SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM OF SEAGRASS AND SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES CONNECTIVITY IN MALANG RAPAT AND BERAKIT VILLAGES, BINTAN DISTRICT, RIAU ISLANDS

Abstract

<p><em>Seagrass ecosystem has important roles in ecological and social factors to support fisherman income. The purpose of this research was to map the social-ecological system connectivity of seagrass with small-scale fisheries with networks perspective, to identify social-ecological connectivity of seagrass with fisheries resource availability approaches in small-scale fisheries, and to estimate the benefits of fish resources relation to seagrass ecosystem in Malang Rapat and Berakit vilages. Social-ecological system connectivity of seagrass was proven by the spatial distribution of fishing areas, networks map markets, and dynamics of small-scale fisheries catches in the study site. Social-ecocoligal connectivity of seagrass was also proven by fish catches dominated by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Siganidae</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scaridae</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Lethrinidae</span>, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Lutjanidae</span> families. The fishermen income was supported by seagrass ecosystem connectivity which contributed revenue from fish catches totally Rp 202,124,00/day in Malang Rapat village and Rp. 193,151,00/day  in Berakit village. Other benefit of seagrass ecosystem located nearby the beach was that the fishermen can have an easy access or less fuel for fishing operation.</em></p><p><em><strong><em>Keywords: </em></strong><em>seagrass ecosystem, network map, connectivity, small-scale fisheries, social-ecological system, Riau islands</em></em></p>