CARBON POTENTIAL OF MACROALGAE IN THE COAST OF KAUR REGENCY, BENGKULU PROVINCE

Macroalgae as one of the productive tropical coastal ecosystems have the potential as primary producers in fixing marine organic carbon, as carbon absorbers, and carbon biosequesters. Kaur Regency has complete macroalgae biodiversity including the Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta groups estimated to have potential blue carbon reserves. Research related to macroalgae in Kaur Regency is still limited to the distribution of macroalgae biodiversity and density, so, it is necessary to study the above ground carbon stock of macroalgae as a baseline for coastal blue carbon management in the future. This study aims to examine the carbon content of macroalgae species found in the coastal of Kaur Regency. Field surveys were conducted to collect shoot density and harvesting data of macroalgae species. Macroalgae data were collected using the quadrat transect method measuring 1 x 1 m. Macroalgae samples were tested in the laboratory to calculate the bound carbon value of macroalgae types. The result showed that macroalgae lived on the coast of Kaur Regency have carbon potential vary among the species. Carbon potential is dominated by Padina minor with 585.26 gC/m2, while Tricleocarpa fragilis has the lowest carbon value with 0.86 gC/m2.