ESTIMATION OF NATURAL REGENERATION POTENTIAL THROUGH SEED BANK ANALYSIS ON POST FIRE AREA AT MOUNT CIREMAI NATIONAL PARK

• Main Author: Mila Santani, Chindy
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/68720
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Mount Ciremai National Park was experiencing ecosystem degradation caused by the high intensity of fires and the occupation by invasive alien species, which hampers the succession process. Marked by conditions after decades, there are areas where the cover is still in the form of shrubs. In order to support the ecosystem recovery process, information is needed on the potential for natural regeneration in these degraded areas by reviewing the presence of soil seed banks. This study aims to determine the composition and abundance of seeds in the seed bank and the ability of seeds to germinate. The method used for data collection was purposive sampling which was divided into three vegetation covers (shrub (SB), calliandra stand (TK), and natural forest (HA)) in 12 plots measuring 20m x 20m. Then in each plot, a soil sample measuring 25cm x 25cm was taken as deep as 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, and 10-15 cm. Data analysis was carried out to obtain seed abundance (N/ha), Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H'), and percent germination. From the results of the study, the total abundance of seeds was 3,253,333 seeds/ha from 6 species (SB), 2,613,333 seeds/ha from 7 species (TK), 3,946.667 seeds/ha from 25 species (HA). The diversity of seed types in SB and TK was generally lower (H'=0-1.28) than HA (H'=1.09-2.33). The total germination percentage in SB and TK was 40.98% and 24.49%, respectively, which Isachne globosa dominated. Meanwhile, the percentage of complete germination in HA was 33.11% with germinating tree species including Ficus callophylla and Lithocarpus sundaicus. The results indicate that the degraded area has a low natural regeneration potential.