By:
Avry Pribadi
Balai Penelitian Teknologi Serat Tanaman Hutan
Jl. Raya Bangkinang-Kuok km. 9/BKN- Riau 28401
ABSTRACT
The Asiatic giant honeybees (Apis dorsata Fabr.) are abounded with the lowland rainforests of Siak Regency. The colonies of A. dorsata are found nesting in most tall bee trees (Sialang trees; local name). In Riau province there are about 50 species of Sialang tree. Problem. The forest degeneration over to palm oil and the high exploitation of A. dorsata gave the effect of the honey production and A. dorsata colony avaibility today. The objective(s). (1) to evaluate the diversity (richness, abudancy, and similiarity) of Sialang trees in sub district of rainforest in Siak, (2) to evaluate the correlation of Sialang tree diversity to honey production and colony of A. dorsata, and (3) to evaluate the advantages of sustainable A. dorsata honey harvesting. Method approach. Determining the vegetation distribution and the number of Sialang trees, colony distribution, and A. dorsata density colonies at Siak (10° 16’ 30” – 00° 20’ 49” S and 100° 54’ 21” – 102° 10’ 59” E). The farmer behavior was also documented to compare the sustainable A. dorsata harvesting method (Purnomo, 2008). Results. The correlation showed all diversity parameter of Sialang tree gave negative correlation to A. dorsata colony significantly (one of which caused by destruction honey harvesting method), but gave the positive correlation to honey production significantly. Meanwhile, sustainable A. dorsata harvesting method showed in 28 days after honey was harvesting, the A. dorsata colony had established more 1050 cm2 the honey cell and 264 cm2 the pollen cell in each colony than destructive harvesting method.
Key word: Apis dorsata, Sialang tree diversity, honey production, honey sustainable harvesting
- INTRODUCTION
In the international world, Indonesia is complimented as a country with the greatest biodiversity after brazil. For that reason, it is called as a megabiodiversity country. Unfortunately, the pressure of land necessity and natural wealth slowly thread the diversity of flora and fauna species of Indonesian archipelago. The exploitation of forests, soils, rivers, lakes, and seas which are needed excessively and temporarily is not a wise action to make. Because, it is possible that the flora and fauna and the microorganism hosting those ecosystems can be used as human welfare (Kompas, may 22nd, 2013). One of the diversity forms is found in Asiatic giant honeybee (A. dorsata) which represents fauna, and sialang tree which represents flora where the existences are more marginalized because of the rapid deforestasion.
Asiatic giant honeybee (A. dorsata) is the most productive honeybee producing honey which has the percentage of honey production nearly 60% of all honey produced in Indonesia (Ditjen RLPS, 2006). The characteristic of Asiatic giant honeybee hive is a hive with one stroke that hangs in a branch and a twig of a tree. The hive stroke can be measured until 2×1 meter with 20 kg honey production per hive. This species only develops in sub tropical and tropic Asia (around Pakistan to Indonesia) and can not be found outside of Asia. In Indonesia, it can be found in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara (except Irian) (Starr et al., 1987).
Sialang is a term for a big, tall tree which has diametre reached 100 cm or more, and the height can reach 25 to 30 meter and is hosted by A. dorsata. In Riau, it has at least 50 species of the biggest sialang trees which spread in peat and mineral soil. Sialang tree is a kind of plant which is protected by law, both government law and customary/ community law. It is intended to preserve those trees as the place which the group of bees produces honey as one of incomes of the people who lives near the forests (Mujethid, 2007).
One of regencies in Riau province experiencing the rapid change of natural forest is Siak. Based on the data of Riau provincial forestry office (2006), the rapid change of the nature forest was from the conversion of PFI and palm tree plantations. The problem occured was the reduction of numbers and diversity of sialang trees. Another problem was the permanent technique of honeybee A. dorsata which tended to be destructive (cut off), it was feared to affect the sustainability of A. dorsata (WWF, 2012).
The impact of natural forests deforestation being PFI is appeared to be a unique phenomenon. The tendency of A. dorsata colonies is more getting away to the forest boundary of HTI Acacia crassicaraa, A. mangium, and Eucalyptus sp. (Purnomo et al., 2007). The similar tendency appeared in palm tree plantation that showed the existence of the colonies withdrawing from the forest boundary. This issue was related to the availability of food resources of honeybee A. dorsata, which extrafloral nectar is produced by the Acacia plant (Sihombing, 1997).
Therefore, the objectives of the study are (1) to determine the diversity level of sialang tree in Siak regency, (2) to determine the correlation of sialang tree diversity to the productivity of honey harvesting and A. dorsata colonies, and (3) to examine the advantages of honeybee A. dorsata harvesting technique sustainably to keep the living of A. dorsata colonies.
