BIVALVIA Diversity And Distribution At The Belawan Mangrove Estuary North Sumatra

by ADMIN 82 views

Introduction

The Belawan Mangrove Estuary in North Sumatra is a vital ecosystem that supports a diverse range of marine life, including Bivalvia. Bivalvia, also known as clams and mussels, play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem by filtering water and serving as a food source for other marine animals. However, the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary are not well understood, and research is needed to determine the factors that influence their presence and abundance.

Research Methodology

In May and June 2013, a research team conducted a study on the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia at the Belawan Mangrove Estuary. The research team used the Purposive Random Sampling method to select four observation stations, each with a unique set of environmental conditions. At each station, sampling was carried out 10 times using the SOOK method, which allowed the researchers to collect data on the physical-chemical parameters of the water. The data was then analyzed in the laboratory and compared to the sea water quality standards for marine biota determined by the State Minister of the Environment with Decree No. 51 of 2004.

Results

The results of the study showed that there were six Bivalvia species identified, divided into five genera, five families, and four orders. The highest Bivalvia density was found at station 2, with a density of 44,377 individuals per square meter, while the lowest density was found at station 4, with a density of 33,435 individuals per square meter. The Bivalvia diversity index at the study site was classified as low, ranging from 0.794 to 1.154, while the compliance index was quite equitable, ranging from 0.723 to 0.833.

Further analysis showed that there were high similarities between the Bivalvia community at stations 1 and 2, stations 1 and 3, and stations 3 and 4. Conversely, low similarities were found between stations 1 and 4, stations 2 and 3, and stations 2 and 4. The Morista index showed that the distribution of each Bivalvia genus tended to group.

Correlation Analysis

The results of the correlation analysis showed that the temperature of the water, substrate temperature, nitrate, phosphate, organic substrate, and substrate fraction in the form of sand and clay had a positive correlation with Bivalvia diversity. Conversely, the pH of the water, substrate pH, salinity, DO, BOD5, and substrate fraction in the form of dust were negatively correlated with Bivalvia diversity.

Discussion

The findings of this study show that the environmental conditions in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary, especially the physical-chemical factors of the water, have a significant influence on the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia. Increased temperature, nitrate, phosphate, and organic substrate contribute positively to Bivalvia diversity, while a decrease in water pH, salinity, DO, and BOD5 has a negative impact on Bivalvia diversity.

Conclusion

The results of this study are important to support the conservation and management of the Belawan Mangrove Estuary to remain sustainable and function as a habitat for marine biota, including Bivalvia. However, it is essential to note that this research was only conducted in the period May to June 2013, and further research is needed to get a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia at the Belawan Mangrove Estuary. A longer period of study and a broader area of coverage are necessary to fully understand the factors that influence the presence and abundance of Bivalvia in this ecosystem.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  • Further research is needed to determine the factors that influence the presence and abundance of Bivalvia in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary.
  • A longer period of study and a broader area of coverage are necessary to fully understand the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia in this ecosystem.
  • The conservation and management of the Belawan Mangrove Estuary should prioritize the protection of the physical-chemical factors of the water, including temperature, pH, salinity, and DO.
  • The results of this study should be used to inform the development of management plans for the Belawan Mangrove Estuary, with a focus on maintaining the health and sustainability of the ecosystem.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be noted:

  • The research was only conducted in the period May to June 2013, and further research is needed to get a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia at the Belawan Mangrove Estuary.
  • The study only covered a limited area of the Belawan Mangrove Estuary, and further research is needed to determine the factors that influence the presence and abundance of Bivalvia in this ecosystem.
  • The study did not consider the impact of human activities on the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

  • Determining the factors that influence the presence and abundance of Bivalvia in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary.
  • Conducting a longer period of study and a broader area of coverage to fully understand the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia in this ecosystem.
  • Investigating the impact of human activities on the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary.
  • Developing management plans for the Belawan Mangrove Estuary that prioritize the protection of the physical-chemical factors of the water and the conservation of Bivalvia.
    BIVALVIA Diversity and Distribution at the Belawan Mangrove Estuary North Sumatra: Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Belawan Mangrove Estuary? A: The Belawan Mangrove Estuary is a vital ecosystem located in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It is a mangrove forest that provides a habitat for a diverse range of marine life, including Bivalvia.

Q: What is Bivalvia? A: Bivalvia, also known as clams and mussels, are a group of marine animals that belong to the phylum Mollusca. They are characterized by their two-part hinged shell and are an important part of the marine food chain.

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia at the Belawan Mangrove Estuary. The study aims to determine the factors that influence the presence and abundance of Bivalvia in this ecosystem.

Q: What methods were used in this study? A: The study used the Purposive Random Sampling method to select four observation stations, each with a unique set of environmental conditions. At each station, sampling was carried out 10 times using the SOOK method, which allowed the researchers to collect data on the physical-chemical parameters of the water.

Q: What were the results of the study? A: The results of the study showed that there were six Bivalvia species identified, divided into five genera, five families, and four orders. The highest Bivalvia density was found at station 2, with a density of 44,377 individuals per square meter, while the lowest density was found at station 4, with a density of 33,435 individuals per square meter.

Q: What are the implications of the study? A: The findings of this study have important implications for the conservation and management of the Belawan Mangrove Estuary. The study shows that the environmental conditions in the estuary, especially the physical-chemical factors of the water, have a significant influence on the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia.

Q: What are the limitations of the study? A: The study has several limitations, including the fact that it was only conducted in the period May to June 2013, and further research is needed to get a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia at the Belawan Mangrove Estuary.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study? A: The study recommends that further research is needed to determine the factors that influence the presence and abundance of Bivalvia in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary. The study also recommends that the conservation and management of the estuary should prioritize the protection of the physical-chemical factors of the water and the conservation of Bivalvia.

Q: What are the future research directions? A: Future research should focus on determining the factors that influence the presence and abundance of Bivalvia in the Belawan Mangrove Estuary, conducting a longer period of study and a broader area of coverage, investigating the impact of human activities on the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia, and developing management plans for the estuary that prioritize the protection of the physical-chemical factors of the water and the conservation of Bivalvia.

Additional Questions and Answers

Q: What is the importance of Bivalvia in the marine ecosystem? A: Bivalvia play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystem by filtering water and serving as a food source for other marine animals.

Q: How do human activities impact the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia? A: Human activities, such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction, can have a negative impact on the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia.

Q: What are the physical-chemical factors that influence the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia? A: The physical-chemical factors that influence the diversity and distribution of Bivalvia include temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen.

Q: How can the conservation and management of the Belawan Mangrove Estuary be improved? A: The conservation and management of the estuary can be improved by prioritizing the protection of the physical-chemical factors of the water and the conservation of Bivalvia, and by developing management plans that take into account the findings of this study.