Invasive alien plants of Sorong City Protected Forest Management Unit (PFMU), West Papua

Abstract

Abstrak. Yuliana S, Lekitoo K. 2018. Invasive alien plants of Sorong City Protected Forest Management Unit (PFMU), West Papua. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 4: 92-96. The spread of invasive alien species become serious threat to forest area, due to its effects on degradation to biodiversity, natural processes and forest function. Forest management in the form of Forest Management Unit (FMU), specifically in Protected FMU (PFMU) should also consider the invasion of alien species. This research aim was to identify invasive alien plants encountered on the area of Sorong City PFMU, West Papua. Field surveys with exploration method were taken, followed by observation and identification in order to list and identify invasive alien plants in this research. The results showed 23 species of invasive alien plants from 12 families which already spread in the boundaries and roads within the area of Sorong City PFMU. Invasive alien plant species encountered from various form of habitus, which were shrubs, grasses, sedges, bushes, lianas, and trees. Among these species, there were 5 species need more attention, which were Spathodea campanulata P.Beauv, Merremia peltata (L.) Merrill, Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Lantana cammara L., and Mikania micrantha H.B.K. These species have been listed nationally and globally as Invasive Alien Species (IAS) which potentially bring detrimental impacts on natural species and biodiversity, ecosystem degradation and habitat loss in many places.