Species Composition and Stand Structure in sub-montane Forest of Mount Galunggung, Tasikmalaya, West Java

Abstract

Mount Galunggung is an active stratovolcano in Tasikmalaya, West Jawa, which shows the last major eruption in 1982-1983. This eruption caused the changes in forest vegetation, so this study aims to analyze species composition and stand structure in Mount Galunggung forest. This study conducted using a combination between transect and line plot methods. Based on the findings, there are 58 species of trees and its regeneration belonging to 24 families and 63 species of understorey belonging to 21 families. The highest species number of trees and its regeneration comes from Theaceae (7 species), Lauraceae (7 species), Moraceae (5 species), and Myrtaceae family (4 species). Furthermore, the highest species number of understorey comes from Urticaceae (4 species), Rubiaceae (3 species), and Orchidaceae (3 species) family. The species composition of trees and its regeneration dominated by pioneer species such as Homalanthus populneus, Ficus spp., and Schima wallichii, and climax species such as Castanopsis javanica, C. tungurrut, and Macropanax dispermum. Besides that, understorey dominated by Begonia robusta, Pilea melastomoides, and Athyrium sorgonense. Diameter distribution of the trees forming inversed J-curve that was dominated by 10-20 cm diameter class. Stratification of the trees canopy dominated by C stratum (4-20 m).