Invasiveness of Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Francheschi) Makino in a remnant secondary forest of Cibodas Botanic Gardens, Indonesia and its proposed management

Chimonobambusa quadrangularis is one of 75 invasive plant species in Indonesia and found in Cibodas Botanic Gardens forest, Mt. Gede Pangrango National Park forest, and SibolangitTouristPark. We attempt to assess the population, spread rate, and biomass of C. quadrangularis in the Wornojiwo forest and the correlationbetween the presence of C. quadrangularis in the gardenand the existing plant population. Nine (10 meters wide) purposive sampling belt transect was placed to measure vegetation structure and composition. The results indicate that the forest structure (vis-a-vis tree diameter distributionand stratification) was changing, indicating that the Wornojiwo forest had been disturbed considerably. C. quadrangularis dominated the shrub life form with a total population of 3,488 individuals and an average density of 1.4 individuals.m-2. The spread rate of C. quadrangularis was estimated at 422 m2.year-1with a radial distribution pattern. The total biomass of C. quadrangularis was 12.66 Mg.ha-1, and its populationdensity has a weak negative correlation with species richness and abundance of tree, shrub, herb, and seedlingspecies. Active management of this species is needed to restrict its invasion to the natural forestaround Cibodas Botanic Gardens. Thestudy indicatesmore rational forest management and minimizing human interventionsif long-term conservationis to be achieved