RESEARCH ARTICLE

Copyright © 2017 American Scientific Publishers Advanced Science Letters

All rights reserved Vol.23 (4), p3277-p3282(6), 2017
Printed in the United States of America

Mangrove Health Index as Part of Sustainable Management

in Mangrove Ecosystem at Karimunjawa National
Marine Park Indonesia

Johan Danu Prasetya1*, Ambariyanto2,3, Supriharyono2, Frida Purwanti2.

1
Environmental Engineering, the Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta. 55283, Indonesia.
2
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
3
Coastal Disaster Rehabilitation and Mitigation Center, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia.

Abstract
Background: Monitoring the health of marine ecosystems is an integral part of sustainable management of the
ecosystems including mangrove. Distribution and diversity of mangrove ecosystems are two important parameters
in Mangrove Health Index (MHI). The index analyses value of mangrove density, diversity, index of similarity
and the number of mangrove species.
Method: This study investigates mangrove distribution and diversity. Mangrove distribution maps were prepared
using Satellite imagery GEO-EYE. Ecological surveys to analyze the diversity of mangrove at five locations,
namely Legon Cilik, Legon Gede, Kemujan, Karimunjawa and Menjangan Besar. MHI was calculated by
assigning weight for each parameter, multiplied by each parameter score and then summing all of multiplication
results value.
Results: Satellite image interpretation results showed that mangroves were found at island of Karimunjawa,
Menjangan Besar and Sintok. In total, 22 mangrove species identified, 12 species were true mangroves and the
rests were mangrove associates. Rhizophora apiculata dominates three of nine survey locations, while Rhizophora
stylosa was the dominant species in two of nine locations and the rest are dominated by Ceriops tagal, Lumnitzera
racemosa, Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba. Density of mangrove in the category of tree, mangrove
average density ranging from medium to high, from 230 to 1060 ind/ha. In the category of sapling, dominant
mangrove species was relatively diverse. In general, the Shannon diversity index was low, it means that mangrove
diversity is low, it means that mangrove diversity is low. Mangrove in Legon Cilik 1 and Menjangan Besar had
the highest Shannon diversity index (1,09) while Karimun 1 were the lowest (0,18).
Conclusion: The value of MHI at Karimunjawa was 200, which is in the medium category. The results suggest
that there is a need to improve MHI as part of sustainable management based on the distribution and diversity of
mangrove.

Keywords: Mangrove Health Index, Distribution, Diversity, Sustainable Management, Karimunjawa Islands.

1. INTRODUCTION as provide protection from erosion and flooding,

Mangrove is one of the important coastal buffer salinity changes and intrusion9.
ecosystems which has a great ecological and Indonesia has the highest diversity with 43 true
economic importance1. Mangrove possess a high mangrove species10, however facing various threats
diversity and abundance of organisms2,3. from nature and human9. For example, large areas of
The ecological function of mangrove are as mangrove have been converted into oil palm
nursery and feeding areas of marine fishes4–8, as well plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia 9. Over half of
the mangrove in Indonesia have been converted for
* Email: [email protected]. aquaculture11, timber extraction and the expansion of
urban areas12.

