Studi Etnobotani Tumbuhan Pangan Yang Tidak Dibudidayakan Oleh Masyarakat Lokal Sub-Etnis Batak Toba, Di Desa Peadungdung Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

Abstract

Elephant dung is a source of methane gas, which the gas is the main contributor to greenhouse gas if not used as fuel. Wild elephants use grass leaves as their feed, but in Ragunan Wildlife Park, elephants are fed also with a combination of elephant grass, sweet potatoes, maize, and bananas, which aim to meet immediate nutritional needs and ensure their health. Therefore, this study examined the biogas production of elephant feces associated with the feed given. The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of biogas that is emitted from the elephant feces as a result of two kinds of feed, which were elephant grass and combination of elephant grass, sweet potatoes, maize, and bananas. Previously, the elephants were acclimatized for 4 days with the two types of feed. Fermentation of the feces was conducted by using simple fermenters by volume of 3.42 L for 28 days and performed measurements of temperature, pH, concentration of ammonia, concentration of volatile fatty acids, substrate degradation and production of biogas. The result showed that the composition of feed affects the physico-chemical characteristics of the feces, production of ammonia and volatile fatty acids, substrate degradation and production of biogas. The feces of Sumatran elephant fed with elephant grasses has higher potential for decomposition to mineralization into biogas and produce a higher proportion of methane gas carbon dioxide, than those fed with the combinated feed. This result needs to be a concern because with the fiber-rich feed like in their natural habitats, elephants have the potential to emit higher gas emissions. Therefore the biogas released from the elephant feces or other animals should be processed and utilized to meet the energy needs in the wildlife park itself.

Wild Food Plants and Trends in Their Use: From Knowledge and Perceptions to Drivers of Change in West Sumatra, Indonesia

“…A recent study in a Mandailing community in North Sumatra showed that 106 food plant species are being used, including wild and cultivated ones [ 57 ]. Further in North Sumatra, Batak Toba people from Peadungdung village were found to use 44 species [ 58 ]. Towards the east of Indonesia, only 22 WFPs species were found to be used in Sasak cuisine on Lombok island [ 59 ], while in Bali, 86 species are used [ 60 ].…”

Edible plants of the Batak Karo of Merdeka District, North Sumatra, Indonesia

“…as an alternative source of alternative carbohydrates (Silalahi et al 2021). The availability of wild food plants is very diverse in the environment, but it is often not liked because it is not tasty and its availability is uncertain (Silalahi et al 2018), even though wild plants are healthier (Pawera et al 2020, Silalahi et al 2021. Utilization and processing of local community food is degraded due to factors such as the entry of information/technology, the presence of modern food (Sujarwo et al 2014), food ingredients are difficult to find (Abbasi et al 2013, Purba et al 2018, information on nutritional value is lacking (Pawera et al 2020).…”

The Ethnobotany Study of The Foodstuffs by Local Communities in The Bulumario Village, North Sumatera

“…Teklehaymanot & Giday, (2010) stated that wild plants can be used as food sources, especially in unfavorable environmental conditions. The wild plants as food ingredients are diverse, but it often disliked because of their bad taste and uncertain availability (Silalahi et al, 2018), even though wild plants are considered healthier (Pawera et al, 2020). Wild plants which can be eaten as food and medicines are threatened with disappearing (Abbasi et al, 2013), therefore it is necessary to conduct various studies to prevent loss of germplasm.…”