Mangrove Vegetation Types in Eastern Kuching Wetland National Park, Sarawak

Fatin Shafira, Binti Jabri (2017) Mangrove Vegetation Types in Eastern Kuching Wetland National Park, Sarawak. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

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Abstract

Kuching Wetland National Park (KWNP) located at N 01̊ 40’ 59’’-N 01̊ 41 18’’, E 110̊ 12’ 16’’-E 110̊ 16’ 20’’ covers an area about 6, 610 ha. It is one of the largest of relatively intact mangrove forest in Sarawak. As there is a lacking of current scientific information documented on the vegetation and ecological aspect of this area, a study of mangrove vegetation types in Eastern KWNP is assessed. The objectives of this study are to assess mangrove vegetation types, species diversity and total above ground biomass and to describe the soil characteristic of the mangrove vegetation types. The main plots in this study were selected based on the availability of dominance species as the representative of major mangrove tree species from seaward to landward area and accessibility of mangrove vegetation type. A total of 50 subplots with the size of 20.0 x 20.0 m were surveyed. This represented two ha plot of the studied area. A total of 1, 354 individual trees with ≥ 5.0 cm dbh with 21 tree species and mangrove palm, Nypa fruticans Wurmb were recorded. Based on the observation made, eight mangrove vegetation types were recorded in Eastern KWNP: 1) Perepat vegetation type, 2) Bakau Minyak-Api-api Hitam vegetation type, 3) Bakau Minyak vegetation type, 4) Buta-buta vegetation type, 5) Teruntum Merah-Landin vegetation type, 6) Nipah vegetation type, 7) Mix Mangrove vegetation type and 8) Nyireh Bunga-Bakau Minyak vegetation type. This study presents updated descriptions of Bakau Minyak – Api-api Hitam vegetation type and Nyireh Bunga – Bakau Minyak vegetation type and highlights Teruntum Merah – Landin vegetation type as a new record for Eastern KWNP and Sarawak mangrove forest. The highest total basal area was recorded at Bakau Minyak-Api-api Hitam vegetation type (67.9 m2 /ha). The highest stand density was recorded at Buta-buta vegetation type (950.0 trees/ha) and the highest above ground biomass was recorded at Teruntum Merah-Landin vegetation type (29.9 t/ha). The most important species recorded was Rhizophora apiculata Blume (IVI=90.89). Overall area in this v study was considered as medium to high diverse in term of species (H’=2.179), analysed using Shannon-Weiner index. The mangrove vegetation type’s soil in eastern KWNP had wide range of salinity (12.4-1.1 mS/cm) and pH value (3.3-7.0). Bakau Minyak vegetation type was found saturated with the most saline soil (12.4 mS/cm) and recorded the most acidic soil (pH=3.3). As part of the result, the description of the tree species and N. fruticans are included as to provide information of the species identified. Identification key of the mangrove tree species also produced. A new variety species, Rhizophora mucronata Lamk. var. sarawakensis Fatin et al. var. nov. was discovered. Complete description on this new variety was also included. It shows closed resemblance to R. mucronata Lamk and was proved to be its variety after thorough examination the Rhizophora spp. by means of morphology, cuticular anatomy and palynology characteristics. All information obtained from this study are useful for the monitor of the status of mangrove ecosystem and its environmental changes. Extensive mangrove flora inventory should be done in the future encompassing the western KWNP so that total flora inventory in KWNP can be achieved for eco-tourism, education and conservation purpose. As a Ramsar site, the protection and conservation management of Eastern KWNP should be further enhanced due to their biodiversity uniqueness, extrinsic and intrinsic values of the ecosystem

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