Struktur Populasi Karang Pocillopora damicornis Di Pulau Panjang, Jawa Tengah (Population Structure Of Reef Coral Pocillopora Damicornis At Panjang Island, Central Java)

Abstract

The scleractinian coral Pocillopora damicornis was abundant in both southern and northern of Panjang Island, Central Java. The aim of the present study is to know coral colony distribution and population structure of reef coral P. damicornis at Panjang Island, Central Java. Quadrates transect (4X4 m) were applied in eight census lines perpendicular to the seaward edge of the coral zone. For the study of coral density and colony size-frequency distribution, the quadrates transects also placed parallel with shoreline in both sites of Panjang Island. The coral was occurred from 0.4 m to 5 m depth and most abundant in the front reef zone of the southern site. The maximum density was occurred in southern site (1.06 colony/m2), with aggregated at the 117-184 m on the census line. Coral size in terms of maximum diameter ranged from 1 to 35 cm with an average (± SD) 12.76 ± 7.3 cm in southern site and 17.7 ± 10.76 cm in the northern site. The study shows that coral colony size-frequency distribution of the species was differ between southern and northern site. We conclude that coral population was differ between southern and northern site, it might be affected properly by their physical environment.