Community structure of macrozoobenthos as a secondary productivity study in mangrove non-rehabilitation and rehabilitation, Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Ecologically, mangroves play an important role because they have high primary and secondary productivity so they can support the existence of flora and fauna that live in mangrove ecosystems. Mangrove as a feeding ground is appropriate habitat for macrofauna associated in mangrove such as macrozoobenthos. The objectives of the present study were to assess the community structure included species abundance, biological indices, and the distribution pattern of macrozoobenthos species as a study of secondary productivity in mangrove non-rehabilitation and rehabilitation. The different characteristics of mangrove ecosystems cause the differences not only species richness but also the abundance of macrozoobenthos. The research started from May to September 2018. The determination of research stations was carried out by a purposive sampling method and there were 6 observation stations with 3 replications. Sampling was conducted in 1 x 1 m2 of square transects. The results of the study found 15 species of macrozoobenthos and the commonly number of species and species abundance found was higher in diurnal than nocturnal time. The highest abundance was Faunus ater (64.7 individuals/m2), and they were found mostly at station 4 (mangrove rehabilitation) which was 32.7 individuals/m2 (nocturnal) and 18.7 individuals/m2 (diurnal). On average, the diversity index (H’) was moderate both in diurnal and nocturnal time. The evenness index value implied that the total number of individuals in the species was almost the same and there was probably no domination of certain species at field study. The species distribution pattern was random. In conclusion, the community structure of macrozoobenthos in the present study was in moderate condition.