ROOT DENSITY ANALYSIS AND WAVE ATTENUATION ABILITY OF RHIZOPHORA SPECIES AT KEMAMAN, TERENGGANU

Abstract

The root density analysis and wave reduction ability of Rhizophora species was investigated at Pulau Sekepeng, Kemaman (Terengganu) in Peninsular Malaysia. A 12 m transect for Rhizophora species was set up inside the mangrove forest from the vegetation’s edge. Many fishing boats pass through the estuary, each producing a set of waves in their wakes. Based on observations, the effect of vertical and horizontal variations in vegetation density on wave attenuation was analyzed. It is found that the vegetation density decreases with increasing distance inside the mangrove forest and it also decreases with increasing vertical height of mangrove trees. The average wave reduction increases with increasing distance inside the mangrove forest. Also, the wave reduction decreases with increasing water level. From this study it is concluded that the wave reduction ranged from as low as 3.27% to as high as 20.66%, the average reduction being 11%.

Keywords

• Wave attenuation
• vegetation density
• Pulau Sekepeng
• Rhizophora sp.
• Kemaman (Terengganu)
• Peninsular Malaysia.