Joko Guntoro A HANDBBOK FOR STUDENTS AN INTRODUCTION OF TUNTONG LAUT ( Batagur borneoensis ) AND MAMANGROVENGROVE TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 FOREWORD 2 I. ECOSYSTEM OF MANGROVES 3 I.1. Definition of Mangrove Forest 3 I.2. Biodiversity in Mangrove 5 a. Flora 5 b. Fauna 6 c. Food web 7 I.3. Importance of Mangrove Forest 7 a. Benefits of Mangrove Forest Ecosystems 7 b. Impact of the Destruction of Mangrove 8 II. IDENTICATION OF TUNTONG LAUT ( Batagur borneoensis ) 9 II.1. Introduction of Turtle 9 II.2. Identification of Tuntong Laut and some of Freshwater Turtles 13 1. Painted terrapin ( Batagur borneoensis ) 13 2. River terrapin ( Batagur affinis ) 14 3. Asian box turtle ( Cuora amboinensis ) 15 4. Asian forest tortoise ( Manouria emys ) 16 5. Spiny turtle ( Heosemys spinosa) 17 6. ( Amyda cartilaginea ) 18 II.3. Utilization of Tuntong Laut 19 II.4. Tuntong Laut and Mangrove Forest 19 II.5. Current Conditions and Challenges of sustainability 20 II.6. Impacts of the Extinction of Tuntong Laut 21 III.CONSERVATION OF TUNTONG LAUT ( Batagur borneoensis ) 22 III.1. Regulations concerning environmental protection and wildlife 22 III.2. Preserving Wildlife In Islamic Perspective 23 III.3. Methods of Conservation of Tuntong Laut and Freshwater Turtles 26 III.4. Practical Ways We Can Do to Save Painted Terrapin 27 REFERENCES 29 Let us save Painted terrapin in Aceh Tamiang 1 FOREWORD Indonesia coastal and marine forestis being exposed to constantly increasing growth and economic preasure. In addition to this, the utilizations of natural resources in mangrove ecosystem, especially flora and fauna in it, through various human activities, lead to the degradation of the mangrove forest. Also, the decreasing of some important species such as Painted terrapin ( Batagur borneoensis ), called Tuntong Laut by local people. In view of this, Lembaga SatuCita conducted a conservation initiative since 2009 to conserve that species, both through in-stiu and ex-situ method. This initiative run some activities: nesting patrol, educational program, field survey, field research, headstarting program. We save the Painted terrapin from any threats in Seruway and make efforts to assurance them in their native habitat. This book is a book published by Lembaga SatuCita to increase the student awareness and knowledge about this species. We can say that this is a handbook. This handbook is bilingual language: English and Bahasa Indonesia. By publishing this book and educating the students about the contents of this book, we aim that in the student, our future generation, will have knowledge about this species. So, this species will be a considerance in their decision. The future of Painted terrapin is very influenced by the decision made by young generation. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF) for its financial support to publish this book and to implementing our educational program (campaign) to student. This campaign targeting 600 students in junior and senior high school. I also would like to thank to staff and volunteer in Lembaga SatuCita “we can save Painted terrapin!”. Finally also would like to thanks Prof. Chan Eng Heng and Chen Pelf Nyok from Turtle Conservation Centre Kuala Terangganu Malaysia (all of your advices and comments has made this initiative is possible), to local forestry officer, local traditional institution called Panglima Laot, Datuk Laksamana, teachers in targeted schools. All of you has provided valuable information to the book. Kuala Simpang, Joko Guntoro Principal investigator Painted Terrapin Conservation Initiative (PTCI) Lembaga SatuCita Let us save Painted terrapin in Aceh Tamiang 2 I. ECOSYSTEM OF MANGROVES I.1. Definition of Mangrove Forest According Nybakken (1992), mangrove forests are the common word used to describe a variety of tropical coastal communities are dominated by several species of trees or shrubs characteristic that has the ability to grow in salty waters. Mangrove forests include trees and shrubs are classified into 8 families, and consists of 12 genera of flowering plants: Avicennie, Sonneratia, Rhyzophora, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Xylocarpus, Lummitzera, Laguncularia, Aegiceras, Aegiatilis, Snaeda, and Conocarpus (Bengen, 2000). Picture 1.1.1. Mangrove Forest in Seruway, Aceh Tamiang The word mangrove has two meanings, first as a community, the community or communities or forest plants that are resistant to salinity / salinity (tidal), and second as an individual species (Macnae, 1968 in Supriharyono, 2000). In order not to be confused, Macnae use the term "Mangal" when associated with forest communities and " mangrove " for individual plants. Mangrove forests by local people often called the Mangrove forest or swamp forests. But according Khazali (1998), the mention of mangroves as Bakau (Bahasa Indonesia) seems less appropriate because the Bakau are one of group names of plant species found in mangroves. Adaptation