Marine National Park Research Articles

Reef fish community structure in the islands of Paraja Bay, Pandeglang District, Banten, Indonesia

Abstract. Mujiyanto, Sugianti Y, Afandy YA, Rahayu R, Bidikusuma RA, Nasriri AS, Syam AR, Purnaningtyas SE. 2021. Reef fish community structure in the islands of Paraja Bay, Pandeglang District, Banten, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4402-4413. Paraja Bay waters have five small islands that coexist with Ujung Kulon National Marine Park and act as a buffer zone for the diversity of fishery resources. This study aimed to assess the reef fishes community structure at small islands in Paraja Bay. Observations were made in 20 locations during August and September 2019 in the five small islands. Reef fishes community structure showed 106 species as included major group (54 species), indicator group (24 species) and target group (28 species), among five small islands, i.e. Badul, Mangir, Oar, Sumur and Umang Islands. The highest reef fishes abundance was founded in Umang Island waters. Several target fish species recorded during the study were mature fish (such as those targeted by fishermen). Only a small proportion were juveniles. Reef fish community structure was categorized as stress community to stable community with its indication was low diversity value, high evenness index, and low dominance. The low diversity index value illustrates that the level of uniformity of reef fish species in Paraja Bay waters is high. This condition is evidenced by each coral fish group's evenness index included in the main species group around 0.93 to 0.98. The target species is 0.88 to 0.99.

Preferential habitats prediction in syngnathids using species distribution models

Syngnathids are considered as flagship species for marine conservation. Seahorses and pipefish are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently considered Data Deficient by IUCN, requiring more biological and ecological research. Although syngnathids are well known for their unusual breeding biology, some aspects on the ecology of this family have rarely received attention. The knowledge on the factors governing syngnathids distribution is limited to some species and geographical regions. The present study is the first approach to predict syngnathid habitat preference in Spanish coasts, particularly in a marine National Park. In this study, Species Distribution Models (SDMs) were implemented to investigate the preferential habitat and distribution of the pipefish Syngnathus acus in Cíes Archipelago (Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, PNIA). Occurrence data of the species obtained from 2016 to 2018 surveys in PNIA were modeled as a function of bathymetric (depth, slope), substrate (sediment texture) and oceanographic (waves exposure) variables, using GAM, Random Forest and Maxent algorithms. From those SDMs, prediction models were built and the ensemble map of predictions was performed. The variables that most determined the distribution of the species were depth and wave exposure. The results of this study provide information on (1) habitat preference in the most dominant species in PNIA, the pipefish S. acus, towards sustainable management of this species in the National Park, and (2) predictive statistical tools for proper spatial conservation plans of this syngnathid species.

The Relationship Between Responsible Tourism Practice, Destination Sustainability and Quality of Life: Perspective of Marine National Park Communities

An ideal responsible tourism practice has become the most significant role and principle for modern sustainable tourism development concept. Responsible tourism practice promotes better for tourists visit and enhances the quality of life of host communities in the destination by encouraging ethical consumption and production in all stakeholders. This paper attempted to determine the impact of host communities’ perceived responsible tourism practice on perceived destination sustainability and their quality of life as well as the impact of host communities’ perceived destination sustainability on perceived quality of life. The study was conducted with 355 participants from host communities in Haad Chao Mai Marine National Park, Thailand. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that perceived responsible tourism practice had a significant impact on perceived destination sustainability and perceived quality of life. Additionally, perceived destination sustainability influenced perceived quality of life. As such, embedding responsible tourism practice in destination development plan can enable destination sustainability and better quality of life of host communities and it might make the park successful ecotourism destination.