1 Adv.Sci.Lett.Vol.23,No.4,2017 doi:10.1166/asl.2017.9155 1
 RESEARCH ARTICLE

High density, high diversity, low species mangrove is an integral part of sustainable
similarity and high number of mangrove species, management of the ecosystems. Sustained
describe mangrove ecosystem healthy. Healthy monitoring programs will improve our understanding
mangrove ecosystem provides maximum benefits health status and trends of mangrove. Single value of
for biodiversity, therefore, maintaining mangrove in monitoring result can describe mangrove health
a healthy condition can be interpreted as sustaining condition more obvious. This single value approach
biodiversity. One of the tool to conserve mangrove from data sets aims to portrayal of mangrove
is Marine Protected Area (MPA). Monitoring the ecological dynamics. We introduce an index of
condition of the ecosystems periodically is one of the mangrove condition that takes into account the
important programs, not only in tracking ecosystem diversity of mangrove ecosystem. The study aims to
status but also evaluate the effectiveness of MPA13. investigate mangrove distribution and diversity then
The result of monitoring should be the primary propose single value index based on ecological data,
consideration in MPA management. Implementation called Mangrove Health Index (MHI), as a part of
diversity based conservation management through sustainable management of mangrove ecosystem at
periodically diversity monitoring is important Karimunjawa National Park.
particularly in the area of the richest biological
diversity14, such as Indonesia which is known as the 2. METHOD
center of mega-biodiversity 15,16. This study mapped the percent cover and
Karimunjawa National Park (KNP) was an distribution of mangrove using satellite imagery Geo-
important Marine Protected Areas for the Eye and followed by investigation of mangrove
conservation of marine biodiversity in Indonesia. distribution and abundance using ecological surveys
KNP consists of 22 islands and some of those islands (See Fig. 1).
are inhabited17, most of the local people rely on
marine resources. KNP has five types ecosystems,
consisting of coral reef, seagrass, mangrove forest,
beach forest and low-land tropical forest18.

Figure 1. Field surveys locations

Mangrove area in KNP is about 400 ha, concentrated Satellite image interpretations were done at several
in the Karimunjawa and Kemujan Island. islands at KNP, i.e. Cemara Kecil, Cemara Besar,
Monitoring programs which to document Krakal Besar, Krakal Kecil, Cilik, Sintok, Menjangan
dynamics and generate data are essential for Besar, Menjangan Kecil, Tengah and Karimunjawa
management and decision-making in conservation with a total area of 3.752 ha. While ecological surveys
management. Monitoring the status and condition of of mangrove distribution and abundance were