of Mangrove Faced with the extreme environment in mangroves, plants adapt to a variety of ways. Physically, the most typical mangroves are to grow specific organs for their survival, such as various forms of roots and salt glands in the leaves. But there are also other forms of physiological adaptation. Avicennia grows at the river side. Notice the breathing roots that appear to the mud beach. Mangrove trees ( Rhizophora spp. ), which usually grow in the outer zone, develop Let us save Painted terrapin in Aceh Tamiang 3 stilt root to survive the fierce waves. The types of Avicennia spp. and Sonneratia spp developing their breath roots (pneumatophore ) arising from the mud to take oxygen from the air. The Bruguiera spp . has a knee root, while the trees Nirih ( Xylocarpus spp. ) with their winding roots, both of them are to support the tree upright in the mud, while also getting air for breathing. Plus many other types of mangrove vegetation has lenticels , pore holes to breathe .To cope with high salinity, fires remove excess salt through glands on the bottom leaves. While other types, such as Rhizophora mangle , developed a root system that almost impenetrable to salt water. Water that has absorbed almost tasteless, approximately 90-97% of salt content in sea water could not pass through the filter of this root. The salt was contained in the body of plants, accumulated in old leaves and leaf drop will be wasted together. On the other hand, given the difficulty of obtaining fresh water, mangrove vegetation should seek to maintain the water content in the body. Though the tropical ocean environment encourages high heat of vaporization, several types of mangrove plants are able to set the mouth opening of leaves ( stomata ) and the direction toward the surface of the leaves in the daytime heat, thus reducing evaporation from the leaves. Breeding Another important adaptation is shown in terms of breeding species. Harsh environments in mangroves almost impossible to grains germinate normally on the mud. In addition to the extreme chemical conditions, physical condition of the tidal mud and sea water makes difficult to maintain seed viability. Almost all types of flora of mangroves have seeds or fruits that can float, so it can be dispersed by the flow of water. In addition, many of the mangrove species are viviparous : the seed or seeds have germinated before the fruit fall from trees. The most famous example is perhaps the germination of the fruits of Bakau ( Rhizophora ), Tengar (Ceriops ) or Kendeka ( Bruguiera ). Fruit trees have germinated and issued a similar length of the spear when the roots are still dependent on the stalk. When they fall, these fruits can be directly embedded in the mud at the crash site, or carried off the tide, caught and grown in other parts of the forest. Alternatively, the sea swept away and travel to distant places. Fruit palm ( Nypa fruticans ) has emerged in the bud while still attached in it stem. While fruit of Avicennie , Kaboa ( Aegiceras ), Jeruju ( acanthus ) and several others have also germinate on the tree, although not visible from the outside. These privileges were no doubt increase the successness of the seeds to grow. Children's nursery with the terms of this kind are called propagule. This propagules can be carried away by ocean and waves up to miles and miles away, maybe even across the sea or strait with a collection of other marine debris. Propagules can 'sleep' (dormant) for days and even months, during a trip to arrive at a suitable location. If it will grow settled, several types of propagules can change the ratio of the weight of his body parts, so that the roots begin to sink and propagules floating vertically in the water. This makes it easier for the entangled and stuck in the muddy bottom of shallow water. Let us save Painted terrapin in Aceh Tamiang 4 Mangrove Forest Succession The growth and development of a forest known as forest succession (forest succession or sere ). Mangrove forest is an example of forest succession in wetlands (called hydrosere ). Given this succession process, please note that the zoning of mangrove forests in the above description is not eternal, but gradually shifted. Succession begins with the formation of an exposure to mud (mudflat) that can serve as a substrate mangroves. Until in a one time, this new substrate was invaded by propagules of mangrove vegetation. Then, begin to form a pioneer vegetation of mangrove forests. The growth of mangrove forests are caught somewhere in mud. Fine soil that washed out the river flow, the sands carried by ocean flow, all sorts of rubbish and destruction of vegetation, will be deposited in the roots of mangrove vegetation. Thus, the mud will gradually accumulate more and more and faster. Mangroves are also more widespread. At the time, the mangrove forests will begin to dry out and become no longer suitable for the growth of pioneer species such as Avicennia alba and Rhizophora mucronata .