Seagrass Condition at Some Small Islands in The Taka Bonerate National Marine Park, South Sulawesi Indonesia

The assessment of seagrass bed condition in Indonesia still refers to the Decree of the State Minister for the Environment (KMNLH) no. 200 of 2004, which considers only one variable, namely the percentage of seagrass cover. To assess the seagrass beds condition to be more in-depth and meaningful, it is necessary to consider the addition of several variables, such as the biotic variables (seagrass species diversity including macroalgae and macro-benthos components) as well as the abiotic variables (reef flat areas and the substrate components). The purpose of this study is to determine the seagrass beds condition in several small islands in the Taka Bonerate National Marine Park by considering the additional analysis using both biotic and abiotic variables as mentioned above. The methodology used in this study is a combination of the use of the standard seagrass transect method, interpretation of satellite imagery related to the seagrass bottom habitat area, and its components on the reef flat of a particular island, as well as weighting and scoring based on those considered additional variables. By applying the criteria in the method, the seagrass bed conditions were then classified into three categories, namely seagrass in good, moderate, and unfavorable conditions, respectively. The results of the total score assessment on several small islands in Taka Bonerate Islands show that the seagrass bed in Latondu Besar Island is in good conditions with the highest score of (316) compared to Tarupa Besar, Jinato, Rajuni Kecil, and Tinabo Besar Islands with an average score of (173). The results of this study indicate that the assessment of seagrass conditions is more meaningful in terms of seagrass ecology than based on seagrass cover alone. However, this study requires a lot of validation for its application in assessing the condition of seagrass beds in other islands in Indonesia.

Next-generation sequencing-based Actinobacteria community associated with Callyspongia sp. from Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park, Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract. Retnowati D, Solihin DD, Ghulamahdi M, Lestari. 2021. Next-generation sequencing-based Actinobacteria community associated with Callyspongia sp. from Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park, Jakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3702-3708. Sponges are sessile benthic filter-feeding animals, which harbor numerous microbes. The enormous community and abundance of sponge-associated actinobacteria envisage sponges as hot spots of microbes. The metagenomic approach with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology was used to investigate the actinobacteria community of Callyspongia sp. collected from Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park, Indonesia. Fourteen actinobacteria families were found associated with the sponge. Among them, Microbacteriaceae was the most dominant family. The community of actinobacteria was higher than that of the culturable method from our previous study. The research showed that a metagenomic approach using NGS technology reveals better information regarding the actinobacteria community associated with Callyspongia sp.

Antipathogenic Activity of Acroporid Bacterial Symbionts Against Brown Band Disease-Associated Bacteria

The coral reefs’ condition in most regions in Indonesia has been declining due to coral diseases, such as Brown Band Disease (BrBD). A treatment for BrBD involves the use of biological control agents that have antagonistic properties against disease-causing agents. This study aimed to isolate bacteria from healthy hard coral, those associated with BrBD, and those that had bioactivities against BrBD. Sampling and identification of corals and BrBD were carried out in March 2015 at the Marine National Park of Karimunjawa. Bacteria from healthy and infected corals were isolated and purified. The isolates were subjected to antipathogenic assay using overlay and agar diffusion methods. Finally, molecular identification of active bacteria was carried out using the 16S rRNA gene amplification. As many as 57 bacterial isolates were obtained from healthy coral, as well as four bacterial isolates from coral with BrBD symptoms. A total of 15 bacterial isolates (26%) showed antipathogenic activity against BrBD-associated bacteria. Three isolates with the strongest antipathogenic activities, i.e., GAMSH 3, KASH 6, and TAPSH 1 were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequences. The results showed that they were aligned to Virgibacillus marismortui (97%), Oceanobacillus iheyensis (97%), and Bacillus cereus (96%), respectively.

