Plankton Community Structure in the Mangrove Waters of Leuweung Sancang Nature Reserve, Garut Regency
Ressa M. Santika *
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia.
. Zahidah
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia.
Rusky Intan Pratama
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia.
Heti Herawati
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aims to determine the structure of plankton communities as an estimator of water quality status in the Leuweung Sancang Nature Reserve, Garut Regency, West Java. This research was conducted on October 19 – November 8, 2021. Sampling was carried out at five stations, namely located close to settlements and having a small mangrove area, on the outskirts of the Cipalawah River so that mangrove areas get nutrients from rivers, in delta areas facing tides and rivers, behind deltas that do not directly get nutrients from the sea or rivers and areas that directly face seawater and have the largest mangrove area. The results showed that plankton abundance ranged from 2840 – 3835 ind / L and had a saprobic index ranging from 1.10 – 1.13. Based on the results of the study, the abundance of plankton in the Leuweung Sancang Nature Reserve is categorized as moderate and indicated by mild pollution as seen from the saprobic index.
Keywords: Plankton, leuweung sancang nature reserve, abundance, saprobic index