Socioecological Adaptation Dynamics in Arfak Homegarden Systems Amid Environmental Change Pressures

Abstract

Indigenous homegarden systems are increasingly recognized as resilient agroecosystems capable of sustaining rural livelihoods under environmental and socio-economic pressures. This study analyzes the socio-ecological adaptation dynamics of Arfak homegarden systems in Manokwari Regency, West Papua. A mixed-methods approach was applied to integrate ecological and socio-economic analyses. Vegetation inventories were conducted to assess plant diversity and structural composition, while household surveys involving 118 respondents across six districts captured technology adoption, farmer perceptions, and adaptive strategies. Biodiversity indices, Bray–Curtis similarity, principal component analysis (PCA), Chi-square tests, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to evaluate ecological patterns and socio-ecological relationships. Results show that Arfak homegardens maintain relatively high biodiversity, with an average of 17 plant species per household and a multilayered vegetation structure consisting of trees, shrubs, herbs, and vines. Herbaceous plants dominate the vegetation composition, indicating strong food crop representation within homegarden systems. Agro-technology adoption among households is moderate, with common practices including fertilizer use, compost production, intercropping, and botanical pesticides, while irrigation and formal training remain limited. PCA results reveal that adaptation processes are shaped by four interconnected dimensions: agro-technology adoption, technology implementation, technology perception, and adaptive strategies. Social cooperation, local ecological knowledge, and crop diversification emerge as key mechanisms supporting household resilience. Chi-square and Cramér’s V analyses indicate significant associations between technology practices and adaptive responses, while Kruskal–Wallis tests reveal no significant differences in biodiversity and adaptation indicators across districts. Overall, Arfak homegarden systems function as integrated socio-ecological agroforestry systems where biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and adaptive management practices interact to sustain food production and community resilience. Strengthening these systems through context-specific agroecological innovations and community-based knowledge exchange may enhance the sustainability of indigenous agricultural landscapes under changing environmental conditions.