Studi penyebaran populasi dan daya dukung habitat Kuskus Beruang (Ailurops ursinus) di Pulau Manado Tua Sulawesi Utara

Abstract

STUDY OF SPREADING POPULATION AND HABITAT CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE SULAWESI BEAR CUSCUS (Ailurops ursinus) AT MANADO TUA ISLAND OF NORTH SULAWESI.  Manado Tua Island is still keeping the endemic Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus), dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis), black macaque (Macaca nigra), tarsius (Tarsius spectrum) as well as some kinds of plant biodiversity including forest galangal (Alpina sp.) and forest pandanus (Pandanus sp.), all should be protected intensively. Objective of this study was to evaluate spreading population and habitat carrying capacity of bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus) at the Island of Manado Tua I and II, to be used for recommendation package of conservation model on the base of administrative condition of Manado governmental areas. The Variables observed in this study were population density of bear cuscus and dwarf cuscus as well as their habitat carrying capacity of plant vegetation including categories of try, bush, thicket and seedling levels. Data of wild animals were found by Line Transect Method. Plant vegetations were calculated based on the important index values of each category level. Result showed that Manado Tua I Island was inhabited by dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis) of about 295 heads and bear cuscus (Ailurops Ursinus) of about 49 heads. Manado Tua II Island was inhabited by dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis) of about 305 heads and bear cuscus (Ailurops Ursinus) of about 57 heads. Habitat carrying capacity of try vegetation level of the important index values was about 298,65% and seedling vegetation level of about 300,68%. These mean that carrying capacity was supporting the conservation for both kinds of cuscus in Manado Tua Island. These population of the endemic wild animals in Manado Tua I dan II Islands should be protected as their habitat area was degrading due to uncontrol illegal logging and hunting by local community.

Keywords: habitat carrying capacity, dwarf cuscus, bear cuscus