A study on distribution of macrobenthos in mangrove area at Tumpat, Kelantan

Abstract

Studies on distribution and abundance of macrobenthos have successfully been done at mangrove area ofTumpat, Kelantan on September 2006. The aim of this study is to determine the group composition of macrobenthos in mangrove area of Tumpat, Kelantan and to compare the species distribution of macrobenthos between mangroves replanted area, cleared area and natural mangrove forest. A total of 6714 individuals of macrobenthos from 135 cores were collected. There are seven taxonomic groups of macrobenthos found at study sites, namely Molluska, Annelida, Gastropoda, Branchyura, Bivalves, Sipuncula and Crustacea. Gastropoda is the most dominant taxonomic group and are present in all five sampling stations. Diversity (H') is highest at Pulau Mas reaching the value of2.043. The highest of macrobenthos Richness (R') is also found at Pulau Mas with d=l.352 and Evenness (J'= 1.613) is higher at Pulau Layang-Layang. Environmental factors and sediment size analysis that might affect their abundance and distribution of macrobenthos is discussed in the thesis proper.