- DIVERSITY OF SIALANG TREE AND PREFERENCE OF ASIATIC GIANT HONEYBEE DORSATA IN SIAK REGENCY
A tree is called sialang tree if the tree is hosted by Asiatic giant honeybee A. dorsata. Although the tree is with height about more than 30 meters, but if it is not hosted by A. dorsata, it will not be called sialang tree. The analysis result of sialang tree diversity showed that a district which had the highest diversity parameter was Tualang and the lowest was Mempura and Sungai Apit (table 1). Analysis of sialang tree diversity parameter showed that the sialang tree diversity located in the village that was around Siak river and concession areas of Plantation Forest Industry (PFI) which were planted with Acacia mangium and Acacia crassicarpa showed higher rate (Tualang and Minas districts) if compared to sialang tree diversity around coastal areas though the diversity value is still below 3.
Table 1. Some of diversity index parameter based on analysis result in some districts in Siak regency-Riau
| Regency | Diversity index | Richness index | Abudancy index | |||
| Minas | 1.088 | 1.303 | 2.948 | |||
| Mandau | 1.795 | 1.958 | 2.156 | |||
| Tualang | 2.169 | 2.857 | 5.879 | |||
| Koto Gasib | 1.039 | 0.962 | 2.814 | |||
| Mempura | 0.72 | 2.98 | 1.955 | |||
| Bunga raya | 1.44 | 6.80 | 3.910 | |||
| Sungai Apit | 0.84 | 0.91 | 1.902 | |||
It is suspected that the limit factor which formed the fertility level of peat soil in Sungai Apit district (coastal area) affected the number and diversity of sialang tree which are adaptable in that area. Peat type that found in east coast of Sumatera is ombrogen. This peat soil possibly first appeared from the mangrove sediment soil which is then dried. This peat soil contains of high salt and sulfide, so only fewer decomposer organisms inhabit it. Research in Sarawak showed that peat started forming on mangrove mud about 4,500 years ago in the beginning with depth rate about 0.475 m/ 100 years (at 10-12 m depth of peat), later shrank to approximately 0.223 m/ 100 years at the depth of 0-5 m. Probably, the older the forest of peat soil, the fewer the availabilty of nutrients (Wikipedia, 2012). Therefore, it is thought that types of sialang trees growing much in rural forest area and river boundary are hard to grow in coastal area and only specific types that can tolerate to this boundary factor.
The result of inventories of sialang tree types showed that Sungai Apit district had only 5 types of sialang tree with the number of 16 trees. While in the rural area (to the west) with the peat soil leads to hemic peat, selotype (transition), and red-yellow podzolic mineral soil (Minas district) showed that there were 11 types of sialang tree with the numbers of 87 trees. Whereas in concession area of PFI (fibric peat to saprik) and along the river of Tualang distrct, it was found that there were 12 types of sialang trees with the numbers of 51 trees (table 2).
Table 2. Preference of Asiatic giant honeybee A. dorsata in choosing sialang tree in 3 districts of Siak regency – Riau
| Sialang tree species | Average of A. dorsata colony per tree |
| Tualang district (found in concession area of PFI and Siak river flow) | |
| Kempas (Koomssia Parvifalia)
Arau Kayu Batu (Homalium tomentosum) Ponti Pupui Makeluang (Heritiera Tarrieta ) Meranti (Shorea sp.) Sisik Pelajau Macan Hutan Balih Angin Gajah Kole |
25.9
44.2 11.1 30 18.3 20 25.5 27 11.5 11 21.5 13 |
| Minas district (found a few of concession area of PFI) | |
| Kayu Batu
Kempas Arau Rengas Makeluang Pulai (Alstonia sp.) Jelutung (Dyera costulata) Pasir-pasir Poso Beringin Meranti |
22.5
18.6 24.8 30 26.8 15 20 15 50 30 40 |
| Sungai Apit district (coastal area) | |
| Pulai
Kempas Terap Sentul Arau |
28
19.5 25 34 38.5 |
Based on the analysis, the preference level/ the fondness of honeybee A. dorsata to the sialang tree in 3 districts representing the vegetation structure located in Siak regency (coast, ombrogen peat soil and river flow area, red-yellow podzolic mineral soil) showed that sialang tree type which is the best is arau type. Besides, it was found in those 3 districts, the preference level of honeybee A. dorsata per tree was considered high (24.8 to 44.2 colonies per tree) (table 2). Sialang tree type with honeybee A. dorsata preference was found in 2 areas, i.e. peat soil (Tualang district) and red-yellow podzolic mineral (Minas district) were kayu batu type (11;1 to 22.5 colonies per tree), makeluang (20 to 26.8 colonies per tree), and meranti (25.5 to 40 colonies oer tree). While the type of tree and preference of honeybee A. dorsata found in coastal area and peat soil ombrogen were kempas type (18.6 to 19.5 colonies per tree) and pulai rawa (15 to 28 colonies per tree)
Some factors influenced the high and low of colony preference of honeybee A. dorsata to sialang tree relatively are many horizontal branchings. The tall of tree reaching 27 m with branching fewer than 15 are not found vegetation/ another tree which is as big as the sialang tree, and branching that is far from plants of epifit and liana (Starr et al., 1987) and located around the sustainable forest (Purnomo et al., 2007). It can be seen that sialang tree located in the center of concession area of PFI was not inhabited by honeybee A. dorsata which was caused of the micro climate change (Purnomo et al., 2007).
