Degradation level of mangrove forest and its reduction strategy in Tabongo Village, Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Katili AS, Ibrahim M, Zakaria Z. 2017. Degradation level of mangrove forest and its reduction strategy in Tabongo Village, Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. Asian J For 1: 18-22. Mangrove forest ecosystem plays a vital role in delivering various ecosystem services. Yet, many mangrove forests are deforested and degraded including in Indonesia. This research aimed to assess the degradation level of mangrove forests in Tabongo Village, Dulupi Sub-district, Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia and to develop strategy to reduce such degradation. Explorative survey was conducted to collect data using Point Quarter Centered Meter (PQCM) method while the data analysis was done with quantitative descriptive analysis. The degradation level of mangrove forests ??was analyzed by standard criteria of mangrove degradation prescribed by the government regulation. Results showed that there were four species of mangroves in the studied area namely Rhizophora apiculata Blume, Rhizophora mucronata Lamk., Ceriops tagal (Perr) C.B.Rob, and Bruguiera which included in the Rhizophoraceae family. Rhizophora apiculata had the highest IVI value at the stage of tree and sapling, while Rhizophora mucronata Lamk had the highest IVI value at the stage of seedling. The mangroves in Tabongo can be classified as dwarf forest type which was a typical mangrove found in low edges. The mangrove condition in the coastal area of Tabongo was categorized as degraded (TNS₁ = 210). The conservation strategy that could be implemented to recover the quality of mangrove areas includes (i) the assessment of the importance of the mangrove areas with regard to their ecological and economic value, (ii) quality improvement of mangrove habitat, (iii) educational approach by making the mangrove areas as learning media and source, and (iv) empowerment of people living around the mangrove areas.