The economic value of rain forests has been discussed controversially over the last 20 years. While some authors have praised the often unutilised richness of resources, others have been less optimistic and referred to the limited market potential.
On the other hand, the invisible use of forests is often underestimated. In many cases, subsistence needs can be met well, securing people’s livelihoods, while risk and uncertainty often are mitigated through resource diversification.
This principle was also found to be vital for securing livelihoods among Dayak Benuaq forest users in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Depending on resource availability, market prices, seasonality, or individual cash demand, the Benuaq frequently switch from one resource to another. This includes high intensity short-term resource extraction, e.g. of freshwater tortoises or certain bird species to utilize temporary income opportunities. In addition, the Benuaq use alternative income opportunities offered at logging companies or oil-palm plantations. Combined with additional swidden agriculture this extended subsistence has proven to be a reliable livelihood mode to maintain decent human well-being as well as a diverse forest environment.
This long-term community study reveals a highly dynamic pattern. The principal income sources vary from year to year. So does the importance of the supplementing subsistence agriculture. The forest system is sustainably managed through enrichment planting and cultivation of selected species. With this approach the villagers have established a highly diversified mosaic forest comprising more than 1,000 forest gardens and maintaining high biodiversity. At the same time, people are able to respond to external shocks, such as price fluctuations or natural disasters to avoid falling into poverty.
While there is strong evidence that the Benuaq’s forests have been used in a sustainable manner over the last 300 years, better market access, good income opportunities, but also official development goals have put the system under pressure. theless, the Benuaq’s extended subsistence could work as a model for securing livelihoods, ensuring well-being, and maintaining vital forest functions given some preconditions are met, including secure tenure and access to resources, sufficient social cohesion, and functioning markets for their forest products.
