Struktur dan Asosiasi Vegetasi Mangrove di Hilir DAS Torue, Parigi Moutong, Sulawesi Tengah (Structure and Association of Mangrove Vegetation in Torue Watershed Downstream, Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi)

One important aspect needed in mangrove forest management was the data and information available regarding structure and associations. However, the structure and association of mangrove forests in the Torue watershed downstream had not been identified. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the structure and association of mangrove forests in the Torue watershed downstream. This research used the plot path method with a path and plot combination. Path placement was done by purposive sampling. The results showed that the mangrove forest structure of the Torue watershed downstream consisted of three canopy layers, i.e., Stratum C, D, and E, which were dominated by seedling and sapling growth rates. Stratum C was dominated by Sonneratia alba type, and Stratum D was dominated by Bruguiera gymnorizha and Bruguiera sexangula types. In contrast, Stratum E was dominated by Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora apiculata types. There was no association between mangrove vegetation and all species. However, three pairs of species had a positive association coefficient, namely: Sonneratia alba with Rhizophora apiculata with a coefficient value of 0,42, Rhizophora mucronata with Bruguiera gymnorhiza, and Rhizophora mucronata with Bruguiera sexangula each coefficient value of 0,06, which was not associated with five species, namely Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera gymnorizha, and Bruguiera sexangula. The results of this study could be the basis of the guidelines for sustainability in mangrove forest management. Keywords: association, mangrove forest, vegetation structure, watershed