BIOTROPIA Vol. 28 No. 3,2021: 253 - 262 DOI: 10.1 1598/btb.2021.28.3.1416 

TREE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND ABOVEGROUND 
CARBON STOCK OF SACRED FOREST I N  PASAMAN, 

WEST SUMATERA 

SANTHYAMI'X*, AD1 BASUI(RTADI2, MUFTI PETALA PATRIA' AND ROCHADI ABDULHADI' 

'Department ofBiolo~ Edzlcation, Faculg o f  Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammad&ah Szlrakarta, 
Szlkoharj.~ 57162, Indonesia 

'Department of Biology, fa cult^ @Mathematics and Natzlral Sciences, Uniuersitas Indonesia., Depok: 16424, Indonesia 
3Division ofBotay, Herbarium Bogoriense, Research Centerfar Biology, Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahaan Indonesid, Bogor 1691 I ,  Indonesia 

Received 20 August 2020 /Accepted 7 September 2021 

ABSTRACT 

This is an analysis of the composition and structure of tree community of Bukit Badindiang sacred forest in 
Nagari Simpang, Pasaman, West Sumatera Province, Indonesia. The study aimed to: 1. to obtain a representative 
account of the structure and composition of tree community of the sacred forest; 2. to estimate the 
Aboveground Carbon Stock (c-Stock) accumulated on the tree community. A one-hectare plot was divided into 
25 subplots of 20 x 20 m each for tree and debris data collection. In each subplots, there were a 5 x 5 m sapling 
subplots. Planting of 1 x 1 m seedling, understorey plant and litter subplots were nested inside. A total of 446 
trees were recorded, representing 139 species from 49 families with a total basal area of 38.59 m2. The most 
dominant tree species was Campnospemza anriculata pmportance Value (IV) of 19.1 91. The other prevalent species 
were Ficus benjamina (IV ~ 1 6 . 5 0 )  and Mallotzls caudatus (IV ~14.78) .  A total of 62 species (44.6O/o) was considered 
locally rare with density of 1 tree/ha. Mallotzls candatus had the highest density (37 trees/ha) and Ficus benjamina 
had the highest Basal Area P A )  (5.61 m2 = 14.51% of the total). Euphorbiaceae (IV= 37.40) was the dominant 
family. The richest families were Euphorbiaceae (10) and Lauraceae (10). The total estimated Aboveground 
C-Stock was 190.62 MgC/ha, with the highest C was contributed by trees (178.85 MgC/ha or 93.8% of total). 
Trees with diameter class of 10 - 69.99 cm stored 62% of total tree carbon. The species richness, tree density and 
C-Stock of Bakit Badindiang sacred forest were relatively higher than those in several disturbed lowland forests in 
Sumatera. 

Keywords: carbon stock, community structure, sacred forest, tree species diversity, West Sumatera 

INTRODUCTION 

Local wisdom has always been involved in 
preserving biodiversity in Indonesia, shown in 
numerous forms such as sacred forest (hutan 
Larangan) (Wadley & Colfer 2004), cultural 
landscape (Christiawan 2015) and traditional 
harvesting right (Boedhihartono 2017). West 
Sumatera Province is among regions in 
Indonesia in which sacred forest is still 
practiced. This paper will enlighten the potential 
of Bukit Badindiang sacred forest, a customary 
forest (hutan adat) of Nagari Sirnpang, Simpang 
Alahan Mati (Simpati) District, Pasaman Region 
in West Sumatera Province, Indonesia. 

*Corresponding author, email: san91 S@ums.ac.id 

Sacred forest is one of the oldest forms of 
natural forest conservation by traditional 
community. Generally, sacred forest is a part of 
the natural forest ecosystem with high level of 
trees and animals diversity. In some cases, some 
prominent features such as water spring, 
fountain, and even oldest tree could be found in 
a sacred forest. They provide habitats and space 
for infrequent and threatened species of trees 
and animals and have a vital conservation value 
despite of their characteristically small areas 
(Boraiah et aL. 2001). Some scholars have studied 
the h k  between 'the sacred' and biodiversity 
preservation of natural forests all over the world 
(Negi 2015; Allendorf et aL. 2013; Ormsby et a l  
2010). For instance, sacred groves become a 
refuge spot for mammals, birds, plants, and 



BIOTROPIA Vol. 28 No. 3,2021 

other forest-dwelling animals (Basu 2000; 
Chandran & Hughes 1997; Sinha 1995). Sacred 
forest is also considered as carbon sink (Pradhan 
e t  all. 2016; Pala et all. 2012). On the contrary, 
local community also depends on sacred forest 
for various products used in daily life (Burman 
2003). 

