Characteristics of Habitat Preference of Tarsius tarsier in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, Maros, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Tarsius tarsier was reported to occur throughout the island of Sulawesi and several small adjacent islands around it. For effective conservation, a detailed knowledge of the habitat requirements and preferences of the species concerned is needed. The presence of tarsier population and its habitat characteristics in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park are not clearly known. The habitat quality and space have been decreasing due to the increasing of human activities. This study that was carried out in Pattunuang Resort from Desember 2009 to Pebruari 2010, aimed to analyze the relationship between the existence of tarsier and its habitat characteristics, and to determine habitat preferences of tarsiers in the study area. The results showed that the tarsier was found on flat to steep topography with slope gradient reached 38%. The densities of plants at various of structure vegetation were higher in Blok Pute. Plant diversity was generally significantly different in each location. The abundance of insect species richness was highest in Blok Pattunuang among other location with pattern distribution were clumped. Based on the index of Neu, Tarsius tarsier preferred bamboo habitats to the secondary forest and karst vegetation to maintain their viability in this area.