The Distribution and Strategies of Plants to Grow around Laguna

Lake in Ternate

Abdulrasyid Tolangara, Hasna Ahmad and Fadli Umar

Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Khairun, Indonesia

Keywords: Distribution, Strategy, Plant growth, Laguna Lake.

Abstract: Distribution is a spacing pattern of individuals in a population relative to one another. There are various

individuals’ distribution patterns. They are commonly known as uniform, random, and clumped distribution

patterns. The present research was designed as an ex post facto research which aimed to observe an existing

phenomenon and recount past events to investigate factors that contributed to the occurrences. This research

was conducted in an area of 7.500 m

which was dug into 50 plots of 20x20m. Random plotting method was

employed to collect the data. The number of individual targeted plants which appeared in the observation

plots were calculated. Each of the plants’ species was identified. The distribution patterns and the growth

strategies of the individuals were determined based on the Morisita Index values. The results indicated that

Laguna Lake areas were mostly surrounded by durian (Durio zibethinus L), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans

Hout), breadfruit (Artocarpus communis L), and mango (Mangifera indica L.). The distribution patterns of

the plants consisted of random distribution pattern (durian (Durio zibethinus L.), breadfruit (Artocarpus

communis L.), and mango (Mangifera indica L.)) and clumped distribution pattern (nutmegor Myristica

fragrans Hout.). In relation to plant growth strategies, the K-theory was introduced (growth strategy).

Environmental factors including the soil pH, light intensity, water current, and mineral content also

influenced the distribution patterns and growth strategies of the targeted plants.

1 INTRODUCTION

Plants are living creatures that can produce their

own food with chlorophyll. In Biology, there are

around 350.000 types of plants recorded in Plantae

kingdom. Out of the number, 258.650 are

categorized into flowering plants and 18.000 are

mossy plants. Most of the Plantae kingdom

individuals are autotroph organisms that can obtain

energy by harnessing sunlight through

photosynthesis (Ariebowo M, 2009).

Plants have a stationary property which does not

allow them to move independently. Therefore, they

multiply through vegetative or generative

reproduction. Leaf, root, and stems constitute the

main parts of a plant. However, grass, trees,

bamboo, and shrubs also belong to one of the plants’

categories. In a community, plants with the same

type can grow together in either the same or

different locations (Tolangara, 2017).

2 RESEARCH METHOD

The present research employed an ex post facto

design which aimed to observe an existing

phenomenon and recount past events to investigate

factors that contributed to the occurrences (2012).

This research was carried out from March to July

2018 in the areas around Laguna Lake of Ngade,

South Ternate.

The research procedures consisted of an

observation of the plants’ distribution patterns and

an observation of the plants’ growth strategies. The

observation spots lied on an area of 7.500m

(150m

long and 50m wide). Two transect lines were drawn

from the lakeside to a particular spot that had been

determined earlier. The spacing of each transect was

30m. Each transect line contained 5 observation

plots of 20x20m. Thus, there were 10 plots

randomly assigned on the land. The targeted plants

of this research were the plants that grew under

mother trees of which sizes could reach stem

diameter (Ø) ≤ 10 cm and height < 2m with small

percentages of canopy cover. These plants were

Tolangara, A., Ahmad, H. and Umar, F.

The Distribution and Strategies of Plants to Grow around Laguna Lake in Ternate.

DOI: 10.5220/0008899001830189

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Teaching and Learning (ICTL 2018), pages 183-189

ISBN: 978-989-758-439-8

183

identified based on their categories. The number of

individuals found in each category was calculated

and the height and the stem diameter of each plant

were recorded. The areas on which the targeted

plants were found were marked with stakes that had

been painted on top. Environmental parameters such

as the soil pH, soil moisture, soil texture, and light

intensity were measured to support the findings.

3 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 FINDINGS

3.1.1 The Distribution Patterns of the

(Targeted) Plants

The number of individuals of each species (durian,

nutmeg, breadfruit, and mango) found in each

observation plot was recorded in Table 1.

Table 1: Number of Individuals Found in Each Observation Plot.

No.

Local Name

of the Plant

Scientific

Name of the

Plant

Plot

Total

Number

III

VII

VIII

Durian

Durio

zibethinus L

Nutmeg

Myristica

fragrans Hout

Breadfruit

Artocarpus

communis L

Mango

Mangiferaindic

a L.

Total

The information presented in Table 1 was then used

to analyze the distribution patterns of each plant

category with Morishita Index, such as shown in

Table 2.

Table 2: The Results of the Analysis of the Plants’ Distribution Patterns.

No.

Scientific Name of the Plant

ni∑(Xi(Xi-1)

N(N-1)

Distribution

Pattern

Durio zibethinus L

864

3540

0,2441

Random

Myristica fragrans Hout

4356

3540

1,305

Clumped

Artocarpus communis L

3540

0,0023

Random

Mangifera indica L.

3540

0,0056

Random

Total

5248

14160

1,4825

Table 2 suggested that the majority of the plants that

lived around Laguna Lake had random and clumped

distribution patterns. Durian, breadfruit, and mango

trees were normally distributed randomly while

individuals in the nutmeg population were more

likely to have clustered together.