The aims of this study were: 1. to obtain the 
fundamental descriptive account of floristic 
structure and composition of Bukit Badindiang 
sacred forest under the management of 
customary law in Nagari Simpang, Simpati 
District, Pasaman, West Sumatera Province in 
conserving tree species diversity and 2. to 
estimate the capacity of sequestering carbon. An 
improved knowledge of basic ecological data, 
including floristic composition and C-stock 
potential of the forest is required for the 
development of natural ecosystem conservation 
and forest management. To date, there are 
relatively few detailed descriptions and 
quantitative assessments and estimation of 
customary and sacred forest floristic and C- 
stock in Indonesia Qndrajaya 2013; BPK 2012; 
Soendjoto et al. 2009). 

Bukit Badindiang is one of the forested areas 
in Pasaman known as 'walled hill' as collecting 
timber from this site is restricted. Bukit 
Badindiang belongs to I<oto Tribe who 
establishes this forest as 'sacred' area as the 
water fountain, a source of clean water for the 
whole village, is located in this forest. Sacred 
means: 1. Public (outside of I<oto members) 
may only collect non-timber forest products 

such as firewood, fruits, honey, medicine, and 
resin; 2. Timber can only be harvested by or as 
the permission of Koto leader for the 
community mosque construction and emergency 
needs; 3. Not to fell 'kayzi t z i n ~ a  babeleang' means 
it was forbidden to cut down the low abundance 
trees. 

Analysis of species inventory data collected in 
a one-hectare plot in this paper will be limited to 
the representation of the forest with reference to 
the key structural parameters such as pattern of 
relative abundance, species richness, and family 
structure and estimated Aboveground C-Stock. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Sampling Location and Sampling 

Samphg was carried out in Simpati District, 
located at 100°08' - 100°12' E and 00"04' N - 

00"03' S with an altitude of 100 - 890 m above 
sea level (Fig. 1). The topography of Nagari 
Simpang is a plain land surrounded by hills of 
natural forest. Temperature ranges from 27 - 
30 "C with a mean annual rainfall of 3,891 
mm/year. Nagari Simpang is situated in the wet 
region belonging to the rainfall type A 
climatically (Schmidt & Ferguson 1951). The 
monthly rainfall ranges from 132 mm to 400 
mm and the mean rainy days range from 4 days 
to 20 days. The soil of the area belongs to the 
litosol and red yellow podzolic categories (BPS 
Pasaman 201 1). The study site was a hilly area in 
the northeast part of Simpati District. 

Figure 1 A. West Sumatera Province; B. Pasaman Region; C. Study site (Source: Google Maps 2018) 



Tree community structure and aboveground carbon stock of sacred forest - Santhyami e t  al. 

Data collection was conducted using quadrat Biology, LIP1 in Cibinong, Indonesia. The 
methods (Cox 1967; Mueller-Dombois & identification and nomenclature of each tree 
Ellenberg 1974). The design and size of plot species followed the Tree Flora of Indonesia: 
implemented in this study followed BSNI (2011) checklist for Sumatera (TXktmore & Tantra 
using normative references based on COP-15 1986) and Flora Malesiana (Steenis e t  al. 1948- 
Decisions on REDD + methodology guidance 2013). 
(Dec. 4/CP-15), IPCC 2006 Guidelines for 
National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and IPCC Data Analysis 
2003 Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, 
Land Use Changes and Forestry, as this study 
was also aimed to estimate the Aboveground 
C-stock. A nested plot design of one hectare 
was established subjectively in the most 
accessible area of Bukit Badindiang. The plot 
was further divided into 25 trees and debris 
subplots of 20 x 20 m each. The size of the 
plot and subplots were as follows: seedlings 
(woody tree species with leaves more than two 
strands and a height of < 1.5 m); understorey 
layer species (non-ligneous and ligneous herbs, 
ferns, shrubs and tree species with heights 
d . 5  m); and litter with a minimum area of 1 m2, 
saplings (DBH < 10 cm and a height of > 1.5 m) 
with a minimum area of 25 m2 and trees (DBH 
210 cm) and debris with a minimum area of 
400 m2. (DBH = Diameter at Breast Height). 

Samples Collection 

The entire tree individuals in the 400 m2 plot 
and saplings in 25 m2 plots were numbered and 
collected. DBH of all trees and saplings were 
measured. Seedlings and understorey layer 
species in the 1 m2 plot were all cut and mixed. 
Wet weight was measured. Then as many as 
300 g of sample were taken to measure the dry 
weight. Litter was collected in 1 m2 subsize. AU 
of the collected litters were filtered with a 2 mm 
sieve and then ovendried at 70 "C until reaching 
constant weight. To determine the biomass of 
debris, the diameter and the length of all debris 
in the 400 m2 plots were measured. 

Herbarium Specimen Collection and 
Identification 

Collected herbarium specimens of all species 
w i t h  the plots were identified at the 
Herbarium Bogoriense, Research Center for 

The total of density, frequency, and 
dominance can be used to signify the 
importance of a species. It is expressed in terms 
of relative values. Relative Density (RD), 
Relative Frequency R )  and Relative 
Dominance (RDo) were then calculated based 
on Cox (1967) and Mueller-Dombois and 
Ellenberg (1974). The index of species diversity 
(H3 was calculated by using Shannon-Wiener 
Index (SWI) (Shannon & Wiener 1963). Species 
dominance (CD) was calculated following the 
index by Simpson (1949). 

Aboveground C-Stock in one type of 
ecosystem or habitat is expressed in Mg/ha. The 
total biomass in the plot (Mg/ha) is converted 
to C-stock (MgC/ha). Aboveground biomass of 
tree was estimated by using specific allometric 
equation based on DBH. The allometric 
equations used in this study was developed by 
Icetterings e t  al. (2001) specifically for woody 
trees on Sumatera secondary forest. Also, debris 
biomass was calculated by using equation by 
Nascimento and Laurance (2002). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Species Composition and Structure 

In one hectare plot, there were 466 trees 
recorded, representing 139 species and 49 
families with a total basal area of 38.59 m2. Each 
of 62 species (44.6%) had only a density of one 
tree/ha (Fig 2). H' was 3.13 and species 
dominance (CD) was 0.64. Table 1 shows that 
Campnosperma aumculata, Ficus beyamina, Mallotus 
caudatw and A?-tocaqus Iancezfolius were four most 
important species, with IV > 10. 



BIOTROPIA Vol. 28 No. 3,2021 

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 13 14 17 18 19 21 37 

Number of individuals 

Figure 2 Number of species and number of individuals of trees in a one-hectare plot of forest in Simpang, Alahan Mati, 
West Surnatera Province. 

Tabel 1 The Relative Density (RD), Relative Frequency (RF), Relative Dominance (RDo) and Importance Value (IV = 
RD +RF+ RDo) of the ten most important species based on IV 

No Species Family RD (?/o) RF (YO) RDo (0'0) IV (?lo) 

Campnosperma auriculata 
Ficus bevamina 
Mallotus caudatzls 
A7itocaqu.r lancefolius 
Sjqygium newosum 
CastanOpsis tungumt 
Sy~g ium aquem 
Quercus argentata 
Mallotus mollissimzis 
Reinwardtiodendron humile 

Anacardiaceae 
Moraceae 
Euphorbiaceae 
Moraceae 
Myrtaceae 
Fagaceae 
Myrtaceae 
Fagaceae 
Euphorbiaceae 
Meliaceae 