Biological Sound Sources Drive Soundscape Characteristics of Two Australian Marine Parks

Soundscapes represent an intrinsic aspect of a habitat which, particularly in protected areas, should be monitored and managed to mitigate human impacts. Soundscape ecology characterizes acoustic interactions within an environment, integrating biological, anthropogenic, climatological, and geological sound sources. Monitoring soundscapes in marine protected areas is particularly important due to the reliance of many marine species on sound for biological functions, including communication and reproduction. In this study we establish a baseline understanding of underwater soundscapes within two marine National Park Zones (NPZs) along the east coast of Australia: Cod Grounds Marine Park and an NPZ surrounding Pimpernel Rock within Solitary Islands Marine Park. In each of the NPZs, underwater recorders were deployed twice during the austral winter (33–35 days, 2018 and 60–69 days, 2019) and once during the austral summer (35–71 days, 2018–2019). We used the resulting acoustic recordings to determine hourly presence of anthropogenic and biological sounds between 20 Hz and 24 kHz and analyze their contributions to patterns of received sound levels. Sounds from vessels were recorded on most days throughout monitoring but were not found to influence long-term patterns of sound levels over their corresponding frequencies. Biological sources included dolphins, snapping shrimp, fish choruses, humpback whales, and dwarf minke whales. Dolphins, snapping shrimp, and fish choruses were present in all deployments. Median ambient sound levels showed a consistent diel pattern with increased levels resulting from crepuscular fish choruses combined with a higher intensity of snapping shrimp snaps during those times. Singing humpback whales strongly influenced the overall sound levels throughout the winter migration, while dwarf minke whales were consistently detected in the 2019 winter deployment but were only present in 2 h among the earlier deployments. Patterns of acoustic spectra were similar between the two NPZs, and patterns of soundscape measurements were observed to be driven by seasonal differences in biological contributions rather than anthropogenic sound sources, indicating that these NPZs are not yet heavily impacted by anthropogenic noise. These baseline measurements will prove invaluable in long-term monitoring of the biological health of NPZs.

On the relative importance of landscape variables to bird diversity and community structure in Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

On the relative importance of landscape variables to bird diversity and community structure in Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park

Factors influencing the intention to adopt a pro- environmental behavior by tourist operators of a Mexican national marine park

Los operadores turísticos pueden contribuir a la conservación del ambiente en áreas marinas protegidas por medio de mensa­jes relacionados con el comportamiento esperado por parte del visitante, así mismo, mencionando los posibles impactos de sus acciones en el ambiente marino, pero, sobre todo, presentando un comportamiento eco­lógico. A pesar de la importancia que tiene el comportamiento proambiental en la pro­tección del ambiente, existen pocos estudios que expliquen la formación de este compor­tamiento en los operadores turísticos. El presente estudio investiga los factores que influyen en la intención de los operadores turísticos del parque nacional “Arrecife de Puerto Morelos” de comportarse de una manera más proambiental. Se aplicó la teoría del comportamiento planeado para evaluar si las actitudes, las normas subjetivas y el control de compor­tamiento percibido predecían la intención de comportamiento proambiental de los operadores turísticos. Se recolectaron datos cuantitativos de una muestra de 165 infor­mantes; los datos se analizaron mediante el modelado de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM). Los resultados revelaron que la variable más importante es el control de comportamiento percibido, seguida de las normas subjetivas. Contrario a lo esperado, las actitudes no se asociaron de manera significativa con la intención de comportamiento proambiental de los operadores turísticos. Finalmente, con base en los resultados, se presentan estrategias para contribuir a una mejora en el comportamiento proambiental de los operadores turísticos.

Assessment of surface water of Gulf of Kachchh, west coast of India: A chemometric approach

The present study is aimed at investigation of surface water quality of Gulf of Kachchh (GoK), Gujarat. The main objective of this study was to convert complex dataset of water quality parameters from GoK into comprehensive, simple and interpretable observations. Hence, physico-chemical parameters and nutrients of surface water from GoK were analyzed. Chemometric results indicated that oxygen, salinity, dissolved solids, nutrient and natural conditions were the factors that affected surface water quality. The water quality index was calculated to identify water quality classes to evaluate the spatio-seasonal trend in the study area. The results revealed that water quality was moderate in summer, worst in pre-monsoon and best in post-monsoon. The study also highlighted that Marine National Park (Central GoK) was observed to be comparatively in good condition with abundant marine biodiversity. Thus, the results of chemometric study of water quality parameters can be a valuable tool for government authorities for sustainable development of GoK.

