DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jil.24.6.1371-1385

Etnoekologi Sistem Bera dan Penebangan Selektif pada Pertanian Ladang Berpindah Suku Mbaham Matta di Fakfak, Papua Barat

1Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Papua, Manokwari, Jl. Gunung Salju Amban, Manokwari, Papua Barat, Indonesia, 98312, Indonesia

2Dinas Pertanian dan Ketahanan Pangan, Kabupaten Fakfak, Papua Barat, Indonesia, 98011, Indonesia

Received: 20 Jul 2026; Revised: 18 Sep 2026; Accepted: 2 Oct 2026; Available online: 2 Nov 2026; Published: 6 Nov 2026.
Editor(s): Budi Warsito

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Abstract

The swidden agriculture system still practiced by the indigenous Mbaham Matta tribe in Fakfak, West Papua, embodies complex ecological wisdom that remains poorly documented scientifically, particularly its fallow system and selective logging practices. This study aimed to: (1) analyse the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of the Mbaham Matta community in managing the fallow system (bero) as a mechanism for soil fertility restoration and tropical forest ecosystem recovery; and (2) analyse selective logging practices and their implications for forest ecosystem sustainability. A qualitative ethnoecological approach with a single-case study design was applied, using in-depth interviews with 20 local farmer respondents from eight indigenous villages in Kramomongga District, analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase inductive thematic analysis adapted to an ethnoecological framework, supported by participatory observation and local ecological history tracing. Results revealed two main findings. First, the Mbaham Matta community maintains an ecologically structured fallow system with resting periods of 5 to more than 10 years that vary across villages, recognised through multi-domain local ecological indicators — soil colour, vegetation abundance, and faunal presence — as markers of land readiness. Second, selective logging is practiced by retaining large perimeter trees as shade regulators, wildlife habitat, slope stabilisers, and spiritually significant trees, reinforced by controlled burning techniques and clan-based customary social control. Both practices reflect local ecological knowledge aligned with ecological succession principles, biodiversity conservation, and carbon storage, further strengthened by customary institutions functioning as collective enforcement mechanisms. This study recommends that the Mbaham Matta's local ecological knowledge be systematically documented and integrated into sustainable forest management policies and regional spatial planning in West Papua, given the risk of knowledge erosion due to generational shifts and extractive economic pressure.

 

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Keywords: ethnoecology; fallow system; selective logging; local ecological knowledge; tropical forest Papua

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