Beyond species records: access, food roles, and changing use of wild and forest-associated edible plants in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Extensive records exist for Indonesian wild and forest-associated edible plants, but their position in local food practice is less clear. This scoping review examines access pathways, food roles, and changes in the use of these resources in forest-linked landscapes.

Methods: The review was conducted using ethnobotanical and food-related literature, following the PRISMA-Scoping Review reporting guidance. A total of 90 studies with direct analytical relevance to the use of wild and forest-associated edible plants were retained as core evidence.

Results: Access was documented through forest and protected area interfaces, managed tree-based systems, village and mixed-rural settings, coastal/mangrove and wetland environments, and market circulation. The plants entered food practice mainly as vegetables, flavorings, seasonal fruits, local carbohydrate foods, processed foods, and ceremonial foods. Continued or changing use was linked to whether plants remained accessible, familiar, and practical to prepare, while decline was associated with reduced availability, weaker knowledge, time constraints, taste shifts, and greater reliance on purchased foods.

Conclusions: Wild and forest-associated edible plants in Indonesia function as landscape-based food resources whose significance cannot be inferred from species presence alone. Their relevance depends on access, preparation, and integration into local food practices. Evidence on actual food use and dietary contribution needs to be strengthened before linking edible biodiversity with food system planning and public food initiatives.

Keywords: Wild and forest-associated edible plants, Forest-linked landscapes, Ethnobotany, Food practices, Indonesia