Evaluating the growth and changes of Rhizophora species in five different islands, Delta Tumpat, Kelantan

The lower reaches of River Kelantan form a vast delta (1200 ha) consisting of bay, mangrove and estuary on the Northeast Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The present study was conducted to assess the mangrove vegetation at Tumpat based on the growth and dynamic evaluation of Rhizophora species (Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora apiculata). The objective of this study is to estimate the growth and changes of Rizophora species in, Pulau Mas, Pulau Tujuh, Pulau Bedal A, Pulau Bedal B and Pulau Layang-layang, Delta Tumpat Kelantan. Delta Tumpat is important mangrove forest which is being selected as the restoration of mangrove planting. Tropical plants that are located along the tropical coasts of the world are referred to as mangroves, and are known to thrive in wet and loose soils, salty water, and sometimes submerged by tidal flows. In this research, the diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height are measured to estimate the Rhizophora species growth. The changes of Rhizophora species are estimated through data of crown diameter and foliage cover for each site. The average growth of Rhizophora species in a year for five islands is 0.48m. The average of tree density and volume are 1925 trees per hectare and 200.84m3 respectively. The average of crown width at study area is 2.47m and mostly symmetry in shape. The percentage of the foliage cover at the study site was low which is 14.33% at Pulau Bedal A. Further study and more sampling point should be done in the area to add more data and information on Delta Tumpat, Kelantan. This will help other related organization in managing and conserving the area for its important. More sampling in future study to obtain good result.