The use of undergrowth species on utilization zone of Mount Merapi National Park

Abstract

Suharti S. 2015. The use of undergrowth species on utilization zone of Mount Merapi National Park. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1411-1415. People’s dependency towards natural environment including forest is a manifestation of efforts to meet their needs. Commodity widely used by people surrounding forest is various undergrowth species found in the forest area. In Mount Merapi National Park (TNGM), undergrowth species got less attention because its utilization is considered still limited and some regarded it as a weed. This research aims to study the diversity of undergrowth species in utilization zone of TNGM and its use by surrounding village communities. To determine the distribution pattern and to identify undergrowth species, vegetation analysis (ANVEG) was done in nine plot observations with a size of 1 x 1 m2. Each plot was divided into 10 x 10 cm2 subplots and observed. To assess utilization of undergrowth species, interviews were conducted with 30 respondents purposively selected from the village of Umbulharjo and Glagahharjo. The results showed there were 23 undergrowth species found in the plot observations in TNGM utilization zone. Some residents around TNGM already used it for various purposes, such as for mix/additional fodder, fertilizer, traditional medicines, beverages, and cattle bedding. However, nowadays its utilization was limited only on several species i.e., ireng-ireng (Eupatorium riparium), kirinyuh (Chromolaena odorata), rumput eri (Chrysopogon aciculatus), tapak liman (Elephantopus mollis) and regedeg (Centella asiatica). Therefore, utilization of undergrowth species needed to be disseminated widely to surrounding community so as to utilize it optimally.