Structure and Dominance of Species in Mangrove Forest on Kutai National Park, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

The Kutai National Park (KNP) is located in East Kutai Regency on East Kalimantan Province. It is endowed with numerous pristine of mangrove forest. However, the information to the species composition and diversity of KNP mangrove was still scanty. Twenty-one of mangrove species were recorded using the quadratic transects survey method (total plot area of 1.7 ha). Main species of mangrove communities was Avicennia lanata, A. marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhysa, B. sexangular, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, and Sonneratia alba. Mangrove density was recorded reached as 1,699 trees ha(-1), saplings of 4,395 ha(-1), and seedlings of 25,348 ha(-1). Significant tree density was founded in Pandan Bay Estuary. While in the Lombok Bay and the Kaba Bay were significant for sapling and seedling categories. Importance value index of mangrove species in the three study locations for three growth categories (tree, sapling, and seedling) showed significant differences (p-value > 0.05). Mangrove stand at three study locations had almost the same characteristics. The species diversity and evenness index has shown the same distribution pattern. This study's findings suggest that KNP mangrove forest stand was not heavily damaged even though there were many human activities. This mangrove could be managed and conserved for multi-sectoral purposes such as ecotourism, research, biodiversity, and education rather than solely as a nature conservation area.