Species density, dominance and distribution density and frequency. There were only four 
within plot varied. Nine out of ten species with species with F > 30%. Euphorbiaceae was 
the highest density were also species with the the most important family followed by 
highest frequency, but they were in different Anacardiaceae and Moraceae (Table 3). 
orders (Table 2). M. cazldatz~ had the highest 

Tabel 2 Ten species with highest frequency (F), density @) and basal area (BA) 

Species group Species 

a Ten species with highest Mallotzls caudattl~ (37), S_y.ggim neruosum (21), Campnospem aumi.ulata (19), S_y.ggium 
density (number of aqueum (1 8), Artacarpw lanceifolius (1 7), Mallotzrs mollissimus (14), Castanopsis tungurrut 
tress/ha) (1 3), Reinwardtiodendron hamile (1 O), Barringtonia conoidea (9), Meio~ne uirgata (9) 

b Ten species with highest Mallotus caudatus (0.72), Q ~ g i u m  neruosum (0.52), Artocalpus bnceifolius (0.4), Sy.ggium 
frequency (Yo )  aqueum (0.4), Mallotzls mollissirnus (0.32), Reinwardtiodendron hamile (0.32), Castanopsis 

tzmgzumt (0.28), Meio~ne uirgata (0.28), Quercus argentata (0.28), Campnospem 
auriculata (0.28) 

c Ten species with highest Ficus benjamina (5.6), Campnospemza auriczlata (5.27), ArtocalPw lancefolius (1.54), 
basal area (m2) Quercus argentata (1.39), Castanopsis tuugurrut (1.29), Antidesma leucopodum (0.88), 

Styrax benxoin (0.82), Mang@rafoetidd (0.8), Nephelium juglandifolia (0.791, Mallotus 
caudatus (0.68) 

d Ten species with highest Campnospem auriculata (1 9.1 9), Ficus benjamina (1 6.5), Mallotzrs caudatus (14.78), 
Importance Values (YO) Artacarpw lanceifolius (1 0.47), Syggium nervosum (9.42), Castanopsis tungumt (8.12), 

Q.ggium aqueum (7.85), Querczls argentata (7.50), Mallotus mollirsmus (6.02), 
Reinwarntiodendron humile (5.79) 



Tree community structure and aboveground carbon stock of sacred forest - Santhyarni e t  al. 

Tabel 3 Summary of family characteristics at tree level 

Characteristics Family 

Eleven families with number of Euphorbiaceae (lo), Lauraceae (lo), Meliaceae (8), Malvaceae 0, Moraceae (7 ,  
species > 5 Myrtaceae (7), Dipterocarpaceae (6), Phyllanthaceae (6), Anacardiaceae (5), 

Annonaceae (5), Fabaceae (5) 

Ten families with highest Euphorbiaceae (85), Myrtaceae (53), Anacardiaceae (42), Meliaceae (291, Moraceae 
density (tress/ha) (27, Fagaceae (26), Lauraceae (25), Annonaceae (1 6), Malvaceae (16), Styraxaceae 

(14) 

Ten families with highest basal Moraceae (7.65), Anacardiaceae (6.40), Fagaceae (2.76), Euphorbiaceae (2.05), 
area (m2) Meliaceae (2.04), Dipterocarpaceae (1.63), Lauraceae (1.62), Myrtaceae (1.38), 

Styraxaceae (1.35), Phyllanthaceae (1.22) 

Ten families with highest Euphorbiaceae (37.40), Anacardiaceae (33.21), Moraceae (31.26), Myrtaceae 
Importance Values (IV) (24.56), Meliaceae (1 8.291, Fagaceae (1 7.81), Lauraceae (1 5.77), Malvaceae (1 0.83), 

Dipterocarpaceae (10.68), Styraxaceae (9.33) 

60 - 
al .- so- 

41 
40- 

& 30- 
n 
5 20- 18 

Z 10 
10 - 
0 -  I i o :  

Basal Area Class (m2) Diameter  class (cm) 

Figure 3 a. Number of species according to the BA classes and b. the number of trees according to the diameter classes 

The total basal area for all species was 
38.59 m2, with the mean BA of 0.28 m2. 
F. beyamina had the highest BA (14.51% of the 
total). A total of 106 species (76.3%) had BA of 
< 0.3 m2 (Fig. 3a). A hgh proportion of trees in 
the samples was represented by small 
indviduals. Trees with DBH < 30 cm had the 
highest number, i.e., 377 indviduals (72.3%) 
(Fig. 3a). 

