Jurnal Penelitian Kehutanan Wallacea Vol. 2 No. 2, Juni 2013 : 104 - 120 104 STATUS EKOLOGI HUTAN MANGROVE PADA BERBAGAI TINGKAT KETEBALAN (Ecological Status of Mangrove Forest at Various Thickness Levels) Heru Setiawan Balai Penelitian Kehutanan Makassar Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 16 Makassar, Telp. (0411) 554049, Fax. (0411) 554058 Email: hiero_81@yahoo.com Diterima 1 Maret 2013, disetujui 16 Juni 2013 ABSTRACT This research was aimed to know the ecological condition of mangrove forest at various thickness levels and its influence on salinity of fresh water at surrounding area. This research was conducted by analysis of sea water, fresh water, plankton, substrate (soil), and makrobenthos at three location, those were: (1) mangrove with high thickness level (200-300 metre) in Tongke-Tongke Village, (2) mangrove with middle thickness level in Panaikang Village and (3) location without mangrove in Pasimarannu Village. The result of analysis showed that the rate of DO and BOD of seawater in Tongke-Tongke were 5,76 ppm and 1,68 ppm, Panaikang village were 6,48 ppm and 3,63 ppm and Pasimarannu village 6,72 pm and 3,36 ppm. Based on fresh water analysis, the ecosystem of mangrove has significant influence to reduce salinity level. The salinity of fresh water in location with highest thickness level is lowest (Tongke-Tongke is 2.2 ppt) compared to others (Panaikang 2.4 ppt and Pasimarannu 3.2 ppt). The result of substrat analysis showed similar result in which the highest organic substance rate is in Tongke-Tongke followed by Panaikang and Pasimarannu. Abundance of plankton and makrobentos in location with highest thickness level is highest (Tongke-Tongke 210 individu/ml and 849 individu/m 2 ) compared to others (Panaikang is 202 individu/ml and 815 individu/m 2 and Pasimarannu village 132 individu/ml and 320 individu/m 2 ) Keywords : Mangrove, ecological condition, thickness level ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kondisi ekologis hutan mangrove pada berbagai tingkat ketebalan serta pengaruhnya terhadap salinitas air sumur di sekitarnya. Penelitian dilakukan dengan mengambil contoh air laut, air sumur, plankton, substrat dan makrobenthos pada tiga perwakilan kondisi yaitu pada mangrove dengan tingkat ketebalan tinggi (200-300 meter) yang berlokasi di Desa Tongke-Tongke, mangrove dengan tingkat ketebalan sedang (100-150 meter) yang berlokasi di Desa Panaikang dan lokasi yang tanpa mangrove di Desa Pasimarannu. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa kadar DO dan BOD air laut di Desa Tongke- Tongke 5,76 ppm dan 1,68 ppm, Desa Panaikang 6,48 ppm dan 3,63 ppm dan Desa Pasimarannu 6,72 ppm dan 3,36 ppm. Berdasarkan analisis kadar garam yang dilakukan terhadap air sumur menunjukkan bahwa air sumur di sekitar lokasi dengan tingkat ketebalan mangrove yang tinggi memiliki kadar garam terendah (Tongke-Tongke sebesar 2,2 ppt) dibanding dengan yang lain (Panaikang sebesar 2,4 ppt dan Pasimarannu 3,2 ppt). Analisis terhadap substrat menunjukkan bahwa bahan organik tertinggi terdapat di Desa Tongke- Tongke diikuti Desa Panaikang dan Pasimarannu. Kelimpahan plankton dan makrobenthos tertinggi terdapat pada lokasi dengan tingkat ketebalan mangrove tingi yaitu di Tongke-Tongke sebesar 210 individu/ml dan 849 individu/m 2 diikuti Desa Panaikang 202 individu/ml dan 815 individu/m 2 dan Desa Pasimarannu 132 individu/ml dan 320 individu/m 2 . Kata kunci : Mangrove, kondisi ekologis, tingkat ketebalan