Evaluating The Waterbirds Diversity and Its Preys Under Different Mangrove Ecosystem in The Situbondo Coast, East Java

Abstract

Abstract Mangroves are potential habitats for diverse waterbirds, and its preys, but mangroves conversion caused variations of mangrove forests area along the northern coast of Situbondo Regency. Therefore, it is important to analyze the interaction of mangrove area, diversity of waterbirds, and its prey along the coast of Situbondo Regency. The diversity and waterbirds density and its prey observed by points count method along the transect in six stations, namely Banyuputih, Mangaran, Panarukan, Kendit, Suboh, and Banyuglugur Districts. The area of mangrove forest was determined by satellite imagery. The results showed that the diversity and waterbirds density were influenced by its prey availability and mangrove area. Banyuputih showed the largest mangrove forest area with medium waterbirds (H′ 2.19) and prey diversity (H′ 2.15), similar with Kendit showed medium waterbirds diversity (H′ 1.39) and highest density of waterbirds, followed by highest prey density and medium prey diversity (H′ 2.43). On the other hand, in Banyuglugur with the largest industrial area, only one species of waterbird was found. Ciconia episcopus, and Leptoptilos javanicus as IUCN Redlist vulnerable and near threatened species were founded in the Banyuputih and Kendit. Conserving mangroves integrity as waterbirds habitat and its preys might support a better waterbird’s life.