Botanical Exploration and Conservation in Pasir Banteng and Pasir Pogor, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park

Cibodas Botanic Gardens (CBG) shall keep performing botanical exploration and ex situ conservation as part of the effort to rescue tropical montane rainforest plants, which tend to decrease in their natural habitat. Pasir Banteng and Pasir Pogor, Mount Gede Pangrango, were selected due to the potential threat and limited information on plants collected from these sites. The objectives of this study were to collect valuable plants, which have a conservation value and explore their potential usefulness. The study has begun by establishing a list of collectible plants. Then, the field activities were conducted by a plant collection explorative method along the hiking route, from 750 to 1,500 m asl, low-mid mountain as height as CBG, with no specific sampling point (found and collected). These plants have field treatment, were delivered to CBG, and would later be maintained in the garden. The study has obtained 31 species collected from Pasir Banteng and 20 species from Pasir Pogor. There were 35 families, with Orchidaceae being the most collectible. Some crucial findings were nine species included as least concern (LC) and a species as endangered (EN), based on their conservation status. At least six new species were identified as the garden enrichment of the CBG. In addition, at least fifteen species have potential utilization as construction materials, 29 species as ornamental plants, twelve species as medicinal plants, and some plants possessing multi-utilization. The results were significant in adding the collection’s richness and enhancing the conservation value of the plants conserved by CBG. It was also contributed to describing the plant species information of these sites. Keywords: botanical exploration, ex-situ, Pasir Banteng, Pasir Pogor, plant conservation

Effects of Strands Pre-treatment and Adhesive Type on the Properties of Oriented Strand Board Made from Gmelina (Gmelina arborea) Wood

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of steam treatment of strands on the physical and mechanical properties of oriented strand board (OSB) from gmelina wood (Gmelina arborea) bonded with two types of adhesive. Strands of gmelina wood were steamed at 126°C and pressure of 0.14 MPa for 1 h. OSBs were prepared with a 0.6 g/cm3 target density using two types of adhesives, namely methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins. The resin content used was 5% for MDI and 10% for PF. The physical and mechanical properties of the OSB were evaluated referring to the JIS A 5908-2003 standard, and the values were compared with CSA 0437.0 (Grade O-1) standard. The results showed that the steam treatment improved the dimensional stability of OSB, as shown from the decrease of water absorption and thickness swelling. Steam treatment also increased the mechanical properties of the OSB, such as modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bonding strength, and screw holding power. The results revealed that gmelina wood OSB bonded with MDI adhesives produced better OSB than bonded with PF resin. Keywords: gmelina, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, oriented strand board, phenol-formaldehyde, steam treatment

Woody Species Stand Structure and Regeneration Status in Long Jack (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) Habitat in Batang Lubu Sutam Forest, Padang Lawas, North Sumatra

Long jack (Eurycoma longifolia) is a medicinal plant that has become a common target for exploitation, leading to a population decline in natural forests. This study aimed to determine the stand structure and regeneration status of E. longifolia tree habitat in Batang Lubu Sutam Forest, Padang Lawas, North Sumatra. The research was performed through vegetation analysis using a purposive sampling technique with a randomized sample plot based on the presence of E. longifolia. A total of 181 plots were established in this study. The results showed that the horizontal structure of tree species in the research area had an inverted J-shape pattern, indicating that the number of trees decreased as the diameter increased. The vertical structure showed that all strata were found in the research location, dominated by stratum C. This condition indicated that the forest was in good condition. The regeneration status of 48 species in the location showed different categories. Thirty species (62.50%) were classified as good regeneration, ten species (18.75%) as new regeneration, and four species (8.30%) as poor and no regeneration. The high proportion of trees with good regeneration showed that the forest community could survive despite environmental or anthropogenic stress. Keywords: long jack (Eurycoma longifolia), regeneration, species composition, vegetation structure

Effects of Resin Content on the Characteristics of Bamboo Oriented Strand Board Prepared from Strands of Betung, Ampel, and Their Mixtures

