Ethnobotanical Uses and Loss of Knowledge Concerning Forest Trees among some Iban in Sarawak.

Abstract

During eight months of field work in Lambir National Park, near Miri, Sarawak, extensive field notes were taken concerning local uses made of forest trees. Field observations with local Iban and follow-up interviews were used to determine uses. This paper reports on these uses at family and generic level, which include timber, firewood, fruits, vegetables, cordage, weapons and animal traps. The rate of loss of indigenous knowledge concerning the trees, in comparison to studies elsewhere, stress the need for intensive ethnobotanical research in areas where forest remain near urbanized areas.