Impact of logging on the biodiversity and composition of flora and fauna in the mangrove forests of Bintuni Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Abstract

The mangrove ecosystem of Bintuni Bay, West Papua, Indonesia is one of the largest in the world covering more than 250,000 ha. In the southern part of the bay, ± 82,120 ha of mangroves and surrounding area is managed and harvested under a 30-year rotation cycle to produce wood chips, with strict compliance to sustainable forest management standards. Flora and fauna have been continuously monitored for a period of 10 years (2009–2018), to assess the effectiveness of environmental management programs on the biological aspect. Mangrove flora and fauna recorded in the area comprise 28 true mangrove species representing 11 families along with 103 birds (40 families), 9 reptiles (6 families) and 7 mammals (5 families). Results confirm previous studies that secondary mangrove forest shows significant growth and recovery, with 5 true mangrove species consistently becoming dominant species in primary and secondary mangrove forest. Logging on mangroves significantly impacted the biodiversity of flora as Rhizopora apiculata become more dominant in secondary forest covering 69% of total species composition. Abundance and diversity of fauna in secondary forest was higher in younger forests as compared to older stands. About 18% of total fauna individual was categorized as keystone species. Fauna composition was not significantly impacted by logging most likely due to the abundance of habitat (untouched forest) remaining in the surrounding harvest area. With appropriate environmental management programs, impact of logging on mangrove forest can be minimized and the ecosystem could be restored effectively to provide adequate habitat for flora and fauna.