DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN THE EDGE AREA OF MOUNT TILU NATURE RESERVE, WEST JAVA

• Main Author: Aliyah Fatima, Adiva
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/67846
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The invasion of alien species into conservation areas poses a threat to local biodiversity. Mount Tilu Nature Reserve (CAGT) serves as a habitat for a vast range of flora and fauna, including three species of endemic javan primates. Forest encroachment in CAGT could facilitate and hasten the invasion of alien species into the interior area. This study aims to determine the diversity of invasive alien plant species at the edge area of CAGT, the density of invasive alien plant species from the boundary to the interior area of CAGT, the distribution pattern of invasive alien plant species, and which invasive alien plant species has the highest density. This research was conducted using the belt transect method on seven transects selected by purposive sampling. Vegetation analysis was used to quantify plant density, whereas species distribution patterns were identified using the Morisita Index of Dispersion. Fifteen species were identified as invasive, which consisted of 9 herb species, 5 shrub species, and 1 tree species. The density of invasive alien plant species declined from the boundary to the interior area, with a slight increase in the interior area. All invasive plant species that were found to have a clustered distribution pattern. Density was highest in Ageratina riparia, Oplismenus hirtellus, Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Austroeupatorium inulifolium, Calliandra calothyrsus, and Cinchona pubescens.