Status of coral diseases and compromised health syndromes on Pemuteran shallow reefs, North Bali island

Abstract

There are limited data of Indonesian coral diseases and compromised health syndromes. As the increased popularity of Pemuteran shallow reefs waters as one of tourist destination in the north Bali island, the coral health status is a particular interest in the term of ecology and socio-economy aspects. This research aimed to investigate the status of coral diseases and compromised health syndromes in Pemuteran shallow coral reefs. Research was conducted on March 2018 in Pemuteran waters, Buleleng regency, Bali island. Coral diseases and compromised health syndromes were measured within a modified 2 × 20 m belt transect with three replications in five sites. Result showed that the lowest percentage of live corals and the highest prevalence of coral diseases were at site 2 and 4 respectively. The identified coral diseases were Ulcerative white spots, White syndromes and Trematodiasis, while the algal aggressive overgrowth, predation of Drupella spp. and COT, sedimentation were found as some of the dominant agent of compromised health syndromes. The level of nitrate was extremely high at site 4 and site 5 that is snorkeling and diving spots. Furthermore, the concentration of organic matter was significantly high at all sites compare to other reported reefs area.