Struktur Komunitas Karang dan Ikan Karang di Perairan Pulau Pahawang

Pulau Pahawang merupakan salah satu pulau di Provinsi Lampung yang memiliki ekosistem laut yang beragam, salah satunya adalah ekosistem terumbu karang. Ekosistem terumbu karang banyak digunakan bagi biota asosiasinya seperti mencari makan, berlindung, dan berkembang biak. Penelitian bertujuan untuk menganalisis struktur komunitas karang dan ikan karang, serta menganalisis keterkaitan hubungan persentase tutupan karang dan komposisi ikan karang dengan faktor fisika kimia perairan. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Agustus 2023 yang berlokasi di perairan Pulau Pahawang. Pengambilan data ikan karang menggunakan metode underwater visual census (UVC) dan pengambilan data karang menggunakan metode underwater photo transect (UPT). Data kualitas fisika kimia perairan yang diambil adalah suhu, arus, kecerahan, DO, pH, salinitas, nitrat, fosfat. Hubungan persentase tutupan karang dan komposisi ikan karang dengan parameter fisika kimia perairan dianalisis menggunakan metode principal component analysis (PCA). Kondisi tutupan karang di perairan Pulau Pahawang bervariasi dari sedang hingga baik. Persentase tutupan karang hidup di Dermaga, KJA, Rekreasi, dan Alami pada kedalaman 3 meter adalah 59,99%, 42,76%, 45,76%, dan 52,37%, sedangkan pada kedalaman 8 meter adalah 36,67%, 61,84%, 41,75%, dan 63,30%. Persentase karang mati di Dermaga, KJA, Rekreasi, dan Alami pada kedalaman 3 meter adalah 37,53%, 30,68%, 46,05%, dan 24,46%, sedangkan pada kedalaman 8 meter adalah 42,36%, 19,34%, 36,95%, dan 27,29%. Stasiun Rekreasi memiliki kondisi karang yang paling rusak. Indeks keanekaragaman ikan karang tergolong rendah hingga sedang. Kondisi fisik-kimia perairan aman sesuai PP No. 22 Tahun 2021. Parameter fisika-kimia seperti kecerahan, arus, DO, pH, dan salinitas berkorelasi positif terhadap karang dan ikan karang, sementara suhu, nitrat, dan fosfat berkorelasi negatif.Pahawang Island is one of the islands in Lampung Province that has diverse marine ecosystems, one of which is the coral reef ecosystem. Coral reef ecosystems are widely used for associated biota such as foraging, sheltering, and breeding. The research aims to analyze the structure of coral and reef fish communities, as well as analyze the relationship between the percentage of coral cover and reef fish composition with physical and chemical factors of the waters. The research was conducted in August 2023, located in the waters of Pahawang Island. Reef fish data were collected using the underwater visual census (UVC) method and coral data were collected using the underwater photo transect (UPT) method. Physical chemical quality data taken were temperature, current, brightness, DO, pH, salinity, nitrate, phosphate. The relationship between the percentage of coral cover and reef fish composition with physico-chemical parameters was analyzed using the principal component analysis (PCA) method. The results of coral cover condition in the waters of Pulau Pahawang ranges from moderate to good. The percentage of live coral cover at Dermaga, KJA, Rekreasi, and Alami stations at a depth of 3 meters is 59.99%, 42.76%, 45.76%, and 52.37%, respectively, while at a depth of 8 meters it is 36.67%, 61.84%, 41.75%, and 63.30%. The percentage of dead coral at Dermaga, KJA, Rekreasi, and Alami stations at a depth of 3 meters is 37.53%, 30.68%, 46.05%, and 24.46%, respectively, while at a depth of 8 meters it is 42.36%, 19.34%, 36.95%, and 27.29%. The Rekreasi station has the most damaged coral condition. The diversity index of reef fish in the waters of Pulau Pahawang is categorized as low to moderate. The physicochemical conditions of the waters are safe and do not exceed the threshold values set by Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021. Physicochemical parameters such as clarity, current, DO, pH, and salinity have a positive correlation with corals and reef fish, while temperature, nitrate, and phosphate have a negative correlation.