The Effects of Water Depth on Growth Rate and Survival Rate of Acropora suharsonoi and Acropora desalwii Corals in Kapuran Beach, Banyuwangi, East Java

• Main Author: AULIA MUHAMMAD (NIM : 10613060), DARY
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/26397
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Acropora suharsonoi and Acropora desalwii are endemic corals of Indonesia with high international trade demand. Practitioners in the fishery and ornamental coral industry generally conduct coral transplantations outside of their habitat. For this reason, information of optimal water depth for transplantation is crucial for technical and economical value efficiency. The aim of this research was to determine the optimal water depth by comparing the growth rate and survival rate of A. suharsonoi and A. desalwii in three different water depth categories i.e., category I (5-8m), II (10-13m), and III (15-18m). Twenty specimens of A. suharsonoi and A. desalwii were transplanted in each water depth category. The coral transplants were planted on cement substrate and were tied to a 1 x 2 m iron structure. Survival rate (SR), coral height (HGR) and width growth rate (WGR), as well as physical and chemical parameters of seawater were measured every month for three months. Water quality measurements showed that the level of NO3 was always been higher than the level allowed by Environmental Minister Decree no.51 (2004), while the level of PO4 was only higher than standard at the last month of measurement. The high level of N and P were indicated by the fast growing macroalgae as coral competitors, disturbing the corals growth rate especially for A. suharsonoi, which has low adaptation rate. The SR, HGR, and WGR for A. suharsonoi were (35%, 55%, 60%; 0.0942 cm/month, 0.1044 cm/month, 0.1336 cm/month; 0.1357 cm/month, 0.169 cm/month, 0.0672 cm/month) respectively, while A. desalwii were (85%, 100%, 90%; 0.1882 cm/month, 0.1688 cm/month, 0.1995 cm/month; 0.3773 cm/month, 0.2173 cm/month, 0.1795 cm/month). In terms of technical and economical value, shallow water depth is better for coral transplantations. The average HGR and WGR for A. suharsonoi were not statistically different (P>0.05) and the TS for category I was low (<50%), hence the optimal water depth for A. suharsonoi was category II. The average LPL in category I for for A. desalwii was the highest among the other categories and was statistically different (P<0.05), hence the optimal water depth was category I. <br /> <br />