Gunung Leuser National Park Research Articles

GEOTHERMAL EXPLOITATION IN A WORLD HERITAGE SITE: A CASE STUDY OF GUNUNG LEUSER NATIONAL PARK

<em>Act No. 21/2014 on Geothermal Energy is considered a solution to the slow development of geothermal energy utilization for power plants by opening the way for exploitation in conservation forest areas. However, in practice, such exploitation is still constrained because it often clashes with the conservation interest. This study aims to review: (1) the role of Act No. 21/2014 as a legal justification to conduct geothermal power plant exploitation in Gunung Kembar and Gunung Waihlup within the core zone of Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), and (2) the potential impact of such exploitation on the international recognition of Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (TRHS) as a world heritage. This research is normative legal research, using secondary data consisting of primary and secondary legal materials, and employs a qualitative method to analyze the data. The results showed that Act No. 21/2014 could not justify geothermal exploitation activity within the core zone of GLNP. The study also concluded that the geothermal power plant activity is projected to have the potential to compromise TRHS recognition as a world heritage site.</em>

Integration of conservation and economic development in Gunung Leuser National Park

Sumatran Elephant has economic benefits as an ecotourism attraction. The most appropriate tourism management is making the tour package attractive, safe, and sustainable. The increasing number of visitors to natural destinations has a significant impact. Feasibility studies can be used to consider making a decision, either rejecting, accepting, retaining, and stopping the effort. Therefore, a financial feasibility analysis is required to see the feasibility of using Sumatran elephants as an ecotourism package. The study was conducted for four months (November 2019 to February 2020) to determine the level of financial feasibility and financial benefits to Sumatran elephant people as a tour package in Tangkahan Ecotourism Area, Gunung Leuser National Park. Respondents were the actors in ecotourism management, including community institutions (LPT), 2 NGOs (CRU and VESSWIC), and the national park authority (GLNP). Data was collected by interviewing the actors. Research methods used descriptive analysis and financial analysis with NPV, BCR, and IRR parameters. The results show the interest rate of 6.56%, obtained NPV value of IR 181,021,329,- BCR of 3.806, and IRR of 117.3%. It means that this tourism package is financially worthy of being continued and developed. The calculation of the financial benefits of Sumatran elephant use as community-based ecotourism gave the revenue of IR 697,214,755,-.

Inventory of fungi from termite nests at Gunung Leuser National Park, northern Sumatra

Fungi and termite coexisted each other and have diverse symbiotic relationship in tropical forest. This research aims to determine the fungus found on termite nests in Suaq Balimbing Research Station so it can be used that as initial information in developing environmentally friendly termite control. The method used for collecting samples of fungus is a Standarized Sampling Protocol and for identification used slide culture method. The results showed that 5 of 12 termites nest are invaded by fungi. Based on macroscopic and microscopic observation, fungus species that obtained from termite nests are 2 species, namely: Penicillium sp.1, Trichoderma sp. 1

Vegetation structure of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) habitat in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Zaitunah A, Samsuri, Ras S. 2021. Vegetation structure of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) habitat in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 635-641. Gunung Leuser National Park forest in the Bukit Lawang section is the habitat of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii). There have been reports of the orangutans visiting the village. As some tree species are required for their sustenance to provide nests and food, there is a need to study species diversity availability in their habitat. Thus, the aim of the research was to analyze the composition and structure of the area's vegetation-this was done for the forestand mixed plantation. The sampling for the measurement of tree parameters was conducted using the line strip method. The strips (width 50 m, length 250 m) were constituted by a sub-plot measuring for seedling, pole, sapling, and trees. Within the sampling area, 181 species were found. Species within Dipterocarpaceae showed higher important value index (IVI) compared to other species in all layers. Shorea parviflora and Shorea ovalis were among the species with higher IVI in all the layers. The presence of species of Dipterocarpaceae and other species preferred by orangutans will support their quality of life. Therefore, orangutans prefer staying in the forest to entering the garden. Thus, it is concluded that their entry into the mixed gardens is related to the garden's proximity to the forest. Conservation efforts are needed to minimize the conflict between man and orangutan in the surrounding area.

