HERPETOFAUNA DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE RIPARIAN ZONE OF THE CI GEDE RIVER, MOUNT SAWAL, CIAMIS, WEST JAVA

• Main Author: Natanael, Jefta
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Ilmu hayati ; Biologi
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/68956
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Gunung Sawal (Ciamis, West Java) has important habitat and hydrological functions in Java. It is one of Citanduy Watershed’s main catchment areas with abundant water sources and river flows, supporting the formation of riparian ecosystem, which is important habitat for herpetofauna. However, despite the existence of Gunung Sawal Wildlife Reserve, inventory data and distribution information of herpetofauna, both inside and outside the conservation area, are very limited. This study aimed to determine the distribution pattern of herpetofauna along Ci Gede River’s riparian zone in Gunung Sawal, which is also habitat of ciremai bleeding-toad (Leptophryne javanica). Herpetofauna data were collected using two approaches: Visual Encounter Survey (VES) frrom 16 to 31 July 2022; and unstructured data collection (cumulative data since 2020). The VES method was carried out on four transects (@ ca. 1 km): (1) residential areas (DP); (2) rice fields (SA); (3) area boundaries (BK); and (4) curug tilu (CT). Unstructured data were cumulated based on primary and secondary incidental findings in all transects. Physico-chemical parameter data taken including air temperature and humidity, light intensity, soil pH and humidity, and soil temperature. Herpetofauna data were then analyzed to: (1) describe herpetodiversity by estimating minimum species diversity (EstimateS 9.1.0, estimators: Chao2 and Jackknife2) as well as determining levels of species richness, abundance, evenness and dominance, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index; (2) measure species similarity among transects (hierarchical clustering, Jaccard and Sorensen models, RStudio (R v.4.2.1), vegan package v.2.6-2); and (3) map distribution pattern of herpetofauna (ArcGIS v.10.4). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of abiotic data was performed using RStudio (R v.4.2.1) package tidyverse v.1.3.2. Based on VES data, 652 herpetofauna individuals (39 species/13 families) were found, consisting of 524 Amphibians (18 species/6 families) and 128 Reptilians (21 species/7 families). Although VES data are still lowerr than minimum species diversity estimates (44 and 51 species according to Chao2 and Jackknife2), overall data still recorded 53 herpetofauna species from 17 families (Amphibia: 19 species/6 families; Reptiles: 34 species/11 families). The SA transect had highest species richness (26), diversity index (2.84) and evenness (0.87) which, perhaps due to the availability of more ecological niches. Highest abundance and dominance index were found in CT transect (0.33) which is also suspected as hotspot area for L. javanica. There is similarity in species inventory between the DP-SA and BK-CT transects based on hierarchical clustering which is supported by patterns of abiotic data, probably related with elevation, vegetation cover, and level of anthropogenic activity. Class Reptilia have “clumped” distribution pattern, centered in areas with high anthropogenic activity, probably influenced by presence domestic animals (prey). Amphibians tend to have “regular” distribution pattern along riparian zone, probably due to its high affinity towards water. Although classified as "endangered" species, L. javanica has highest abundance (20.55%), presumably due to high habitat suitability within conservation areas. In general, high herpetofauna along Ci Gede River’s riparian zone shows the importance of optimal management within conservation area and its buffer zone to ensure the sustainable future of Gunung Sawal herpetofauna.