The objectives of this research were to evaluate bamboo-oriented strand board (BOSB) characteristics made from betung (Dendrocalamus asper), ampel (Bambusa vulgaris), and their mixtures at two different contents (3% and 5%) of methylene diphenyl di-isocyanate (MDI) adhesives. The strands were steam-treated at 126°C for 1 h under the pressure of 0.14 MPa. Three-layered BOSBs with a target density of 0.7 g/cm3 were made with the size of 30 cm x 30 cm x 0.9 cm and a shelling ratio of 1:2:1 (face:core:back layers). The physical and mechanical properties of BOSB were evaluated following JIS A 5908 (2003) standard, and the results were compared with the CSA 0437.0 Grade O-1 standard. The results show that BOSB from the mixtures of betung and ampel bamboo strands has higher dimensional stability as shown by the decrease in water absorption and thickness swelling and higher mechanical properties than single BOSB. All BOSBs with 5% resin content have higher dimensional stability, MOE, and MOR than BOSB with 3% resin content. The physical and mechanical properties of all BOSB manufactured met the CSA 0437.0 Grade O-1 standard. This study proved that BOSBs from the mixture of betung and ampel strands have the potential to be developed due to having better physical and mechanical qualities than a single BOSB. Keywords: ampel (Bambusa vulgaris), bamboo oriented strand board, betung (Dendrocalamus asper), resin content, strand mixtures

Estimation of Tree Carbon Stocks in the Green Open Space of the Faculty of Forestry, Tanjungpura University

The presence of green open space containing vegetation in urban areas plays a vital role in absorbing and storing carbon in biomass. Tanjungpura University (Untan) Pontianak has a green open area in the New Building of the Faculty of Forestry. This study aimed to describe carbon reserves stored in biomass above ground level (vegetation) in green open areas around the New Building of Faculty of Forestry Untan Pontianak. Data were collected using an inventory survey by non-destructive sampling, which includes recording with fully enumerated data collection on the type and diameter of trees with a continuous line plot system. The data were then analyzed using allometric equations to obtain biomass values. The results found as many as 56 species of trees with a total of 558 individuals dominated by Litsea garciae and Hevea brasiliensis. The results showed the amount of carbon stored at the tree level of 59.06 tons/ha (76.18%), pole level of 13.94 tons/ha (17.99%), and sapling level of 4.52 tons/ha (5.83%), with an average carbon stock of 77.52 tons/ha. Thus, the green open area could store 148.53 tons of carbon in tree biomass. Although it is a small area, this peatland ecosystem could accumulate peat in organic soil and its vegetation and should be managed as peatland forests. Therefore, proper management is essential, and hydrology management is needed mainly due to its nature. Keywords: allometric equation, biomass, carbon stocks, green open space

Agarwood Tree Characteristics based on Different Growing Habitat and Ecophysiological Attributes in the Papuan Tropical Forests

Understanding tropical forest characteristics, including forest derivative products such as agarwood, is pivotal. This study focused on perceiving an ideal habitat of the lowland tropical forest ecosystem of West Papua for agarwood-producing tree species. In further, this study identified a close association of biotic and abiotic characteristics to underpin agarwood-producing tree growth. Six sites in three different locations were established to ascertain forest composition and the associated insects. Soil samples were collected to analyze their physical and chemical properties using the Kjeldahl, the Walky and Black, and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). In addition, temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity were measured. The results noticed two agarwood producing species, Gyrinops caudate and Aquilaria sp., found at an altitude of 400–402 masl in Manokwari, 200–300 masl in Teluk Wondama, and 167.7 masl in Teluk Bintuni. There were no significant differences in temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity. The soil cation exchange capacity was moderate in Manokwari, but it was low in Teluk Wondama and Teluk Bintuni. Total C-organic content in three research sites was classified as high. However, total N content in the three research sites was in the moderate category. The ideal habitat for agarwood in the West Papua forest is from the lowlands to the highlands. Environmental conditions that support the growth of agarwood are moderate temperature, high humidity, and moderate light intensity. Soil fertility also affected the natural growth of agarwood trees. Keywords: abiotic, agarwood association, lowland tropical forest, soil characteristics

Tree Health Assessment of Lauraceae Collections in Bogor Botanic Gardens using Forest Health Monitoring Method

