Author : Ignatius Muhadiono

Summary : The species composition, density, diversity, and dominant species in a distributed mangrove ecosystem were studied. The stability and sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem particularly in relation to its natural regeneration was described. There were 14 tree families, 26 species recorded in the mangrove forest in Palsabangon, Pagbilao. These species were classified into four main groups based on the tidal inundation and distance from the shoreline. Ordination analysis gave rise to two major plant communities. The first was located at the Outer part and the second at the middle and inner part of the distributed mangrove area. The two plant communities had significantly different soil habitats in terms of soil pH, soil chemical levels of zinc, iron, potassium, and sand and clay proportion. Natural regeneration of most plant species were generally low. The expected dynamic changes influenced by natural regeneration and growth and development of individual plant species in the community did not seem to cause any drastic change in the dominance pattern observed. Productivity, in terms of stock volume, varied greatly from the outer part (76.48 m3/ha), Middle part (153.20 m3/ha) to the inner part (335.58 m3/ha) of the distributed mangrove area. The implications of the findings on the general management of the mangrove ecosystem were discussed.