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Autecological investigations of the endangered Castanopsis tungurrut (Blume) A. DC. (Fagaceae) in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park Cibodas Biosphere Reserve, Indonesia
Dissertation Abstract:
Understanding and addressing the challenges faced by endangered species, like Castanopsis tungurrut, is imperative for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Despite the urgency, existing studies on Castanopsis tungurrut are insufficient, grappling with threats like habitat degradation, climate change, over-harvesting, and limited regeneration ability. We studied the autecology of Castanopsis tungurrut in four distinct locations of the Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, Cibodas Biosphere Reserve, Indonesia, namely; Cibodas, Bodogol, Selabintana and Cisarua, examining particularly, the morphology and development, ecological characteristics, distribution patterns and influencing environmental factors, associated vegetation, and conservation plans. Standard vegetation ecology methods were used involving a total of forty-one plots measuring 20 x 20 m distributed as follows: 10 plots in Bodogol, 14 in Cibodas, 8 in Cisarua, and 9 in Selabintana forests. Each 20 x 20 m plot for tree has subplots measuring 10 x 10 m for poles 5 x 5 m for saplings and 2 x 2 m for wildings. Morphology and development studies revealed a tap root system on wilding growing vertically downward, stem buttressed during tree stage, leaf elliptic and discolorous, inflorescence androgynous with male flower in clusters of 3 while the female is solitary, fruits ovoid ellipsoid with branched spines and glabrous and rugose seed. Tree architecture follows the Koriba's model, flowering in late August and fruiting in November to February. C. tungurrut dominates at 750 to 1500 m asl, declining at higher elevations, growing in clumped pattern steep habitats. Cluster analysis showed three distinct vegetation zones and co-dominants with C. tungurrut: Zone I (500-1000 m asl) - Castanopsis-Lithocarpus and Schima wallichii forest, Zone II (1000-1500 m asl) - Castanopsis and Schima wallichii forest, and Zone III (1500-2400 m asl) - Schima wallichii, Castanopsis, Altingia excelsa forest. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that temperature, is the primary limiting factor influencing C. tungurrut distribution along with Sloanea sigun and Ostodes paniculata. Surprisingly, C. tungurrut does not depend on other species for its growth and survival. It is associated positively only with Casearia coriacea per Chi square test (5.2) and Jaccard index (0.35). The following strategies are proposed to conserve C. tungurrut: 1) enhance species policy regulation, 2) manage primary habitat access effectively, 3) empower forest community groups, and 4) foster collaboration with the community. Implementation of these strategies is crucial for the species' survival and broader ecosystem health and resilience.