Plant Species Diversity and Degree of Homogeneity after the 2010 Eruption of Mount Merapi, Indonesia

Abstract

The eruption in 2010 of Merapi Mount changed the diversity of plant species. The objective of this research was to investigat e the diversity of plant species on Mount Merapi National Park (MMNP). The sampling area was divided into three different levels of damage (heavy, medium, and minor). The research was conducted by using line-transect and quadrat method. The research was conducted by using line-transect and quadrat method. The research showed that Acacia decurrens has the highest Important Value Index (IVI) at the heavy damage area of Cangkringan Resort (CR) and Kemalang Resort (KR) as well as in minor damage area of Selo Resort (SR). The most important species at medium damage area of Dukun Resort (DR) were Albizia lopantha and Pinus merkusii. The pioneer species at Non-Cover Area (NCA) among others were Trema cannabina, Pityrogramma calomelanos, Imperata cylindrical, Buddleja asiatica, and Anaphalis javanica. Eupatorium riparium was the most important species of herb in all four locations based on SIMPER, but it was not dominant in NCA. The homogeneity of plant in Cangkringan Resort and Selo Resort (C < D < E) were normally dist ribut-ed, whereas NCA, DR, and KR (E ≥ D) were homogeneous. Analysis of non-metric multidimensional scaling and value of ANOSIM (RANOSIM = 0.69; p = 0.0001) demonstrated that all site locations have significance differences. This research was not only focusing on survey of vegetation diversity, but also frequency class distribution. Through this study of frequency of speci es provides a database for conservation biodiversity and restoration program.