PENGETAHUAN MASYARAKAT DESA PENYANGGA DI SEKITAR TAMAN NASIONAL BROMO TENGGER SEMERU TERHADAP SEBARAN BUNGA EDELWEIS

Edelweiss (Anaphalis spp.) is a pioneer plant native to highland areas and holds
significant ecological and cultural value, especially among the Tenggerese people around
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), East Java. This study aims to assess the
level of local knowledge in buffer villages regarding the distribution of Edelweiss and to
analyze the correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and this knowledge.
Data were collected through a survey using a purposive sampling method with a random
start, involving 200 respondents (100 from each village). A structured questionnaire
based on the Likert scale was used, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
independent t-tests, and correlation analysis. The results show that both communities
generally possess good knowledge about Edelweiss, although a significant difference was
found in viewing frequency—residents of Wonokitri observed Edelweiss more frequently
due to closer cultural and ecological interaction. Awareness of the ecological status of
Edelweiss species remains limited, except for Anaphalis longifolia, which is more
commonly recognized. While most respondents are aware of Edelweiss exploitation, their
understanding of the specifics is limited. Demographic factors such as age, gender,
education, religion, and occupation showed weak correlations with knowledge levels.
Thus, environmental education and conservation initiatives should adopt an inclusive and
community-wide approach, regardless of social background.