Vegetation Structure and Composition in Taman Wisata Alam (TWA) Sicike-cike as Ritual Site for Local Community

Abstract

Taman Wisata Alam Sicike-cike is a nature conservation area intended for the benefit of natural tourism and recreation. TWA Sicike-cike besides being used as tourist site, is also known for its ritual or traditional ceremonial site performed by the Pakpak-Dairi tribe. Presence of local wisdom on forest management, such as tapping the sap of incense (Styrax paralleloneuron) and floral organ are commonly utilized as a worship material during traditional rituals. The importance of this forest region for local communities is crucial for the sustainability of the local wisdom of the Pakpak-Dairi tribe. This study aims to determine the vegetation structure and composition in ceremonial sites located within TWA Sicike-cike. The study used vegetational analysis to obtain Importance Value Index (IVI) from each structures (seedling, sappling, pole and tree. The results showed that the largest INP at seedling to tree structure was dominated by Rhododendron malayanum with 46.29, 26.41, 55.53, and 28.99 for seedling, sapling, pole and tree, respectively. Shannon’s diversity index (H’) in this region falls between medium to high diversity categories. Hence, Rhododendron malayanum is considered as primary indicator of typical vegetation in ceremonial site of TWA Sicike-cike which dominate all types of vegetational structure with complete growth rate.