Condition of the Coral Reef of Maitara Island Based on Chaetodontidae Fish for Coral Reef Improvement in North Maluku Province

Abstract

This study aims to look at the level of damage to coral reefs based on Chaetodontotidae fish and biodiversity of Chaetodontidae fish on Maitara Island. This research was conducted in April to May 2019 at 2 stations. Collecting coral reef data using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method which is placed parallel to the shoreline, while Chaetodontidae fish uses the Visual Method Census method. During the study, 20 species of Chaetodontidae were found, representing 2 genera; namely Chaetdon (15 species), and Chelmon (5 types). Fluctuations in the index of diversity, diversity and dominance can be used as indicators of damage to coral reefs. Diversity (H') ranges from 0.67-1.01, the percentage of live coral cover between 10.80% to 15.30%. The damage of the Coral Reef of Maitara Island is in the damaged category based on the Minister of Environment Decree of 2001. The correlation between the percentage of live coral and Chaetodontidae fish is positive, the determinant coefficient of each species is more than 95%. Low species diversity and individual dominance of one type of Chaetodontidae show that coral reef damage has been caused by anthropic activity, so the loss of most of the main meal of Chaetodontidae fish is coral polyps.

Habitat suitability modeling of Acropora spp. distribution in Coral Triangle area of Maluku Waters, Indonesia under influence of future climate change and coastal pollution

“…Anthropogenic coral reef degradation has been observed on islands with higher population density within the Maluku Coral Reef archipelago. This degradation occurs indirectly due to land-based water pollution, as well as directly through activities, such as coral mining and destructive fishing practices (Titaheluw et al, 2020;Lessy et al, 2021;Limmon and Manuputty, 2021;Limmon et al, 2023). The habitat suitability model illustrated that the combined effects of future climate change dynamics and direct anthropogenic impacts, such as increased nutrient runoff in coastal waters, will substantially reduce habitat suitability for coral reefs.…”