Species composition and mangrove forest structure in Buano Island, Moluccas

Abstract

Mangrove forests are protected areas that play an important role for coastal communities on small islands. This study aims to convey data and information about the structure and composition of mangrove species on Buano Island. The Importance Value Index (INP) obtained from vegetation analysis is used as an indicator to describe the composition and structure of mangrove forests. The plot-assisted path method is used in vegetation analysis. 9 illustrative paths with a width of 200 m were created which were divided into 9 segments, there were 54 plots to obtain data and types of mangroves. The research results showed that there were 12 types of mangrove trees and forest regeneration (Heritiera littoralis, Rhizopora Mucronata, Rhizopora stylosa, Rhizopora apiculata, Ceriops Tagal, Sonneratia alba, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Lumnitzera racemose, Aegiceras corniculatum, Deriss trifoliata, Nypa fruticans, Xylocarpus granatum). The dominant species is R. mucronata. The vegetation structure at both locations also has a similar pattern the same, where the vertical structure has 2 layers/stratum of trees and both are dominated by trees with a height of 6-10 meters. Meanwhile, for the horizontal structure, the distribution of diameter classes at both locations is even, marked by a graph that forms an L curve.