Abstract. Murdjoko A, Jitmau MM, Djitmau DA, Siburian RHS, Ungirwalu A, Wanma AO, Mardiyadi Z, Rumatora A, Mofu WY, Sineri AS, Fatem SM, Worabai D, May NL, Tokede MJ, Warmetan H, Wanggai CB, Wanma JF, Sirami EV, Paembonan JB, Unenor E, Kuswandi R, Lekitoo K, Khayati L, Benu NMH, Tambing J, Saragih ASB. 2020. Heterospecific and conspecific associations of trees in lowland tropical forest of New Guinea. Biodiversitas 21: 4405-4418. The vegetation in the tropical rainforest of New Guinea consists of a large number of species that interact with each other within and among species. While several studies have attempted to reveal the diversity of flora of New Guinea, little is known about plant communities that develop associations. This study aimed to investigate the associations of tree species in lowland tropical forest in New Guinea. The associations depicted in this study were in the form of conspecific associations (among small and large individuals within same species) and heterospecific (among individuals of different species and divided into under and upper story). We established 48 rectangular plots created in Murkim and Teiraplu as part of Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua Province. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to analyze heterospecific and conspecific associations. The results showed that the understory and upper story vegetation had different patterns of heterospecific association. The understory configured three heterospecific associations, consisting of 5, 13, and 90 species, while the upper story formed four heterospecific associations with 4, 8, 11, and 63 species. The analysis of conspecific associations showed of 149 tree species recorded in the study sites, only 66 species that had both small and large individuals, displaying the pattern of conspecific association. Among them, 41 species had positive associations while 25 species had negative associations. Our findings enrich the knowledge in theoretical ecology of tropical forests, especially in New Guinea.

Trees are significant components of ecosystems built by several widespread species. For instance, Papua forest is known to comprise abiotic and biotic elements. Also, certain plants have grown in popularity to a point where they are discovered almost everywhere. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate tree diversity, distribution, and the importance of conservation. Data were collected in four locations using a total of 24 sample plots spread across Idoor, Karst, Persemaian, and Torembi, where seven, four, seven, and five plots were allocated, respectively. These forests formed a mixed natural plantation comprising 76 species from 35 families. Furthermore, Idoor and Karst generated the highest species diversity and varied significantly compared to Persemaian, while Torembi showed similarities with the other three locations. This condition formed three ecosystem communities across Persemaian, Karst, Idoor, and Torembi. Also, the composition of the dominant species showed variations at the seedling and sapling levels believed to structure the understory, while the pole and tree levels characterized the overstory. The total species status was described as critically endangered (CR) of two species, vulnerable (VU) of six species, least concern (LC) of 28 species, and data deficient (DD) species. Therefore, location management is advised to not only pay significant attention in terms of economic benefits but also ecological, including the provisions for ex-situ and in-situ conservation to support sustainable forest management.

The biotic factors in tropical lowland forests, especially vegetation, are essential for the sustainable management of forest products. The study aimed to investigate the species richness and diversity of trees in Buah Hitam habitats, and study the tree communities formed by tree species by collecting the data from the habitats of Buah Hitam in Wondama Bay, West Papua, Indonesia viz. primary forest, secondary, and the garden with plots 9, 9, and 8 respectively. The species richness and diversity were higher in the primary forest than that in the secondary and garden. Tree communities indicated that the primary forest differed from the secondary and garden. The habitat types have been shaped as a result of anthropogenic activities for decades. This finding is necessary to set the consensual programs by the government and local people particularly in conservation and sustainable management for the three habitats.

Abstract. Murdjoko A, Djitmau DA, Sirami EV, Siburian RHS, Ungirwalu A, Mardiyadi Z, Wanma JF, Mofu WY, Marwa J, Susanti CME, Tokede MJ, Imburi CS, Sagrim M, Mamboai H, Sonbait LY, Dwiranti F, Salosa YY, Paembonan JB, Wiradyo ET, Unenor E, Benu NMH, Saragih ASB. 2021. Tree species diversity of Pegunungan Bintang, Papua, Indonesia as potency of wood supply. Biodiversitas 22: 5645-5655. The tropical rainforest is a primary global concern in many aspects. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the tree diversity in Pegunungan Bintang Forest, Papua, Indonesia. There are 10 dominant species from seedlings, saplings, poles, and trees, indicating the timber production potency. This study set systematic plots in Murkim and Teiraplu Sub-districts to collect taxonomic information, diameter, and clear bole height samples. The results showed that the forest was categorized as a tropical mixed due to diverse tree species. The leading plant families included Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, and Anacardiaceae, with various seedlings, saplings, poles, and trees. The potency of timber was reflected through sample distribution using the reverse J-shaped curve, identifying the merchantable trees with larger and smaller diameters as re-established. However, timber utilization management requires silvicultural treatments using selective logging by diameter limit and logging cycle for forest sustainability.

