ANALISIS VEGETASI HABITAT KEDIH (Presbytis thomasi) DI STASIUN PENELITIAN SORAYA KAWASAN EKOSISTEM LEUSER

Vegetation Analysis of Kedih (Presbytis thomasi) Habitat at Soraya Research Station, Leuser Ecosystem)

Abstract

The natural habitat of the Kedih (Presbytis thomasi), an endemic primate species of northern Sumatra, is increasingly threatened by illegal logging activities. This issue is also prevalent around the Leuser Ecosystem Area, which is one of the key habitats for Kedih. The Soraya Research Station, situated within the Leuser Ecosystem, functions as a significant habitat for this species. The objective of this study is to ascertain the composition and structure of vegetation, which constitutes a pivotal component of the Kedih's habitat in the designated area. The research employed a field survey method using a line plot sampling technique. A total of 100 plots were established, with plot sizes of 2×2 m for seedlings, 5×5 m for saplings, 10×10 m for poles, and 20×20 m for trees. The materials employed in this study encompassed tally sheets and the vegetation present in the Kedih's habitat (Presbytis thomasi).The analysis of the data was conducted using the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index and the Importance Value Index (IVI). The results of the study revealed 145 species from 45 families, with a total of 1,914 individual plants. At the tree level, the dominant species included Sloetia elongata and Shorea multiflora. At the pole level, Sloetia elongata and Mallotus paniculatus were the most prevalent species, while at the sapling level, Mallotus paniculatus and Glochidion glomerulatum were dominant. For seedlings, the dominant species were identified as Mallotus paniculatus and Knema laurina. The vegetation diversity index ranged from moderate to high, indicating that the forest structure still supports the ecological function of the Kedih habitat. The present findings underscore the significance of particular species, notably those belonging to the Moraceae and Euphorbiaceae families, in ensuring the continuity of forest ecosystems for arboreal organisms.