Spatial assessment of relative resilience potential to support management of coral reef ecosystem in Doreri Bay area, Manokwari Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

The assessment of ecological resilience is a new approach to support coral reef management, especially in addressing anthropogenic stresses and anticipating the impacts of climate change. This study applies advanced scientific approaches to spatially assess the relative resilience potential and to determine management actions on coral reef ecosystems in Doreri Bay, Manokwari Regency, Indonesia. The combination of underwater photo transect (UPT) method, belt transect, Aqua MODIS satellite data processing, interview, observation and laboratory analysis were applied to collect 11 resilience indicators data, consist of 7 process indicators and 4 stress/pressure indicators. The relative resilience potential and stress were analyzed through several stages including data compilation, normalization, scale setting, and calculation of resilience and stress value, site ranking and site categorization. Furthermore, the relative resilience potential, relative stress values, and the value of individual indicators were queried using criteria to determine target sites and appropriate management actions. The results indicate a spatial variation of the relative resilience potential of coral reefs, where sites with high resilience potential values are located near local community settlements, particularly around Lemon Island and Mansinam Island. Efforts to reduce pollutant sources from land are necessary on sites located near river estuaries and densely populated settlements. Most of the sites meet the criteria for fisheries management/enforcement. Efforts to manage fisheries and law enforcement need to be done on sites at the reefs of Sawaibu and around Raimuti Island.