Evaluation of riparian vegetation diversity as a tuntong laut (Batagur borneoensis) habitat in River Tamiang, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Abstract

This study evaluated the diversity of riparian vegetation as a habitat of tuntong laut (B. borneoensis) along the Tamiang River and Iyu River Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Province, Indonesia. This study was descriptive exploratory research using the Ex-Post Facto method. Five location sampling were determined by selected sampling. Observation of mangrove vegetation included the seedlings, saplings, and trees were done at each location with three replications by made sample plots (2x2 m for seedlings, 5x5 m for saplings, and 10x10 m for trees). The research results showed that total species of seedlings were 14 species, saplings 18 species, and trees seven species. The highest diversity index value (H') of seedlings, saplings, and trees were 1.56, 2.52, and 1.44, respectively, which included in the low category and indicated the degraded of riparian vegetation in all of sampling location.