Analysis of Canopy Cover and Estimation of Carbon Storage Potential in Mangrove Vegetation on Rakit Island, Indramayu Regency

Abstract

The health of mangrove vegetation on both the mainland and small islands is crucial for maintaining the balance of coastal and marine ecosystems. The mangrove forest on Rakit Island, also known as Biawak Island, plays an important role in carbon sequestration by converting carbon into organic biomass. Variations in mangrove growth conditions influence vegetation dynamics and canopy cover. This study aimed to analyze canopy cover and to estimate stored carbon in mangrove stands on Rakit Island, Indramayu Regency. A survey method with purposive sampling was employed for data collection. Mangrove vegetation data were obtained using the plot sampling method, while canopy cover was measured through hemispherical photography. The results show that the mangrove community structure on Rakit Island consists of three species: Rhizophora mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Sonneratia alba. Mangrove density ranged from 33.33 to 833.33 individuals per hectare. The canopy cover percentages were 77.74 ± 8.30% at Station 1 (dense/good), 48.25 ± 28.55% at Station 2 (sparse/degraded), and 72.57 ± 17.15% at Station 3 (moderate/good). The estimated carbon storage potential of mangrove stands on Rakit Island was 41.25 tons per hectare, with the highest contribution from Rhizophora mucronata at 40.02 tons per hectare. Overall, the findings suggest that the carbon sequestration capacity of the Rakit Island mangrove ecosystem remains relatively low.