- CORRELATION BETWEEN SIALANG TREE DIVERSITY TO HONEY PRODUCTIVITY AND DORSATA COLONY
Based on the result of analysis, the correlation of sialang tree diversity to honey productivity and A. dorsata colony showed that all parameter of diversity types (diversity, rinchness, abundancy). Sialang tree showed a positive correlation to the honey harvest result obtained from all districts in Siak regency (table 3). It means that the honey harvesting of A. dorsata increased. The result was different to Pachepsky (2001) which stated that the increase of diversity will decrease the productivity level of a community, especially tropical area, the great diversity level has low productivity. While in subtropical area and temperate regions, even though it has low diversity level, the productivity level is high.
It is thought there was a relationship between food resource of honeybee A. dorsata in form of nectar of A. crassicarpa and A. mangium located in concession area of PFI. According to Purnomo et al. (2010), the extrafloral nectar potency in PFI area planted by kinds of A. mangium and A. crassicarpa showed 40-75 litre per day/hectare depending on the age of its standing. Another factor was the existence of a large tree that was guarded by the local community, beside, the obligation of the company is to prepare protected area and unlimited factor like coastal area that hinder the adaptation of some kinds of sialang trees (figure1). It can be seen in the map of the village spread. It showed that there were numerous sialang trees in the edge of concession area of PFI and along the Siak river. The average result of honey harvest of A. dorsata showed the highest results in a row from Tualang district (18,195 kg), Minas (11,713 kg), and the lowest was Sungai Apit district (10,360 kg). So, closed to the coastal area, the diversity of sialang tree was getting decreased straightly compared to honey productivity that was also getting decreased. Moreover, the permanent technique tended to be destructive, the honey harvest obtained tending to be more. Nevertheless, it could not keep the sustainability of A. dorsata.
Table 3. Correlation between forest honey harvest productivity and A. Dorsata colony with some diversity parameters in Siak regency-Riau
| Parameter | Diversity index | Richness index | Abundancy index |
| Honey productivity | 0.660* | 0.002 | 0.660* |
| A. dorsata colony | -0.465 | -0.500 | -0.466 |
The opposite thing happened to the observation of the correlation between the parameter diversity and the existence of A. dorsata colony which showed the opposite trend (negative correlation). It means that the rise of sialang tree diversity would impact to the reduction of the number of A. dorsata colony and vice versa. If it relates to the sialang tree diversity that is low in coastal area, it could be informed that the agregation level of A. dorsata colony to sialang tree in coastal area (Sungai Apit district) had higher value when compared to the other two districts. The high agregation level of A. dorsata in an area showed that the colony of A. dorsata was developing. It is thought that it related to the existence of pollen source, especially coconut tree which produced protein for A. dorsata. According to Cale and Ruthenbuhler (1975), the bee population development is influenced by some factors, one of those is the ability of a queen bee to keep laying eggs. The ability of laying eggs is strongly influenced by the food (royal jelly) given from the worker bees to the queen bee, and to produce royal jelly, the bee colony needs pollen in sufficient amount. Royal jelly formed by the worker bees is also influenced by the existence of hypopharengeal gland which is located in the heads of worker bees. This gland needs nutrion such as protein, and in that way, the amount of pollen will impact to the development of bee colony.
