DISTRIBUTION OF SCLERACTINIAN JUVENILES AT THE NATURE RESERVE AREA PULAU SEMPU, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA, AND ITS NEIGHBORING AREA

Abstract

Coral reefs in the southern waters of Malang Regency are characterized by wide reef flat areas which are generally dominated by massive, encrusting, and branching corals. The living and growth of Scleractinian coral have limiting factors: current velocity, salinity, temperature, DO, turbidity and pH. These factors have a very important role in influencing the rate of reproduction and recruitment of hard corals in the southern waters of the Malang Regency. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of juvenile corals of Pulau Sempu and its surrounding waters. The study was conducted at five sites: Waru Waru, Teluk Semut, Tiga Warna, Kondang Merak, and Jembatan Panjang Tanjung Sirap (JPTS), from August to November 2020. The results showed that the distribution of juvenile corals had varying results at each research station. Eight families of hard juvenile corals are described in this study, including four families having the highest density: Acroporidae, Poritidae, Pocilloporidae, and Merulinidae. Based on statistics, it was found that the location had a positive impact on the number of juvenile coral densities (p = 8.3 x 10-35). This is the first research reporting on the distribution of juvenile corals, which will be very important for policymakers to determine the best rehabilitation method to protect coral reefs in the area.