GROWTH RATE AND PRODUCTIVITY DYNAMICS OF ENHALUS ACOROIDES LEAVES AT THE SEAGRASS ECOSYSTEM IN PARI ISLANDS BASED ON IN SITU AND ALOS SATELLITE DATA

Abstract

Enhalus acoroides is the largest population of seagrasses in Indonesia. However, growth rate  and  productivity  analyses  of Enhalus  acoroides and  the use  of  satellite data to estimate its the productivity are still rare. The goal of the research was to analyze the growth rate, productivity rate,seasonal productivity of Enhalus acoroides in Pari island and its surroundings. The study was divided into two phases i.e., in situ measurments and satellite image processing. The field study was conducted to obtain the coverage percentage, density, growth rate, and productivity rate, while the satellite image processing was used to estimate the extent of seagrass. The study was conducted in August 2011 toJuly  2012  to  accommodate  all  four  seasons. Results  showed  that  the highest  growth  rate  andproductivity occurred during the transitional season from west Monsoon to the east Monsoon of 5.6cm/day  and  15.75  mgC/day, respectively.   While, the  lowest growth rate  and productivity occurred during  the  transition  from east  Monsoon  to  the  west  Monsoon of 3.93  cm/day  and  11.4  mgC/day, respectively. Enhalus  acoroides productivity reached its maximum during  the  west  Monsoon  at 1081.71 mgC/day/m2 and minimum during east Monsoon with 774.85 mgC/day/m2 . Based on ALOS data in 2008 and 2009, total production of Enhalus acoroides in the proximity of Pari islands reached its maximum occur during the west Monsoon (48.73 – 49.59 Ton C) and minimum during transitional season (16.4-16.69 Ton C). Potential atmospheric CO2 absorption by Enhalus acoroides in Pari island was estimated at the number 60.14 – 181.82 Ton C.