Struktur Komunitas Tumbuhan Penutup Tanah di Taman Hutan Raya Ronggo Soerjo Cangar, Kabupaten Malang: Ground Cover Plant Community Structure in Ronggo Soerjo Grand Forest Park, Cangar, Malang Regency - Wiwin Maisyaroh (LP2M Universitas Islam Negeri Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember, 2009)
The degradation of conservation areas due to agricultural expansion and factory construction threatens the ecological function of forests in preventing landslides and floods. This study aims to determine the dominant species, diversity level, and distribution pattern of ground cover plants in Cangar Forest. This descriptive quantitative research was conducted in July–August 2007 on a 25-hectare area at an altitude of ±1600 m asl. Sampling used 2×2 m² plots in open and closed canopies, with 10 plots each at 5-meter intervals. The study found 25 species from 9 families, with 19 species in open areas and 11 species in closed areas. The species with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) in open areas was Centella asiatica L. (63.08%), while in closed areas it was Eupatorium riparium L. (125.86%), indicating species dominance. The Simpson diversity index was relatively high (0.84% and 0.82%), with distribution patterns tending to be uniform in open areas and clumped in closed areas. It is recommended that area managers maintain ground cover plant diversity and conduct periodic follow-up studies to monitor population dynamics. Degradasi kawasan konservasi akibat perluasan lahan pertanian dan pembangunan pabrik mengancam fungsi ekologis hutan dalam mencegah longsor dan banjir. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui spesies dominan, tingkat keanekaragaman, dan pola sebaran tumbuhan penutup tanah di Hutan Cangar. Penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif ini dilaksanakan pada Juli–Agustus 2007 di lahan seluas 25 hektar pada ketinggian ±1600 mdpl. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan metode plot 2×2 m² pada tegakan terbuka dan tertutup, masing-masing 10 plot dengan jarak 5 meter. Hasil penelitian menemukan 25 spesies dari 9 suku, dengan 19 spesies di tegakan terbuka dan 11 spesies di tegakan tertutup. Spesies dengan Indeks Nilai Tertinggi (INP) tertinggi di tegakan terbuka adalah Centella asiatica L. (63,08%), sedangkan di tegakan tertutup adalah Eupatorium riparium L. (125,86%), menunjukkan dominansi spesies tersebut. Indeks keanekaragaman Simpson tergolong tinggi (0,84% dan 0,82%), dan pola sebaran cenderung merata di tegakan terbuka serta mengelompok di tegakan tertutup. Disarankan agar pengelola kawasan mempertahankan keanekaragaman tumbuhan penutup tanah dan melakukan penelitian lanjutan secara berkala untuk memantau dinamika populasi.