This study represents an ecosystem of a 
lowland rainforest under the customary 
conservation sense in West Sumatera Province. 
It presents a collected data set systematically that 
can be compared to similar plot inventories of 
other tropical rainforests in Indonesia. Table 4 
compares tree species diversity of this study with 
other natural forests in Sumatera. The species 
richness and tree density in customary forest of 
Nagari Simpang, Pasaman was higher than those 
in several lowland forests in Sumatera, but lower 
than one on Batang Gadis National Park (NP) 
North Sumatera, considering that the ecological 
status of Batang Gadis NP as undisturbed 
protected forest (Kartawinata et  aL 2004). 

Heretofore, the only other floristically 
quantitative description of natural forest in 
Pasaman was published by Yusuf e t  al. (2005) in 
Rimbo Panti. Tree density in ths  study was 
higher compared to Rimbo Panti. Lowland 
forest variations are related to terrain, 
topography, and degree of natural or 
anthropogenic dsturbance. Tree density on the 
ridge is relatively higher than on the flat location 
wMe the basal area is lower (Whtmore 1986). 
The topography of b b o  Panti forest was 
relatively flat compared to the steep Buht 
Badindiang with average slope of 34.2". Another 
factor is human pressure. It should be noted 
that although h m b o  Panti status was as a 
Nature Reserve, the forest was sull experiencing 
the pressure from the human. There were sull 
found some open canopy due to logging and 
replaced by secondary tree species such as 
O m a h n t b a a e  and Macaranga tanam'as. 

Species with the highest IV was C. aam'calata. 
It is a mid-canopy tree in undisturbed mixed 
dipterocarp and freshwater swamp forests. 
Species in this genus are generally strongly light- 



BIOTROPIA Vol. 28 No. 3,2021 

demanding even when young, and regenerate 
more abundantly in more open or disturbed 
habitats. On the study site, they were found 
mostly on relatively flat spots on the top of the 
hill. It can be assumed that those species grew 
great in the past throughout the phase when 
canopy gaps were established in consequence of 
natural disturbances and human activities. The 
land-use histories of Bukit Bandindiang showed 
that before 1970 this forest was used to be a 
shortcut to get to Bonjol Subdistrict. I<oto 
people planted many hnds of economically 
valuable trees such as Parkia speciosa, Dario 
ebenthinas, and Archidendron paaciflomm on the 
opened flat area. The existence of these trees is 
proof that some parts of this forest were 
disturbed. 

Another interesting species highlighted is M. 
caadatw. Although it was only the third rank in 
terms of IV, these trees were recorded as species 
with the highest density and frequency on the 
sampling unit. It means that M. caadatus was the 
species with the highest number of inkviduals 
and could be evenly found on most plots at the 
same time. Generally, M. caadatzls can be found 
on understorey of forest, riverine forest, 
kerangas forest, selectively logged forest, mainly 
on undulating to steep land and ridges of M s ;  
soil yellow to brown sand or red clay. The 
fruiting and flowering seasons of it is 
throughout the year (Welzen & Sierra 2006). It 
explains why this species could be easily found 
on the study site. 

The higher value of the diversity indices 
represented the greater dversity and the 
abundance of tree species (Adekunle et al. 2013). 
SWI for tree species diversity in this study was 
3.13. This values showed a relatively high 
number of tree species diversity based on the 
diversity index criterion by Soegianto (1 994). 
There are sixty species or more than 40% of the 
total species found on the site had a density of 
one tree/ha. This number is relatively high 
compared to a similar study on Buht Duabelas 
NP, Jambi that only have forty-four species 
(30% of total species). This result was strongly 
related to the local wisdom that prohibits people 
to cut trees with low abundance. Furthermore, 

among sixty species recorded, there were five 
species included in the IUCN Red List, i.e., 
Apomsa sp., Lophopetalm wightidnm, Para~horea 
bcida, Pmnm arborea, and Xanthopbllzlm sp. 

