Indonesia
Mangrove Forests of Indonesia
By. fd agung Widodo
Is the name of the mangrove forest for the trees vegetation that occupy the beaches in the muddy tidal area from the point pairs retreated to the highest or the lowest often called the forest grows water, forests or tidal mangrove forest, and divided into the estuary / delta, estuary river / lagoon, and the island. The tropical coastal communities of Mangrove vegetation are dominated by several species of mangrove trees that are able to grow and develop in the region tidal muddy or sandy beaches. Examples of tree species, mangrove trees, api-api (Avicennia spp), mangrove (Rhizophora spp), and nipah (Nypa fruticans).
This is a mangrove forest ecosystem of coastal areas is very important for the sustainability of life, support various marine biota and physical function as a barrier to abrasion due to the wave of sea water. Biologically, mangrove forest ecosystem is a habitat for various wildlife, among other reptiles and fish, which have economic value and biological, such as milkfish, shrimp and Belanak. In addition, mangrove forest ecosystem is supporting the culture fisheries. Benefits and uses of mangrove forests for human life, among others, can be used as firewood, building materials, fertilizer, raw materials, paper, food, medicine, household equipment, raw materials, textiles and as a place of recreation (tourism). The function and role of mangrove forest ecosystem is very important as a place for spawning ground, keep the fish, looking for shelter and food for fish. Therefore, sustainability must be maintained. Decrease the quality and quantity of mangrove forest ecosystem would threaten the preservation of the habitat and will threaten the life of fauna.
The adaptation ability of the mangrove forest to survive in the shallow waters is the root of short and wide landscape, with roots buffer or cap the growth of roots and limb stems that guarantee strength stem; leaved strong and contain more water; Having the internal network to save water and a high salt content. Environmental factors that affect of mangrove survival and growth are: 1)brackish water supply. 2) food or nutrition supply, and 3) the nutrients was normally.
Some of the impact of human activities that affect the ecosystem, among others: 1) As the trees are not confident that the removal of the mangrove forest is not functioning as a regional search for food and maintenance of the optimal region for various of fish and shrimp in young stadium had commercial value. 2) the flow of fresh water, for example in the development of irrigation that lead to increased salinity of the mangrove forest causing the domination of the species that is more tolerant of water became more salty; some fish and shrimp in the level flyblow and juvenille may be unable to tolerate the salinity increase, because they are more sensitive to changes in the environment. The declining level of fertility supplies, mangrove forest because of substance-burly substances through the reduced flow of fresh water. 3) Pollution due of oil spills in a large number that caused the death of mangrove trees. 4) mining activities that result in total destruction of mangrove forest ecosystems in mining areas so that destroy areas of maintenance (nursery ground) for flyblow, young fish and shrimp off the coast, thus threatening fish and shrimp regenerating them.
In Indonesia, the mangrove forest to a reduction of 5.2 million ha (1982) to 3.2 million ha (1987). In the early 1990s, the vast mangrove forest, reached 2.5 million ha, with 89 types of vegetation and found that reduced again to be 2.4 million ha (1993) due to large-scale degradation. Degradation of mangrove forest on their own are generally due to conversion of land for ponds, agriculture, housing, ports, land, industry, mining, and industrial raw materials for pulp or paper.
Here is of the mangrove forest areas in Indonesia:
First Regional Area (Ha) Now (Ha) Protected Area (Ha)
Sumatra 857,000 485,025 61,900
Java, Bali 171,500 19,577 2,600
Nusa Tenggara 38,600 25,300 2,500
Kalimantan 1,092,000 353,450 78,000
Sulawesi 272,500 84,833 6,300
Maluku and Papua 4,129,000 2,450,185 680,900
Source: Wetlands International IP. 1998.
LIST OF REFERENCES
- Dahuri, R., J. Rais., S.P. Ginting, and M.J. Sitepu. 2001. Management of Coastal Resources and the Integrated Ocean. Pradnya Paramita. Jakarta.
- Mackinnon, K., Hatta, G., Halim, and Mengalik, A. 2000. Ecology of Kalimantan. Benhallindo. Jakarta
- DEWAN MARITIM INDONESIA. 2005. Understanding Environmental Sea. Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Jakarta
- Spalding, Mark. 1998. Convenor Mangroves for the guide. Cambridge Coastal Research Unit. Department of Geography University of Cambridge. Cambridge CB2 3EN. UK.
- Wetlands International IP. 1998. An overview of Indonesia’s Wetland site II (Includes Philippines Wetland in the data base). Wetland International IP – PHKA Jakarta.
(snippets papers that I give the younger sister-in several high school Lampung Prov – Jan to Nov 08)
