Invasive Alien Species: Their Impact on Degraded Mangrove Forest Ecosystems

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) plants in mangrove forests are plants that can reproduce rapidly and dominate mangrove forest areas due to their adaptability. This study aims to identify IAS species and analyze the impacts caused by their invasion in the mangrove forest area of the Air Telang Protected Forest (ATPF). The method used in this study is a survey method with sampling through a purposive sampling method. IAS plant samples were determined through a survey in the ATPF area, from land to the coast. This study succeeded in identifying three species of IAS plants, namely Nypa fruticans, Acrostichum aureum, and Derris trifoliata. These three plants are mainly found in degraded areas in the form of open shrub areas and secondary forests, both in land and coastal areas. The impacts caused by the presence of IAS in the ATPF area include reduce biodiversity, alter habitat structure, disrupt food chains, diminish fisheries productivity, reduced other ecosystem services and increase fire risk.