2 Adv.Sci.Lett.Vol.23,No.4,2017 doi:10.1166/asl.2017.9155 2
 RESEARCH ARTICLE

conducted at Karimunjawa Island and Menjangan 3. RESULTS

Besar Island, consist of nine sampling location i.e.
Composition & Average Density of Mangrove
Legon Cilik 1 & 2, Legon Gede 1 & 2, Kemujan 1 &
2, Karimunjawa 1 & 2 and Menjangan Besar. Total of 22 mangrove species were identified in the
Field measurement used line transect and study site. In which 12 species were true mangroves
vegetation transect plot method 19. There were were identified, i.e.: Rhizophora apiculata,
transects-line, vertical against the coastal line Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa,
landward. Nine vegetation transects plot in nine Avicennia marina, Sonneratia alba, Sonneratia
sampling location were applied. Vegetation transect caseolaris, Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus
plot of 10x10 m (100 m2) were applied in each muloccensis, Lumnitzera racemosa, Ceripos tagal,
locations. Field measurements in the field were Ceriops decandra, Bruguiera cylindrica. Whereas 3
designed with 1x1 m, 5x5 m and 10x10 m plot size. species were minor mangrove, i.e.: Acrostichum
In each 100 m2 vegetation transect plot, the total aureum, Excoecaria agallocha, Pemphis acidula and
number of mangrove tree species and associated 7 species were mangrove associates i.e.: Acanthus
vegetation as well as the number of individual of ilicifolius, Calophyllum inophyllum, Pandanus
each species were determined. Field measurements tectorius, Scaevola taccada, Sesuvium
are trunk diameter, tree height and mangrove portulacastrum, Ipomea pes-caprae, Hibiscus
species. The species composition was identified tiliaceus.
based on the species of mangrove found in the study Identified species were also categorized into true
site. Species identification was done based on mangrove trees, saplings, seedlings and mangrove-
Kitamura et al. (1997)20. associated species. The number of species founded in
Mangrove mapping was done through several each sampling location ranging from 2 to 5 species per
processing stages i.e. image restoration, sampling location. The highest mangrove tree
enhancement and classification. Image restoration category was R. apiculata with 2200 individu/ha. The
was done by correcting the image radiometrically n most abundant generating species were R. mucronata
geometrically21. Radiometric calibration were done and R. stylosa in sapling category whereas in seedling
by converting digital numbers to radiance values22. category was R. stylosa. (See Table 1).
Geometric corrections were done in order to adjust Table 1. The Mangrove Average Density
the coordinates to geographic coordinates. Image
enhancement was carried out after disruption TLS AD (in 1000)
Species
radiometric and geometric adjusted. While image A B C A B C
classification using supervised classification done by S. alba 3 1 0 0.23 0.40 0.00
using training area that represents each of the
R. mucronata 4 3 6 0.63 3.07 80.00
required information. Determination of the number
and types of land cover was done based on color R. stylosa 5 3 4 0.90 2.40 360.00
variations. Supervised classification is the most R. apiculata 5 6 4 1.06 2.03 22.50
proper approach versus non-supervised C. tagal 3 4 3 0.60 0.80 56.67
approaches23. X. granatum 3 2 1 0.47 0.40 20.00
The value of mangrove density was calculated L. racemosa 2 1 0 0.25 0.80 0.00
