Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Analysis to Develop a University Botanical Garden: A Case Study in the University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan

Information on existing site characteristics both biotic and abiotic factors is mandatory to provide an initial picture for a baseline to develop a botanical garden. This study aimed to analyse the biodiversity and ecosystem services in the candidate botanical garden area as an existing site, a case study in the University of Palangka Raya (UPR) to prepare the university botanical garden development. The fieldwork was conducted in 5 transects consisting of 100 plots with a plot size of 20x20 m2. The results showed that the site is categorized as a Sundaland peat swamp forest ecoregion. The peatlands thickness varies from shallow to medium and deep, with the remaining area reaching 75 % of the total campus. The floristic condition is categorized as an early stage of succession after fires, consisting of 26 plant species belonging to 25 genera and 18 families, with various potential uses. Wildlife comprised 42 species including amphibians, reptiles, birds, fishes and prawns, also insects. Three high conservation value plants and two wildlife were documented. The stand carbon storage reached 14.33 tons/ha. A botanical garden consists of both natural and artificial ecosystems, thus it is important to strategically plan in setting the plant collections layout and species enrichment efforts. The UPR botanical garden will provide the conservation of native and endemic plants of Kalimantan, with high conservation value, potentials, and local wisdom value; and provide ecosystem services for storing carbon, improving hydrological services, habitat and protection for various existing and incoming wildlife.