Investment Dilemma of Coastal and Marine Zoning in Conservation Areas: Case Study of Karimunjawa National Park

Zoning is widely applied to control spatial use in marine conservation areas. However, experience from terrestrial planning showing an investment dilemma. This study aims to determine whether this dilemma also occurs in marine conservation areas. This research conducted a case study in Karimunjawa Marine National Park. Data were analyzed and presented descriptively. The results show that the conservation area faces an investment dilemma, mainly to accommodate the tourism development plan. This dilemma raises spatial compatibility issues, management space boundaries, and equitable benefits distribution that the planners must carefully handle.

Illegal fishing and compliance management in marine protected areas: a situational approach

Protected Areas (PAs) are spatially representative management tools that impose various levels of protection for conservation purposes. As spatially regulated places, ensuring compliance with the rules represents a key element of effective management and positive conservation outcomes. Wildlife crime, and in particular poaching, is a serious global problem that undermines the success of PAs. This study applies a socio-ecological approach to understanding the opportunity structure of illegal recreational fishing (poaching) in no-take zones in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We use Boosted Regression Trees to predict the spatio-temporal distribution of poaching risk within no-take Marine National Park zones. The results show that five risk factors account for nearly three quarters (73.6%) of the relative importance for poaching in no-take zones and that temporally varying conditions influence risk across space. We discuss these findings through the theoretical lens of Environmental Criminology and suggest that law enforcement strategies focus on reducing the negative outcomes associated with poaching by limiting the opportunity of would-be offenders to undertake illegal activity.

Illegal fishing and compliance management in marine protected areas: a situational approach

Protected Areas (PAs) are spatially representative management tools that impose various levels of protection for conservation purposes. As spatially regulated places, ensuring compliance with the rules represents a key element of effective management and positive conservation outcomes. Wildlife crime, and in particular poaching, is a serious global problem that undermines the success of PAs. This study applies a socio-ecological approach to understanding the opportunity structure of illegal recreational fishing (poaching) in no-take zones in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We use Boosted Regression Trees to predict the spatio-temporal distribution of poaching risk within no-take Marine National Park zones. The results show that five risk factors account for nearly three quarters (73.6%) of the relative importance for poaching in no-take zones and that temporally varying conditions influence risk across space. We discuss these findings through the theoretical lens of Environmental Criminology and suggest that law enforcement strategies focus on reducing the negative outcomes associated with poaching by limiting the opportunity of would-be offenders to undertake illegal activity.

Microplastic pollution in Marine Protected Areas of Southern Sri Lanka

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in marine environment. The prevalence of MPs in coastal and lagoon sediments, and water were studied in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); Bundala National Park (BNP) and Hikkaduwa Marine National Park (HNP) in Sri Lanka. Both areas are important for turtles, birds and coral ecosystems, all of which are particularly threatened by MPs. Abundance of MPs was generally higher in both coastal sediments and waters in HNP (111±29 MPs/m2 for sediments and 0.515±0.054 MPs/m3 for water) than in the BNP (102±16 MPs/m2 for sediments and 0.276±0.077 MPs/m3 for water). The most common shape and polymer type of MPs were fragments and Polyethylene respectively. This research is the first to survey MPs in MPAs in Sri Lanka and provides a baseline of MPs pollution in these environments for future research and management.

