats.3. The use of natural preservatives in the process of making palm sugar.The people of Ilomata Village use the root of boyuhu/bayur (Pterospermum celebicum) in the process of making palm sap.This has also been scientifically proven through research [25] which reported that the root of bayur wood added to palm sap functions as a preservative for sap, causing the levels of fermented interna to last longer at a concentration of 4% for 64 hours and slowing down the fermentation of the internal into acetic acid.

Conclusion
The farming system in Ilomata village consists of monoculture and polyculture.The monoculture system is characterized by one main commodity, specifically corn.Meanwhile, the polyculture system in Ilomata Village is a simple integrated farming system with an agroforestry pattern characterized by a combination of crops, plantations, forestry, and livestock.In general, the people of Ilomata Village are still very dependent on the local resources available in their village, as evidenced by the high utilization of existing bioresources.There were 79 species of vegetation used by the Ilomata community: 38 species for food, 19 species for customs and medicine, 17 species for construction and building, and 21 species for palm sugar processing.This research notes the forms of utilization that have the potential to threaten the ecosystem, as well as several potentials that can be developed.This research concludes that although there is an ecologically based farming system in Ilomata Village, it has not been implemented optimally by utilizing the existing potential.

3. 1 . 4 .
Cropping Patterns and Agricultural Systems.The cropping pattern in Ilomata village based on the composition of plant species can be categorized into two, namely: monoculture and polyculture.In the monoculture cropping pattern, farmers plant one main commodity, namely corn.Whereas in the polyculture cropping pattern, farmers generally combine 2-4 types of plants in one farm.Several models of polyculture cropping patterns in Ilomata Village are presented in Figure 2.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Forms of polyculture cropping patterns in Ilomata Village

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Simple forms of agroforestry in Ilomata Village 3.1.5.Livestock and fishery conditions.The livestock raised by the community of Ilomata Village are cattle and native chickens.Information from the headman stated that the government aid cattle had been fulfilled for all of the families in Ilomata Village.The average community has more than 1 cow.However, the cattle raising process is still carried out traditionally by driving cattle in fields and gardens.Some people claim to make open cages, but in general, the community does not implement a housing system.Part of the community also cultivates several types of freshwater fish, by building fishponds in their yards.The types of fish farmed are tilapia, goldfish, and catfish.Fish farming is cultivated simply

Figure 4 .
Figure 4. Percentage of vegetation species by family used by the Ilomata community

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Percentage of vegetation species for food use by habitat

Figure 6 .
Figure 6.Percentage of vegetation species for construction purposes based on habitat

Figure 8 .
Figure 8. Percentage of vegetation species for palm sugar processing purposes based on habitat

Table 1 .
Existing condition of perennial plants in Ilomata Village.

Table 2 .
Based on the identification, it was recorded those 38 species of vegetation were used as food by the people of Ilomata Village (Table2).Of the 38 species that exist, it is known that only two are not cultivated by the community, namely, sugar palms and ferns.List of vegetation species for food purposes 73.2.2.Vegetation species for food.

Table 3 .
List of vegetation species for building/construction materials

Table 4 .
List of vegetation species for customary and medicinal uses

Table 5 .
List of vegetation species for palm sugar processing

Table 6 .
Some of the potentials that exist in Ilomata Village that can be utilized both for improving livelihood and ecological quality is presented in Table6.List of potential resources in Ilomata Village Apis cerana and Apis dorsata around the village.Furthermore, two types of stingless bees were also found, namely Tetragonula clypearis and Tetragonula sapiens.These types are producers of honey but have not been utilized and managed by the community.The size of the yard available Based on observations and interviews, it is found that almost all households in Ilomata Village have a large yard of land.The yard has been used by several communities to cultivate several types of food plants, fruit trees, medicinal plants, and types of spices for household subsistence needs.However, not all yards are utilized optimally.