Floristic composition and structure of Dipterocarps habitat in Dramaga Research Forest, Bogor, Indonesia

Abstract Dipterocarp species richness, floristic composition, and structure were studied in fifteen plots dispersed across 60 ha of Dramaga Research Forest in Bogor, Indonesia. The fifteen plots, each measuring 20m x 20m, evaluated all woody species in four growth stages (trees, poles, saplings, and seedlings) and the understory. This study aimed to determine the floristic composition, species diversity, community, and structural analysis that are important to provide necessary information on species richness and diversity in the study forest, and vegetation types that are useful for forest management purposes and help in understanding forest ecology and ecosystem functions. This research was conducted from February to June 2024. The site was conducted in the research forest, established in the 1950s, with the major species composition being Dipterocarps. This result showed 918 individuals from 48 species and 23 families. The top five families were Dipterocarpaceae, Meliaceae, Fabaceae, Arecaceae, and Calophyllaceae. Sapling’s growth stage showed the highest diversity levels (2.64) and richness (22.82) compared to other growth stages. All vegetation growth stages were recorded as having moderate diversity levels, meaning that the ecosystem conditions in the research forest tended to have moderate stability. This finding was similar to the conditions of dipterocarp forests in Southeast Asia, where the canopy layer of seasonal tropical rainforests is mostly composed of saplings to trees. The results also presented that fallen trees and unwanted ecotourism promote significant changes in the floristic and structural diversity in the different growth stages. The current composition and structure of the Dramaga research forest were similar to the original condition of the tropical dipterocarps forest habitat.