The diversity and abundance of phytoplankton in Lubuk Damar coastal waters, Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia

Abstract

In the coastal ecosystem, mangroves play essential roles in biodiversity and energy flow, and phytoplankton functions as primary producers. This study aims to ascertain the diversity and abundance of phytoplankton in mangrove habitats at Lubuk Damar, Aceh Tamiang. Sampling was performed atLubuk Damar in August 2017 and January 2018, Aceh Tamiang Regency, via a plankton net with a 20-micron mesh size. The outcome of this study will help to evaluate the phytoplankton contribution in mangrove estuarine ecosystems. In January 2018, the phytoplankton was more abundant than in August 2017. However, diversity was higher in August compared to January. The Index Diversity in August ranged between 1.24 – 2.83 and in January around 0.83 – 2.35. Furthermore, the Index Dominance in January was within 0.17 – 0.73, and in August around 0.08 – 0.48. Evenness Index in January was around 0.23 – 0.64, and in August, 0.11 – 0.87. In January, Chaetoceros sp. was dominant in water, followed by Bacillaria sp, and Biddulphia sp. In August, Leptocylindrus sp. was dominant in phytoplankton diversity, followed by Biddulphia sp. and Chaetoceros sp. In coastal water of Lubuk Damar, the presence of diatoms dominate the abundance phytoplankton.