Community-Based Sustainable Management of Freshwater Swamps: Integrating Local Knowledge and Conservation in Jeriji Village, Indonesia

Abstract

Aims: Despite increasing pressures from tin mining and oil palm plantations, limited studies have explored how Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) contributes to the sustainable management of freshwater swamp forests in Indonesia. This study aimed to examine the role of LEK and community participation in community-based freshwater swamp management in Jeriji Village, South Bangka Regency, and to provide insights into locally driven conservation strategies. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Jeriji Village, South Bangka Regency, from December 2025 to April 2026. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive approach informed by community-based conservation perspectives was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observation, and documentation involving 15 purposively selected informants, including community leaders, fishermen, farmers, village officials, and local residents. The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework to identify key themes and patterns. Results: The findings revealed diverse forms of LEK, including customary regulations, seasonal knowledge, local wisdom, sustainable resource-use practices, and collective conservation activities. These practices support ecological balance, sustainable livelihoods, and community resilience amid environmental pressures from mining and plantation expansion. Conclusion: This study contributes to community-based conservation literature by demonstrating how locally embedded knowledge systems enhance social-ecological resilience in tropical wetlands. The findings highlight the policy significance of integrating traditional knowledge and local institutions into wetland governance and conservation programmes. However, the results are context-specific and derived from a single community, limiting broader generalisation. Future comparative studies across freshwater swamp ecosystems are recommended to strengthen community-based conservation frameworks.