Abstract:
Mangrove areas in Tanah Laut regency having damages caused by opening of ponds, beach abrasion and lack community concern. Ecotourism is the tour which focuses on the concervation of natural resources. Mangrove areas in Pagatan Besar villages potentially to be developed become a mangrove ecotourism areas, determination of the tourist suitability index based on parameters : the thickness of mangrove, mangrove density, type of mangroves, object of the biota, tidal, regional characteristics and accessibility.The purposeof this study is to know potential and suitability of mangrove forest in Pagatan Besar Villages as an ecotourism area. The method use is purpose sampling. Measurement of mangroves thickness is done manually by drawing perpendicular to the sea, vegetation analysis using line transect plot, to know the perception of the community conduction direct interviews to responpondets who made intentionally. Based on calculation of the tourist suitability index in Pagatan Besar villages suitable to be developed into an ecotourism areas with an average value of 74,99 %.Type of mangrove that exist in the mangrove Pagatan Besar villages area is Rhizophora mucronata, Excoecaria agallocha L., Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Avicennia marina, Acanthus ilicifolius L., Terminalia cattapa L., Cerbera manghas L. and Pandanus odoratissima. Object of the biota that exist in the mangrove Pagatan Besar villages area is crustasea, mollusca, reptile, fish, bird, arthropoda and primata. Community of Pagatan Besar villages have a good understanding of the mangrove ecosystem, the important of conservation and the purpose of the opening of mangrove ecotourism areas.
