HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS OF ANDALIMAN (Zanthoxylumacanthopodium DC) IN NORTH SUMATRA USING A GIS (Geographical Information System) APPROACH

Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC) is a member of the Rutaceae family which is spread in the regions of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. In the territory of Indonesia, andaliman is spread in the highlands of North Sumatra and parts of Aceh. Andaliman is a spice plant that is usually used as a spice for the Batak tribe in North Sumatra. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of andaliman habitat in North Sumatra. A total of 169 samples from 8 regencies in North Sumatra analyzed habitat characteristics using the ArcGis 10.3 program using various ecological data. The results showed that andaliman was widely distributed in the highlands in North Sumatra. Andaliman inhabits 4 soil types, namely Humic Acrisols (36.09%), Orthic Acrisols (34.31%), Humic Cambisols (18.34%), and Orthic Ferralsols (11.24%), 7 Types of land cover namely dry land agriculture (81.06%), open soil (0.59%), rice fields (6.5%), settlements (2.9%), secondary dryland forests (4.73%), shrubs (3.55%), and industrial plantations (0.59%). Andaliman inhabits a limited elevation between 854-2676 m above sea level. The highest number in elevation 1161-1526 (76.92%), 854-1160 (14.20%), 1527-1968 (7.69%), 1969-2676 (0.59%). In rainfall ecology variables, Andaliman occupies an area with rainfall between 1500-4000 mm/year. The highest number occupies rainfall between 1500-2000 (8.87%), 2000-2500 (83.43%), 2500-3000 (5.91%), 3000-3500 (0.59%), and 3500-4000 (0.59%) mm/annual. Most of Andaliman grew in areas with Critical land types (69.23%), rather critical (25.44%), critical potential (3.55%) and very critical (1.18%). Andaliman occupies a limited habitat character so that the right steps are needed in his conservation efforts. This research is expected to become important information in the conservation and cultivation efforts of andaliman in North Sumatra.