Seagrass Ecological Quality Index of Seagrass Meadows in Jepara Waters, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract In the coastal ecosystems, seagrass meadow has an ecological function as a buffer area for the health of the coral reef. In addition, this is a place to live and shelter for many early stages of marine species. Besides, they serve many services, one of which is helping mitigation of climate change by capturing and storing carbon. Because of these essential functions, this study aimed to assess the condition of seagrass meadows in Jepara (i.e., Teluk Awur, Bandengan, Panjang Island, and Blebak waters), Central Java, Indonesia, about their ecosystem quality index using. The Seagrass Ecological Quality Index (SEQI) aims to determine five resilience parameters, i.e., the richness of seagrass species, seagrass cover, macroalgae cover, epiphyte cover, and water transparency. The results of the present works showed that generally, the seagrass ecosystem in Jepara waters is in the medium Category, the SEQI of Bandengan and Panjang Island are in the moderate Category, at the poor Category in Teluk Awur and Blebak Beach. This work found the species diversity and clear water conditions in the intermediate Category. In addition, there was a decreasing trend of habitat seagrass cover and increasing epiphyte abundance and cover. This condition is closely related to the resilience of the seagrass ecosystem. Therefore, to respond to these conditions, ecological health and seagrass ecosystem conservation efforts must be focused on improving ecosystem resilience.