Current Status of the invasive Langkap Palm (Arenga obtusifolia) in Indonesia: Distribution, Impact on Biodiversity and Control Management

As its spread and dominance has negative impacts on diversity, current information on Langkap status in Indonesia is needed in order to control its distribution and protect biodiversity. In the present study, through a comprehensive literature review of published papers and reports, updated information regarding Langkap Palm in Indonesia will be presented. This information includes current distribution of the species, the impact of the species on plant biodiversity, and management approaches used to control the species. The present study found a total of 12 localities in Java and Sumatra Island identified to be the natural habitat distribution of Langkap. The species was known to have dominantly distributed in the half of these localities. To control the distribution of the species, mechanical (trunk cutting) and chemical methods (herbicide application) might be applied.   &nbsp