Picture 1. The spread of central village producing honey in Siak regency in 2010
: concession area of PFI Arara Abadi (Sinar Mas)
| 1. Desa Rantau Bertuah
2. Desa Mandiangin 3. Desa Minas Jaya 4. Desa Minas Barat 5. Desa Minas Timur 6. Desa Langkai 7. Desa Lubuk Jering 8. Desa Olak
|
9. Desa Sigintil
10. Desa Lubuk Umbut 11. Desa Teluk Kabung 12. Desa Pinang Sebatang Barat 13. Desa Pinang Sebatang Timur 14. Desa Kuala Gasib 15. Desa Teluk Rimba 16. Desa Kota Ringin
|
17. Desa Benteng Hilir
18. Desa Paluh 19. Desa Berbari 20. Desa Pusaka 21. Desa Perincit 22. Desa Bunga Raya 23. Desa Bedosan 24. Desa Sungai Limau
|
25. Desa Benayah
26. Desa Pebadaran 27. Desa Penyengat 28. Desa Sungai Rawa 29. Desa Mengkapan 30. Desa Kayu Ara 31. Desa Lalang 32. Desa Harapan
|
Rural areas (diversity of sialang tree is higher than diversity of sialang tree in coastal area) dominated by PFI and palm tree plantation showed the agragetion trend that A. dorsata was lower when compared to A. dorsata in coastal area (table 2). Concession area of PFI provided nectar which was the food source of A. dorsata, however, it was poorer in providing another food source which was pollen. Although there was a plam tree plantation which was happened to be the source of pollen, but Liow et al. (2001) stated that in thailand, the population and agregation of A. dorsata consider lower in palm tree plantation, because there are no nectars, and according to Nanork (2009), the branching is not suitable for A. dorsata to nest. For that reason, it made the agregation of A. dorsata colony in rural area considered lower than coastal area.
III. METHOD OF SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING OF A. DORSATA HONEY
In Siak regency, harvesting technique of honey before the year of 2000 was still destructive, which was cutting off the whole part of the honey comb. Since 2000, the Research for Forestry Office in Kuok introduced a sustainable harvesting technique, which is done by the way of cutting and brushing off honey and leaving the brood. The observation of the technique showed that the composition of A. dorsata hive contained only 10% of honey and pollen, whereas the rest of which was about 90% was the sapling (brood). The cutting of hive was done on the part of the stroke that was farthest from the main stem because the stroke was located in the farthest area if it was seen from the main stem.
Treatment for increasing honey productivity was done by doing cleaning treatment of the rest of honey comb that was still attached to the stem after honey harvesting and by not doing cleaning treatment (the rest of comb left tobe attached). Based on the observation, it was showed on day I after doing honey stroke harvesting that both trials still made a crowd of A. dorsata.
After 7 days, the observation showed that the cleaning treatment to the rest of honey comb made a new hive built by the A. dorsata worker. While the rest of honey comb which was not doing the cleaning treatment made the hive left by A. dorsata which inhabited it before. After 28 days since the treatment, the cleaning treatment of honey comb showed that the part had reformed and bulged. The opposite thing happened to the hive whose hive/comb was uncleaned which showed the change of the function of the comb which was the comb for sapling (brood) to become honey (table 4). In addition, the cleaning process of the rest of the honey comb had higher value (1260 cm2) if compared to the uncleaned honey comb (960 cm2). The similar trend could be seen in the pollen comb and brood which had higher values to the cleaning treatment compared to the uncleaned one (table 4).
Table 4. Wide average of each hive stroke (honey, pollen, brood) on the 28th day after the process
| Part of hive comb | Honey (cm2) | Pollen (cm2) | Brood (cm2) | |||
| cleaned | uncleaned | cleaned | uncleaned | cleaned | uncleaned | |
| comb of former honey harvest
(point part/farthest part of main stem/harvested part) |
1050 | 0 | 264 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Center hive stroke (left part) | 210 | 960 | 380 | 520 | 7210 | 6580 |
| Hive stroke of starting point (the nearest part to the main stem | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1027 | 1550 |
| Total | 1260 | 960 | 644 | 520 | 8237 | 8130 |
The low trend of comb wide of each hive to the uncleaned treatment was suspected because of the existence of the rotten comb rest, so it lured the decomposing organisms (fungi or decomposer) to come, and it made the old hive becoming humid and rotten. This such condition was probably not favored by the bees, specifically it was because of the high humidity of the comb which occured disease caused by fungi and bacteria. According to Renich et al. (2011), some bee diseases are caused by the existence of microorganisms such as roten larvae rot (caused by bacteria Bacillus larvae).
- CONCLUSION
- Districts having the highest diversity parameter was Tualang (2.169) and the lowest was Mempura and Sungai Apit (0.72 and 0.84). The analysis about diversity parameter of sialang tree was located in the village around the Siak river flow and concession area of PFI which was planted by Acacia mangium, Acacia crassicarpa, and Eucalyptus sp. and showed the highest value (Tualang and Minas districts) if compared to sialang tree diversity in coastal area (Sungai Apit district).
- Sialang tree diversity in Siak regency correlated negatively to dorsata colony agregation, however it correlated positively to honey harvesting productivity.
- The 28th day observation, the rest of honey stroke done through the cleaning process had a higher value (1260 cm2) if compared to the honey stroke which was uncleaned (960 cm2). The similar trend was seen in pollen and brood strokes which had higher values through the cleaning process compared to the uncleaned process.
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avrypribadi 