Economic And Environmental Sustainability In Silvofishery Of Mangrove Ecosystem In Ogan Komering Ilir Protected Forest, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, Indonesia

Abstract The Ogan Komering Ilir Protected Forest (OKIPF) area in South Sumatra, Indonesia, has experienced significant degradation due to land conversion into ponds, which has hurt the mangrove ecosystem and the socioeconomic life of the local community. Silvofishery is implemented to curb the rate of illegal conversion while improving the welfare of the surrounding community. This study aims to determine the impact of silvofishery implementation on economic sustainability and the sustainability of mangrove forests. This study uses a quantitative descriptive approach, which was conducted by the survey. The subjects of the economic sustainability study were Pond farmers, The head of the farmer group, The head of the KPH, The Head of the BPDAS HL, and The Social Forestry Facilitator. At the same time, The Object of the study is the sustainability of the mangrove environment, vegetation, and species with high economic value. At the same time, they were sampling vegetation and species with high economic value using a 100–200 meter transect perpendicular to the coastline. The sample was selected purposively, with as many as 65 respondents. Data collection was carried out through observation, documentation, and interviews. Data analysis used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to evaluate the ecological conditions of the mangrove forest. Analysis of income, revenue-cost ratio, break-even point, net present value, net benefit-cost ratio, and internal rate of return to assess the economic sustainability of silvofishery. Percentage analysis and poverty threshold to determine the welfare of pond farmers. The study results indicate that the silvofishery system contributes to the restoration of the mangrove ecosystem and increased biodiversity. The economic sustainability of the silvofishery system is seen in the increase in farmer income and the feasibility of long-term investment and strengthened one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the difference between traditional ponds and silvofishery system ponds. The study results show that silvofishery can improve the welfare of pond farmers. Implementing the silvofishery system offers a promising solution to overcome the dilemma between short-term economic needs and long-term ecological sustainability. The practice of silvofishery system cultivation can bring economic and environmental benefits simultaneously. This study introduces a new perspective by showing the integrated benefits of the silvofishery system. It recommends stakeholder commitment and cooperation to promote the silvofishery system as a sustainable cultivation model.