Laju Dekomposisi Serasah Daun pada Kelas Kerapatan I dan II di Zona Rehabilitasi Taman Nasional Gunung Halimun Salak

One of the natural organic materials produced from plants is litter. The litter is returned to soil nutrient through a decomposition process that involves physical, chemical, and biological activities. Thus, decomposition plays an important role in the ecological cycle in forest ecosystems. This study aimed to obtain information on the influence of vegetation on the rate of decomposition and soil characteristics and provide information related to the influence of edaphic and climatic factors on the rate of decomposition. The activity was carried out in the rehabilitation zone of Mount Halimun Salak National Park. A litter decomposition experiment was carried out using litterbags placed on plots measuring 50×50 m at two different densities with a total of 14 observation plots. On each plot, 9 litterbags containing 150 g of leaf litter are placed. Observation are carried out once every 1 month for 3 months of obsevation by weighing the weight of decomposition litter. The results showed that the average rate of decomposition on the 30th day was 0.37 g/day (Class I) and 0.41 g/day (Class II) and continued to increase until the 90th day of 0.41 g/day (Class I) and 0.47 g/day (Class II). The rate of decomposition is affected by temperature, humidity, and light intensity, as well as the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. The rate of decomposition is determined by soil temperature, porosity, and soil pH, accelerated by soil organic matter content, soil C-organic as well as soil respiration. However, soil density hinders the rate of decomposition.