Ecological condition of seagrass meadow in Lembeh Island, Bitung Regency, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

The condition of seagrass meadows is required information for conducting comprehensive management plans in coastal areas. This study provides information on the ecological condition of the seagrass ecosystem in Lembeh Island, based on seagrass species richness and coverage, macroalgal coverage, epiphyte coverage, and water transparency. We collected the data by performing 24 line transects at eight stations across the island. The seagrass ecosystem condition was determined using the Seagrass Ecological Quality Index (SEQI, range 0-1). We recorded eight seagrass species in the study site, with coverage of 48.88 ± 12.35% (mean ± SE). Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii were the most common species in the sampling stations. The coverage of macroalgal and epiphyte was substantially low, indicated by values of 1.64 ± 0.41% and 12.64 ± 3.57%, respectively. Our analysis showed that most of the seagrass meadows in Lembeh Island are in poor condition (SEQI mean: 0.48 ± 0.03), especially in the locations inside Lembeh Strait. Moderate conditions were only found outside Lembeh Strait, such as in Pancuran, Limangu, and Pasir Panjang (SEQI values: 0.60, 0.58, and 0.56, respectively). We suggest a long-term seagrass monitoring program to evaluate the trend of condition, a restoration program, and improve water environment quality.