Structure and composition of coastal forest in Leuweung Sancang Nature Reserve

Abstract

Leuweung Sancang Nature Reserve is an important conservation area in West Java but rampant illegal logging and land conversion in 1997 has resulted in massive damage to its serenity, with its highly economical-coastal forest among ecosystems severely impacted by deforestation.  Now, almost 20 years since the destruction took place, we examined vegetation structure and diversity in its coastal forest. We found 44 plant species from 29 families with varying degrees of importance. Average plant diameter suggested that although diversity index value was categorized as high, coastal forest improvement in Leuweung Sancang Nature Reserve still needs to be meticulously monitored.