Coral resistance in coral bleaching events in Lombok waters, Indonesia

Abstract

The western area of Lombok Island is a tourist area that has rich underwater biodiversity in coral reefs ecosystem because of the flow path of Indonesia Trough Flow which carries nutrients continuously through the Lombok Strait. Damage that occurs around the Western area of Lombok Island is caused by climate change and community waste disposal activities that cause coral bleaching. An increase of 1.23°C Sea Surface Temperature occurred in Sekotong on February 2016 and leads to the coral bleaching event on the area. The research was conducted by using the underwater photo transect method and the photos processed by CPCe program shows mass coral bleaching impacted coral condition in West Lombok. Live coral cover was decreased 2.74% comparing with last live coral cover. Total colonies were impacted by coral bleaching 40.04% in Gili Tangkong and 43.63% in Gili Asahan. This Study shows that each species survives and be able to be broodstock for the next life of corals in these areas.