Keanekaragaman Jenis Herpetofauna di Kawasan Ekowisata Tangkahan Kecamatan Batang Serangan Kabupaten Langkat

Abstract

Ecotourism Tangkahan, located in Batang Serangan Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, holds a high level of biodiversity with various land cover types such as natural forests, rivers, and oil palm plantations. This study aims to identify and explore the diversity of herpetofauna across different land cover types in Ecotourism Tangkahan and to analyze the level of herpetofaunal diversity in the area. The research was conducted from August to September 2024 using the Line Transect and Visual Encounter Survey (VES) methods across three observation paths. The results recorded a total of 14 herpetofauna species, consisting of 8 amphibian species and 6 reptile species, with a total of 149 individuals distributed across the three land cover types. The highest diversity was found in natural forest areas, while the oil palm plantation had the lowest diversity and number of individuals. The dominant species was Fejervarya cancrivora, indicating its strong adaptability to various habitats. These findings highlight the importance of preserving natural habitats to support sustainable ecotourism activities and biodiversity conservation in the Tangkahan area.