Variasi Struktur Komunitas dan Densitas Biomassa Karbon di Hutan Sekunder Dataran Rendah Merauke, Papua Selatan

SYARIFA MAURA YANANDIA MACHDIANSYAH, Ir. Ni Putu Diana Mahayani, S.Hut., M.For., Ph.D.

2026 | Skripsi | KEHUTANAN

Hutan dataran rendah di Merauke, Papua Selatan, memiliki peranan ekologis yang penting dalam menjaga keanekaragaman hayati dan fungsi penyerapan karbon global. Namun, dinamika perubahan tutupan lahan serta aktivitas pemanfaatan hutan berpotensi memengaruhi struktur vegetasi dan cadangan karbon. Pendekatan Stok Karbon Tinggi (SKT) memungkinkan identifikasi kawasan yang memiliki stok karbon tinggi sehingga penting untuk perlindungan dan konservasi. Adanya hubungan yang erat antara keanekaragaman hayati dan simpanan karbon menjadikan penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk membandingkan struktur komunitas pohon dan densitas simpanan biomassa karbon di atas permukaan tanah antarkelas tutupan lahan SKT (Belukar/B, Hutan Regenerasi Muda/HRM, dan Hutan Kerapatan Rendah/HKR) di hutan sekunder dataran rendah Merauke.

Penentuan dan desain plot dilakukan sesuai Pendekatan SKT. Data yang diambil meliputi jumlah dan jenis pohon, serta diameter pohon. Penghitungan estimasi biomassa menggunakan persamaan alometrik dan analisis statistik berupa ANOVA satu arah dengan bantuan perangkat lunak R Studio untuk mengetahui perbedaan antarkelas tutupan lahan SKT.

Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan antarkelas pada struktur komunitas pohon dan densitas simpanan biomassa karbon di atas permukaan tanah. Belukar memiliki kerapatan pohon tertinggi, tetapi sebagian besar individunya berdiameter kecil sehingga memiliki LBDS terendah. HRM memiliki LBDS lebih tinggi dibandingkan B, sedangkan HKR memiliki LBDS tertinggi dan proporsi pohon berdiameter besar yang lebih tinggi. Rata-rata densitas karbon sebesar 32,5 ± 10,9 ton C/ha pada B, 79,0 ± 21,0 ton C/ha pada HRM, dan 159,8 ± 57,7 ton C/ha pada HKR. Perbedaan densitas karbon antarkelas lebih berkaitan dengan ukuran pohon dan struktur tegakan daripada dengan jumlah pohon maupun keanekaragaman jenis.

The lowland forests of Merauke, South Papua, play a crucial ecological role in preserving biodiversity and supporting global carbon sequestration. However, the dynamics of land-cover change and forest utilization activities have the potential to affect vegetation structure and carbon stocks. The High Carbon Stock (HCS) approach enables the identification of areas with high carbon stocks, making them critical for protection and conservation. Given the close relationship between biodiversity and carbon stocks, this study aims to compare tree community structure and above-ground biomass carbon density across HCS land cover classes (Scrub/S, Young Regenerating Forest/YRF, and Low-Density Forest/LDF) in the lowland secondary forests of Merauke.

Plot selection and design were conducted in accordance with the HCS approach. The data collected included the number and species of trees, as well as tree diameter. Biomass estimates were calculated using allometric equations and statistical analysis in the form of one-way ANOVA, with the assistance of R Studio software, to determine differences among HCS land cover classes.

The results of the study indicate that there are differences among the forest types in terms of tree community structure and above-ground biomass carbon density. Scrub has the highest tree density, but most of its individuals have small diameters, resulting in the lowest basal area. Young regenerating forest has a higher basal area than scrub, while low-density forest has the highest basal area and a higher proportion of large-diameter trees. The average carbon density was 32.5 ± 10.9 metric tons C/ha in the scrub, 79.0 ± 21.0 metric tons C/ha in the young regenerating forest, and 159.8 ± 57.7 metric tons C/ha in the low-density forest. Differences in carbon density among classes were more closely related to tree size and stand structure than to the number of trees or species diversity.

Kata Kunci : Stok Karbon Tinggi (SKT), kelas tutupan lahan, biomassa karbon, keanekaragaman; High Carbon Stock (HCS), land cover classes, carbon biomass, biodiversity.