Keragaman Jenis Tumbuhan Bawah di Arboretum Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) Kwala Bekala

Abstract

Understory plants are vegetation that occupies the lower layer of a tree community. Understory plants have the ability to hold surface flow, thus reducing erosion rates. Understory plants provide organic matter, creating a good microclimate for decomposing insects. Identification of understory plants in various land covers needs to be done as a reference in determining appropriate understory plant conservation efforts in the future, one of which needs to be done in the USU arboretum. This study aims to identify understory plant species, analyze the diversity of understory plant species, and analyze the distribution pattern of understory plants. The data sources in this study are secondary data and primary data, and the method used is a census. The data obtained were analyzed using vegetation analysis and association analysis. The results showed that there were 67 understory plant species from 33 families with a total of 682,920 individuals. Leersia virginica was the most commonly found species with 220,872 individuals (%). Meanwhile, the least number of understory plants was Solanum torvum with only one individual (%). The highest INP was obtained from the Leersia virginica species, which was 33.83%. All understory plant species found have the potential for medicinal and ornamental plant utilization. For the level of threat to understory plant species in the Arboretum, the majority of understory plant species found have an LC (Least concern) status or are not too risky, which is 0.32%.