Abstract. Fatem SM, Djitmau DA, Ungirwalu A, Wanma AO, Simbiak VI, Benu NMH, Tambing J, Murdjoko A. 2020. Species diversity, composition, and heterospecific associations of trees in three altitudinal gradients in Bird's Head Peninsula, Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3596-3605.  The region of Bird's Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia has a high level of vegetation diversity distributed from coastal to mountain areas. Yet, the information regarding this diversity is limited. We studied species diversity, composition, and heterospecific association of trees in three altitudinal gradients in Bird's Head Peninsula to reveal the biotic phenomenon in the region. Systematic random sampling was applied during data collection in three locations representing lower, middle, and upper altitudes of natural tropical forest. We applied diversity indices to investigate taxonomic diversity, importance value index (IVI) to reveal floristic composition and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) for heterospecific associations. In total, we recorded 30 families, 44 genera, and 66 species in the three locations. There were 20 families in lower area and each 15 families in middle and upper areas while the genera per site were 29 in lower, 20 in the middle, and 18 in the upper. The number of species found in lower, middle, and upper areas was 35 species, 24 species, and 27 species respectively. The research revealed that the taxonomic diversity of trees generally decreases as the elevation increases in terms of family, genera, and species level. The dominant species was also different across elevation gradients in which the dominant tree had a different pattern in the three locations between understory and upperstory. Moreover, the gradient of elevation has shaped the type of tree communities, suggesting interactions and associations among tree species. Of all species recorded, 26 species were listed in IUCN Red List with two species were under data deficient, 20 species were least concern, three species were near threatened, and one species was vulnerable.

Abstract. Sonbait LY, Manik H, Warmetan H, Wambrauw YLD, Sagrim M, Djitmau DA, Wanggai J, Rettob BB, Murdjoko A. 2021. The natural resource management to support tourism: A traditional knowledge approach in Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve, West Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4466-4474. Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve (PANR) is administratively located in three districts of West Papua, namely Manokwari, Manokwari Selatan, and Pegunungan Arfak that has diversity of protected flora and fauna. Therefore, it is crucial to study the local products for the development of ecotourism models based on local wisdom in supporting the potential economy of communities in the Pegunungan Arfak reserve. The data were obtained from direct interviews with communities around the nature reserve area through related government agencies in Manokwari District. The finding of this research highlighted that local people in Pegunungan Arfak (the Hatam-Moile sub-tribe) still use traditional knowledge for their livelihood. Most of the activities were the utilization of natural resources such as flora and fauna. They understand how to manage the natural resource to earn economic benefit along with the implementation of their traditional concept to promote the sustainability of nature. The biodiversity and social-cultural richness of local people in Pegunungan Arfak have value to be developed together with traditional ecological knowledge in sustainable nature management where local people earn benefits and nature is conserved simultaneously.

Papuan forests have been subjected to shifting cultivation for centuries by indigenous people affecting the ecological processes therein; during secondary succession, fallow forests recover naturally. However, the information on ecological succession after swidden practices remains poorly understood in Papuan lowland forests. This study aimed to examine the plant species richness and density of different plant lifeforms in fallows of increasing time after slash-and-burn cultivation along with basic edaphic factors. We performed data collection in the northern part of the lowland evergreen tropical forest near Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia. The sampling consisted of 26 plots distributed in the primary forest (n = 6) and in secondary/fallow forests 2-, 4-, 7-, and 9-years after cultivation (n = 5 for each age class). The plant community in primary forest clearly differed from the secondary forests. The plant species richness was about twice as high in primary compared to secondary forests. The density of trees and shrubs increased during succession whereas that of lianas declined. The soil fertility declined in secondary forests, although soil organic matter was greatest two years after swidden and then decreased gradually over time. This research underlined that indigenous swidden practices alter ecological conditions and that secondary forests will take a long time to fully recover to resemble primary forest. Hence, the monitoring of vegetation during the process is necessary to inform conservation programs.

Indonesia, particularly the island of Java, is dominated by a number of Shorea tree species (Dipterocarpaceae). Trees of the genus have been utilized for various practices, and they play a fundamental role in managing the stability of tropical forests. This study was carried out to understand the relationships between biomass and microfibril angle in Shorea spp. growing in West Java, where Shorea spp., are abundant. A total of 35 young trees belonging to 5 species were studied. The average age of these trees was 9 years, but in general there was a wide variation in tree diameter and total height. On average, biomass was the highest in S. leprosura and the lowest in S. palembanica. The lowest average microfibril angles (MFAs) were found in S. leprosura and S. mecistopteryx. The regression relationship between biomass and diameter was strong with an R2 value of 0.85, while the strength of the relationship between MFA and diameter was weaker (R2 = 0.195). In general, the MFA degree decreased with increased biomass accumulation Shorea species, which affects tree resistance to environmental variables and competitiveness in Indonesian tropical forests.