Environmentality, green grabbing, and neoliberal conservation: The ambiguous role of ecotourism in the Green Life privatised nature reserve, Sumatra, Indonesia

Against the background of neoliberal conservation and green grabbing, this paper investigates an ecotourism initiative through the notion of ‘multiple environmentalities’ (neoliberal, disciplinary, sovereign and truth), which concerns the governance of people for environmental causes. We apply this to the inhabitants of Batu Katak, Sumatra, Indonesia, where the Green Life Project has been established next to Gunung Leuser National Park as a Private Protected Area. An important governance strategy for Green Life is the establishment of volunteer ecotourism to generate funds and to include the local community. We argue that ecotourism can play a crucial role in legitimising the activities and increasing the power of nature conservation organisations, which, in the case of Green Life, is visible in the growth of coercive means to secure protected areas. If ecotourism is the kernel of neoliberal environmentality at Green Life, the core issue is the prevalence of truth environmentality, in which nature is often valued higher than people. This valuation led to the strengthening of disciplinary and sovereign environmentality. Arguably, ecotourism at Green Life will not establish the intended sustainable relations with the community, and this paper functions as an important lesson for practitioners to scrutinise the consequences of their governance strategies.

Wild edible fruits generate substantial income for local people of the Gunung Leuser National Park, Aceh Tamiang Region

Background: Gunung Leuser National Park offers a variety of wild edible fruit species (WEFs) with food, nutrition, medicine, and economic value to the local people. In recent times, these WEFs have been threatened by over-exploitation, land-use changes, and biodiversity loss. This study aims to investigate the diversity of WEFs and their contribution to household income for communities living around the National Park.Methods: The study was conducted in three sub-districts adjacent to Gunung Leuser National Park. The plant materials were randomly collected from three sub-districts, while local knowledge was gathered through a structured survey and in-depth interviews. The informant sample comprised 450 people, 150 from each of the three sub-districts.Results: A total of 54 wild edible fruit plants belonging to 41 genera and 27 families were recorded in the study area. Thirty-nine (72.22 %) species were found growing in forests, 12 (22.22 %) species in farmland, and 3 (5.56%) species occur in the bush. Several species have economic value including Baccaurea macrophylla (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg., Baccaurea polyneura Hook.f., Diospyros kaki L.f., Flacourtia rukam Zoll.&Moritzi, Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T.Anderson, Garcinia xanthochymus Hook.f. ex T.Anderson, Lansium domesticum Corrêa, Mangifera foetida Lour., Mangifera odorata Griff., Mangifera laurina Blume, Nephelium cuspidatum Blume, Passiflora edulis Sims., Pometia pinnata J.R. Forst. & G. Forst., Syzygium aqueum (Burm. f.) Alston, and Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry. These fruits formed a source of household income and were harvested by approximately 82% of respondents. The sale of WEFs contributed approximately 34.31% of the total annual household income. These findings confirm the assumption that WEFs are important for the generation of household income.Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of WEFs to local communities in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia, particularly rural communities living near Gunung Palung National Park. WEFs play an important role in rural livelihoods by ensuring food, medicine, and sustained income. Policies and legislation involving stakeholders are required to ensure the cultivation, management, sustainable use, and promotion of WEFs in order to encourage the economic growth of the rural community in the Aceh Tamiang region.

Tourism and community empowerment at Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia

In a tourism context, scholars have noted that sustainable tourism can be achieved if local communities are empowered, thus having some level of control over the development process and if they share equitably in the tourism benefits. However, research about community empowerment in the tourism context, particularly in developing countries, indicates that, in general, the benefits are not shared equally within communities for many reasons. This study aims to explore to what degree tourism is empowering two rural communities in Indonesia. The method used in answering the question is a case study and a mix-methods approach. The case studies chosen were two villages that have different approaches in the planning process (top-down and bottom-up). The qualitative approach used is a participatory observation to explore the community’s context. The quantitative approach (a household survey) assessed the extent to which residents of these rural villages experience empowerment at an individual and community level, and the factors influencing empowerment outcomes. The survey results show that the different planning processes in these villages have not resulted in significant differences in empowerment on most measures. At Namo Sialang village, with a bottom-up approach to tourism planning, where the community has significant control over tourism development in their village, the surveys showed some evidence of greater empowerment across all dimensions (economic, psychological, social, and political). However, these differences were not as substantial as might be expected. In essence, this study suggests that expecting community empowerment in and through tourism development may not be entirely appropriate in this context. This may be because the concept does not take enough account of cultural factors and issues arising from political and geographical peripherality in the delivery of empowerment outcomes through tourism.

