Seagrass diversity and dugong observation in North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi

Abstract

Dugong is a marine mammal that only eats seagrass. Feeding tracks of dugongs in the seagrass beds indicate their presence. The dugong population is currently experiencing a decline due to habitat destruction and other anthropogenic factors. This study aimed to determine the seagrass diversity and their relationship to the presence of dugongs. The research was conducted in villages of Bahoi, Tarabitan, Bulutui, and Gangga I Island using the seagrass-watch method. Analysis of the data used was the percentage of seagrass cover, density of seagrass species, and indicators of the presence of seagrass, which was carried out by interviewing fishermen and surveying their feeding tracks. The results showed that the waters in the North Minahasa Regency had seven seagrass types. The average percentage of seagrass cover was 61.73% and the density of seagrass species was 766.88 shoots/m2. Feeding tracks observed in three locations, in Bahoi, Tarabitan, and Bulutui villages. The most tracks of feeding tracks were in Bahoi Village, with the type of seagrass that dominated being eaten by dugongs was Halodule pinifolia. Based on the results obtained, it concluded that certain types of seagrass are related to the location of the emergence of dugongs in the North Minahasa Regency.