Species Diversity Analysis

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 127 views

Inventory of Medicinal Plants in Protected Forests Kec. Ulu Pungkut, Kab. Mandailing Natal: A Case Study of Alahankae Village, Futument Agodang, and Intersection Many

Introduction

The world of medicinal plants is vast and diverse, with various species found in different parts of the world. In Indonesia, particularly in the Mandailing Natal Regency, there are numerous protected forests that harbor a wealth of medicinal plants. This study aims to inventory the medicinal plants found in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency, with a case study in three villages: Alahankae, Forestagodang, and Many Simpang. The research was conducted by Ardiansyah Muda Lubis under the academic supervision of Siti Latifah and Yunus Afifuddin.

Research Purposes

The primary objective of this study is to determine the types of medicinal plants that exist in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency. Specifically, the research aims to:

Identify the types of medicinal plants found in the study area
Determine the parts of the plants used for treatment
Analyze the diversity of species and the use of medicinal plants by the community around the protected forest

Methodology

The research was conducted using a combination of direct observation methods, sample plot taking, literature studies, and identification of plant species. The study area consisted of three villages: Alahankae, Forestagodang, and Many Simpang. The research team collected data on the types of medicinal plants found in the study area, including their parts used for treatment and the methods of preparation.

Main Findings

The research conducted in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency, resulted in the identification of 26 species of plants used as medicine. Of these, three species were classified as rare medicinal plants. The majority of medicinal plants used by the community have the form of herbs, with the most widely used parts being leaves. The general use of these medicinal plants is by consumption, and generally requires a cooking or destroying process before use.

Species Diversity Analysis

From the point of view of the diversity of species, medicinal plants in the Protected Forest area of Ulu Pungkut District are classified as moderate. The availability of medicinal plant species can be classified ranging from large amounts to rare. The uniformity index shows that the spread of medicinal plants in this area is almost evenly distributed, which indicates that the forest ecosystem supports good biodiversity.

Benefits of Research

The results of this study provide valuable insights on the wealth of medicinal plants in protected forests, which are not only beneficial for traditional medicine but also have the potential to develop herbal products. This knowledge is important for the conservation of medicinal plants and the development of policies that can support forest preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Conclusion

The inventory of medicinal plants in the protected forest of Ulu Pungkut District is an important first step in an effort to preserve and utilize existing natural resources, as well as providing benefits to the local community. Through this research, it is hoped that there will be more attention to the protection of medicinal plant species, as well as increasing public awareness of the importance of maintaining the balance of forest ecosystems.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The government and local authorities should take steps to conserve and protect the medicinal plant species found in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency.
The community around the protected forest should be educated on the importance of maintaining the balance of forest ecosystems and the conservation of medicinal plant species.
Further research should be conducted to identify new medicinal plant species and to develop herbal products from these plants.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study area was limited to three villages, and further research should be conducted to identify medicinal plant species in other areas of the protected forest.
The study only focused on the use of medicinal plants by the community around the protected forest, and further research should be conducted to identify the use of medicinal plants by other communities.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Identifying new medicinal plant species in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency.
Developing herbal products from the medicinal plant species found in the study area.
Conducting further research on the use of medicinal plants by other communities around the protected forest.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has provided valuable insights on the wealth of medicinal plants in protected forests, which are not only beneficial for traditional medicine but also have the potential to develop herbal products. The inventory of medicinal plants in the protected forest of Ulu Pungkut District is an important first step in an effort to preserve and utilize existing natural resources, as well as providing benefits to the local community.
Q&A: Inventory of Medicinal Plants in Protected Forests Kec. Ulu Pungkut, Kab. Mandailing Natal

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The primary objective of this study is to determine the types of medicinal plants that exist in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency. Specifically, the research aims to identify the types of medicinal plants found in the study area, determine the parts of the plants used for treatment, and analyze the diversity of species and the use of medicinal plants by the community around the protected forest.

Q: What methods were used in this study?

A: The research was conducted using a combination of direct observation methods, sample plot taking, literature studies, and identification of plant species. The study area consisted of three villages: Alahankae, Forestagodang, and Many Simpang.

Q: How many species of medicinal plants were identified in this study?

A: A total of 26 species of plants used as medicine were identified in this study. Of these, three species were classified as rare medicinal plants.

Q: What are the most widely used parts of the medicinal plants found in this study?

A: The most widely used parts of the medicinal plants found in this study are leaves.

Q: How are the medicinal plants used by the community around the protected forest?

A: The general use of these medicinal plants is by consumption, and generally requires a cooking or destroying process before use.

Q: What is the diversity of species of medicinal plants in the Protected Forest area of Ulu Pungkut District?

A: From the point of view of the diversity of species, medicinal plants in the Protected Forest area of Ulu Pungkut District are classified as moderate. The availability of medicinal plant species can be classified ranging from large amounts to rare.

Q: What are the benefits of this study?

A: The results of this study provide valuable insights on the wealth of medicinal plants in protected forests, which are not only beneficial for traditional medicine but also have the potential to develop herbal products. This knowledge is important for the conservation of medicinal plants and the development of policies that can support forest preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The government and local authorities should take steps to conserve and protect the medicinal plant species found in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency.
The community around the protected forest should be educated on the importance of maintaining the balance of forest ecosystems and the conservation of medicinal plant species.
Further research should be conducted to identify new medicinal plant species and to develop herbal products from these plants.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

The study area was limited to three villages, and further research should be conducted to identify medicinal plant species in other areas of the protected forest.
The study only focused on the use of medicinal plants by the community around the protected forest, and further research should be conducted to identify the use of medicinal plants by other communities.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on:

Identifying new medicinal plant species in the Protected Forest Areas in Ulu Pungkut District, Mandailing Natal Regency.
Developing herbal products from the medicinal plant species found in the study area.
Conducting further research on the use of medicinal plants by other communities around the protected forest.

Q: What is the conclusion of this study?

A: In conclusion, this study has provided valuable insights on the wealth of medicinal plants in protected forests, which are not only beneficial for traditional medicine but also have the potential to develop herbal products. The inventory of medicinal plants in the protected forest of Ulu Pungkut District is an important first step in an effort to preserve and utilize existing natural resources, as well as providing benefits to the local community.