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Nugraha AH, Tasabaramo IA, Hernawan UE, Rahmawati S, Putra RD, Darus RF. 2021. Diversity, coverage, distribution and ecosystem services of seagrass in three small islands of northern Papua, Indonesia: Liki Island, Meossu Island and Befondi Island. Biodiversitas 22: 5544-5549. Papua waters are one of the hot spot areas with high marine biodiversity in the world. Yet, the less accessible location and varying geographical conditions become the significant constraints of biodiversity study in this region, resulting in limited information about the diversity of marine resources, including the seagrass ecosystem. This research aims to investigate the diversity, coverage and distribution of seagrass in three small islands in the northern waters of Papua, namely Liki Island, Befondi Island, and Meossu Island, as well as to study the ecosystem services provided by the seagrass. This research is part of the Nusa Manggala Expedition, which was carried out in November 2018, consisted of seven observation stations. Data collection was conducted using the transect line method combined with plot quadrat. Information regarding seagrass ecosystem services was gathered through observation and direct interviews to the community. The results showed that there were seven species of seagrass in the studied sites, namely Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, and Syringodium isoetifolium. Liki Island had the highest seagrass cover value of 82.24%, followed by Meossu Island and Befondi Island with seagrass cover of 63.23% and 31.25%, respectively. There were 13 seagrass ecosystem services identified in this research. The people of Liki Island and Meossu Island get the benefits of the existence of the seagrass ecosystem. The direct benefits are the presence of seagrass is associated with biota commonly used as food sources such as Siganus sp and sea cucumbers. There are efforts made by the community to maintain the sustainability of the seagrass ecosystem, which is known as sasi.

One of the ecological functions of the seagrass ecosystem is the ability to absorb carbon coming from the atmosphere. The ability of seagrass to absorb carbon is carried out through photosynthesis. The absorbed carbon will then be stored in the form of seagrass biomass in the seagrass body. This study aims to estimate the carbon stock content stored in seagrass ecosystems in the Northern waters of Papua including on Liki Island, Befondi Island, and Meossu Island. The calculation of carbon stock is done by converting seagrass biomass using constants derived from representative values of seagrass carbon content in Indonesian waters. In general, based on the results obtained indicate that the biomass at the bellow ground of the seagrass is greater than the biomass at above ground the seagrass. The value of organic carbon content in seagrasses is influenced by seagrass biomass. The carbon stock content in the seagrass ecosystem in the study area is in the range of 18,04 – 419,46 g C / m2. Stations on Liki Island have generally higher carbon stocks compared to stations on other islands.Salah satu fungsi ekologi dari ekosistem lamun yaitu memiliki kemampuan dalam menyerap karbon yang berasal dari atmosfer. Kemampuan lamun dalam menyerap karbon dilakukan melalui proses fotosintesis. Karbon yang terserap selanjutnya akan disimpan dalam bentuk biomassa lamun  pada tubuh lamun. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengestimasi kandungan stok karbon yang tersimpan pada ekosistem lamun di Perairan Utara Papua tepatnya di Pulau Liki, Pulau Befondi dan Pulau Meossu. Perhitungan stok karbon dilakukan dengan melakukan konversi biomassa lamun menggunakan konstanta yang berasal dari nilai representatif konsentrasi kandungan karbon pada lamun yang berada di Perairan Indonesia. Secara umum berdasarkan hasil yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa biomassa pada bagian bawah lamun lebih besar dibandingkan dengan biomassa pada bagian atas lamun. Nilai kandungan karbon organik pada lamun dipengaruhi oleh biomassa lamun. Kandungan stok karbon pada ekosistem lamun di wilayah penelitian  berada pada kisaran 18,04 – 419,46 gC/m2. Stasiun yang berada di Pulau Liki memiliki stok karbon yang umumnya lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan stasiun yang berada di pulau lainnya.

Seagrass bed is one of important ecosystems usually located adjacent to coral reefs and serves several important ecological roles such as feeding and nursery ground for several marine biotas. Physically, seagrass bed protects the reef from inland sedimentation. The status of seagrass beds, therefore, becomes an important thing in protecting the coral reef ecosystem. The study was conducted on July 2018 with the objective to analyze the current status of seagrass bed at Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program (COREMAP) site in Ternate Island. Ten stations were chosen for this study and linear transect method was used to analyze species composition and canopy coverage. The result showed that there are 8 species found in this area with 5-7 species commonly found at each station. Among 8 species found, Thalassia hemprichii being the most common species inhabiting all of the sites. Average canopy coverage in seven stations was below 59.9% which considered as less healthy, whilst at other three locations was below 29.9% which considered as poor status. Overall, the status of seagrass beds in this area is less healthy with moderate canopy cover. This status has remained the same since 2015 to the present time.

Dugong dugon is a herbivorous marine mammal. One of Dugong's favorite foods is seagrass. This study examines the distribution of seagrass species to dugong sighting in Liki Island. The study was conducted in November 2018. Observation of seagrass conditions was carried out using a line transect method and a 50x50 cm transect with a distance interval between 10 m plots. Interviews were also conducted with the community to find out the location of Dugong presence in Liki Island. There are seven species of seagrass found in Liki Island :Enhalus acoroides, Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pnifolia and Syringodium isoetifolium spread over four observation stations. The results showed that  Dugong in Liki Island is often found during the eastern season, they often appear in seagrass ecosystem area to do eating activities. Dugong is often found in the eastern part of Liki Island (Station 4) and sometimes also found in the western part of Liki Island (Station 3).Keywords:biodiversity,Dugong dugon, liki, papua, seagrass