ETHNOECOLOGY OF Mussismilia braziliensis (Verrill 1868) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARAVELAS, BAHIA, BRAZIL

This work is the first record of the perception of fishers and artisanal fishers in the Caravela city- Bahia and its respective districts (Ponta de Areia and Barra de Caravelas) regarding the species Mussismilia braziliensis, its ethnozoological aspects and its socio-environmental importance. The main objective is to associate the knowledge of these artisanal fishers about this species with the ethnoconservation of the Abrolhos Marine National Park (PARNAM-Abrolhos). Data collection was conducted from March to August 2019 through semi-structured interviews with 14 fishers from each fishing communities (Caravelas, Ponta de Areia and Barra de Caravelas). An ethno-mapping was carried out with two focal groups in order to know if the fishing grounds have received their names due to the presence or absence of corals. Using morphological characteristics, the focus species is grouped together with other corals belonging to different families, which are all considered to be brain corals. Other studies are recommended to appreciate the knowledge of the Caravelas fishers and use it for future environmental education, management and conservation projects of the PARNAM-Abrolhos.

Meiobenthic assemblages as ecological indicator of natural variability induced by ecosystem engineers

Indonesia is biologically one of the most diverse areas in the world. Nevertheless, its biodiversity is underestimated, and this is particularly evident for meiobenthic assemblages. Seagrass meadows are known to be ecosystem engineers that can significantly modify the habitat heterogeneity and, thereby, increase the meiobenthic diversity. Therefore, a study on the meiobenthic distribution and biodiversity was conducted in two seagrass meadows around Siladen Island (Bunaken Marine National Park): Barat and Lagoon, characterized by different sedimentary regimes, as well as by different anthropogenic impact. An overall high level of diversity indices and richness were recorded (H′: 1.19–1.69; J: 0.46–0.67; number of taxa: 9–14), with meiobenthic abundances ranging between 770 and 2529 ind. 10 cm −2. The lowest meiobenthic abundance and diversity (i.e. Shannon-diversity, number of taxa) were reported at Barat meadow, probably in response to sedimentological modifications and higher anthropogenic pressure at this site. Differences in meiobenthic assemblage structures were particularly evident when only rare taxa were considered (i.e taxa found in low abundances and characterized by a sporadic distribution in the study area). This result underlines the role of rare species as possible indicators of spatial variability generated by engineer species and different environmental conditions.

First study of the Polycladida (Rhabditophora, Platyhelminthes) from the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

In the present work was carried out in the intertidal zone of Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park (PNMB) located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The main objective was to contribute to knowledge about the invertebrate diversity of the park, one of the richest bioregions on the planet, about which little is known. This study assesses the Order Polycladida Lang, 1884, a cornerstone of this ecosystem and one of the most cosmopolitan and plastic invertebrate taxa in the animal kingdom. In total, 57 individuals were collected in the rocky intertidal zone of Carbón and Langosta beaches. Nine different species were identified, of which four are new for Costa Rica: Semonia bauliensis n. sp.; Cryptostylochus sesei n. sp.; Paraplanocera angeli n. sp., Prostheceraeus fitae n. sp.; and five new records: Paraplanocera oligoglena (Schmarda, 1859); Marcusia ernesti Hyman, 1953; Enchiridium magec Cuadrado, Moro Noreña, 2017; Pseudobiceros bajae (Hyman, 1953); and the genus Boninia spp.

Potential carrying capacity of marine ecotourism in Sub-region III of Seribu Islands Marine National Park

The carrying capacity analysis needs to be approved to control the impacts caused by marine tourism activities. Before the management related to limiting the number of tourists is carried out, an analysis of the carrying capacity potential is accepted to determine the maximum number of tourists who can conduct marine ecotourism. This paper aimed to analyze the potential carrying capacity and allocation of marine tourism tourists in sub-region III, the Taman Nasional Laut Kepulauan Seribu (TNLKpS – Seribu Islands Marine National Park). The research method used is tourism suitability analysis, carrying capacity analysis and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis. Marine ecotourism in sub-region III TNLKpS is divided into two activities based on the distribution of coral reef resources used; snorkeling and diving. The area of coral reefs for snorkeling activities is 1,008,433.24 m2, while the area of coral reefs for diving activities is 2,766,593.80 m2 scattered in the waters of sub-region III TNLKpS. The potential carrying capacity for snorkeling and diving tourism activities is 3,752 and 9,814 people/day, respectively. This paper concludes that marine ecotourism in sub-region III TNLKpS can still be developed by applying the carrying capacity principle and setting spot tourism allocation per trip per day.

