Preliminary study on plant ecology in Tangkahan Area, Gunung Leuser National Park

Abstract

Gunung Leuser National Park (NP) is the biggest NP in North Sumatra. Though very few plant ecological studies were conducted there. Most studies in Gunung Leuser NP are related with protected animals, such as Sumatran Tiger, Elephant or Orang Utan. Thus, the aim of this preliminary study is to understand the plant structure and composition in the tropical forest of Gunung Leuser National Park. A 0.5-ha plot was established near Gua Kambing, Tangkahan area in November 2015. All tree species bigger than 15 cm girth were recorded, measured, and identified. The dominant species were from Dipterocarpaceae, followed by Myrtaceae and Achariaceae. The total number of trees was 693 trees or 1,386 trees/ha with the total Basal area was 42.9m²/ha and the biggest diameter was 147cm. The results from diversity index analysis ((H’=4.43; D=0.97; α=75) confirm that the forest area had a relatively high diversity, with Agrostistachis sessilifolia dominates the understory layer. The Gua Kambing area had relatively high plant diversity, less disturbance, and bigger trees than other studied areas in tropical Indonesian forests in Sumatra.