Coral reef ecosystems condition prediction after tsunami based on previous reef fish community structure and benthic coverage surveillance on Sumur, Banten

Abstract

Patterns of community structure within coral reefs ecosystems are strongly influenced by a catastrophe such as a tsunami. Sumur is one of the coastal regions affected the most by the Banten Tsunami in December 2018. This research aims to predict coral reef ecosystem conditions after a tsunami based on the reef fish community structure and benthic coverage in the previous month. The research was conducted on every island around Sumur coastal region. Reef fish specimens were sampled using underwater visual census, and benthic coverage was taken with quadrats for Coral Point Count Estimation (CPCe). Overall coral condition assessed by conservation value determined through coral morphology. The highest coral coverage was found in Sumur, Southwest Oar, and North Badul. Nearly all sites have a high diversity reef fish community, with the highest abundance and species richness found in West Umang and North Badul. Badul island, Mangir island, and Cigorondong were categorized as the locations with coral reef ecosystems with the highest stress-tolerators. Most areas with this high stress-tolerator are predominated by coral massive and sub-massive and have higher endurance than other sites. Post-catastrophe, reef fishes will shift to the sites where most coral reef-building has survived, especially reef fishes with territorial behaviour.