Seagrass bed status: Case study of Panjang Island, Banten Bay

Abstract

Seagrass community status was measured using a vegetation analysis method at three observation stations in Panjang Island, Banten Bay. Each station was transected by three lines that divided these stations into plots measuring 50 × 50 cm to record the seagrasses species found, number of seagrass shoots, and coverage. In addition, measurements of water quality parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, brightness, and sediment grains at each station, sediment grain. A Pearson’s correlation test was conducted to determine the correlation between sediment and seagrass density. The measurement of water quality in Panjang Island indicates optimal conditions for seagrass growth, with sediment mixed with clay and sand rubble. The seagrasses found were Enhalus acoroides, Cymodocea serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halodule uninervis, and Halophila ovalis. The seagrass community in Panjang Island has good coverage (60.16 %) and high density levels (235.03 ind/m2). S. isoetifolium was the dominant seagrass with an importance value (IV) of 119.90. The correlation test showed that mud and clay sediments correlated with the density of E. acoroides.