Flora and Fauna Diversity at Prof. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo Conservation Area ARSARI (AK – PSD ARSARI)
Prof. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo Conservation Area ARSARI (AK – PSD ARSARI) is a 2,400 ha forest located within the palm oil plantation area of PT. TIDAR KERINCI AGUNG (PT. TKA). This forest is deliberately not planted with palm oil with the aim of conserving the environment. AK – PSD ARSARI is brimming with nature and well conserved, supporting various types of flora and fauna that live within it.
Vegetation found in AK – PSD ARSARI is quite diverse. They consist of trees, shrubs and herbs. The types of trees found in AK – PSD ARSARI are Kasai (Pometia pinnata), Meranti Lempung (Shorea parvifolia), Meranti (Shorea sp.), Sialang (Koompassia excelsa), Mempisang (Xylopia spp.), Medang Rawa (Dehaasia spp), Balam (Palaquium spp), Ara (Ficus spp). Some of the trees play a role as a food source for animals in AK – PSD ARSARI, such as birds and primates to fig trees (Ficus spp). In addition, AK – PSD ARSARI also has a 50 years old banyan tree with a diameter of ± 5 m. This tree provides a micro habitat for animals such as ants, spiders, and other small insects. There is still minimal data on plant species in AK – PSD ARSARI, so it is necessary to carry out further studies to properly record the many types of flora in the forest.