Vegetation structure and floristic composition of tree species in the habitat of Scaphium macropodum in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Susilowati A, Elfiati D, Rachmat HH, Yulita KS, Hadi AN, Kusuma YS, Batu SAL. 2020. Vegetation structure and floristic composition of tree species in the habitat of Scaphium macropodum in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3025-3033. Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumee Ex K Heyne is a member of Malvaceae tree species and globally recognized as malva nut and locally known as ‘kembang semangkok’, ‘tempayang’, ‘merpayang’ or ‘kepayang’. The nut of S. macropodum has many benefits for medicinal purposes, yet destructive extraction of this tree species has led them to extinction. Among its natural distribution in Indonesia, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia is known as its original range, but there is limited information about the existence of this species. This study aimed to determine the vegetation structure of some tree species in the habitat of S. macropodum in Sikundur, Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Purposive sampling technique was employed by creating line transect at some forest areas where the population of S. macropodum is known to grow naturally. Four line transects with each transect consisting of five plots with nested plots within were established to record data at four growth stages, resulting in 80 plots in total. The results showed that the Important Value Index (IVI) of S. macropodum within the floristic community at the studied area was 21.98, 13.85, 27.30, and 39.60 for tree, pole, sapling, and seedlings stages, respectively. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H) were 3.80, 3.70, 3.06 and 2.45, Index of evenness (E) are 0.94, 0.92, 0.86, 0.77 and the Index of Richness (R) are 11.76, 10.73, 6.59, 4.10 for tree, pole, sapling, and seedlings stages. This result suggests that the natural population of S. macropodum in Sikundur forest was still in good condition at all stages from tree to seedling.

Leaf Morphology and Ontogeny Kembang Semangkok (Scaphium Macropodum) From Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL)-North Sumatra

Scaphium macropodum or malvanut or locally known as Kembang semangkok was member of Sterculiacease those well adapted under closed canopy stratum. The species was targeted for illegal logger due to its valuable seed that has many benefits for medicinal purposes and the wood for building and construction. This extraction causing Kembang semangkok classified at least concern according to IUCN redlist. Lack information on the existence and morphology on Kembang semangkok in North Sumatra, causing confusing identification in the field. Therefore, our research was conducted to identify leaf morphology and assumed ontogeny of Kembang semangkok originated from Gunung Leuser National Park. The research was conducted through survey method on 9 (nine) plot of Kembang semangkok. Observation and measurement for morphology were carry out on leaf organ those were leaf shape, leaf arrangement, leaf composition, leaf margin, leaf base, leaf blade and leaf apex. Our research showed that ontogenic change was found in Kembang semangkok due to their respond to survival and plant growth. The changes can be identified by leaf shape from entire (under 50 cm height) into palmed-parted leaf (taller than 50 cm) and returned onto entire after 12 m height.

Stand structure and carbon storage of Bukit Lawang’s tropical rain forest of Gunung Leuser National Park

Deforestation and forest degradation are the main contributors to climate change. Changes in the structure and composition of forests affect the value of biomass and carbon storages. Bukit Lawang’s tropical rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park which has great potential is not only a habitat for key species, namely the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) but also has other biodiversity values. This study aimed to determine the vegetation structure and to estimate the value of standing carbon storage of the forest. The vegetation structure was analyzed by the line transect method and the estimation of biomass and carbon storage values was carried out using an allometric model. Distribution of diameter classes is dominated by trees in the 30-50 cm diameter class, with B strata dominated by Aglaia tomentosa tree species. The value of standing biomass is 523.2-562.2 t/ha, carbon storage is 261.6-281.1 t C/ha and the amount of CO2 gas absorbed is 960.0-1,031.6 t CO2/ha. The results indicate that it is necessary to do better forest management ecosystems in Bukit Lawang to improve and maintain the ecological and economic functions of these ecosystems in order to support the implementation of REDD + in efforts to mitigate climate change in Indonesia.

The Economy of Communities around Forest Area in Dairi Regency

The aim of the study is to find out the economy of communities around forest area in Dairi Regency. The result of the study shows that The direction of utilization of the Dairi Regency forest area that can be developed to improve the community's economy through social forestry permits in each function of protected forest area of ± 20,138.70 ha. The area of limited production forest that can be utilized is ± 14,068.86 ha. The area of production forest is ± 4,974.84 ha. The area of conservation forest of Gunung Leuser National Park which will be utilized ± 86.24 ha is located in Tanah Pinem District. The area of conservation forest of Sicike-Cike Nature Tourism Park which will be utilized ± 0.16 ha is located in Sitinjo District. The area covered by water in the forest area that can be utilized is ± 127.31 ha. The total area of forest area to be utilized based on the function of the area and its area is ± 39,396.10 ha.

