Healthy Index Level of Mangrove Forests around Sylvo-Ecotourism in Tanjungpiayu and Kabil, Batam Island

Abstract

The existence of mangrove forests in several coastal areas of Batam Island is threatened by the development of settlements and ports as well as industrial activities. Environmental changes due to land clearing have an impact on the health of the surrounding mangrove forests. In fact, several mangrove forest areas in Batam City have the potential to be developed as mangrove sylvo-ecotourism areas. The decline in the health of mangrove forests around land conversion areas can be seen from the level of tree damage. Mangrove tree sampling was carried out in Tanjungpiayu Village and Kabil Village in Batam, Riau Islands Province. Sampling of tree stands using cluster plots. The tree health index is observed based on the percentage of damage locations, type and severity of tree damage. The research results showed that the mangroves around the sampling location were considered healthy even though there was light and moderate damage. The worst damage locations are on the leaves, roots and lower stem. The most types of damage were in other categories (submerged in red mud), damaged and discoloured leaves, termites, broken or dead roots and stems. The most severe levels occur around 10-20%, 30% and 90%. The health of the mangroves in the Tanjungpiayu and Kabil mangrove sylvo-ecotourism areas is still relatively good.