Abstract
The micro-zonation of vegetation was developed by using the criteria and sub-criteria derived from other objectives, as documented in the literature of previous studies. This study employed the K-means clustering algorithm to discern variations in the criterion. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) analytical technique was utilized to estimate the weight and score of criteria that were vital for producing the micro-zonation of vegetation. Hence, the data collection procedure entailed conducting comprehensive interviews and manually completing questionnaires with experts. A total of four experts participated, including professionals from Taman Nasional Gunung Merapi and the forestry department of Universitas Gadjah Mada. The spatial evaluation was conducted using ArcMap 10.4 software following the processing of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) utilizing an Excel sheet. The objective is to develop a geo-ecological model by creating a micro-zonation for vegetation on Plawangan Hill for conservation. The results showed that the AHP analysis of the micro-zonation of vegetation resulted in the highest weight (0.197) for the history of volcanic eruptions. Following this were the vegetation characteristics based on altitude (0.128), land cover (0.117), TNGM zone (0.096), elevation (0.092), slope (0.082), intensity of rainfall (0.073), and soil nutrients (0.056). The micro-zonation of vegetation further resulted in five clusters and five priorities. Cluster 3 became priority 1 and had an area of 33.56 hectares, or 24%, followed by Cluster 1, which became second priority and had an area of 26.55 hectares, or 19%. Cluster 5 became the third priority and had an area of 36.08 hectares, or 26%, while Cluster 4 became the fourth priority and had an area of 35.15 hectares, or 25%. The last zone was cluster 2, which became the fifth priority and had an area of 6.88 hectares, or 5%. The findings then proposed activities that could be greatly beneficial to apply to Plawangan Hill as a conservation area. The Plawangan Hill wilderness zone comprised nearly 70% of the area that was designated as a priority zone. All clusters, except for cluster 4, exhibited attributes associated with the utilization and wilderness zones of research areas. The TNGM's managerial team shall prioritize and take significant measures to conserve the land, which is designated as a utilization zone. It is imperative to reforest and restore certain regions of Plawangan Hill with indigenous vegetation that is well-suited to the ecosystems of the Low Land Tropical Forest and the Low Mountain Tropical Forest.