SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND POTENTIAL OF METROXYLON SAGU ROTTB. FOREST IN SOUTH KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

Metroxylon sagu Rottb is a plant species of wetland that can produce carbohydrates. South Kalimantan is the 4th largest sago producer in Indonesia. Banjar district is one of the areas where covered by M.sagu forest. This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution and potential of M.sagu forest in Banjar district, South Kalimantan. The method of data collection was done by square plot. The 20 m x 20 m plots consist of at least 3 locations as samples of M.sagu forest. The 20 × 20 m quadrats were used to record trees with diameter=20 cm. The vegetation parameters measured were number of individuals, diameter and height. Spatial data was collected from secondary data. Spatial distribution of M.sagu forest analyzed by using ArcGIS software. The potential of sago forest is analyzed by calculating the diameter, height and volume of trees. The area covered by M.sagu forest in Banjar Regency is 401.62 ha. There are 2 subdistricts that have the largest M.sagu forest in Banjar district, namely Sungai Tabuk sub district and Astambul sub district. M.sagu forest area is 0.09% of the total area of Banjar district. The potential of M.sagu forest with a diameter > 20 cm is 119 trees/ha. The number of individual mature trees of M.sagu (diameter > 50 cm) reaches 48 stems/ha. The total potential production of wet starch from M.sagu forest in Banjar district is 3,855 tons. Banjar district is an area that has potential high M.sagu starch production in South Kalimantan