Jumlah Minimum Individu Terdeteksi dan Persebaran Titik Deteksi Komodo (Varanus komodoensis) di Cagar Alam Riung dan Pulau Ontoloe, Nusa Tenggara Timur

Gabriel Caesar Prastiwo, Dr. drh. Subeno, M.Sc.

2026 | Skripsi | KEHUTANAN

Komodo (Varanus komodoensis) merupakan satwa endemik berstatus Endangered menurut IUCN. Selain di Taman Nasional Komodo, satwa ini juga ditemukan di Cagar Alam Riung dan Pulau Ontoloe. Namun, informasi keberadaannya masih terbatas; data Pulau Ontoloe belum diperbarui sejak 2018 dan Cagar Alam Riung belum memiliki data resmi. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi jumlah minimum individu terdeteksi, menganalisis konsentrasi titik deteksi, dan mendeskripsikan karakteristik habitat di kedua kawasan tersebut.

Penelitian menggunakan metode line transect, camera trap, dan pengamatan habitat. Deteksi keberadaan satwa memiliki keterbatasan karena didasarkan pada kombinasi bukti perjumpaan langsung dan tanda tidak langsung. Konsentrasi titik deteksi dianalisis menggunakan Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), sedangkan area minimum yang mencakup seluruh titik deteksi dianalisis menggunakan Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP). Karakteristik habitat dideskripsikan berdasarkan vegetasi, tutupan tajuk, kerapatan semak, ketinggian, kelerengan, iklim mikro, dan jarak terhadap badan air.

Hasil penelitian mendokumentasikan jumlah minimum terkonfirmasi sebanyak 3 individu di Cagar Alam Riung dan 2 individu di Pulau Ontoloe, serta 1 individu yang teramati sedang menyebrang di Selat Pangkelat menuju Pulau Ontoloe. Analisis KDE mengidentifikasi konsentrasi titik deteksi pada transek ke-8 di Cagar Alam Riung dan transek ke-9B di Pulau Ontoloe. Analisis MCP menunjukkan area minimum yang mencakup seluruh titik deteksi seluas 155,01 ha (Cagar Alam Riung) dan 81,57 ha (Pulau Ontoloe). Komodo tercatat berada pada habitat bertutupan tajuk rapat, bersuhu moderat, berkelembapan tinggi, dan dekat badan air. Temuan ini menyediakan data dasar deskriptif untuk mendukung pemantauan komodo di luar kawasan utamanya.

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is an Endangered species according to the IUCN. Besides Komodo National Park, it is found in Riung Nature Reserve and Ontoloe Island. However, information on its presence remains limited; Ontoloe Island's data have not been updated since 2018, and Riung Nature Reserve lacks official data. This study aimed to identify the minimum number of detected individuals, analyze the concentration of detection locations, and describe habitat characteristics in both areas.

The research utilized line transects, camera traps, and habitat observations. Detections were limited by relying on a combination of direct sightings and indirect signs. The concentration of detection locations was analyzed using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), while the minimum area encompassing all detection points was calculated using Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP). Habitat characteristics were described based on vegetation, canopy cover, shrub density, elevation, slope, microclimate, and distance to water bodies.

Results confirmed a minimum of 3 individuals in Riung Nature Reserve and 2 on Ontoloe Island. Additionally, one individual was observed crossing the Pangkelat Strait toward Ontoloe Island. KDE identified concentrations of detection locations at Transect 8 (Riung Nature Reserve) and Transect 9B (Ontoloe Island). MCP revealed a minimum area encompassing all detection points of 155.01 ha and 81.57 ha, respectively. Komodo dragons were recorded in habitats featuring dense canopy cover, moderate temperatures, high humidity, and proximity to water bodies. These findings provide descriptive baseline data supporting monitoring efforts outside its main habitat.

Kata Kunci : Varanus komodoensis , jumlah minimum individu , persebaran , habitat , Kernel Density Estimation , Minimum Convex Polygon