HUBUNGAN PARAMETER HIDRO-OSEANOGRAFI DENGAN TUTUPAN KARANG DI PERAIRAN SELAT SEMPU

Abstract

Coral reefs are a unique and complex ecosystem in waters, as well as being a life support for the surrounding biota. But behind the great functions and benefits, coral reefs are ecosystems that are vulnerable to changes in environmental quality. One of the environmental parameters in the waters is hydro-oceanographic parameters which include currents, waves, tides and sedimentation, with these considerations it is necessary to research the relationship between hydrooceanographic parameters and corals. This is because changes in hydrooceanographic conditions will affect water conditions. The waters of the Sempu Strait are waters that have unique characteristics because they are located between karst rock structures and are directly adjacent to the Indian Ocean. The method used in this study is a quantitative method with in situ and ex situ data collection and for the analysis method using the PCA analysis method. The results of the current velocity parameter in this area are included in the fast category with a value of 0.16 – 1.32 m/s. Similar to current, the wave value also shows a fairly high value with an average significant height of 47.62 cm. The type of tidal in these waters is mixed tidal double skew with a relatively high sedimentation rate of up to 181 mg/cm2/day. The value of the percentage of coral cover in each shows a poor cover value with the percentage value of coral cover only in the range of 5-18% and shows a not very significant relationship with hydro-oceanographic parameters. This could be due to the fact that the waters of the Sempu Strait are densely packed with ships, both fishing vessels and tourist vessels. From the results of PCA analysis, it was found that between hydro oceanographic parameters and coral cover in the Sempu Strait waters there was a less significant relationship because the value of the closeness of the relationship was below 0.5. This shows that the hydrooceanographic parameters do not significantly affect the growth process of coral reef cover.