Determination of tree species abundance using line-transect method at Sabak Beach, Kelantan

Coastal areas are environmentally sensitive areas where fill with various local inhabitants where the tree species ecosystem continue to develop according to its environment. The anthropogenic disturbance surrounding like uncontrollable dumpsite will damage the ecosystem at the area. Due to the situation, this study was to identify the forms of the species occurrence and determine the species abundance, density, frequency and diversity found in Sabak Beach, Kelantan. A total of 1240 individuals of 30 species from 30 genera belong to 22 Family with were recorded in the 2 kilometres transect line in Sabak Beach. By using the diversity index which is Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, H' value is 3.17 where Shannon Wiener Maximum Index, Hmax, is 3.40 and 0.93 is the value for the Shannon Evenness Index, E. The results of abundance, density, frequency and diversity indices are scientifically correlation with the types of soil at the area. Apart from that, the physical types of soils and macronutrient levels in the soils play a vital role in the distribution of the tree species in which the availability of the soil nutrients affects the tree growth. Then, the elements of 5 heavy metals namely Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) and Zinc (Zn) were examined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) method to clarify the level of pollution of the area because the area was a landfill. The highest abundance species is Jatropha gossypifolia whereby it is proven are closely related with the water quality parameter and heavy metals contamination results achieved.