based on formula used by Mueller-Dombois and
Ellenberg24. While diversity, similarity, and relative TLS : Total Location Sampling
dominancy were calculated using the formula of AD : Average Density
Shannon-Wiener, Pielou, and Simpson, A: Trees; B: Saplings; C: Seedlings
respectively25. Mangrove Health Index was
calculated by assigning weight for each parameter Diversity, Similarity & Relative Dominancy
based on expert judgment. Parameter weights are
determined by expert judgment based on the Legon Cilik 1, has the highest diversity indices with
importance of a parameter to the mangrove 1,091, while Menjangan Besar has the lowest with
ecosystem health. Each weighted parameter was 0,191. Legon Cilik and Kemujan, location that have
multiplied by each parameter score and then high mangrove density, was located in Karimunjawa
summing all of multiplication results value to get Island. Overall, mangrove density was higher in the
Mangrove Health Index. Parameters that be used in Karimunjawa Island than in the Menjangan Besar.
MHI calculation are mangrove density, diversity R. apiculata was the most abundance species that
index, index of similarity and the number of dominated in several location (See Table 2).
mangrove species.

3 Adv.Sci.Lett.Vol.23,No.4,2017 doi:10.1166/asl.2017.9155 3
 RESEARCH ARTICLE

Table 2. Diversity, Similarity, Relative Dominancy Mangrove Health Index

Station H' E' DS RD (%) The index analyses value of mangrove density,
Legon Cilik 1 1.09 0.41 R. apiculata 72,73 diversity index, index of similarity and the number of
mangrove species. MHI calculated from total
Legon Cilik 2 0.47 0.16 R. apiculata 88,48
multiplication of Weight n Score of each parameters.
Legon Gede 1 0.99 0.31 C. tagal 45,02 MHI value of KNP is in the medium category (200)
Legon Gede 2 0.64 0.21 X. granatum 50,29 (See Table. 4).
Kemujan 1 1.00 0.30 S. alba 54,67 Table 4. Mangrove Health Index
Kemujan 2 0.99 0.34 R. stylosa 59,09 Parameter Weight Score Weight X Score
Karimun 1 0.18 0.06 R. apiculata 96,11
Density of trees 30 3 90
Karimun 2 0.89 0.34 S. alba 84,93
Diversity Index 25 1 25
Menjangan Besar 0.19 0.06 R. stylosa 98,17
Index of Similarity 25 1 25
DS: Dominant species
Mangrove Species 20 3 60
RD: Relative dominancy
MHI 200
Mangrove Distribution Mapping
Results of mapping study indicate that 4. DISCUSSION
mangroves are found only in a few islands i.e.
Karimunjawa, Menjangan Besar and Sintok (See fig. The field survey identified 21 mangrove species
2, 3 & 4). The highest and the lowest percent area in the study site, including 11 species true mangroves
occupied by mangrove ecosystems were found at and mangrove associates for the rest, dominated by R.
island of Sintok (29,67 %) and Karimunjawa (12,73 apiculata and R. stylosa, family of Rhizophoraceae.
%). Total research area is 3752 Ha while mangrove The number of mangrove species was different
area is 475 Ha (12,66 %) (See table 3). from that found by Balai Taman Nasional
Table 3. Area occupied by mangrove Karimunjawa (BTNKJ), the agency responsible for
marine park management in Karimunjawa. In 2013,
Karimunjawa Menjangan Besar Sintok BTNKJ identified 22 mangrove species in
Area
Ha % Ha % Ha % Karimunjawa Island, dominated by R. apiculata and
Land 3501.62 87.27 77.46 71.04 22.75 70.33 C. tagal and 22 mangrove species in Kemujan
26,27
Mangrove 445.91 12.73 22.43 28.96 6.75 29.67 dominated by B. cylindrica and C. tagal .

