Lichen as Bioindicator of Air Quality at Buffer Zone of Banjarbaru Town

Air pollution is one of the main issues faced by urban areas. Therefore, morphological characteristic and colony coverage of lichen growing at different scale air-polluted area could become as a bioindicator of their air quality. This research aims to determine the condition of lichen in spots located at near and far from the main road (width ± 29 meter) in urban area at Banjarbaru town. This research used descriptive method with purposive sampling technique. Sample were obtained from 2 plots those were far and near the main road, each plot represented by samples from 5 different trees (densed canopy with minimum DBH at 25 cm). Lichens were taken at 50-150 cm above ground level using 20x20 cm quadrant plastic frame. Observation variables include the number and shape of colonies, color and type of thallus, and percentage of thallus cover. We determined 13 colonies from spots far from the main road (500-600 meter from main road). Lichen dominated by green to bluish color, thallus consist of crustose and foliose, and the average percentage of thallus cover was 28.01%. While from that near the main road (14-250 meter from main road), we determined 14 colonies predominantly consisted of white crustose lichens, and the average percentage of thallus cover was 10.01%. Traffic intensity showed to have significant effect on lichens community. The main difference can be seen from morphology and colony coverage. Based on this result, lichen can be used as bioindicator of air quality, especially air pollution caused by motorized vehicles

Enhancing Sengon Seedling's Growth by Using Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhiza From Tropical Peatland

The research aimed to determine the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates from Central Kalimantan peat swamp forest on the growth of Paraserianthes falcatharia. Arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates consisted of Glomus sp.2 (blackish brown) & Glomus sp.3 (dark brown) isolated from the peatland of Central Kalimantan. The mycorrhizal colonization was observed and plant growth parameters were measured for five months. The design used in this research was a complete randomized design and divided into Glo1S2 (Glomus sp.2, 2 spores), Glo1S4 (Glomus sp.2, 4 spores), Glo2S2 (Glomus sp.3, 2 spores), Glo2S4 (Glomus sp.3, 4 spores), control I and control II. The result showed that arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization significantly different between the treatment of inoculation compared with control. Glo2S4 treatment gave a significant effect on the growth of P. falcatharia in terms of plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, root length and total biomass

The Carbon Stock as Indicator of Peatland Recovery After Fire in Central Kalimantan

Peat swamp forest fire was the main cause of the huge carbon stock loss. Forest recovery after fire took a huge cost and long period of time. The aim of this research was to determine the carbon stock on various peat land condition and management intervention and utilize it as bio-indicator for degraded peat swamp forest recovery after fire. The data was collected from three location representing three sites: after 1997 fire (ex 1997), unburnt secondary forest and area that was severely burnt in 2005 but already re-planted. Measurement was carried out on the vegetation carbon stock namely seedlings, saplings, poles and trees. The carbon stock was determined using 5 sampling plots on secondary forest and 6 plots on other sites. Carbon counting was using allometric equation. The result showed that the carbon stock was affected by the various type and management intervention of the sites especially at the rehabilitation site. The carbon stock of ex-1997 and secondary forest was not significantly different on all stages of vegetation including the total number. The carbon stock on ex-1997 and secondary forest was 258, 95 Mg/Ha and 254,36 Mg/Ha, respectively. The condition showed that ex-1997 site had the ability to naturally recovered. The rate of recovery can be approached with carbon stock estimation as indicator for peatland recovery after fire. The indicator can be used on sites with no species diversity requirements as recovery factor such as protected or conservation areas