Search

Lauraceae is a group of tropical plants with a wide distribution. The abundance and species richness of the Lauraceae family includes the under to the upper canopy of the forest. The Lauraceae family can be utilized in various sectors, especially economically. Limiting characters as a significance in the Lauraceae classification was needed to provide additional information regarding taxon grouping. This research aimed to study epidermal characteristics, leaf venation variations, and the diversity of Lauraceae species under different forest environmental conditions. The research procedure involved: collecting ecological field data and morphological identification using a purposive sampling method based on the presence of species. Soil sampling and environmental microclimate were measured on each plot. The anatomical process was carried out by recording characters. Correlation between environmental factors and plant targets used canonical correspondence analysis. The kinship between members of Lauraceae was expressed in a dendrogram. The result of this study showed that Lauraceae could live at various elevations. The analysis data indicated differences in environmental factors that affect the existence of Lauraceae species. Leaf venation studies support clustering in the family using characters such as primary, secondary, tertiary veins, and areola. Observation of leaf venation can be used as a taxonomic significance in the family Lauraceae. Epidermal cell walls in leaf samples are straight, curved shallow, deep, and sharp. Other characters that can be found are anomocytic, laterocytic, and brachyparasitic types of stomata, with stellate and glandless trichomes The anatomical dendrogram separated Lauraceae into clusters on a similarity coefficient scale.

Oil palm has been widely studied regarding growth and development, water use, productivity, and other economically relevant functions. However, not much is known about the hydraulic conductivity of oil palm root systems and how xylem vessels perform their function to transport water from roots to shoots so far. This information is needed to describe oil palm strategies to maintain water status, especially in oil palms that grow under various soil hydrological regimes. To investigate the root hydraulic performance, we measured mean xylem vessel diameter (D), vessel density (VD), vessel lumen area (Alumen), and potential hydraulic conductivity (Kp) for oil palm root samples in seasonally flooded riparian and well-drained sites at Harapan Jambi Forest. The result showed that D, Alumen, and Kp increased with increasing root diameter at both plantation types. On the contrary, VD significantly decreased with increasing root diameter. Potential hydraulic conductivity (Kp) in riparian sites was smaller than in well-drained sites and significantly different in root diameter >2-5 and >5-10 mm and related to both plantation types. The low potential hydraulic conductivity of root xylem vessels and the narrowing of xylem vessel lumen that occurs in oil palm roots in the seasonally flooded riparian sites were presumed as adaptation mechanisms to maintain water supply from the roots to the shoot in oil palm plants in these sites.

Nepenthes occur in various habitat types in West Kalimantan. But some species are categorized as vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Autecological studies of Nepenthes spp. are required for species management and conservation. The study aimed to analyze species diversity, distribution pattern, association, and environmental factors that correlated with Nepenthes spp. at peat swamp and heath forest in Pematang Gadung. Data was collected in September 2021 by purposive sampling on 60 plots measuring 3 x 3 m2 in each habitat type. Species diversity was analyzed based on the presence and abundance of species in the plots. The distribution pattern was determined using a standardized Morisita index (Ip). Meanwhile, the association type was determined based on the Jaccard index (JI). Environmental data were analyzed by Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) using Past Version 4.03. This study found six wild species in a peat swamp and four species in a heath forest. The population of Nepenthes spp. has clumped distribution pattern with Ip>0. Nepenthes spp. are associated with plants such as Barringtonia racemosa, Syzygium sp., Nephrolepis biserrata, and Campnosperma auriculatum. The result of CCA revealed that environmental factors in both habitat types affected the presence of each Nepenthes species. The air temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light intensity show different influences on different species.

The article aimed to record community knowledge regarding cultivating, utilizing, and conserving tarasi fruit (Cassia javanica) in Cianjur and Sukabumi Districts, West Java. The ethnobotanical interview method was used for 22 respondents from Cilaku village, Cianjur district, and Tegal Buleud village, Sukabumi district. Respondent criteria have or have owned a tarasi tree and used it. The interview consisted of 20 questions. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using the Index of Cultural Significance (ICS). The results found that ecologically, tarasi fruit was grown by the community from seed (82%), in cultivation (68%), and planted in the yard (86%). Tarasi fruit is used, among others, for cooking seasoning (38%), firewood (42%), tools (8%), and digestive medicine (12%), but the highest ICS score is for cooking seasoning (10.89). The utilization of tarasi fruit in the form of dried pods is processed into a paste. The presence of live trees in only 36.4% still used for seasoning in only 9.1%, and there has yet to be an attempt to share knowledge. The conclusion is that tarasi fruit for vegetable shrimp paste must be developed so that it has an impact on conservation.

Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park is an area that has the largest karst ecosystem in Indonesia. Karst is prone to damage and difficult to reuse, so it requires conservation efforts. One of the plant species that can maintain this sustainability is Ficus which acts as key species in karst ecosystems. However, at this time the species is experiencing disturbances, one of which is due to the experience of invasive plants that can threaten the existence of Ficus because the weeds can colonize habitats and are dominant which can change species diversity. This study aimed to analyze the diversity and distribution of Ficus, compare species composition, and analyze environmental factors that affect Ficus spp. in Pattunuang Resort and Bantimurung Resort. Vegetation analysis method with nesting plots placed by purposive sampling and supported with environmental and soil data measurements to determine the factors that indicate the habitat preference of Ficus. We found 18 plant species of Ficus spp. in total. At Resort Pattunuang we found 14 Ficus species with the highest abundance being Ficus sundaica (27.55%), while we recorded 15 Ficus species at Resort Bantimurung with the highest abundance being Ficus ampelas (29.23%). Ficus species were uniformly distributed with a relatively high ratio of species composition in both resorts. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the presence of Ficus in Pattunuang Resort is influenced by wind speed, soil temperature, air temperature, soil moisture, soil pH, and air humidity. In Bantimurung Resort, the existence of Ficus is influenced by wind speed, soil temperature, soil moisture, and air humidity.

The abundance of water strider Ptilomera dromas Breddin (Hemiptera: Gerridae) in Ciliwung River related to water quality. Water-strider Ptilomera dromas Breddin (Gerridae: Hemiptera) is an aquatic insect that is commonly found in various waters, such as rivers, ponds, and lakes. The purpose of this research was to study the abundance of P. dromas in Ciliwung river in relation to its water quality. The abundance of P. dromas was surveyed at five stations, i.e. Cilember, Cijulang, Gadog, Katulampa, and Sempur stations. Environmental parameters measured were water temperature, air temperature, pH, water flow, biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), free CO2 level, nitrogen total, water hardness, and total suspended solid (TSS). The relationship of P. dromas abundance with environment parameters was analyzed by using general linear model (GLM). Results showed that the highest abundance of P. dromas was found in Gadog station, followed by Cilember, Katulampa, and Cijulang stations. The population of P. dromas was not found in Sempur station, which might be related to the presence of Katulampa weir that acts as physical barrier and due to high BOD and TSS values. Based on GLM analysis, water hardness and pH were correlated positively with abundance of P. dromas. The existence of P. dromas in the upstream stations is linked to the high water quality and low pollution of waters.

The red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) reported Castanopsis argentea as an endangered species. Studies about autecology on its natural habitat become important to perform species conservation. This study aimed to analyze the population structure, distribution pattern, and environmental factors that influence the presence of C. argentea in the Telaga Warna Nature Reserve. Data was collected in September 2020 by making 21 plots with a single plot. The purposive sampling method was used based on C. argentea representatives to determine plot location. Measurement of environmental factors, including soil sampling was carried out on each plot. Population structure was analyzed based on plant density, and Morisita index determined the distribution pattern. Environmental data were analyzed using PCA with Minitab 19 programs. Our field observation showed that C. argentea seedling has the highest density (1071 ind/ha) and decreased in the mature phase. C. argentea was found to have a clumped distribution pattern with an Id value of 1.03. PCA analysis showed differences in environmental factors that were thought to influence the presence of C. argentea individuals in four growth phases. The highest population structure of C. argentea was found in the growth phase of seedlings and saplings at an altitude of 1400 m asl. The spread population distribution of C. argentea was clumped. The influences of environmental variables on the existence of C. argentea were Mg, Ca, CEC, pH, and soil moisture.

Plastic waste is a problem in the city/district. Plastic waste cannot be decomposed so it needs special efforts in plastic waste management. The purpose of this study was to determine the plastic waste management strategy in Bogor City. The research was conducted in Bogor City from September to November 2022. Research data were obtained from interviews with waste managers and direct measurement of waste for 8 consecutive days. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. From the results of waste measurement, it was found that plastic waste generated in Bogor City is around 2- 29%. Plastic waste reduction strategies are the existence of regulations from the government, waste reduction using reuse, reduce, and recycle.

Oil palm has been widely studied regarding growth and development, water use, productivity, and other economically relevant functions. However, not much is known about the hydraulic conductivity of oil palm root systems and how xylem vessels perform their function to transport water from roots to shoots so far. This information is needed to describe oil palm strategies to maintain water status, especially in oil palms that grow under various soil hydrological regimes. To investigate the root hydraulic performance, we measured mean xylem vessel diameter (D), vessel density (VD), vessel lumen area (Alumen), and potential hydraulic conductivity (Kp) for oil palm root samples in seasonally flooded riparian and well-drained sites at Harapan Jambi Forest. The result showed that D, Alumen, and Kp increased with increasing root diameter at both plantation types. On the contrary, VD significantly decreased with increasing root diameter. Potential hydraulic conductivity (Kp) in riparian sites was smaller than in welldrained sites and significantly different in root diameter >2-5 and >5-10 mm and related to both plantation types. The low potential hydraulic conductivity of root xylem vessels and the narrowing of xylem vessel lumen that occurs in oil palm roots in the seasonally flooded riparian sites were presumed as adaptation mechanisms to maintain water supply from the roots to the shoot in oil palm plants in these sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new species of Begonia sect. Jackia from Sumatra are described and illustrated: B. araneumoides, B. batuphila, B. hijauvenia, B. mursalaensis, B. panjangfolia, and B. perunggufolia. All morphological characters and measurements were observed from living plants in the Bogor Botanical Gardens greenhouse or the wild. Using IUCN criteria, 4 species are considered to be Data Deficient, 1 Vulnerable, and 1 Least Concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]