3.1.2 The (Targeted) Plants’ Growth

Strategies

The results of the research related to the targeted

plants’ (competition) strategies to grow side by side

with other trees with a diameter of (Ø) ≤ 10 cm

suggested different measurements of height and

stem diameter depicted in Table 3.

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Table 3: The Stem Diameter and Height of the Targeted Plants Compared to Mother Trees.

No.

Local

Name of

the Plant

Scientific Name of the Plant

Targeted Plant

Mother Trees

(Ø)≤ 10 cm

Height (cm)

(Ø) ≥ 20 cm

Durian

Durio zibethinus L.

5,096

390

35.04

Nutmeg

Myristica fragrans Hout

3,822

280

31.85

Breadfruit

Artocarpus communis L

5,096

400

38.22

Mango

Mangifera indica L.

3,981

370

35.04

Table 3 indicated that the targeted plants were much

smaller and thinner (in terms of stem diameter) than

the mother trees that were growing around them. In

other words, the other plants or the mother trees

were dominating the areas, thus preventing the

targeted plants to grow and thrive even though they

belonged to the same category of plants. The results

of a 10-week (5-month) observation suggested that

the targeted plants were required to develop a new

strategy to survive and grow healthily. These

strategies could be measured through the

development of the plants’ height and stem

diameter. The results were recorded in Figure 1

(durian), Figure 2 (nutmeg), Figure 3 (breadfruit),

and Figure 4 (mango).

Figure 1: Durian Growth Variables: Height and Stem Diameter

Figure 1 showed that there was an increasing trend

in durian growth variables (i.e. durian height and

stem diameter). Even though the improvements were

not too significant, the height and the stem diameter

of the plant still experienced progress in terms of

size within 10 weeks (5 months). Similarly, the

development of nutmeg height and stem diameter

was reported as follows.

4,777

5,096

5,096 5,096 5,096

5,414

5,732

6,051

101

102

103

104

0,000

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10

DURIAN

Growth Variables : Plant's height and Stem Diameter

P height

S.diameter

The Distribution and Strategies of Plants to Grow around Laguna Lake in Ternate

185

Figure 2: Nutmeg Growth Variables: Height and Stem Diameter

Figure 2 obviously showed that during the 10-week

or 5-month observation, nutmeg growth variables

(height and stem diameter) increased gradually.

Likewise, breadfruit height and stem diameter

growth were presented in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Breadfruit Growth Variables: Height and Stem Diameter.

Figure 3 suggested that breadfruit height and stem

diameter had improved during the observation

period which lasted in 10 weeks (5 months). In other

words, there was an upward trend in the breadfruit

growth variables though it was not too significant.

Mango trees could grow to a height of 140 cm and

had a stem diameter of 7.643 cm. More detailed

information on the development of mango height

and stem diameter was presented in Figure 4.

3,822

3,981

4,14

4,459

4,777 4,777 4,777

4,777

5,096

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10

NUTMEG

P Height

S. diameter

1,911

2,07

2,229 2,229 2,229

2,548

2,866

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10

BREAD FRUIT

S. Diameter

P Height

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Figure 4: Mango Growth Variables: Height and Stem Diameter.

Figure 4 showed a considerable surge in the

improvement of mango trees height and stem

diameter within 10 weeks (5 months). However, the

mango trees stem diameter seemed to grow slower

than the height.

3.1.3 Environmental Factors that Affected

the (Targeted) Plants’ Growth

The results of the measurement of environmental

parameters in Laguna Lake regions were presented

as follows.

Table 4: The Measurement of the Environmental Parameters.

Environmental Parameters

Soil pH

Soil Moisture

Soil Texture

Light intensity

5,6 – 6,6

(acidic–neutral)

20 – 50%

(medium–high)

Sandy clay,

muddy, and

sandy-muddy

1,852 covered – 36,422 open

(Candela)

Table 4 suggested that the pH scale of Laguna Lake

soil ranged from 5,6 (acidic) to 6,6 (neutral). The

soil moisture fell between 20-50%(medium-high)

while the soil texture was more likely to be sandy

clay, muddy, and sandy-muddy.

Around 1,852(candela) was covered from luminous

intensity and the other 36,422 constituted open

areas(candela). These parameters were considered

supportive of the growth of the targeted plants

observed in this study.

3.2 Discussion

3.2.1 The Distribution Patterns of the

(Targeted) Plants

Findings of this research have indicated that the

majority of the targeted plants had random and

clumped distribution patterns. A dispersion pattern is

affected by the inward and outward movements of

individuals in a population. According to Indriyanto

(2006), there are three types of population

movements, emigration (the one-way outward

movement), immigration (the one-way inward

movement), and migration (the periodical inward

and outward movement). The distribution of a

population can keep increasing or decreasing. These

changes have become the main focus of the

dispersed population ecology which were mainly

caused by three interrelated factors, including

natality, mortality, migration (emigration and

immigration).