The forest at the family level was dominated 
by Euphorbiaceae. The result is similar to the 
prior study conducted at h b o  Panti. In the 
tropical region, the family of Euphorbiaceae is 
found to be superior to other families in most 
cases, especially in disturbed forest. Species on 
this family are known to have good adaptability 
to any type of forest (Whitmore 1989). Another 
interesting family is Dipterocarpaceae. Despite a 
low number of individuals found on the site, 
Dipterocarpaceae was on top ten f a d e s  with 
the highest IV because of their averagely wide 
basal area. The two most significant species of 
Dipterocarpaceae found were Dipterocarpas baadii 
and Shorea hopeifoh. Both are included in IUCN 
Red Ls t  as Vulnerable and Critically 
Endangered criteria, respectively. 

The forest investigated in this study was 
characterized by a high abundance of small trees 
with DBH < 30 cm. T h s  result is similar to 
other disturbed forests in Sumatera (Yusuf et al. 
2005; Hadi et al 2009; Rahmah et al. 2016). The 
relatively small number of large trees can be 
explained by two main causes. There was a 
possibility that there might be a restricted 
number of species that authentically matured to 
these diameters (Hartshorn 1980) and their 
seedlings require to meet optimal circumstances 
of environment or locations for growth, to out- 
compete other species, the fast-growing one 
particularly. Another cause was the abundance 
of certain big tree species (i.e., 
Dipterocarpaceae) could have been already 
reduced by selective logging for human needs. 
As the timber harvesting in Buht Badindiang 
was restricted to only a few concerns, we 
consider natural causes also to play a significant 
role in restricting the number of big trees in our 
study area. This assumption is based on the 
existence of fallen decaying big trees on the 
forest floor and tree stumps and other wood 
remains resulting from natural cutting. It is also 
shown in relatively high percentage of estimated 
debris biomass found on the plots Fable 5). 



Tree community structure and aboveground carbon stock of sacred forest - Santhyarni e t  al. 

Tabel 4 Comparison tree diversity in several natural forest in Sumatera 

Locality Methods 
Area of Number Number Number 

Source 
plot (ha) of trees of species of families 

West Surnatera Province 
Nagari Simpang, Pasaman, 

Quadrat I 466 139 49 Present study 
West Sumatera Province 
Rimbo Panti Natural Forest, 

Quadrat 323 114 
Yusuf et al. 

2 Pasarnan, West Sumatera 
Province 

41 (2005) 

Siberut, West Sumatera Belt 
province Transect 

Hadi e t  al. (2009) 

Other forest on Sumatera 
Belt 

4 Hatan Adat Kampar, Riau 
Transect 

Rernina (201 7) 

5 Bukit Duabelas NP, Jambi Quadrat 414 113 
Rahmah e t  al 

38 (2016) 
Mt. Leuser NP, North 

Quadrat 687 110 
Samsoedin & 

Sumatera 34 Heriyanto (2010) 
Batang Gadis NP, North 

1 583 205 
Iwtawinata e t  al. 

Quadrat 
Sumatera 41 (2004) 

Aboveground C-Stock 

The total Aboveground C-Stock estimated 
was 190.62 MgC/ha (Table 5), with the highest 
C was contributed by trees. F. benjamina, 
C. auriczlata and A. Lanceifohus were the top three 
species that contributed C (44.6% of total 
carbon from trees). Tree diameter class of 150 - 
199.9 cm stored the highest amount of carbon 
(42.54 MgC/ha) p ig  4). Tree with diameter class 
of 60 - 69.99 cm placed the second rank with C- 
Stock of 39.04 MgC/ha. This class was filled by 
14 species from a varied family with a dominant 
C accumulator was C. aum'cuLata. It accumulated 
nearly 33% of total C-Stock in that class. Trees 
with a diameter class of 10 - 69.99 cm stored 

62% of total tree carbon in a hectare, followed 
by trees with a diameter class of 150 - 199.99 cm 
(24%) and 70 - 100 cm (14%). 

