Tutupan Terumbu Karang di Pulau Lirang Kabupaten Maluku Barat Daya

Abstract

Penelitian mengenai persentase tutupan substrat pada perairan terumbu karang ini dilakukan di Pulau Lirang Kabupaten Maluku Barat Daya. Penelitian yang dilakukan di perairan Pulau Lirang bertujuan untuk mengetahui persentase tutupan substrat di perairan tersebut. Pengumpulan data dilakukan bulan April 2016 pada enam lokasi dengan transek sepanjang 100 meter. Data dihimpun dengan menggunakan metode Point Intersept Transect (PIT) menggunakan peralatan SCUBA. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan rerata tutupan karang hidup di Pulau Lirang, Maluku Barat Daya adalah 33,75%, dengan tutupan tertinggi pada stasiun VI (54%). Kematian karang yang mencapai 48% di stasiun V diduga disebabkan oleh persaingan dengan soft coral atau biota bentik lainnya, arus dan sedimentasi. Dominasi karang Acropora, foliose dan massive di perairan Pulau Lirang dapat diartikan masih terjadinya kesetimbangan ekosistem terumbu karang di perairan tersebut, dimana Acropora sebagai indikator percepatan pertumbuhan dan pemulihan, karang foliose menandakan ketahanan akan kerusakan fisik seperti arus dan gelombang dan karang massive sebagai indikator ketahanan perubahan iklim global.

Research on the percentage of substrate cover on coral reef waters was conducted in Lirang island, Southwest Maluku Regency. The aim of this research was to determine the percentage of substrate cover in the waters. Data collection was conducted in April 2016, in six locations with 100 m long transect for each location. The data was collected using Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method using SCUBA equipment. The result showed that average live coral cover in Lirang Island waters, Southwest Maluku is 33,75%, with the highest coral cover at Station VI (54%). The exsisting coral mortality at Station V (48%) was assumed because of competition with soft corals or other benthic biota, and sedimentation. The domination of the coral life form Acropora, Foliose, and Massive in Lirang island waters indicated that the ecosystem balance in these area was still maintained. The existence of Acropora life form is an indicator of accelerated growth and recovery, while foliose life form is an indicator of durability and physical damage from current and wave. Lastly, massive coral life form is an indicator of resistance to climate change.