Bintan Island
Bintan Island, also known as Negeri Segantang Lada, is
the largest among the 3,200 islands of Riau archipelago
of Indonesia, with a land area of 1,173 square kilometers.
It is part of the Riau Islands province, and its capital,
Tanjung Pinang, is located on the island's south coast. It
has a coast line of 105 kilometers and has rolling
topography in its landform.
The most common type of substrate in the Bintan Island is
sand. Sand provides a suitable habitat for many shells,
allowing them to burrow and hide from predators.
However, human activity, such as boat traffic and beach
development, can also easily disturb sand. This can lead to
a decrease in shell abundance.
Predators can also play a role in shell abundance. Some
predators, such as crabs and fish, prey on shells.
However, other predators, such as sea turtles, help keep
shell populations in check by eating shells that are already
dead or dying.
Human disturbance is another factor that can affect shell
abundance. Human activities like fishing and collecting
shells can reduce shell populations. However, human
activity can also benefit shell populations. For example,
constructing artificial reefs can provide a new habitat for
shells.
The overall ecology of the Bintan Island is relatively
healthy. However, threats to shell abundance exist, such
as human disturbance and climate change. Climate
change is causing the sea level to rise, which could
inundate some islands and destroy shell habitats.