Ethnobotanical study of Gyrinops versteegii (Gilg.) Domke from Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia as an effort in supporting the conservation of agarwood-producing species

Abstract

Gyrinops versteegii (Gilg.) Domke is one of the eaglewood species that is distributed especially in the East region of Indonesia, including Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, and it grows in the natural habitat or is cultivated. The aim of this study was to explore different uses of G. versteegii, and reveal important ethnobotanical aspects of G. versteegii in Lombok Island. Ethnobotanical methods applied in this study included participatory observation, interview, documentation, and verification using herbarium specimens. The total reported use (RU) of G. versteegii is 19, where the stem has the highest percentage in the type of utilization. This result means that generally, G. versteegii has several potential uses in local communities that could be revealed, developed and conserved. Conservation efforts need to be considered to maintain the availability and diversity of agarwood-producing species, as well as to ensure the preservation of the natural environment where it grows.