The diversity of plant species in a mangrove forest in the Coast of Metinaro, Timor-Leste

Abstract

The diversity of species in mangrove is the result of interaction between the biotic components and their abiotic environment for a long period of time. Mangrove ecosystem is located between land and sea, however, it gets many disturbances for human interest and consequently, it suffers degradation, area reduction and biodiversity decline. Therefore, it is important to study the diversity, abundance, morphology, and characteristics of various stages of the life of both plants and animals in mangrove communities. The objective of this research was to study the diversity of mangrove plant species in the coast of Metinaro, Timor-Leste. The results showed that nine plant species grew in mangrove forest, namely, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba, Avicennia alba, Ceriops decandra, Rhizophora mucronata, Lumnitzera racemosa var. racemosa, Amyema anisomeres, Ceriops tagal, and Bruguiera exaristata. Rhizophora apiculata had the highest importance value index (IVI) for trees (IVI = 88.21%) and for saplings (77.53%), while Avicennia alba for seedlings (52.81%). The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') was 3.25 for trees, categorized as high, 2.04 for saplings, categorized as medium and 1.57 for seedlings, also categorized as medium.