Autecological investigations of the endangered Castanopsis tungurrut (Blume) A. DC. (Fagaceae) in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park Cibodas Biosphere Reserve, Indonesia

Understanding and addressing the challenges faced by the endangered species, like Castanopsis tungurrut , is an imperative biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Despite the urgency, existing studies on Castanopsis tungurrut are insufficient, grappling with threats like habitat degradation, climate change, over-harvesting, and limited regeneration ability. Authors studied the autoecology of Castanopsis tungurrut in four distinct locations of the Gunung Gede Pangrango Natonal Park, Ciboda Biosphere Reserve Indonesia, anmely; Cibodas, Bodongal, Selabintana and Cisarua, examining particularly, the morphology and development, ecological characteristics, distribution patterns and influencing environmental factors, associated vegetation, and conservation plans. Standard vegetation ecology methods were used involving a total of forty-one plots measuring 20x20 m distributed as follows: 10 plots in Bodogol, 14 in Cibodas, 8 in Cisarua, and 9 in Selabintana forests. Each 202x20 m plot for tree has subplots measuring 10x10 m for poles 5x5m for saplings and 2x2m for wildings. Morphology and development studies revealed a tap root system on wilding growing vertically downward, stem butressed during free stage, leafelliptic and discolorous, inflorescence androgynous with male flower in clusters of 3 while the female is solitary, fruits ovoid ellipsoid with branched spines and glabrous and rugose seed. Tree architecture follows the Koriba's model, flowering in late August and fruiting in November to February. C. tungurrut dominates at 750 to 1500 m asl, declining at higher elevations, growing in clumped pattern steep habitats. Cluster analysis showed three distinct vegetation zones and co-dominants with C. tungurrut: Zone 1 (500-1000 m asl)-Castanopsis-Lithocarpus ans schima wallichii forest, Zone 2 (1000-1500 m asl)-Castanopsis-and Schima wallichii forestand Zone 3 (1500-2400 m asl)-Schima wallichii, Castanopsis, Altingia excelsa forest. Caninical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that temperature, is the primary limiting factor influencing C. tungurrut distribution along with Sloanea sigun and Ostodes paniculata. Surprisingly, C. tungurrut does not depend on the other species for its growth and survival. It is associated positively only with Casearia coriacea per Chi square test (5.2) and Jaccard index (0.35). The following strategies are proposed to conserve C. tungurrut: 1)enhance species policy regulation, 2)manage primary habit access effectively, 3)empower forest community groups, and 4)foster collaboration with the community. Implementation of these strategies is crucial for the species' survival and broader ecosystem health and resilience.