JENIS-JENIS TUMBUHAN ASING INVASIF DI TAMAN WISATA ALAM GUNUNG MEJA MANOKWARI, PAPUA BARAT ((Invasive Plant Species at Gunung Meja Recreational Park, Manokwari West Papua)

Abstract

One of the threats to the protected and natural recreational park is invasion of exotic species, which alters the stability of biodiversity, natural functions, and decreases park's value. Gunung Meja Recreational Park (RP), Manokwari, West Papua has to deal with the issues of exotic plant species. This paper aim was to detect and identify invasive plant species on the edges of the RP. Field surveys with exploration method followed by observation and identification were taken to list invasive plants in this research. The results showed 39 species from 19 families spread on the RP edges. These species were mostly Asteraceae and Fabaceae (eight species each), then Commelinaceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Piperaceae and Verbenaceae, (two species each), and one species each from the family of Acanthaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Bignoniaceae, Cannaceae, Cyperaceae, Malvaceae, Menispermaceae, Phyllantaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceaeand Solanaceae. Invasive plant species encountered from various form of habitus, which were shrubs, grass, sedge, clumps, lianas, and trees. At least five species need more attention, which were Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Lantana cammara L., Merremia peltata (L.) Merrill, Mikania micrantha H.B.K., and Spathodea campanulata P.Beauv. These species have already listed nationally and globally as Invasive Alien Species which potentially bring detrimental impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem.