[ABSTRAK
Penelitian ?Etnobotani Masyarakat Enis Karo di Kecamatan Merdeka,Sumatera Utara? bertujuan untuk mengetahui pemanfaatan spesies tumbuhanberguna dan perbedaan pengetahuan lokal tentang pemanfaatan tumbuhanberdasarkan gender dan umur oleh masyarakat etnis Karo di Kecamatan Merdeka.Pelaksanaan penelitian dilakukan melalui pendekatan etik dan emik. Pengumpulandata dilakukan melalui wawancara terbuka dan semi terstruktur, observasipartisipatif dan diskusi kelompok fokus (Focus Group Discussion--FGD). Datatentang keanekaragaman pemanfaatan spesies tumbuhan dianalisis dengan metodeLUVI (Local User?s Value Index), ICS (Index of Cultural Significance); dan datatentang perbedaan pengetahuan pemanfaatan tumbuhan brdasar gender dan umurdianalisis dengan metode UVs (Use Values), dan statistik. Terdapat 158 spesiesyang termasuk dalam 61 famili yang dikenal dan dimanfaatkan masyarakat etnisKaro di KecamatanMerdeka. Seratus lima puluh delapan spesies tumbuhantersebut dimanfaatkan untuk obat-obatan, pangan, sumber penghasilan, teknologilokal, kayu bakar, adat/ritual/hiasan, racun/anti racun dan pewarna. Berdasarkananalisis LUVI diperoleh 60 spesies yang dianggap paling penting dan pangansebagai kategori guna terpenting. Oryza sativa mendapat nilai ICS tertinggi yaitu50, yang dimanfaatkan sebagai makanan pokok. Berdasarkan umur darikelompok responden, rata-rata jumlah spesies tumbuhan yang diketahui dandimanfaatkan dan nilai UVs pada responden umur lebih dari 50 tahun lebih tinggidibandingkan dengan umur 30--50 tahun. Sementara itu, berdasarkan gender,rata-rata jumlah spesies tumbuhan yang diketahui dan dimanfaatkan dan nilai UVspada responden laki-laki lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan perempuan

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ABSTRACT
The purposes of this study are to identify the plant species perceived byKaronese of Merdeka District and determine whether gender and age havedifferent local knowledge differences of use values of plant species. Theethnobotanical research and collection data were conducted by open and semistructuredinterview, observation, focus group discussion (FGD). Theethnonotanical information according to general categories of plant species usesanalysed by LUVI (Local User?s Value Index), ICS (Index of CulturalSignificance); and the differences in knowledge of plant based on age and genderwas analysed by UVs (Use Values) dan statistic analysis. Karonese of MerdekaDistrict use 158 plant spesies, 60 families for 8 general use categories, which inmedicinal uses, food, economical plants, local technology, firewood, traditionalcelebration/ritual/ornaments, poisonous plants, and dye-colors. There are 60species which considered as the most useful plants based on LUVI analysis. TheICS analysis indicated that Oryza sativa gained the highest value (50), which isused as staple food. Based on the age of respondents, the average number of plantspecies that are known and utilized; and value UVs on respondents aged more 50years old higher than the age of 30--50 years old. Meanwhile, based on gender,men of Karo ethnic society in District Merdeka know more plant species than thewomen.;The purposes of this study are to identify the plant species perceived byKaronese of Merdeka District and determine whether gender and age havedifferent local knowledge differences of use values of plant species. Theethnobotanical research and collection data were conducted by open and semistructuredinterview, observation, focus group discussion (FGD). Theethnonotanical information according to general categories of plant species usesanalysed by LUVI (Local User’s Value Index), ICS (Index of CulturalSignificance); and the differences in knowledge of plant based on age and genderwas analysed by UVs (Use Values) dan statistic analysis. Karonese of MerdekaDistrict use 158 plant spesies, 60 families for 8 general use categories, which inmedicinal uses, food, economical plants, local technology, firewood, traditionalcelebration/ritual/ornaments, poisonous plants, and dye-colors. There are 60species which considered as the most useful plants based on LUVI analysis. TheICS analysis indicated that Oryza sativa gained the highest value (50), which isused as staple food. Based on the age of respondents, the average number of plantspecies that are known and utilized; and value UVs on respondents aged more 50years old higher than the age of 30--50 years old. Meanwhile, based on gender,men of Karo ethnic society in District Merdeka know more plant species than thewomen.;The purposes of this study are to identify the plant species perceived byKaronese of Merdeka District and determine whether gender and age havedifferent local knowledge differences of use values of plant species. Theethnobotanical research and collection data were conducted by open and semistructuredinterview, observation, focus group discussion (FGD). Theethnonotanical information according to general categories of plant species usesanalysed by LUVI (Local User’s Value Index), ICS (Index of CulturalSignificance); and the differences in knowledge of plant based on age and genderwas analysed by UVs (Use Values) dan statistic analysis. Karonese of MerdekaDistrict use 158 plant spesies, 60 families for 8 general use categories, which inmedicinal uses, food, economical plants, local technology, firewood, traditionalcelebration/ritual/ornaments, poisonous plants, and dye-colors. There are 60species which considered as the most useful plants based on LUVI analysis. TheICS analysis indicated that Oryza sativa gained the highest value (50), which isused as staple food. Based on the age of respondents, the average number of plantspecies that are known and utilized; and value UVs on respondents aged more 50years old higher than the age of 30--50 years old. Meanwhile, based on gender,men of Karo ethnic society in District Merdeka know more plant species than thewomen., The purposes of this study are to identify the plant species perceived byKaronese of Merdeka District and determine whether gender and age havedifferent local knowledge differences of use values of plant species. Theethnobotanical research and collection data were conducted by open and semistructuredinterview, observation, focus group discussion (FGD). Theethnonotanical information according to general categories of plant species usesanalysed by LUVI (Local User’s Value Index), ICS (Index of CulturalSignificance); and the differences in knowledge of plant based on age and genderwas analysed by UVs (Use Values) dan statistic analysis. Karonese of MerdekaDistrict use 158 plant spesies, 60 families for 8 general use categories, which inmedicinal uses, food, economical plants, local technology, firewood, traditionalcelebration/ritual/ornaments, poisonous plants, and dye-colors. There are 60species which considered as the most useful plants based on LUVI analysis. TheICS analysis indicated that Oryza sativa gained the highest value (50), which isused as staple food. Based on the age of respondents, the average number of plantspecies that are known and utilized; and value UVs on respondents aged more 50years old higher than the age of 30--50 years old. Meanwhile, based on gender,men of Karo ethnic society in District Merdeka know more plant species than thewomen.]