There are three commonly known patterns of

individuals’ distribution in a population (intern

distribution). They are random, uniform, and clumped

distribution patterns. Plants and animals follow the

same basic patterns that are random, uniform, and

distribution patterns. These patterns have a strong

correlation with environmental conditions (Barbour et

al., 1987 in Hasan S, et al. 2016).

7,006

7,325

7,643

110

111

121

134

137

137,5

138

139

140

100

120

140

160

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10

MANGO

P Height

S. diameter

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Arsyad (2016) argues that if the entire natural

factors contribute to the existence of a species in a

certain place are limited, the distribution pattern of

the species will be much easier to determine. This

condition can be easily identified with the random

distribution pattern which was also found in this

research. The Morishita Index (Iδ) values of

durian (Id=0.2441), breadfruit (Id=0.0027), and

mango(Id=0.0056) suggested that these plants

were distributed randomly in Laguna Lake

areas while nutmeg (Id= 1.035) had a clumped

distribution pattern. Odum(1993) agrees that

random distribution pattern is often found in plant

populations. A particular environment rarely shares

similar characteristics with other environments in

the same area. Therefore, this sort of competition

becomes the most common interaction established

among plants (Gibson, 2006). Each of the individuals

struggles for similar resources, water, sunlight,

space, and nutrition (Tolangara, 2017).

3.2.2 Growth (Competition) Strategies

Developed by the (Targeted) Plants

The height and stem diameter of the targeted plants

were observed for 10 weeks (5 months). These

parameters were then compared to those of other

plant species that grew in similar regions. The results

were then used to determine the growth strategies

developed by the targeted plants. No substantial

improvement was found in the height and stem

diameter of the targeted plants. Therefore, it can be

concluded that there was a competition between the

targeted plants and other plants species in the areas.

This competition may be defined as one of the

interaction forms established among the plants to

fight over limited natural resources that are available

in a limited space and a limited period of time which

can adversely affect the plants’ growth (Leksono,

2007).

The figures found in the previous sections

presenting the targeted plants’ height and stem

diameter suggest a hindrance in the growth of

durian, breadfruit, mango, and nutmeg observed in

this study. The obstacles faced by the targeted plants

to grow properly are the result of interspecific

competition which usually occurs between different

species of the same ecological area (Leksono,2007)

where the dominant parties always secure the safest

place. The interspecific competition between

organisms can result in different growth abilities that

allow the non-dominant plants to develop a strategy

called the K-strategy (growth strategy)

(Hardjosuwarno, 1993). Therefore, despite the fact

that the plants may have received very little light,

water, and nutrients, they are still able to develop the

K-strategy (growth strategy) which is usually

applied by terrestrial plants to survive in nature

(Backer, 1987) in (Tolangara, 2012).

3.2.3 Environmental Factors that Affected

the (Targeted) Plants’ Growth

There are some environmental factors that may

affect plant growth. These factors include the soil

pH, soil texture, moisture, and light intensity. Based

on the results of the observation conducted on the

environmental parameters, it was found that the

targeted plants (durian, breadfruit, nutmeg, and

mango) grew under acidic-neutral conditions (pH

between 5,6-6,6). A soil with a pH ranged between

5,6-6,6 normally contains high manganese, boron,

copper, zinc, nitrogen, potassium, and sulfur and

carry little phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium

(Foth, 1994). This typical soil is considered healthy

for plants. Therefore, it can be concluded that the

targeted plants have been kept under the best soil

condition.

The difference between plant spacing categories

is easily seen from the criteria for the opening of the

canopy. Meanwhile, planting density can be

measured based on the volume, the base area and the

number of trees per hectare. The planting density

falls into three categories as follows:

1. High density, where there is more than 70%

canopy cover,

2. Medium density, where there is around 40-

70% canopy cover,

3. Low density, where there is less than 40%

canopy cover (Leksono, 2007).

High density prevents plants to grow properly due to

the hard competition to obtain sufficient sun rays,

water, and minerals. There will be a hindrance in the

plants’ growth but it will not take a long time since

the dominant parties will eventually win and the

non-dominant groups will be left to die. On the other

hand, low planting density can result in producing

trees with a large canopy which have many short

branches. A well-managed planting area always has

an optimum condition that allows good absorption

of sunlight and mineral nutrients. Therefore, forests

with a less dense canopy layer usually harbor young

trees or saplings. These open areas are mostly

overgrown with weeds that may interfere with the

growth of the main plant species or staple plants

(Tolangara, 2017).

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4 CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the current research and the

discussion, some conclusions can be drawn as

follows:

1. The targeted plants that can found in the

research areas include durian (Durio zibethinus

L), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Hout),

breadfruit (Artocarpus communis L), and

mango (Mangifera indica L.).

2. The targeted plants that grow around Laguna

Lake regions normally have random (durian,

breadfruit, and mango) and clumped (nutmeg)

distribution patterns.

3. To survive, durian, breadfruit, mango, and

nutmeg observed in this study apply the-K

strategy (growth strategy).

4. Environmental factors such as the soil pH, light

intensity, water current, and mineral content

also affect the development of the targeted

plants observed in the present study.

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