Structure And Composition Of Dipterocarpaceae At The Soraya Research Station In The Leuser Ecosystem Area, Sultan Daulat District, Subulussalam City
Introduction
The Leuser Ecosystem Area, located in the Sultan Daulat District, Subulussalam City, is home to a vast array of flora and fauna, including the Dipterocarpaceae family. This family of trees is known for its importance in providing habitats and resources for various species of flora and fauna. However, the area is currently undergoing a recovery process due to the impact of wild logging that occurred before. This study aims to identify the structure and composition of Dipterocarpaceae at the Soraya Research Station, which was carried out between November 2020 and January 2021.
Research Methodology
The research method used in this study is purposive sampling with a transect path length of 300 meters. In each path, five plots measuring 20 x 20 meters are formed by zigzag at an interval of 10 meters. The total studies studied amounted to ten, with a total plot of 50. Vegetation data collected was then analyzed using the Importance Value Index (INP), Diversity Index (H '), and the uniformity index (E) by applying the Shannon-Wienner formula. Vegetation structure is calculated based on the area of ​​the basic field.
Results
The results of this study showed that there were 13 dipterocarpaceae species with a total of 535 individuals. The index of the important value obtained ranged from 121.61% to 186.06%, with the highest value at the pole level. Diversity index value (H ') at all growth rates is categorized as low, while the uniformity index (E) shows that each species has a small population. The basic area varies between 1813.56 to 35868.16, with the highest value found at the tree level. The composition of vegetation ranges from 55% to 92%, where the highest composition is at the seedling level.
Discussion
The existence of Dipterocarpaceae types at Soraya Research Station is very important for local ecosystems. Dipterocarpaceae is a group of trees found in tropical forests and is known to have an important role in providing habitats and resources for various species of flora and fauna. The illegal logging that has occurred in this region certainly has a significant impact on the structure and composition of vegetation. With this research, it is expected to provide a deeper understanding of the current condition of the forest and the steps needed for the conservation and restoration of the area.
From the data analysis obtained, the low diversity index shows that there is dominance from several species, which has the potential to reduce ecosystem resistance to environmental changes. Likewise, the low uniformity index value indicates that the population of certain species is very small, which can affect the stability of the ecosystem as a whole.
The basic area of ​​varied is also an indicator of forest health. The high area at the tree level shows the presence of individuals who are large enough and have the potential to contribute more to forest biomass. Conversely, a low value at the seedling level can be a signal that regeneration of species in the future may be threatened if not accompanied by adequate conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Overall, this research is an important foundation for planning better management steps at Soraya's research station. By increasing awareness about the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species, we can contribute to environmental preservation efforts and maintain the balance of existing ecosystems. The results of this study can be used as a reference for future research and conservation efforts in the Leuser Ecosystem Area.
Recommendations
Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Conservation efforts: Efforts should be made to conserve and restore the Dipterocarpaceae species in the Leuser Ecosystem Area.
- Research and monitoring: Further research and monitoring should be conducted to understand the dynamics of the Dipterocarpaceae species and the impact of human activities on the ecosystem.
- Community engagement: Community engagement and education should be conducted to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species.
- Policy and regulation: Policy and regulation should be implemented to prevent further degradation of the ecosystem and to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
Limitations
This study has several limitations, including:
- Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
- Limited data: The data collected in this study is limited to the Dipterocarpaceae species, which may not represent the entire ecosystem.
- Methodological limitations: The research method used in this study may have limitations, such as the use of purposive sampling, which may not be representative of the entire ecosystem.
Future Research Directions
Future research should focus on:
- Long-term monitoring: Long-term monitoring should be conducted to understand the dynamics of the Dipterocarpaceae species and the impact of human activities on the ecosystem.
- Species-level analysis: Species-level analysis should be conducted to understand the population dynamics and ecological roles of individual species.
- Ecosystem-level analysis: Ecosystem-level analysis should be conducted to understand the interactions between species and the impact of human activities on the ecosystem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure and composition of Dipterocarpaceae at the Soraya Research Station. The results of this study highlight the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species and the need for conservation and restoration efforts. The recommendations made in this study can be used as a foundation for future research and conservation efforts in the Leuser Ecosystem Area.
Q: What is Dipterocarpaceae?
A: Dipterocarpaceae is a family of trees found in tropical forests, known for its importance in providing habitats and resources for various species of flora and fauna.
Q: Why is the Dipterocarpaceae family important?
A: The Dipterocarpaceae family is important because it provides habitats and resources for various species of flora and fauna, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of existing ecosystems.
Q: What is the current condition of the Dipterocarpaceae family at Soraya Research Station?
A: The current condition of the Dipterocarpaceae family at Soraya Research Station is that there are 13 species with a total of 535 individuals, with a low diversity index and a low uniformity index value.
Q: What are the implications of the low diversity index and low uniformity index value?
A: The low diversity index and low uniformity index value indicate that there is dominance from several species, which has the potential to reduce ecosystem resistance to environmental changes, and that the population of certain species is very small, which can affect the stability of the ecosystem as a whole.
Q: What is the significance of the basic area of varied?
A: The basic area of varied is an indicator of forest health, with a high area at the tree level showing the presence of individuals who are large enough and have the potential to contribute more to forest biomass, and a low value at the seedling level indicating that regeneration of species in the future may be threatened if not accompanied by adequate conservation efforts.
Q: What are the recommendations for conservation and restoration efforts?
A: The recommendations for conservation and restoration efforts include conserving and restoring the Dipterocarpaceae species, conducting further research and monitoring, engaging with the community to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species, and implementing policy and regulation to prevent further degradation of the ecosystem.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: The limitations of this study include a small sample size, limited data, and methodological limitations, such as the use of purposive sampling, which may not be representative of the entire ecosystem.
Q: What are the future research directions?
A: The future research directions include long-term monitoring, species-level analysis, and ecosystem-level analysis to understand the dynamics of the Dipterocarpaceae species and the impact of human activities on the ecosystem.
Q: What is the significance of this study?
A: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure and composition of Dipterocarpaceae at Soraya Research Station, highlighting the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species and the need for conservation and restoration efforts.
Q: What are the implications of this study for environmental preservation efforts?
A: The implications of this study for environmental preservation efforts are that it highlights the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species and the need for conservation and restoration efforts to maintain the balance of existing ecosystems.
Q: What are the next steps for conservation and restoration efforts?
A: The next steps for conservation and restoration efforts include implementing the recommendations made in this study, such as conserving and restoring the Dipterocarpaceae species, conducting further research and monitoring, engaging with the community to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species, and implementing policy and regulation to prevent further degradation of the ecosystem.
Q: How can individuals contribute to environmental preservation efforts?
A: Individuals can contribute to environmental preservation efforts by raising awareness about the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species, supporting conservation and restoration efforts, and making environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives.
Q: What are the long-term implications of this study?
A: The long-term implications of this study are that it provides a foundation for future research and conservation efforts in the Leuser Ecosystem Area, and highlights the importance of maintaining the diversity of dipterocarpaceae species and the need for conservation and restoration efforts to maintain the balance of existing ecosystems.