Diversity of medicinal plants in Batu Katak Village, Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia

In this study there were 33 types of medicinal plants utilized by people of Batu Katak Village that were directly bordered to the Gunung Leuser National Park. These medicinal plants can be found on community cultivation lands and forests of Gunung Leuser National Park. This research method was carried out with an inventory of types of medicinal plants and interviews with the community to find out the benefits and part plant medicinal plants used by Batu Katak Village community. Batu Katak community makes use of plants root, rhizome, stem, bark and leaves all parts of the plants as medicine. The most widely used part is the leaves (75%), as much as 25 % used part are rhizome, root, stem and bark. The majority of the people of Batu Katak Village are ethnic Karo. Karo ethnicity itself has local knowledge in using medicinal plants that have been passed down for generations.

Ethnopharmacology and chemical screening of piper from ketambe research station, Gunung Leuser National Park, Southeast Aceh

Throughout human history, people used various materials from nature to cure their illnesses and improve their health. Substances were derived from flora, fauna and mineral sources located in people’s immediate surroundings but also remote areas. Still, there is very little information on ethnopharmacology and publications about plants from Piper, especially those from around Ketambe. The research was done by exploration method, direct observation and interview, followed by laboratory analysis and literature study. Phytochemical screening was performed by the Ciuley Method. In this exploration, there were seven species of Piper. The results of interviews with indigenous elders obtained information that the seven Piper species can be used to cure different diseases. From phytochemical screening, it was found that the seven Piper species studied contained sterols & triterpenoids, carotenoids, tannins, cumarin derivatives, polyuranide, steroid glycosides but did not contain fat & high fatty acids, emodols/anthracids and coumarins.

Spatial model of the Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) prey habitat suitability index in Besitang

The Besitang forest landscape is a habitat for Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) which is one of the key species in Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP). Deforestation and degradation have caused forest fragmentation so that Sumatran tigers habitat becomes narrow. As the first step in modelling the suitability of Sumatran tiger habitat, it is then knowing the distribution of Sumatran tiger prey needs to be done. The objective of this study was to get information about the suitability distribution of Sumatran tigers’ prey based on biophysic and social factors in Besitang. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method is used to select and weight the factors that are thought to influence the distribution of Sumatran tiger prey. Overlay analysis of the factors that influence the habitat suitability is done using Geographic Information System (GIS). The results showed that the index value of habitat suitability of Sumatran tigers’ prey has a range of values from 0 to 1. Areas that have values getting closer to number 1 indicate the area is more suitable for the habitat of Sumatran tiger prey.

Change vegetation density analysis of Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) habitat in Bukit Lawang and Sub-district of Bahorok

Gunung Leuser National Park forest in Bukit Lawang section is the main habitat of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) in Sub-district of Bahorok. The condition of wildlife habitat in the region has been fragmented by various human activities which is the major threat to the wildlife survival including Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii). This study was conducted by overlaid some spatial data of the year 2008 and 2018 to obtain data of vegetation density changes and the range of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in Section of Bukit Lawang and District of Bahorok. Vegetation analysis was carried out in forest, rubber plantation and mix plantation in District of Bahorok as supporting data. The purposes of this study are to Get vegetation density value and analysing the changes of vegetation density of Sumatran Orangutan (P. abelii) habitat in Bukit Lawang and Sub-district of Bahorok year of 2018. The research shows that the largest vegetation density changes was decreased of high dense class which is 47,040.02 hectare or 49.9%. The largest increased was occurred in the highest dense of 43, 304.1 hectare or 46.05%.

Relationship of Dipterocarpaceae in Ketambe Research Station, Gunung Leuser National Park based on morphological diversity of vegetative organs

This study examines the relationship of Dipterocarpaceae in Ketambe Research Station Gunung Leuser National Park. This is based on the study of morphological diversity of vegetative organs which was carried out in July 2015 to June 2016 (one year). Quadrat sampling technique and purposive sampling technique methods were employed in this research and the data was analyzed using R2.10.0 program. Morphology identification and preservation of samples were done at Acehnese Herbarium, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University. The results showed that there were five Dipterocarpaceae species in Ketambe Research Station which are Hopea dryobalanoides, Shorea parvifolia, Shorea lepidota, Shorea johorensis, and Parashorea lucida. These five species were grouped into three clusters, the first clusters consisted of Hopea dryobalanoides, the second cluster consisted of Parashorea lucida, and the third cluster consisted of Shorea johorensis, Shorea parvifolia, and Shorea lepidota. The closest relationship was Shorea parvifolia and Shorea lepidota with a distance of 3.464102. The furthest relationship was Hopea dryobalanoides and Parashorea lucida with a distance of 6.633250.

