NUTRIENT PRODUCTION OF FORAGE PLANT AND HABITAT CARRYING CAPACITY BALI BARAT NATIONAL PARK FOR TIMOR DEER (Cervus timorensis Blainville)

This study was conducted to determine the production of nutrients and habitat carrying capacity for Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) in the Bali Barat National Park (BBNP) throughout the year. Sampling is done in four habitat units, namely Cekik unit, Prapat Agung, Segara Rupek and Brumbun. Production of nutrients (DM, CP, GE, Ca and P) in habitat measured by the harvesting method on the species of food plants, the grazing efficiency of 50% (proper use factor). The level of feed intake by the timor deer stag do in captivity (in Pupuan, Tabanan), using four individuals deer. Habitat carrying capacity is determined by the balance between production and consumption of nutrient. The results showed that the average annual production of nutrients (DM, CP, GE, Ca and P) respectively is 1,797.98 kg/ha, 250.05 kg/ha, 3,0081.63 MJ/ha, 20.13 kg/ha and 4.62 kg/ha. Average consumption of DM, CP, GE, Ca and P by Timor deer respectively is 949.04 kg/ind., 163.167 kg/ind., 15,799.025 MJ/ind., 13.14 kg/ind. and 4.62 kg/ind. Based on the balance of nutrient production and consumption of these nutrients, then the habitat carrying capacity of grazing area deer in BBNP is 1.5 ind/ha or three individuals deer per two hectare of grazing area. Grazing area in the BBNP (area grazing unit 1,260 ha) can support as many as 1,890 individuals deer throughout the year.