Figure 2. Mangrove distribution in Menjangan Besar island

4 Adv.Sci.Lett.Vol.23,No.4,2017 doi:10.1166/asl.2017.9155 4
 RESEARCH ARTICLE

Figure 3. Mangrove distribution in Karimunjawa island

Figure 4. Mangrove distribution in Sintok island

This number of species encompass all growth R. mucronata was found in 4 of 9 sampling
category i.e. tree, sapling and seedling. The field locations while R. apiculata and R. stylosa in 5 of 9
survey found that mangrove from family sampling locations. The highest average density was
Rhizophoraceae was the most dominant in the KNP, R. apiculata. The highest average density in sapling
accordance with the result of BTNKJ (2013). The and seedling category was R. mucronata and R.
most abundant species in tree, sapling and seedling stylosa respectively. The sapling and seedling
category was R. apiculata, R. mucronata and R. abundance data reflect the degree of natural mangrove
stylosa respectively. regeneration28. Overall, mangrove density was higher

5 Adv.Sci.Lett.Vol.23,No.4,2017 doi:10.1166/asl.2017.9155 5
 RESEARCH ARTICLE

in the Karimunjawa Island than in the Menjangan information from scientist to end-user in sustainable
Besar. management of mangrove ecosystem.
R. apiculata and C. tagal, dominant species in
5. CONCLUSION
this study, is true mangrove species that dominated
in many location. The level of dominance may reach The value of Mangrove Health Index (MHI) at
90% of the vegetation that grows in a location29. R. the Karimunjawa National Park was 200, which is in
apiculata community distributed on deep, soft, the medium category. The results suggest that there is
muddy soils that are flooded by normal high tides, a need to improve MHI as part of sustainable
occur on stable sediments. C. tagal life in areas management based on distribution and diversity of
inundated by spring tides with well-drained soils and mangrove.
prefers clay substrates12.
Satellite image interpretation results showed ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
that mangrove were found at the island of The authors would like to the thank Balai Taman
Karimunjawa, Menjangan Besar and Sintok. Nasional Karimunjawa for data support and M.
However, mangrove was also found in in Parang Helmi, Head of Ocean Remote Sensing Laboratory,
Island30. Karimunjawa island has the highest Diponegoro University for satellite imagery and
mangrove area cover with 445,91 ha, however was significant contribution to the maps analysis.
the lowest in percentage. Karimunjawa was also the Ecological survey team, M. Iqbal H.P., Arifismail
most densely island in the KNP, around 9000 E.R., Teo Andri. S., Siti. N.A. and Rendy P.P.
resident population, concentrated on the islands of Mapping team Tegar R.K.P. and Rio R.
Karimunjawa, Kemujan, Parang and Nyamuk.
Mangrove ecosystems are globally affected by REFFERENCES
anthropogenic impacts, an increasing human 1. Bhatt S, Shah DG, Desai N. The mangrove
activities in islands, can increase threat to ecosystem. diversity of Purna Estuary, South Gujarat, India.
Heavily populated coastal zones have spurred the Trop Ecol. 2009;50(2):287-293.
widespread clearing of mangrove for coastal 2. Nichols WJ, Seminoff JA, Etnoyer P.
development, aquaculture, or resource use31. For Biodiversity, Function, and Interconnectedness:
example, mangrove area in the Parang Island, one A Revolution in Our Understanding of Marine
island in the KNP that has high intensity human Ecosystems and Ocean Conservation. In: Grafton
activity, has declined from 46,80 ha in 1997 to 38,36 RQ, Hilborn R, Squires D, Tait M, Williams MJ,
ha in 2011, decreased by 8,44 ha or 18,03 % 30. The eds. Handbook of Marine Fisheries Conservation
condition of these resources is strongly influenced by and Management. Vol New York: Oxford
how people use these resources. University Press; 2010:43-59.
This study investigated single value index
called Mangrove Health Index (MHI) to obtain 3. Nagelkerken I, van der Velde G, Gorissen MW,
obvious understanding of mangrove ongoing trends Meijer GJ, van’t Hof T, den Hartog C.
in KNP. The value of MHI at Karimunjawa was 200, Importance of mangroves, seagrass beds and the
in medium category. The index analyses the value of shallow coral reef as a nursery for important coral
mangrove density, diversity index, index of reef fishes, using a visual census technique.
similarity and the number of mangrove species. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci. 2000;51(1):31-44.
Weigh of each parameter was determined based on doi:10.1006/ecss.2000.0617.
expert judgments. Parameter weights are determined 4. Primavera JH. Mangroves as Nurseries: Shrimp
by expert judgment based on the importance of a Populations in Mangrove and Non-mangrove
parameter to the mangrove ecosystem health The Habitats. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci. 1998;46:457-
present results provide new method to obtain obvious 464. doi:10.1006/ecss.1997.0275.
understanding of ongoing mangrove trends. The 5. Kneib RT, Lee SY, Kneib JP. Adult-juvenile
obtained results can also be integrated with interactions in the crabs Sesarma (Perisesarma)
mangrove distribution data and thus directly bidens and S. (Holometopus) dehaani
contributing to MPA management. MHI allowing (Decapoda:Grapsidae) from intertidal mangrove
managers to define management scenarios to obtain habitats in Hong Kong. J Exp Mar Bio Ecol.
more optimal value of MHI that portray mangrove 1999;234(2):255-273. doi:10.1016/S0022-
ecological dynamics. Continuous monitoring that 0981(98)00149-X.
resulted of MHI will improves our ability to analyze
ineffective collection of multidisciplinary
information also avoid ineffectual transfer of

