Habitat Conditions and Tree Canopy Profiles Used by Kukang Sumatran (Nycticebus coucang) around Electricity Networks in Air Naningan District, Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Provinces

Abstract

Air Naningan sub-district is one of the Sumatran slow loris habitats where Sumatran slow lorises are often stung by electricity. This study aims to determine habitat conditions, vegetation characteristics, use and tree crown profiles utilized by Sumatran slow lorises in 2 villages in Air Naningan District, namely Air Kubang village and Sinar Jawa village. This study used direct observation methods and scan sampling techniques with a span of 10 minutes, vegetation analysis using transect lines and crown cover analysis using the Spatially Explicit Individual-based Forest Simulator (SExI-FS) application. Observations were carried out in June-July 2024, every night at 19.00-00.00 WIB and 00.00-06.00 WIB. In both villages, two trails were placed to represent the habitat type of plantation area and the habitat type of residential area. Sumatran slow loris habitat conditions found in each villages are dominated by plant species from the Fabaceae family, with the number of plants observed as many as 147 individuals with the majority being trees. Vegetation structure that is approached and used by Sumatran slow lorises is in the sapling vegetation type. The highest canopy cover in the Air Kubang village lane which is used as a sleeping location for Sumatran slow lorises is 61.56%. Sumatran slow loris habitat preference is for residential habitat types based on the number of findings on this route, with a total of 23 encounters. Sumatran slow lorises were observed utilizing banana (Musa paradisiaca) and randu (Ceiba pentandra) trees as food trees. Duku, coconut and bamboo trees were used by Sumatran slow lorises to sleep, while Sumatran slow loris social activities were carried out on rubber trees and on duku trees.