Iyan Robiansyah
Mount Salak is part of Mount Halimun-Salak National Park in West Java, Indonesia. It is home to five endemic plant species that are very susceptible to human interference due to their close proximity to human settlements. The deforestation rate of the area was 1,473 ha or 1.3% of the total area each year. Using distance sampling along line transects, the present project aims at providing data on current population and conservation status of these five endemic plant species. Furthermore, based on these data, comprehensive conservation recommendations for the endemic species will be inferred and public awareness media will be produced.
The present project aims at providing the most current baseline data required for the conservation action of five endemic plants found in Mount Salak. These five species are:
1) Saurauia bogoriensis (Actinidiaceae),
2) Canarium kipella (Burseraceae),
3) Rhododendron wilhelminae (Ericaceae),
4) Mitrasacme bogoriensis (Loganiaceae),
5) Schizostachyum biflorum (Poaceae).
While the last two species have not been assessed by IUCN Red List, the global IUCN Red List status for the first three species are Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and CR, respectively. Distance sampling method using line transect will be used to assess the population of the endemic plant species.
Three main practical conservation outputs will be derived from this project. First, an assessment of conservation status of the endemic plants according to IUCN Red List.
Second, a recommendation regarding conservation implication and action for the target species.
And third, leaflets containing all important information of the endemic specie to be disseminated to the local management authorities, visitors of MHSNP, and public in general. In addition, to broaden the impact of this project, a draft of scientific publication will be produced to be published on a prominent international journal.