Unveiling the diversity of Bangka island’s mangroves : a baseline for effective conservation and restoration

The current state of the mangrove ecosystem on Bangka Island requires urgent attention from the local government to protect, restore, and conserve the remaining mangrove areas. Hence, this study endeavors to assess the species composition of mangroves on Bangka Island, examining their correlation with edaphic factors and shedding light on the zonation pattern within the region. We examined species composition, edaphic factors, and zonation patterns along 20 m x 100 m transects perpendicular to the waterfront at 22 sampling sites distributed across Bangka Island. Our findings revealed the presence of 21 mangrove species from ten families, including two mangrove associates. Among the documented species, the Rhizophoraceae family exhibited the highest floristic abundance with nine species. Edaphic factors (soil texture, pore-water salinity, N-total, P, and K) significantly influenced mangrove species composition (p < 0.05). However, these factors explained only 37.2% of the overall variability, suggesting additional factors contribute to the diverse zonation and composition of mangroves on Bangka Island. This study has relevant implications for the conservation and management of mangroves on Bangka Island. By gaining insight into the specific site's floristic composition, overall richness, and distribution, our findings can guide effective conservation and restoration strategies by understanding the factors shaping mangrove composition.