Comparison of Coral Propagation Growth by Using Coconut Shell Media and Paralon Concrete Media on Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Coral reef ecosystems are coastal ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity. At this time many coral reefs are in a damaged condition which results in reduced coral reef ecosystems. Therefore, it is necessary to anticipate that coral reefs are not lost or reduced. Saving coral reefs can be done by propagation of coral with artificial reef. This study aims to carry out coral reef propagation techniques by using Coconut Shell Media and Paralon Concrete Media and see comparisons of coral reef growth. The research was conducted from March to June 2021 in Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi, and Province Southeast Sulawesi. From the results of observations and measurements for 11 weeks, the absolute average growth of coral reefs on coconut shell media is 1.05 mm while on concrete media is 0.54 mm. Coral growth rate on coconut shell media is 0.10 mm/week and on concrete media is 0.05 mm/week. The survival rate of coral reefs on coconut shell media is 94.4% while on concrete media is 88.8%.