Provisioning and Cultural Services of Restored Ecosystem in Mount Kelud After 2014 Eruption

Abstract

Mount Kelud eruption in 2014 was recorded as the largest eruption in the history of Mount Kelud volcanic activity. The ecosystem restoration was implemented after the eruption. However, few studies regarding the value of the restored area, mainly focus on the perspective of ecosystem services values. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the ecosystem services of restored area of Mt. Kelud after three years or eruption restoration program and develop appropriate restoration strategies based on the potentiality of its cultural services. A field survey was done at the restored area after mountain eruption in 2014. The location of Mt. Kelud is administratively located at Sugihwaras Village, Ngancar District, Kediri Regency, East Java. Ecosystem service was observed following Wunder and Thorsen ecosystem service classification. Interviews with key sources were performed to generate data regarding the socio-ecological aspect of restoration program and determines the ecosystem services in the perspectives of the local community. In order to describe the strategy for the development of nature-based tourism as one of the important cultural services in Mt. Kelud, a SWOT analysis was performed to evaluate the possible strategy to developed nature-based tourism in the restored area. Results of this study showed that two ecosystem services, the provisioning and cultural services, were identified to contribute to the local community. Their contributions demonstrated through numerous forestry program and nature-based tourism activity. The potentiality of nature-based tourism development in the restored area depended on the ability to drawn restoration planning which was combined with sustainable recreation activity in the restoration area.