Pengelolaan Bentang Lahan dan Ekosistem Mangrove untuk Ekowisata di Kelurahan Beras Basah Kecamatan Pangkalan Susu Kabupaten Langkat

Abstract

Mangroves have high potential to promote ecotourism due to their position along the confluence of land and sea. Many studies have reported that mangroves and coastal environments are appropriate places for the development of sustainable ecotourism. This research describes the development of community-based mangrove management. Mangrove ecosystems, communities and visitors, as well as relevant stakeholders are analyzed to present the ecotourism landscape, mangrove ecosystem potential, ecological suitability and carrying capacity which will be followed by SWOT analysis. The research results obtained 8 types of mangroves consisting of Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, Sonneratia alba, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhizza, Xylocarpus granatum, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea. The species of fauna observed were two species of birds (Haliaetus leucogaster, Bubulcus ibis), three species of reptiles (Varanus salvator, Fordonia leucobalia, Mabouia multifasciata), three types of mammals (Macaca fascicularis, Tupaia glis, Martes flavigula), seven types of fish (Plotosus canius, Epinephelus lanceolatus, Ophiocara porocephala, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Lates calcarifer, Scatophagus argus, Mugil cephalus), five types of mollusks (Cerithidea cingulata, Telescopium telescopium, Cerithidea quadrata, Murex trapa, Polymesoda bengalensis), and four types of crustaceans (Scylla serrata, Metapograpsus sp., Panaeus monodon, Panaeus merguensis). A community group called Coastal Care managed several food products derived from mangroves that were popular among tourists, such as pandanous coconut, Trigona honey, and various food preparations made from fish and crabs. The two studied stations showed different ecological suitability. One protection that can be done is by implementing a quota for visiting tourists according to the areas carrying capacity, which was found to be 86 people per day. In addition, from strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, it was found that ecotourism can be enhanced by increasing the efficiency of mangrove ecosystem management, adding supporting facilities, and providing environmental and conservation education to tourism.