Tabel 5 Summary of total Aboveground C-Stock based 
on carbon pool 

Total Tree 
Total Carbon 

Carbon pool Biomass 

@%/ha) 
Biomass (MgC/ha) 

Tree 357.70 178.85 
Sapling 5.72 2.86 
Seedling 0.46 0.23 
Litter 1.24 0.62 
Debris 16.13 8.07 

Total 381.25 190.62 

d 9 6 ' 6 ' > 8 ,  
. b ~ o O d o \ d o ,  9 6 ' 9 @ o \ >  s, s, $%, Jsg 

"99 9, 9, "99 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, ??9, "99, 

Diameter class (cm) 

Figure 4 Distribution of tree carbon biomass based on diameter class 



BIOTROPIA Vol. 28 No. 3,2021 

Estimated C pools in several forest types can 
be referred to in taking decisions about C 
management within forests. Parameters to 
measure the carbon dioxide binding level on a 
type of land-use are tree biomass (Mg/ha) and 
carbon biomass (MgC/ha). It was estimated that 
the sacred forest of Nagari Simpang Pasaman 
stored 190.62 MgC/ha. The value estimated on 
this study is relatively comparable to other C- 
Stock assessment of Sumatera natural forest. van 
Noordwijk e t  al. (2002) assessed secondary 
forests in Sumber Jaya, Lampung with an 
average estimated carbon of 195 
MgC/ha. Laumonier e t  al. (2010) have also 
estimated aboveground C-Stock land-scape of 
several dipterocarp forests of Sumatera, 
amounting 180.5 Mg/ha (ranging between 270 - 
480 Mg/ha). 

The forest can act as a source and a sink 
based on the level of succession, specific type 
disturbance, or level of human intervention 
(Masera e t  aL 2003). On this study site, the small 
to medium trees contributed more AGB than 
large trees. 62% of carbon was stored by trees 
with chameter class of 10 - 69.99 cm. As on this 
stage, the tree grow vigorously, accorbgly with 
the prompt accumulation of C-stock. However, 
the conservation of mature large trees with 
chameter >I50 cm is highly suggested 
considering 24% of carbon on ths  forest was 
accumulated on these trees. 

Bukit Badindiang forest is preserved by local 
communities for conservation and religious 
purpose. Local government established Bukit 
Badindiang as a customary forest. The result of 
this study can serve as a baseline for the 
implementation of carbon-based project 
activities. Community-based sacred conservation 
management of this forest attempts to avoid 
deforestation and encroachment. Forest area on 
this district is under severe threat from the 
construction of gold mining projects. The 
surrounding community depends on forests 
mostly to meet their needs for timber and non- 
timber forest products. Conservation of Bukit 
Badindiang forest will lead to increased 
exploitation of surroundmg unprotected forests 
if conservation strategies are not proceed and 
implemented in those areas. 

CONCLUSION 

In one hectare plot, we recorded 466 trees, 
representing 139 species and 49 families with a 
total basal area of 38.59 m2 with estimated 
Aboveground C-Stock of 190.62 MgC/ha. It 
can be concluded that the sacred forest of Bukit 
Badindiang was a disturbed forest structurally 
and floristically with heterogeneous species 
composition. It is reflected by low frequency 
and density of the species. The species richness 
and tree density were relatively higher than those 
in several other disturbed lowland forests of 
Sumatera. The mixed composition of the forest 
studied provides numerous important ecological 
niches and emphasizes the outstanding 
contribution of this forest to the biodversity of 
the region. Bukit Badinchang forest can provide 
models for sustainable uthzation of forest 
resources in the region. Further research on 
structure and composition of forests of other 
community-based conservation over a more 
comprehensive area in the region are needed. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

This study has been supported by a grant 
from Kemristek DIKTI. Thanks to ICeltan and 
Gapoktan member and staff in both Pasaman 
and Padang Pariaman for the access and permit 
to make plots and to the following people for 
field data collection and analysis: Erna, Robi, 
Nita, Aldo and Isul. We also thank Universitas 
Negeri Padang for providing some tools used 
during fieldworks. 

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