37 Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Management 13(1): 37–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.13.1.37–48 E-ISSN: 2460-5824 http://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/jpsl Species composition, structure, and management in gayo coffee-based agroforestry system: the case of Mude Nosar Village, Central Aceh Regency Adisti Permatasari Putri Hartoyo ab , Labana Hutagalung c , Fifit Kulsum a , Arzyana Sunkar c , Elis Nina Herliyana a , Syafitri Hidayati c a Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Darmaga Bogor, 16680, Indonesia b Environmental Research Centre, IPB University, Darmaga Bogor, 16680, Indonesia c Department of Conservation of Forest and Ecotourism, IPB University, Darmaga Bogor, 16680, Indonesia Article Info: Received: 19 - 09 - 2022 Accepted: 03 - 10 - 2022 Keywords: Coffea arabica, conservation, Gayo tribe, tree composition, tree structure Corresponding Author: Adisti Permatasari Putri Hartoyo Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University; Phone: +6285212204488 Email: adistipermatasari@apps.ipb.ac.id Abstract. Gayo coffee has been the main commodity of the Gayo tribe, including the Mude Nosar, as local farmers. One of the ways to cultivate Gayo coffee is through an agroforestry system. However, limited reports on the tree species composition and its management in Gayo coffee-based agroforestry need to be explored. This study aims i) to identify the tree species composition and structure, as well as 2) to analyze the management of Gayo coffee-based agroforestry system in Mude Nosar Village. The method used plot establishment for vegetation analysis and interviewed the Gayo coffee farmers. The results showed that the number of tree species at all growth stages was 26 species. The highest Important Value Index (IVI) at the understory and sapling level in order was rumput kerbau (Paspalum conjugatum) and Gayo coffee (Coffea arabica), while at the seedling, pole, and tree levels were dominated by lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala). The local farmers often use lamtoro as a shade tree for Gayo coffee in the agroforestry system. The species diversity index (H') showed low values at all tree growth levels. The horizontal structure of the tree stand showed an inverted J curve, meaning that the regeneration rate was normal. The vertical structure of the tree stand belongs to strata C and D. The local farmers have applied good Gayo coffee management practices through an agroforestry system, including land and seed preparation, planting, maintenance, and harvesting techniques. The management of Gayo coffee using an agroforestry system impacts the ecological, economic, and social aspects. How to cite (CSE Style 8 th Edition): Hartoyo APP, Hutagalung L, Kulsum F, Sunkar A, Herliyana EN, Hidayati S. 2023. Species composition, structure, and management in gayo coffee-based agroforestry system: the case of Mude Nosar Village, Central Aceh Regency. JPSL 13(1): 37–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.13.1.37–48. INTRODUCTION Indonesia is rich in biodiversity consisting of various flora and fauna. Many plant species are widely used as vital cultural species. According to Faluthi (2021), the critical culture species are various plant species with multifunctionality in cultural activities. One of the vital species of culture is coffee due to economic, environmental, and cultural benefits. Based on the economic aspect, coffee can improve welfare, while in the environmental aspect, it can conserve biodiversity, soil, and water. In the cultural aspect, coffee can be used as a preservation that adheres to various social values and norms as the formation of the identity of a tribe.