Inventarisasi Bio-Ekologi Terumbu Karang Di Pulau Panjang, Kabupaten Jepara, Jawa Tengah

Abstract

The inventarization of coral bioecology is highly needed to identify the real condition of the observed coral, as a database in ecosystem management, as well as an attempt to rehabilitate critical coastal area. Coral condition valuation is conducted by counting the percentage of live coral coverage, by using the Line Intercept Transect method. This research shows that coral condition in Panjang Island falls into moderate category (with 29-49% of live coral coverage), which represent up to 57% from total observed area. Coral that falls under "bad" category (live coral coverage below 20%) is 29%, and only 7% of the observed area can be categorised as good (more than 50% coverage) and "very bad" (less than 5% of coverage). This condition is primarily caused by the decline of water ecology quality caused by sedimentation, west season wave activity, along with human activities like tourism, swimming, fishing, or shellfish gathering. These contributes many instances of coral-breaking caused by gleening. Keywords : Coral Reef, LIT Methods, Panjang Island, Jepara  Inventarisasi bio-ekogi terumbu karang sangatlah diperlukan guna mengetahui kondisi nyata terumbu karang yang dilakukan pemantauan, sebagai basis data dalam pengelolaan ekosistem serta upaya rehabilitasi kawasan kritis pesisi. Penilaian kondisi terumbu karang dilakukan dengan perhitungan persentase penutupan karang hidup menggunakan metode  LIT  (Line Intercept Transect). Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Kondisi terumbu karang di Pulau Panjang termasuk dalam kategori sedang (dengan persen tutupan karang hidup 29 – 49 %)  mencapai 57 % dari keseluruhan area pengamatan. Selanjutnya kondisi terumbu karang dengan kategori buruk (persen tutupan karang hidup 20 %) mencapai 29 % dan hanya 7 % dalam kategori baik (50%) dan buruk sekali (persen tutupan karang hidup 5 %). Kondisi tutupan terumbu karang yang relative buruk diduga  diakibatkan oleh menurunnya kualitas ekologi perairan yang diakibatkan oleh  sedimentasi, aktivitas gelombang musim barat,serta aktivitas manusia seperti wisata, berenang, memancing ataupun pencari kerang turut serta memicu banyaknya pecahan karang akibat terinjak – injak (gleening). Kata Kunci : Terumbu Karang, Metode LIT, Pulau Panjang, Jepara