Conservation Potential of Traditional Medicinal Plants in the Customary Forest Area of Saibi Samukop Village, Central Siberut, Mentawai Islands Regency

Abstract

The Customary Forest area of Saibi Samukop Village, Central Siberut District, Mentawai Islands Regency, harbors a rich diversity of medicinal plants that serve as a primary source of healthcare for the local Mentawai indigenous community. Ethnobotanical knowledge is traditionally inherited across generations through figures such as Sikerei and Simatak, forming an integral part of local wisdom that underpins community health and biological resource preservation. This study aims to identify the species diversity of traditional medicinal plants, describe their utilization patterns by the indigenous community, and evaluate conservation strategies based on local wisdom. A qualitative ethnobotanical approach was employed, incorporating participant observation, cruising surveys, in-depth interviews, and field documentation. Informants were selected using purposive sampling, consisting of Sikerei, Simatak, customary leaders, village officials, and local experts on medicinal plants. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative and thematic analysis. The results identified 107 medicinal plant species utilized to treat various ailments within the Mentawai traditional health framework. The dominant plant families observed were Zingiberaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Acanthaceae, Moraceae, and Arecaceae. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, primarily prepared through decoction, concoction, pounding, or direct topical application. Local conservation practices are actively reinforced through customary regulations (adot), selective harvesting, customary forest protection, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. This study demonstrates that the synergy between medicinal plant preservation and indigenous knowledge serves as a critical strategy for biodiversity conservation and the long-term sustainability of traditional medical systems in the Mentawai Islands.