THE REMNANT MANGROVES OF SEI-KECIL, SIMPANG-HILIR, WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

Phytosociological analysis of the remnant mangrove forest was carried out in Sei Kecil, Telok Melano, West Kalimantan, to describe the forest composition and structure, and to assess the regeneration strategy of the important mangrove species. Six transect plots of 20 x 60 m, 20 x 80 m and 20 x 90 m, with a total area of one hectare were established perpendicular to the coast line. A total of 20 species of trees and saplings, two species of herbs and one species of nypa palm was recorded. Three community types were recognized namely Rhizophora apiculata, Excoecaria agallocha-Rhizophora apiculata and Excoecaria agallocha reflecting the zonation in this forest. The number of trees, saplings and seedlings were 510, 1220 and 11 085 per ha respectively. Rhizophora apiculata was most successful in regeneration with 6231 seedlings per ha (56.2%) and followed by Bruguiera parviflora with 3810 seedlings per ha (34.4%). Seedlings of the first species were mostly growing under gaps while the second species occurred mostly around the mother trees.