The role of Michelia champaca agroforestry systems in combating global warming and providing livelihood options

Forest and land degradation that occurs throughout Indonesia makes it increasingly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Illegal logging, forest and land conversion, agricultural crop development, and expansion of settlements are factors influencing forest and land degradation. The agroforestry system has been promoted as one of sustainable land use management that implements local wisdom and community-based practices, which is expected to improve environmental conditions. This paper aims to investigate the role of the agroforestry system of Michelia champaca in South Sumatra in combating global warming as well as protecting natural resources and providing livelihood options for the community. Observation methods and interviews to the stakeholders were carried out to obtain data. Moreover, descriptive qualitative research analysis was used as a data analysis tool. The research results showed that the development of Michelia champaca on private land with an agroforestry system is expected to meet the increasing demand for community’s timber. Several people initially did not realize the importance of an agroforestry system in reducing the impact of climate change. The community cultivate Michelia champaca because it has straight stemmed with a narrow canopy so that by implementing spacing arrangements, the growth of these woody plant does not interfere with their agricultural crops. Some people understand that the combination of agricultural and forestry crops will provide both short and long-term income, maintain the availability of groundwater, produce fresher air, and reduce hot temperatures in the dry season. Michelia champaca agroforestry practices are more attractive than forest land management systems for communities because they contribute to the sustainability of food production while providing a number of ecosystem services, including reducing the impact of global warming.