Abstract:
The productivity of mangrove litterfall is the most important part of the transfer of organic materials from mangrove vegetation into the waters and soils. This research was conducted in July-August 2021 in three stations on mangrove ecosystem at Wasti Lake, Manokwari Regency. The purpose of this study was to determine the mangrove vegetation, litterfall production of Sonneratia alba, relation of Diameter at Breast High with litterfall production, and physical chemistry of the environment. The quadrant transect was used to sample mangrove vegetation and the litter trap to measure litter production. The results showed 5 types of mangroves, namely Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora stylosa, Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Bruguiera sexangua. The highest density values at each station was Sonneratia alba, namely 360 ind/ha, 540 ind/ha and 520 ind/ha with important value indexes are 268.08%, 255.59%, and 247.96%. The total litterfall production of Sonneratia alba during a period of 28 days was 79.19 gr/m². The highest litter contribution components came from leaves (87.6%), twigs (8.1%), and flowers (4.3%). Correlation and regression analysis showed a very strong positive relationship between DBH and litter production. The environmental parameter values for DO ranged from 6.2-8.4 mg/L, water temperature 28.7 – 35.6⁰C, pH ranged from 7.06 – 7.47, salinity 25 – 27.5, substrate pH 6.1 – 6.3, the air temperature is 29-32⁰C, and the humidity is 70-80%.
