AUTEKOLOGI BEGONIA DI SEBAGIAN KAWASAN TAMAN NASIONAL MANUSELA, MALUKU

Abstract

The ecological aspects of Begonia were observed at National Park Manusela in September 2010. This research is aimed to obtain information on the autecology of Begonia in its natural habitat and low layer plants surrounding Begonia. Purposive sampling technique was used for collecting data through the establishment of 1 m x 1 m plots for vegetation observation. Begonias were found to grow in a wide range of habitat elevation from lowland to highland ranges from19 to 1,289 m asl. They grow on flat plain to steep slope of 10-80% and with soil pH ranges from 5.8 to 6.2 with relative humidity ranges from 60–100%. It is hoped that this study results will contribute significantly to ex-situ conservation of Begonia particularly through the availability of comprehensive ecological data that is essential for its survival and propagation. Combined of environmental variables are more influential on the species composition of the pH, rH (humidity) and light intensity of 0.246 while the pH and light intensity of 0.241. Begonia species mostly found in absolute humidity (100%)as many as six types. A total of 10 species of Begonia can be found at an altitude of 0-500 m asl. While five species at an of altitude 501-1,000 m asl. and four species at an altitude of 1,001-1,500 m asl. Keywords : Begonia, autecology, propagation, National Park, Manusela, Maluku