Keragaan Rotan di Areal Konservasi Ex-Situ Hutan Pendidikan Gunung Walat Sukabumi, Jawa Barat

Abstract

Ex-situ conservation stands has been established in Gunung Walat University Forest (GWUF) since 2005. However, the performance of rattan has never been evaluated. The objectives of the research were i) to review the correct species name of rattan and ii) to assess the growth variation of rattan with respect to shade trees, environmental factors (light and pest). The growth performance was observed through assessment of species composition and structure of the stand including distribution of diameter and length, biomass estimation and environmental effects (light and pest). The results showed that i) there were 3 (three) rattan species planted in the ex-situ conservation stand, namely Calamus manan, Daemonorops melanochaetes and Daemonorops rubra, ii) The composition and structure of the stands were still dominated by the shade trees. Rattan was found predominantly at strata C (4–20 m) and strata D (1–4 m). The normal distribution was observed only on diameter and length of C.manan and D.melanochaetes, respectively. The highest biomass was observed in D. rubra that was estimated as much as 26.6 tons/ha. The light had significant effect on D.rubra diameter only. On the other hand, pest had no significant effect on rattan growth variables.