Non-Native Plant Species of the Habitat of Fuscous Javan Langur in Mount Merbabu
Alanindra Saputra (a) (b)*, Nurmiyati (a) (b), Puguh Karyanto (b)

(a) Doctor Biology Programe, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada,
*alanindra[at]staff.uns.ac.id
(b) Bachelor of Biology Education, Universitas Sebelas Maret

Abstract

Habitat degradation and fragmentation can provide opportunities for succession of non-native species. Mount Merbabu in Central Java is one of the protected areas in Java that has experienced forest degradation and fragmentation, threatening the habitat of the rare primate Javan Langur Fuscous Presbytis comata fredericae. Currently, non-native plant species have created a lot of cover on forest soils. This forest land cover can lead to ecological consequences, such as competition for nutrients and space with native plant species. Characteristics of non-native species have the ability to grow fast, reproduce quickly, spread widely, and have a wide range of tolerance to environmental conditions. This will affect the forest ecosystem and affect feed intake for Javan Fuscous Langur. Our research aims to study the kinds of non-native plant species. The method used is a square plot with a size of 5x5m with a point spread by purposive sampling, as many as 100 plots. The results obtained are in the form of a list of non-native plant species and an index of importance. There were 6 non-native plant species found and 25 understory plant species. The index of importance of non-native plant species for overstory plants is quite high, reaching 31% for Acacia decurens, 24% Cupressus arizonica, 21.35% Cupressus lusitanica mill. As for the understory species, the highest important value index is the Ageratina siparia (77.7%) which dominates the area, and Chromolaena odorata (16.97%). This species has the potential to become food for the Javan Lutung Fuscous Presbytis comata fredericae and also a competitor to native plants that affect the stability of the habitat ecosystem of the Javan Lutung Fuscous Presbytis comata fredericae.

Keywords: Presbytis comata fredericae, Non-Native Plant Species, Habitat, feed

Topic: Biology