Species composition and plant diversity of logged-over forest in Sikundur, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra

Sikundur forest area is located at Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), in Aras Napal, Langkat, North Sumatra Province, representing mixture forest of lowland Dipterocarpaceae. Two 0.5 ha permanent plots of 50 x 100 m were established at twenty-two years old logged-over Sikundur Forest and located subjectively according to topography and river bank. This dryland forest was logged for the first cycle in 1978 by forest concession right. This study aimed to identify the species composition and to determine the diversity index of plants after 22 years logged over area. The results showed that significant tribes were Dipterocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Myrtaceae which are the richest family in two permanent plots. The horizontal structure of forest indicated that the diversity index of Dipterocarpaceae in two plots tended to be centered, showing the high value of diversity index of Dipterocarpaceae family. The present study suggested the periodic activities on natural regeneration, and the measurement of the dynamics stock plant are highly recommended.

The nutritional content of some fruits as feeding sources of Sumatran orangutans

Orangutans are classified as frugivore that most of their feeding sources come from fruits. Bukit Lawang forest (BLF) as part of Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP) is known as the first center for orangutan rehabilitation (COR) established in 1973 and then closed in 1991. To date, the BLF is the orangutan viewing center (OVC). This study aimed to assess the nutritional content of some fruits feed by Sumatran orangutan (SOU) in BLF and to determine the energy adequacy from fruits eaten by SOU. The nutritional content was analyzed by proximate method. There were nine fruits from different tree species as SOU food sources analyzed in this study. According to the nutritional content, the best fruit for orangutan feed was P. lateriflora which the highest content of the fruit was water content (62.13%), followed by carbohydrate (23.81%), protein (13.72%), ash (0.21%) and fat (0.10%). This study indicated that the nutritional requirements of SOU at the BLF were categorized as sufficient. Therefore, no additional feed is needed for SOU in the area, and feeding time session can be eliminated in the OVC Bukit Lawang of GLNP.

Isolation and identification of decomposer fungi from Macaranga indica and Hibiscus macrophyllus leaf litter from restoration area of Gunung Leuser National Park

Leaves mostly litter on the forest floor. The process of leaf litter decomposition involves the role of microorganisms such as fungi. The study aimed to isolating and identifying the fungi of Macaranga indica and Hibiscus macrophyllus leaf litter. The leaf litter was taken under the stand of Macaranga indica and Hibiscus macrophyllus in the restoration area of Gunung Leuser National Park Sei Betung Resort North Sumatra. Fungi were isolated using the direct plating methods with Potato Dextrose Agar medium. The purified fungi were then identified morphologically to the genus level. Morphological identification carried out by looking at the macroscopic and microscopic features of fungi. There were six isolates from Macaranga indica leaf litter and eight isolates from Hibiscus macrophyllus leaf litter. The result shows that there are five genera of fungi consisting of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Trichoderma, and Cladosporium.

Biologi Sarang Rayap Subfamili Nasutitermitinae di Stasiun Penelitian Suaq Balimbing Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser

A study had been carried out from May 2017 to February 2018 at Suaq Balimbing Research Center, Gunung Leuser National Park to determine the biology of termite nests of Nasutitermitinae subfamily. The termites were collected with Finding Colony method, while the identification of the termite types and data analysis was conducted in Zoology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University. The results found 3 types of termite nests, i.e., (1) arboreal mounds type (N. roboratus, N. matangensis, H. bicolor and N. neoparvus) as an attempt to disguise themselves and protect their colonies from predators; (2) wood nesting type (N. havilandi, N. proatripennis, H. hospitalis, B. neopusillus, L. leucops, and Aciculitermes sp.1) that is built using drywood to form ventilation space between nests, so the nests become sturdier; and (3) subterraneannest type (L. longipes) that has a stronger construction than arborealmounds and wood nesting since it is made of soil attached by saliva liquid. Shapes of termite nest found namely a rounded shape, a cone shape, a shape that fills in hollow trees, a shape that forms a mound on the ground, and rectangular shape. Some of the termites activities were searching for food outside the nest, consuming remaining food in the nest, and making an attack. The identification results showed that there were 18 termites species from 6 genera of Nasutitermitinae subfamily namely Nasutitermes, Hospitalitermes, Leucopitermes, Longipeditermes, Bulbitermes and Aciculitermes.