Population estimation of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus novaeguineae) and tree vegetation diversity at wildlife reserve of Mamberamo Foja, Papua, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Suharno, Kadir A, Sembiring E, Masiki AD, Mubarak T, Lessil N, Ratnawati LD, Idris D, Imbenai JG. 2021. Population estimation of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus novaeguineae) and tree vegetation diversity at wildlife reserve of Mamberamo Foja, Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2928-2936. The structure and composition of vegetation in the conservation area have a major influence on the existence of other flora and fauna, including freshwater crocodiles (C. novaeguineae). Wildlife Reserve of Mamberamo Foja (WRMF) is a conservation area in Papua that aims to protect the habitat and existence of freshwater crocodiles. The purpose of this study was to estimate the number of freshwater crocodile populations and tree species diversity in the WRMF, Papua. The method used was a field survey. The crocodile survey was carried out using the spotlight night count method. Tree species diversity was assessed using the line-transect plot method in 6 different locations representing the Upper, Central, and Lower Mamberamo. The results of the investigation showed that the freshwater crocodile population in the WRMF was around 0.3-19.7 individuals per kilometer. The population of this freshwater crocodile was very high, with an average of 4.5 individuals per 1-kilometer distance. The highest population numbers were found in the upstream Mamberamo River area 6.22 ind./km, followed by the central Mamberamo (2.21 ind./km) and downstream Mamberamo area (2.05 ind./km). Crocodiles were found in the Mamberamo River and other river systems, such as swamps and lakes. The tree vegetation in this area is still relatively good, and there are 112 species, dominated by the Moraceae, Burseraceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Lauraceae, Dipterocarpaceae, and Euphorbiaceae families. The results of this study are important as a basis for determining the conservation policy for freshwater crocodiles that have limited distribution.

Diversity, composition and important tree species for Cenderawasih bird activities in Rhepang Muaif ecotourism forest, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia

“…The familes with the lowest number of species included Callophyllaceae, Dilleniaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Gnetaceae, Meliaceae, Ochnaceae, Pandanaceae, and Phylanthaceae (Figure 2). According to Suharno et al (2021), Suharno and Kadir (2021) Moraceae, Burseraceae, Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae are among the families with a higher number of species than other groups in the Pagai and Dabra Sub-district which is part of the same area in the lowlands in north of Papua.…”

“…Beside I. bijuga, P. pinnata and Ficus spp. are species that have a wide distribution in the lowlands of Papua (Suharno et al 2021). The importance of plants in a community is related to the composition of the species, habitus and structure of the vegetation.…”

“…Among various forest types in the world, tropical rain forests are the most complex ecosystems with a wide variety of habitats and a great number of species (Aluri 2013). Indonesia harbors a large extent of tropical forest due to its position near the equator and has great contribution to the biodiversity of the world (Suharno et al 2021). Beside the large number of species diversity, Indonesia is also home to a diverse range of endemic and rare flora and fauna (Henri et al 2017;von Rintelen et al 2017;Suharno et al 2021).…”