KONDISI IKLIM MIKRO DI TAMAN KEANEKARAGAMAN HAYATI MEKARSARI KABUPATEN SUKABUMI JAWA BARAT

Abstract

Biodiversity Park as green open space posses an ability to regulate microclimate resembling an urban forest, urban park, botanical garden and arboretum. The objectives of the study were to determine the vegetation and microclimate conditions in Mekarsari Biodiversity Park. The research measured temperature, humidity, comfort level, tree characteristics, and leaf area index in every five research plots i.e., outside parks, bamboo, fruits, water source, and jungle blocks. The research was conducted from May to June in Mekarsari Biodiversity Park. Data were analyzed by calculating daily temperature and humidity, thermal humidity index, threshold method, and simple linear regression analysis. The bamboo block holds the lowest temperature, highest humidity, and categorized as forest based on the value of LAI while the outer block has the opposite condition with LAI value classified as non-vegetated land. Regression test showed that the relation between LAI and temperature as well as relative humidity were not significant statistically as microclimate influenced by many factors, not solely LAI. The difference between those factors makes each block has a different microclimate condition. It is closely related to the structural characteristics of plants and the surrounding environment. Microclimate conditions in outer blocks hold the highest temperature. Therefore, the outer block prioritized to be planted. Further research should be conducted by adding more variables that exhibit a relation