Effect of shading on community structure of Asteraceae family in Cibodas Botanical Garden

Abstract

Knowledge of community structures is one of the essential preventive efforts towards spread of invasive species that important to do. This study aims to describe the community structure of Asteraceae family based on shade characteristics at Cibodas Botanical Garden. The community structure data were obtained by measuring the extent of leaf cover and the presence of each Asteraceae species. The study was conducted on 138 of 1 x 1 m quadrats which equally divided into two habitat conditions: with and without tree canopy cover (shading). Plots were sampled by using purposive sampling method. Survey results showed there are 20 species of Asteraceae, with 16 number of species found on each habitat. Species with highest Important Value Index (IVI) in opened habitat is Emilia sonchifolia (36.72 %), while Youngia japonica has the highest IVI value in shaded habitat (29.5 %). In general, there are no dominant Asteraceae species (D 0.2-0.25), with diversity of Asteraceae is considered low (H' 1.73-1.9), and the distribution of Asteraceae species tends to be evenly distributed (E 0.75-0.8) in both habitat type. Community of Asteraceae family in Cibodas Botanical Garden was suspected to be affected by anthropological activity especially in opened area.