Impact of Fertility Level on Ecosystems

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 69 views

The Fertility Rate of the Waters of Lake Kelapa Gading in Kisaran Naga, Kisaran Timur District, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra Province

Introduction

Lake Kelapa Gading, an artificial lake in Asahan Regency, North Sumatra, is a vital source of livelihood for the surrounding community through fishing activities and also attracts tourists. However, the fertility level of the lake's waters is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed. This study aims to determine the abundance of phytoplankton, analyze the concentration of chlorophyll-a, and the level of water fertility in Lake Kelapa Gading.

Methodology

The study was conducted in February to April 2016 using the Purposive Sampling method. The parameters measured include chemical-physical factors such as temperature, pH, brightness, light intensity, DO, nitrate, phosphate, and chlorophyll-a. Correlation analysis was used to see the relationship between water parameters and chlorophyll-a.

Results

The results showed that Lake Kelapa Gading was inhabited by 19 genus phytoplankton which were divided into four classes, namely Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Coscinodiscophyceace. The average chlorophyll-a value in the waters of Lake Kelapa Gading reaches 0.630 mg/m³. The value of the fertility level of the lake is classified as oligotrophic, which is 29,362.

Understanding Chlorophyll-a and Fertility Level

Chlorophyll-A is a green pigment found in phytoplankton, microscopic organisms that are the basis of the food chain in the waters. The higher the concentration of chlorophyll-a, the more phytoplankton available, which indicates the higher potential of water productivity. The level of water fertility, which in this study was classified as oligotrophic, showed the condition of poor nutritional waters. This can be caused by several factors, such as:

Limited Water Flow

Lake Kelapa Gading is an artificial lake, so that the flow of water that enters the lake is limited and does not bring much nutrition.

Lake Depth

The depth of the lake can affect the penetration of sunlight. Deeper water tends to have lower chlorophyll-A levels because sunlight cannot reach a deeper layer of water.

The Effect of Human Activities

Human activity around the lake such as the disposal of domestic and agricultural waste can cause water pollution, which in turn can reduce the level of fertility.

Impact of Fertility Level on Ecosystems

Low fertility rates such as Lake Kelapa Gading can have an impact on:

Fish Population

Low fertility levels can cause the availability of feed for fish to be limited, which in turn can reduce the fish population in the lake.

Ecosystem Balance

Low phytoplankton abundance can interfere with the food chain and ecosystem balance in the lake.

Water Quality

Water that is poor in nutrition can increase the risk of algae blooming, which can cause a decrease in water quality and adversely affect human health.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The results showed that Lake Kelapa Gading had a low level of fertility. This needs to be a concern because it can have a negative impact on the lake ecosystem. Here are some recommendations to increase the level of fertility of the lake:

Increased Water Flow

Improve the water flow system that enters the lake to bring more nutrition.

Water Quality Monitoring

Routine monitoring of lake water quality, including chlorophyll-a, nitrate, and phosphate content.

Waste Management

Regulates waste disposal from around the lake to prevent water pollution.

Increasing Public Knowledge

Increasing public knowledge about the importance of maintaining lake water quality.

With joint efforts, it is expected that the quality of Lake Kelapa Gading water can be improved, so that it can support the lake ecosystem and provide benefits to the surrounding community.

Future Directions

Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of human activities on the fertility level of Lake Kelapa Gading. Additionally, the implementation of the recommendations provided in this study should be monitored and evaluated to ensure the effectiveness of the measures taken to improve the fertility level of the lake.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including the limited sampling period and the lack of data on the long-term trends of the fertility level of Lake Kelapa Gading. Future studies should aim to address these limitations and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the fertility level of the lake.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of maintaining the fertility level of Lake Kelapa Gading. The results of this study show that the lake has a low level of fertility, which can have a negative impact on the lake ecosystem. The recommendations provided in this study should be implemented to improve the fertility level of the lake and support the lake ecosystem and provide benefits to the surrounding community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Fertility Rate of Lake Kelapa Gading

Q: What is the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading is classified as oligotrophic, which means that the lake has a low level of nutrients and phytoplankton.

Q: What are the causes of low fertility rate in Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The causes of low fertility rate in Lake Kelapa Gading include limited water flow, lake depth, and the effect of human activities such as waste disposal and pollution.

Q: How does the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading affect the ecosystem?

A: The low fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading can have a negative impact on the ecosystem, including reduced fish population, disrupted food chain, and decreased water quality.

Q: What are the recommendations to improve the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The recommendations to improve the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading include increasing water flow, routine monitoring of lake water quality, regulating waste disposal, and increasing public knowledge about the importance of maintaining lake water quality.

Q: Why is it important to maintain the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: Maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading is important because it supports the lake ecosystem and provides benefits to the surrounding community, including fishing and tourism.

Q: What are the long-term consequences of not maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The long-term consequences of not maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading include reduced fish population, decreased water quality, and disrupted ecosystem balance.

Q: How can the community get involved in maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The community can get involved in maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading by participating in waste management programs, supporting conservation efforts, and spreading awareness about the importance of maintaining lake water quality.

Q: What are the next steps to improve the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The next steps to improve the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading include implementing the recommendations provided in this study, monitoring the effectiveness of the measures taken, and continuing to educate the community about the importance of maintaining lake water quality.

Q: How can the government support the conservation of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The government can support the conservation of Lake Kelapa Gading by providing funding for conservation efforts, implementing policies to regulate waste disposal and pollution, and educating the public about the importance of maintaining lake water quality.

Q: What are the benefits of maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The benefits of maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading include supporting the lake ecosystem, providing benefits to the surrounding community, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the lake.

Q: How can individuals contribute to the conservation of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: Individuals can contribute to the conservation of Lake Kelapa Gading by reducing their waste, supporting conservation efforts, and spreading awareness about the importance of maintaining lake water quality.

Q: What are the potential risks of not maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The potential risks of not maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading include reduced fish population, decreased water quality, and disrupted ecosystem balance.

Q: How can the community work together to maintain the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The community can work together to maintain the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading by participating in conservation efforts, supporting education and awareness programs, and advocating for policies that protect the lake.

Q: What are the potential economic benefits of maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The potential economic benefits of maintaining the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading include supporting the fishing and tourism industries, creating jobs, and generating revenue.

Q: How can the government and community work together to maintain the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading?

A: The government and community can work together to maintain the fertility rate of Lake Kelapa Gading by implementing policies that protect the lake, supporting conservation efforts, and educating the public about the importance of maintaining lake water quality.