Study of population distribution and benefits of Nipah (Nypa fruticans)

¹ Departement of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Universitas PGRI Palembang, Jl. Jend. A. Yani, 9/10 Ulu, Palembang 30251, South Sumatra, Indonesia
² Departement of Geography Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas PGRI Palembang. Jl. Jend. A. Yani No. 9/10 Ulu, Palembang 30251, South Sumatra, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: syaifuleddy@univpgri-palembang.ac.id

Abstract

The invasion of nipah (Nypa fructicans) occurred in the Air Telang Protected Forest (ATPF), Indonesia, as a result of mangrove forest degradation caused by anthropogenic activities in the area. This research aims to analyze the distribution of nipah populations in the ATPF and at the same time describe the benefits and potential of nipah both in the ATPF and in various regions in the world. The data collected in this research consists of two types, namely primary data and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through field surveys in the ATPF area, while secondary data was obtained through literature studies of relevant research results. Nipah populations can be widely distributed in degraded mangrove forest ecosystems and invade areas outside their natural habitat because they have high adaptability to the environment, high seed productivity and effective and adaptive seed distribution. Even though the spread of nipah in the ecosystem can hinder the succession of mangrove forests, it turns out that nipah has great benefits for the community and contains important compounds that are useful for making foods, drinks and medicine..