INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN GUNUNG TILU NATURE RESERVE, BLOCK GAMBUNG BANDUNG DISTRICT

• Main Author: Muhamad Wijaya, Andre
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/72158
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Invasive alien species (IAS) has a negative impact on ecology, economy, and health. In Indonesia, IAS invaded conservation areas such as Baluran National Park, Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve, and Gunung Tilu Nature Reserve (CAGT). Fragmentation in Gunung Tilu Nature Reserve driven by intensive human activities, therefore invasion of IAS in this area is increasing due to extensive open area. Ecological study on invasive plant species in CAGT is limited, therefore this study was conducted to record invasive alien plant species in Gunung Tilu Nature Reserve (CAGT), Block Gambung Bandung District. The inventory of invasive plant species is important for managing conservation areas. Plant survey is carried out in the area with various disturbance intensities, i.e. high disturbance (HD), medium (MD), and low disturbance (LD). Nested plots 20 × 20 m2 (6 plots) were placed randomly to record trees; sub-plot 10 × 10 m2 (6 plots) to record poles; sub-plot 5 × 5 m2 (12 plots) to record shrubs and stake; and sub-plot 1 × 1 m2 (48 plots) to record herbs dan seedling. Tree species is noted; individual number, diameter at breast high (DBH) and frequency were measured. Microclimate including air temperature (oC), air humidity (%), light intensity (lux), and soil pH were measured three replicates in each plot. Plant species were identified using Mountain Flora of Java (2010). The invasive plant status of each species was clarified through the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI), and Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). A total of 72 plant species (39 families) consists of 37 species trees; 8 species shrubs; and 27 herbs. These sampled plants can be classified into: Native Species (NS; 79 %), Invasive Alien Species (IAS; 15%), Invasive Native Species (INS; 4%), and Alien Noninvasive Species (ANS; 2%). There are 11 invasive trees i.e., Cinchona pubescens (INP pole = 103,17% (HGS), and INP stake = 39,41% (HGS)), Calliandra calothyrsus (INP stake = 53,53% (HGS)), and Leucaena leucocephala (INP stake = 10,75% (HGS)). Shrub IAS are Austroeupatorium inulifolium (INP = 92,76% (HGR)). There are 7 invasive herbs i.e., Ageratina riparia (INP = 36,59% (HGT); 71,82% (HGS); 40,09% (HGR)), Cyperus rotundus (INP = 4,99% (HGT); 3,77% (HGS); 10,90% (HGR)), Ageratum conyzoides (INP = 55,06% (HGT)), Syngonium podophyllum (INP = 16,50% (HGS)); Brachiaria mutica (INP = 31,31% (HGS)), Impatiens platypetala (INP = 19,67% (HGT)), and Drymaria cordata (2,86% (HGT)). Invasive plants are commonly found in areas with high disturbance intensity (5 species) and medium disturbance (7 species) due to anthropogenic activities such as plantations and road construction. The existence of IAS plants in Gunung Tilu Nature Reserve needs to be managed to avoid increasing number of IAS as one of driven factors to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.