Status of seagrass ecosystem in Pane Island, North Sumatera

Abstract

Pane Island is surrounded by seagrass meadows where Enhalus acoroides was the only species found. This small island is located in Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatera. The seagrass density and coverage was determined by using seagrass watch method, while the status was classified based on the Decree of the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia. The percentage of seagrass canopy cover shows that the seagrass is in poor and less affluent/unhealthy condition with 19.33 - 30.20%. Meanwhile, the seagrass density on Pane Island ranges from 58 - 107 ind/m2. The density is well related to the coverage, shown from the regression analysis between density and cover where the value of R2 is 0.65. The highest biomass was found at station II with aboveground biomass of 303.09 g/m2 and belowground biomass of 607.86 g/m2, while the lowest was at station I with aboveground biomass of 163.17 g/m2 and belowground biomass of 327.25 g/m2. The distribution and the status of the seagrass in Pane Island can become a database and inventory, so that follow-up related to the management and protection of seagrass ecosystems can be carried out effectively.