6 Adv.Sci.Lett.Vol.23,No.4,2017 doi:10.1166/asl.2017.9155 6
 RESEARCH ARTICLE

6. Laegdsgaard P, Johnson C. Why do juvenile fish 19. Menteri Negara Lingkungan Hidup. Kriteria
utilise mangrove habitats? J Exp Mar Bio Ecol. Baku dan Pedoman Penentuan Kerusakan
2001;257(2):229-253. doi:10.1016/S0022- Mangrove. 2004.
0981(00)00331-2. 20. Kitamura S, Anwar C, Chaniago A, Baba S.
7. Suryono CA. Ekologi Perairan Delta Wulan Handbook of Mangroves in Indonesia; Bal &
Demak Jawa Tengah : Distribusi Kepiting (Infra Lombok. ISME; 1997.
Ordo Brachyura dan Anomura) di Kawasan 21. Valle M, Palà V, Lafon V, et al. Mapping
Mangrove. Ilmu Kelaut. 2006;11(4):210-215. estuarine habitats using airborne hyperspectral
8. Redjeki S. Komposisi dan Kelimpahan Ikan di imagery, with special focus on seagrass
Ekosistem Mangrove. 2013;18(1):54-60. meadows. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci. 2015;164:433-
9. Clough B. Continuing the Journey Amongst 442. doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2015.07.034.
Mangroves. Vol 1. 2013. 22. McCarthy MJ, Merton EJ, Muller-Karger FE.
10. FAO. The World’s Mangroves 1980-2005. Vol Improved coastal wetland mapping using very-
153. FAO; 2007. doi:978-92-5-105856-5. high 2-meter spatial resolution imagery. Int J
Appl Earth Obs Geoinf. 2015;40:11-18.
11. van Oudenhoven APE, Siahainenia AJ, Sualia I,
doi:10.1016/j.jag.2015.03.011.
et al. Effects of different management regimes
on mangrove ecosystem services in Java, 23. Lillesand TM, Kiefer RW, Chipman JW. Remote
Indonesia. Ocean Coast Manag. 2015;116:353- Sensing and Image Interpretation. Vol (Stanley
367. doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.08.003. D, Pigliucci NM, Powell D, Flahive R, eds.).
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All; 2004.
12. Giesen W, Wulffraat S, Zieren M, Scholten L.
doi:10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004.
Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia.
Dharmasarn Co., Ltd; 2007. 24. Mueller-Dombois D, Ellenberg H. Aims and
doi:10.1086/346169. methods of vegetation ecology. John Wiley Sons.
1974;(September):93-135. doi:10.1016/0304-
13. Roca G, Alcoverro T, Krause-Jensen D, et al.
3746(75)90017-7.
Response of Seagrass Indicators to Shifts in
Environmental Stressors: A Global Review and 25. Odum EP. Dasar-Dasar Ekologi. Gadjah Mada
Management Synthesis. Ecol Indic. University Press; 1993.
2016;63:310-323. 26. BTNKJ. Laporan Inventarisasi Mangrove Di
doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.12.007. SPTN II Karimunjawa.; 2013.
14. Short FT, Coles R, Fortes MD, et al. Monitoring 27. BTNKJ. Laporan Inventarisasi Mangrove Di
in the Western Pacific Region Shows Evidence SPTN I Kemujan.; 2013.
of Seagrass Decline In Line with Global Trends. 28. Ashton EC, Macintosh DJ. Preliminary
Mar Pollut Bull. 2014;83:408-416. assessment of the plant diversity and community
doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.03.036. ecology of the Sematan mangrove forest,
15. Ambariyanto. Kebijakan Pengelolaan Sarawak, Malaysia. For Ecol Manage.
Organisme Laut Dilindungi: Kasus Kerang 2002;166:111-129. doi:10.1016/S0378-
Raksasa. Semarang: Undip Press; 2010. 1127(01)00673-9.
16. Barber PH, Ablan-Lagman MCA, Ambariyanto, 29. Noor YR, Khazali M, Suryadipura INN. Panduan
et al. Advancing Biodiversity Research in Pengenalan Mangrove Di Indonesia.; 2006.
Developing Countries: The Need for Changing 30. Hartoko A, Hendrarto IB, Widiyanti AMD.
Paradigms. Bull Mar Sci. 2014;90(1):187-210. Perubahan Luas Vegetasi Mangrove di Pulau
doi:10.5343/bms.2012.1108. Parang, Kepulauan Karimunjawa Menggunakan
17. Campbell SJ, Kartawijaya T, Yulianto I, Prasetia Citra Satelit. J Manag Aquat Resour.
R, Clifton J. Co-Management Approaches and 2013;2(2):19-27.
Incentives Improve Management Effectiveness 31. Polidoro BA, Carpenter KE, Collins L, et al. The
in the Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia. loss of species: Mangrove extinction risk and
Mar Policy. 2013;41:72-79. geographic areas of global concern. PLoS One.
doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2012.12.022. 2010;5(4):1-10.
18. Nababan MG, Munasik, Yulianto I, et al. Status doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010095.
Ekosistem Di Taman Nasional Karimunjawa
2010. Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia
Program; 2010.

7 Adv.Sci.Lett.Vol.23,No.4,2017 doi:10.1166/asl.2017.9155 7

View publication stats