Exotic plants in small islands: Implications for tourism destination management in Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, Lombok

The aim of the study is to analyze the diversity of exotic plant species in a small tourist island in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. A field study was conducted at Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, West Nusa Tenggara. Tourism is the main activity in these islands, buttourism infrastructure development, garden landscaping and theintroduction of exotic plant species have caused dramatic changes in the vegetation of these small islands. A total of 108 non-native plant species of 44 families was recorded, demonstrating the high number of exotic plant species that have been introduced. The family with the highest number of species was Fabaceae, followed by Asparagaceae, Arecaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae, and Myrtaceae. Native plant species have decreased as a consequence of tourism infrastructure development. Exotic plant species represent culturally and economically important resources in Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. Many native species in Gili are useful for food, construction material, ornaments, remedies, and forage. Exotic plant species are planted as ornaments, as well as for shade, ground cover, hedges and fences, and as focal points. Some important aspects should be considered in order to minimize the impact of exotic plant species upon native ecosystems, including plant species regulation, plant monitoring, and restoration of degraded habitats and encouraging the growth of local flora as acomponent of garden landscaping in the tourism infrastructure. Sustainable gardening may consist of establishing an agroforestry system to guarantee continuing small island ecosystems and rehabilitating the abandoned farmlands.