Analisis Kerapatan Mangrove dan Keanekaragaman Makrozoobenthos di Kawasan Ekowisata Mangrove Lantebung Kota Makassar

Ekosistem mangrove berada dalam posisi yang mengkhawatirkan karena ekosistem tersebut terancam mengalami penurunan kualitas dan kuantitas. Sementara ekosistem mangrove memiliki peran penting dalam menjaga keseimbangan ekologis dan menyediakan berbagai manfaat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kerapatan mangrove dan keanekaragaman makrozoobenthos di kawasan ekowisata mangrove Lantebung, Makassar. Penelitian dilakukan dengan mengaplikasikan sistem informasi geografis yakni analisis citra pengindraan jauh menggunakan metode Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), selanjutnya dilakukan ground check yaitu survei lapangan untuk mengidentifikasi keanekaragaman dan kelimpahan jenis mangrove dan makrozoobenthos. Secara umum, kerapatan mangrove di lokasi penelitian tergolong lebat, dan sebagian kecil kerapatan sedang. Nilai kerapatan tertinggi sebesar 0,63 ind/m2, sedangkan nilai terendah sebesar 0,42 ind/m2. Jenis mangrove yang terdapat di lokasi penelitian diantaranya Rhizopora mucronata, Rhizopora apiculata, Brugaria gymnorhiza, Avicennia marina, Avicennia alba, dan Sonneratia alba. Rhizophora mucronata menjadi spesies mangrove yang paling dominan, sedangkan Sonneratia alba merupakan yang paling sedikit ditemukan pada lokasi penelitian. Makrozoobenthos yang hidup di ekosistem tersebut cukup beragam dan berlimpah, paling dominan ditemukan Uca sp. (kelas crustacea). Muara sungai merupakan area dengan kerapatan mangrove yang paling tinggi serta area yang paling banyak hidup makrozoobenthos. Ekosistem mangrove di Lantebung masih tergolong sehat dan perlu dijaga agar tetap lestari. Analisis kerapatan mangrove dan keanekaragaman makrozoobenthos penting untuk mendukung pemanfaatan ekosistem mangrove salah satunya pengembangan ekowisata mangrove yang berkelanjutan.  Mangrove ecosystems are in a worrying position because they are threatened by a decline in quality and quantity. While mangrove ecosystems have an important role in maintaining ecological balance and providing various benefits. This study aims to analysis mangrove density and macrozoobenthos diversity in the Lantebung mangrove ecotourism area, Makassar. The research was conducted by applying geographic information systems, namely remote sensing image analysis using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) method, followed by ground checks, namely field surveys to identify the diversity and abundance of mangrove species and macrozoobenthos. In general, the density of mangroves in the study site is classified as dense, and a small portion of moderate density. The highest density value was 0.63 ind/m2 while the lowest value was 0.42 ind/ m2. Mangrove species found in the study site include Rhizopora mucronata, Rhizopora apiculate, Brugaria gymnorhiza, Avicennia marina, Avicennia alba, and Sonneratia alba.  Rhizopora mucronata became the most dominant mangrove species, while Sonneratia alba was the least occupying the study site. Macrozoobenthos that live in the ecosystem are quite diverse and abundant, most dominantly found Uca sp. (crustacean class). The estuary is an area with the highest mangrove density and the most macrozoobenthos. The mangrove ecosystem in Lantebung is still relatively healthy and needs to be maintained to remain sustainable. Analysis of mangrove density and macrozoobenthos diversity is important to support the utilization of mangrove ecosystem, one of which is the development of sustainability mangrove ecotourism.