Vegetation Analysis Using the Square Transect Method in the Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center

Abstract

Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center is part of Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park and represents lower montane forest vegetation that is still relatively well preserved. This study aimed to describe the structure and composition of the plant community and relate it to soil edaphic conditions. A descriptive-quantitative approach was applied using the square transect method with random sampling on three transects equipped with nested plots of 20 × 20 m, 10 × 10 m, 5 × 5 m, and 2 × 2 m. All plant species found in the plots were recorded, and the number of individuals per species was used to calculate density, frequency, dominance, the Importance Value Index (IVI), as well as the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’), evenness (E), and species richness (R). A total of 36 species were recorded with a few dominant species, particularly Schima wallichii and Vernonia amygdalina, while most other species showed low IVI values. The H’, E, and R values indicate low diversity, evenness, and species richness, with a community dominated by a small number of adaptive species. Edaphic conditions characterized by sandy soils with near-neutral pH, relatively stable soil temperature, and decreasing soil moisture with depth help shape this dominance pattern. These findings provide baseline information on community structure and edaphic conditions to support vegetation management and conservation planning in the Bodogol area.

Keywords: Vegetation, Bodogol, Diversity, Index, Edaphic