Rahman FA, Qayim I, Wardiatno Y. 2018. Carbon storage variability in seagrass meadows of Marine Poton Bako, EastLombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 1626-1631. The increase of atmospheric CO2 concentration in the lastdecades leads to global warming, having an adverse effect on the environment condition on the Earth. One of the natural mechanism asan effort to reduce the impact of global warming is carbon absorption and storage through photosynthesis mechanism of seagrassvegetation. Research conducted at Poton Bako, a district in East Lombok was aimed to reveal the composition of seagrass species,density, seagrass coverage, the biomass of seagrass tissue, content of carbon storage in seagrass tissue (above and below substrates),carbon content in seagrass sediments, and estimation of carbon stock in the area. The research included observation of speciescomposition, and the sample was collected from 0.5 m × 0.5 m plot area. The total plot area was 36 on six lanes with the space betweenplots 25 m and between lanes 100 m. Six species from two families were found in the seagrass meadows, i.e., Cymodocea rotundata,Enhalus acoroides, Halophila minor, Holodule uninervis, Thalassia hemprichii and Thalassodendron ciliatum. The three highest totaldensities were C. rotundata 214.67±110.469 stands m-2, T. hemprichii 85.11±41.471 stands m-2, and H. minor 42.22±44.204 stands m-2.Species with the highest coverage value at all observation plots was C. rotundata (33.47±26.748 %), and T. ciliatum had the lowestvalue (2.12±5.071 %). The total biomass was 676.32 g DW m-2 with biomass above substrate 329.94±57.725 g DW m-2 and belowsubstrate 654.88±81.199 g DW m-2. The carbon content of substrate ranged from 0.11% to 0.51% with the average of 0.35±0.081%,which was categorized low. The total average of carbon storage in seagrass was 447.92 g C m-2 comprising 142.77 g C m-2 of theirtissue above substrate and 305.15 g C m-2 below substrate. Regarding the area, the total carbon stored in seagrass meadows with 56.65ha area was 249.27 t C ha-1.

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Abstract. Master J, Qayim I, Setiadi D, Santoso N. 2020. Autecology of Melastoma malabathricum, an invasive species in the Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2303-2310. Melastoma malabathricum has become one of the invasive plants in the Way Kambas National Park (WKNP), Lampung, Indonesia. This plant is feared to be a problem in efforts to conserve biodiversity in the WKNP area. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the factors causing the invasion of these plants. The vegetation analysis plot was placed on three types of habitats in the study location, namely, forests, swamps, and invaded swamps, then measurements and records of vegetation data and abiotic factors were recorded in each plot. The results reveal that M. malabathricum dominates swamp habitat and negatively associated with trees, which can provide canopy. Abiotic factors, such as canopy cover, water level, and soil fertility, become supporting factors for the invasion. In addition, climate change, which is causing drought also contributes to the invasion of M. malabathricum at the WKNP.

Basalamah F, Utami-Atmoko SSU, Perwitasari-Farajallah D, Qayim I, Sihite J, Van Noordwijk M, Willems E, Van Schaik CP. 2018. Monitoring orangutan reintroduction: Results of activity budgets, diets, vertical use and associations during the first year postrelease in Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 639-650. Pongo pygmaeus morio, a subspecies of orangutan founded east Kalimantan is steadily declining and classified as endangered. A reintroduction program was recently established. We monitored the reintroduced individuals during their first year post-release at Kehje Sewen Forest in East Kalimantan to document the adjustment to their new habitat. Here, we present a report on the activity patterns, food choice, travel height, nest-building abilities and associations of six individuals ranging between eight and thirteen years old. Our results show that all individuals survived their first year. They spent most of their time feeding and had a largely frugivorous diet, similar to wild orangutans. However, although they were able to build nests, they reused or rebuilt old nests more often than expected. They also spent 16% of their total activity time on the ground, more than expected. This information will contribute to attempts to evaluate factors affecting the adjustment process, and thus optimizing future reintroduction procedures.

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