TOURIST'S WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ENVIRONMENT REHABILITATION

Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park (TNKpS) which is the only national park in the world located in a capital city, is included as a part of the Kepulauan Seribu Administrative Regency, DKI Jakarta Province. Based on the decree of the Director of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Number SK.05/VI-KK/2004 concerning the Zonation of the Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park, not all TNKpS areas can be used as tourism destinations, because there are zones aimed at conservation of natural resources. According to the decree, TNKpS area is divided into 4 zones, namely the Core Zone, Protection Zone, Tourism Utilization Zone and Settlement Zone. One of the residential islands in TNKpS which is also the main destination for tourists for transit, is Harapan Island. Apart from being the main destination for tourists for transit, Harapan Island is the largest island in Seribu Utara sub-district. The cost of traveling to Kepulauan Seribu, especially to Harapan Island, is very affordable, between IDR 350,000 to IDR 400,000. This affordable cost makes Harapan Island a priority natural tourist destination for residents of Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi). Many tourism activities on Harapan Island have not only a positive impact on the local economy but also a negative impact on the environment. There are a lot of rubbish such plastic snack waste and damaged coral reefs in the snorkeling spots. The concept of Willingness to Pay (WTP) of tourists is the willingness of tourists to pay for the assessment of natural resources in order to improve environmental quality in the Harapan Island area. This study aims to estimate the WTP of tourists to travel on Harapan Island. The design of this study used quantitative methods by collecting data through interviews and distributing questionnaires online. The data were processed by descriptive method and the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). The results show that the WTP of tourists is as much as IDR 32,976/person/visit that can be included in the price of a tour package. As much as IDR 518,161,947 per year is expected to help the costs of nature conservation on Harapan Island.
 
 Keywords: Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park (TNKpS), Harapan Island, Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), Willingness to Pay (WTP).

Balancing livelihood enhancement and ecosystem conservation in seaweed farmed areas: A case study from Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India

Kappaphycus alvarezii, a red seaweed cultured in tropical waters for extraction of carrageenan, is widely considered a bioinvader of coral reefs. In India, this seaweed is cultivated in Palk Bay, South India by the coastal community amidst the concern of its invasion in the sub-tidal reef regions of adjoining Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (GoMMNP). The current study was undertaken to assess the extent of coral reefs in Pak Bay and Gulf of Mannar (GoM) affected by this red alga and evaluate the possible causes for its spread in GoM including the long-term commercial seaweed cultivation in Palk Bay. The study was carried out in Palk Bay and 19 emergent and two submerged Islands of GoM. Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) satellite images were used to map the spatial cover of the alga over the reef. The reef zones with K. alvarezii were mapped using GIS. The study showed that K. alvarezii has not spread over the coral reefs in Palk Bay, a region where the cultivation is underway for over ten years. Nevertheless, the algae had spread in some of the islands in Gulf of Mannar region viz., Shingle (1.1 ha; 2.12% of reef area), Krusadai (0.572 ha; 0.35% of reef area) and Mulli Islands (0.00025 ha; 0.00022% of reef area). The temporal change in the extent of live corals (between 2002 and 2014) in Palk Bay and GoM corroborated a possible phase shift i.e., from a coral dominated reef to an algal dominated reef, with Halimeda spp., Caulerpa spp. and Ulva reticulata being the dominant macro-algae. Based on a critical analysis of the sources of fragments for the spread of the alga in GoM and the factors that aid in their dispersion, we conclude that K. alvarezii farming activities in Palk Bay are not the primary source for the broken fragments, responsible for the spread of the alga in GoM. However, considering the potential risks of unintended transfer of farmed algae into the sensitive ecosystems, the study calls for evolving codes for cultivation of seaweeds so as to leave least ecological footprints over the coastal ecologically sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs.