Population And Microhabitat Of Gonystylus Bancanus (Miq.) Kurz. In Danau Pulau Besar-Danau Bawah Wildlife Sanctuary, Sumatra

Ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) is one of the major timber species facing high exploitation in Indonesia. This species can only be found on peat swamp habitat, leading to its limited distribution. Information on the current population and microhabitat characteristics is relatively limited. Here we investigated the natural population and microhabitat of the ramin species in peat swamp area in Riau Province using random transects consisting of a total of 46 sampling plots (100 m2 each). Forty six individuals were found. The estimated population density of this species in this area was 7.18±2.75 individuals/ha. The population structure of the ramin showed a J-shaped curve bearing many large old trees with only few saplings and even without seedlings. The microhabitat was investigated using the Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) and Canonical Analysis, generating two significant variables that discriminated three groups of the population. Buletin Kebun Raya Vol.16 No.1 Hal. 27-36 ISSN 0125-961X