Pendugaan Berat Basah Pohon Gamal (Gliricidia sepium) di KPH Sukabumi | Fresh Biomass Estimation of Gamal Trees (Gliricidia sepium) in KPH Sukabumi

Upaya transisi menuju energi bersih mendorong pengembangan potensi energi terbarukan, salah satunya melalui pemanfaatan tanaman gamal (Gliricidia sepium) sebagai bahan alternatif pembangkit listrik tenaga biomassa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menduga potensi berat basah gamal di area penelitian dan menduga potensi berat basah gamal sebagai bahan baku biomassa yang dapat dipasok dari KPH Sukabumi. Pengambilan data untuk mendapatkan gambaran keragaman karakteristik pohon gamal dilakukan dengan metode sensus pada 3 area contoh masing-masing seluas 1 ha mewakili umur tegakan 3, 4, dan 5 tahun. Berat basah contoh pohon gamal, diperoleh dengan metode destruktif atau ditebang dengan total 30 pohon contoh yang diambil secara purposif mewakili sebaran umur dan variasi jumlah batang perpohon. Hasil pendugaan potensi berat basah pohon gamal di area penelitian sebesar 11,56 ton/ha untuk tegakan gamal berumur 3 tahun, 18,76 ton/ha untuk tegakan gamal berumur 4 tahun, dan 79,88 ton/ha untuk tegakan gamal berumur 5 tahun. Dugaan potensi berat basah pohon gamal total area sebesar 2903,5 ton. Nilai dugaan potensi tersebut relatif kecil sebagai bahan baku biomassa, namun layak dikembangan salah satunya dengan perluasan area penanaman pohon gamal.

The transition toward clean energy has accelerated the development of renewable energy sources, including the use of gamal (Gliricidia sepium) as an alternative feedstock for biomass-based power generation. This study aims to estimate the fresh biomass potential of gamal within the research area and assess the potential supply capacity from the Sukabumi Forest Management Unit (KPH Sukabumi). Data collection was conducted using a complete enumeration method across three sampling plots, each measuring 1 hectare, representing stands aged 3, 4, and 5 years. Fresh biomass measurements were performed using a destructive sampling approach, involving the purposive felling of 30 sample trees, which represent the distribution of age and variation in the number of trunks per tree. The estimated fresh biomass yield was 11.56 tons/ha for 3-year-old stands, 18.76 tons/ha for 4-year-old stands, and 79.88 tons/ha for 5-year-old stands. The total estimated fresh biomass potential across the study area reached 2903.5 tons. Although this value is relatively low as a biomass feedstock, it remains viable for further development, particularly through the expansion of gamal cultivation areas.