Structural complexity and disturbances : indicators of mangrove forest in Berau Delta, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Common types of disturbing factors faced by mangrove forests are natural and anthropogenic disturbances. These factors had led to a decline of the mangrove forests area. lessening its role as land stabilizer from coastal damages and functions in providing fisheries habitat, shelter and food for marine organisms. In this study, mangrove roots structure and tree characteristics were studied to investigate their influence to the disturbance factors; the distance to natural disturbances (open water) and anthropogenic disturbances (e.g. villages). A significant increase in tree height and a decrease in tree density was found when mangroves were farther located from natural disturbance. In addition, the roots branching order was found correlated with the distance to natural disturbances, while root diameter increased relative to the distance to anthropogenic disturbances. The results of this study reveal the potential use of tree and root complexity as indicators related to disturbance factors in the mangrove forest.