Floral Phenology of Lake Laut Tawar in the Gayo Highlands, Central Aceh Regency

Abstrak

Lake Laut Tawar is a volcanic lake possessing high ecological significance and supporting the livelihoods of surrounding communities. Phenological analysis provides an essential framework for understanding plant reproductive characteristics, including inflorescence types, fruit morphology, and seed dispersal strategies. However, comprehensive information regarding the phenological traits of flora in the Lake Laut Tawar ecosystem remains limited. This study aimed to identify flower and fruit types and evaluate the diversity of plant reproductive strategies in the vegetation surrounding Lake Laut Tawar, Central Aceh Regency, Indonesia. A quantitative field survey was conducted using transect-based observations covering 48 plant families, involving species identification and documentation of floral and fruit characteristics. The results revealed that cymose inflorescences and capsule fruits were the dominant reproductive forms, while additional inflorescence types included racemose structures, and fruit types comprised drupe, berry, legume, achene, caryopsis, and polydrupe. These findings indicate diverse adaptive reproductive strategies associated with environmental conditions, pollination mechanisms, and seed dispersal interactions. The observed phenological diversity contributes to vegetation regeneration, supports faunal population stability, and enhances ecosystem resilience and landscape aesthetics. This study provides baseline scientific data to support flora conservation planning and sustainable ecosystem management in the Lake Laut Tawar region. Keyword: Phenology; Flower type; Fruit type; Riparian vegetation; Laut Tawar Lake.