POLA SEBARAN ANAKAN SANINTEN (Castanopsis argentea) DI TAMAN NASIONAL GUNUNG CIREMAI

Abstract

Abstract

Saninten (Castanopsis argentea) is a tree species of the family Fagaceae and is endemic to Indonesia, currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to anthropogenic pressures such as deforestation, land conversion, and overharvesting of fruits and timber. Natural regeneration studies are essential as a first step in understanding the population dynamics of this species. This study aimed to determine the distribution pattern of saninten seedlings and saplings in the Kimaung block of Mount Ciremai National Park (TNGC). Data were collected using the Gentry method with three parallel transect lines (1,000 m long, 500 m apart), each containing 20 sampling plots of 2 × 50 m, totaling 60 plots, combined with observation of the physical habitat conditions. The distribution pattern was analyzed using the standardized Morishita Index (Ip). The results showed 20 seedling individuals distributed across 9 plots and 5 sapling individuals across 2 plots, with standardized Morishita Index values of 0.03 for seedlings and 0.04 for saplings, both indicating a clumped distribution pattern. Saninten regeneration was found on steep, slightly rocky slopes at elevations of 1,400–1,653 m asl, with air temperatures of 17–20°C and relative humidity of 70–75%, generally close to parent trees. These findings confirm that the clumped pattern is driven by limited seed dispersal around maternal trees and heterogeneous microhabitat conditions, underscoring the need to protect mature seed-source trees, maintain seed-disperser fauna, and conduct periodic regeneration monitoring as a basis for in-situ conservation strategies for this endangered species in TNGC.