Community Structure of Macrozoobenthos in Mangrove Forest Rehabilitation Area
Muhammad Jalil and Ambo Tuwo

Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University

Abstract

Macrozoobenthos links the energy flow from planktonic algae and detritus to consumers with higher energy gain levels in mangrove ecosystems. The energy flow will be cut off if the macrozoobenthos is lost in the mangrove ecosystem. Therefore, macrozoobenthos can indicate the ecosystem condition of the mangrove system. The study aimed to examine the condition of the mangrove forest ecosystem resulting from rehabilitation through a study of the community structure of macrozoobenthos based on different age groups of mangroves. This research was conducted in Lantebung Village, Bira Village, Tamalanrea District, Makassar City. The research used survey and proportional sampling methods. The observed parameters were abundance, diversity, similarity, dominance in the macrozoobenthos community, density, frequency, and mangrove cover of Rhizophora mucronata. During the research, ten macrozoobenthos species were found, consisting of six Gastropod classes, two Bivalvia classes, and two Malacostraca classes. The diversity of macrozoobenthos in the mangrove forest rehabilitation area based on the mangrove age group was still low, the diversity of macrozoobenthos was classified as unstable, and the dominance of macrozoobenthos was classified as low. Macrozoobenthos abundance in the age group 1-2 years was 46,667 individuals per m2- 4-5 years was 88,833 individuals per m2- and 7-8 years was 91,667 individuals per m2.

Keywords: Rhizophora mucronata, diversity indices, similarity indices, dominance indices, mangrove cover

Topic: Aquatic Ecology and Conservation