Bogor Botanic Gardens (BBG) is an ex-situ plant conservation area with thousands of plant collections. The trees of the Lauraceae in BBG experienced the highest number of deaths among other families. However most of them were categorized as young planting years (0-15 years). A tree health monitoring in the Lauraceae needs to be conducted to provide an overview, trend, and value of the level of damage. Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) method was carried out on two plots consisting of 149 trees. FHM can identify the types and levels of damage through monitoring and recording a series of tree damage. The results showed that among 149 trees, with 103 healthy, 9 lightly damaged, 10 moderately damaged, 15 heavily damaged, and 12 dead. The damage was primarily found in the stem (63 trees), the crown branch (51 trees), and the roots (13 trees). The severity of the damage was mainly at a mild level (0-19%). The cause of the damage is discussed. Further observations and frequent monitoring of the health of the Lauraceae need to be conducted by management to reduce the number of dead collections of the family. Keywords: botanic gardens, Forest Health Monitoring, lauraceae, tree health

Effects of Planting Medium on the Propagation of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica L.) from Cuttings and Seeds

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) has a great potential to be cultivated as a fruit crop in North Sumatra. In order to cultivate loquat, the availability of high-quality seedlings is becoming an essential factor. This research was aimed to determine the response of loquat’s seed, stem, and shoot cutting on various types of medium. The seed, stem, and shoots cutting of loquat were collected from North Sumatra. Three types of medium, i.e., humus + roasted rice husk (1:1), raw rice husk + sand (1:1), and humus + raw rice husk (1:1), were used during the experiment in Cibodas Botanical Garden. The results show that the highest percentage of seed germination on the 10th week after the plantation was humus + roasted rice husk (91.18%) and followed by humus + raw rice husk (77.78%) and raw rice husk + sand (69.44%). The combination of humus + roasted rice husk gave a significant effect on plant high (9.178a cm), the number of leaves (5.51a), length of leaves (8.36a), and width of leaves (3.78a) on the 12th week after plantation. Moreover, there were no significant differences between shoot cutting and stem cutting propagation on parameters survival rate and the number of buds. Keywords: cutting, Eriobotrya japonica, planting medium, propagation, seed

A Decrease in Carbon Absorption Potential Due to Timber Harvesting in Natural Forest

Timber harvesting is an activity in producing wood to supply the lumber industry. However, timber harvesting brought consequences such as decreasing carbon sequestration potential of natural forests. This study aimed to determine the reduction in the potential for carbon sequestration due to timber harvesting in natural forests. Data were collected using non-destructive methods through stand inventory before felling for all tree species, cruising results report, and tree distribution maps. Biomass was calculated using the existing allometric, and carbon stocks were calculated using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change method. The results showed that there were 238 trees (65.29 m3) of stands in the study area (6 ha) based on stand inventory before felling. Potential biomass and carbon storage before trees felling were 16.12 ton ha-1 and 7.58 ton ha-1, respectively. Potential biomass and carbon storage after tree felling were 5.15 ton ha-1 and 2.42 ton ha-1, respectively. Carbon absorption before and after tree felling is 28.37 ton CO2eq ha-1 and 4.44 ton CO2eq ha-1, respectively. Carbon emissions during tree felling was 18.93 ton CO2eq ha-1 (81.00%). The application of environmentally friendly wood harvesting shall be carried out appropriately to minimize a decrease in carbon absorption from timber harvesting. Keywords: biomass, carbon emission, timber harvesting

Anti-Termites Properties of Liquid Smoke from Bintangur Wood

Wood and wood-based products are very vulnerable to termite attacks. One of the methods to control termite attacks is using chemical insecticide. However, the use of chemical insecticide is considered a negative effect on the environment. The aim of this research was to determine the anti-termite properties of liquid smoke against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren. The liquid smoke derived from bintangur wood pyrolysis at 370°C, 400°C, and 430°C was assessed as an anti-termite activity. Anti-termite activities against C. curvignathus were conducted by using liquid smoke with the concentration of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% (v/v). Simple linear regression was used to measure the effect of liquid smoke concentration against C. curvignathus. The results showed that the liquid smoke concentration of 6% and 8% at the three pyrolysis temperatures effectively controlled the subterranean termite's attack and resulted in 100% termites mortality. The chemical content of bintangur wood vinegar has contained phenol (1.23–1.65%) and acid (4.33–6.68%). Keywords: acid content, antitermitic activity, bintangur wood, phenol content, wood vinegar