UNDERSTORY AVIAN COMMUNITY IN A TEAK FOREST OF CEPU, CENTRAL JAVA

Abstract

Teak forest in Java island is commonly planted using a mix agroforestry system at an early stage of development, which later forms a monoculture forest ecosystem. As a consequence, the understory ecosystem is unique and different from other forest systems. This study investigated the role of understory layer in teak forest plantation of Central Java. Four different teak plantation conditions were selected: clonal, conventional, agroforestry and old-grown teak plantation, in the forest management unit of Cepu, Central Java. Point-count samples were placed systematically, recording different species inhabiting the forest floor, habitat features and feeding behavior of each species. Species were grouped according to the guild and stratum of the forest. It was found that the forest floor of teak plantation provided habitat, more for insectivorous and omnivorous, and less for frugivorous. Among other guilds, the encounter rates of insectivorous were highest in agroforest, conventional and old growth teak plantation. Whereas, the granivorous was highest in clonal teak plantation. Thus, the study confirmed that teak plantation plays a role as a refuge for understory bird communities. However, surrounding landscape conditions provide additional resources for the avian communities, rather than only within the compartment. Further improvement of habitat surrounding the compartments, including riparian, is needed for supporting avian biodiversity conservation in forest plantation.