3-4 September 2018, Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia ANALYSIS OF DIVERSITY SEAGRASSES SIKKA ISLAND WATER DISTRICT IN ALOR Jahved F. Maro1, Efrin A. Dollu1*, Adriana Blegur1 1Study Program of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Fisheries, Tribuana University, Kalabahi, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Correponding authors: [email protected] Abstract Seagrass is the only flowering plant (Angiospermae) that has true rhizomes, leaves, and roots that live submerged in the sea. The purpose of this study was to determine the analysis of seagrass species diversity in Sikka Island waters, Kabola District, Alor Regency. Data retrieval of seagrass species diversity was carried out when the sea water receded with a water depth of 5-50 cm using the quadrant transect method at each observation station placed a line transect with the distance between the transects to the 25 m transect. Observation of seagrass cover conditions and seagrass density was carried out using a 1 mx 1 m quadrant transects. From the results of this study found 4 types of seagrass, namely Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halohila ovalis, Halodule pinifolia. All measured water quality parameters qualify for seagrass optimum growth. The diversity index (H ') type in Sikka Island waters is 0.228 categorized into small conditions, diversity index value (H') of all types of seagrasses on Sikka Island, namely Cymodocea rotundata at station I 0.0858, station II 0.0855, station III 0.0933, IV station 0.0851, at station V 0.0770, Enhalus acoroides at station I 0.02203, station II 0.1987, station III 0.1676, station IV 0.1810, at station V 0, 2256, Halophila ovalis at station I 0.3103, station II 0.2667, station III 0.3223, station IV 0.2522, at station V 0.3217, Halodule pinifolia at station I 0.4738, station II 0.4950 , station III 0.4871, at station IV 0.7460. Keywords: Seagrass, species diversity, seagrass, Sikka Island. INTRODUCTION Seagrass beds in Indonesian waters generally include mixed vegetation (Azkab, 1999 in Sitorus, 2011). Seagrass in Indonesia has an area of about 30,000 m2 and plays an important role in shallow marine ecosystems because it is a habitat for fish and another aquatic biota (Nondji, 2009). Seagrass beds are marine resources that are quite potential to be used and ecologically, seagrass beds have several important functions in coastal areas (Pratiwi, 2010). Seagrass beds have secondary productivity and great support for fish abundance and diversity. Seagrass beds are a place where various types of fish take shelter, foraging (Rappe, 2010). Referring to the ecological function that is so large, accompanied by its high economic function, seagrass beds are 204 │ ICCC 2018 Proceeding 3-4 September 2018, Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia able to support the local and national economy (Poedjirahajoe, et al., 2013). carbon sink in the ocean (Kawaroe, 2009). East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) is an archipelago province which is located in the south of the Indonesian territory having an area of 200,000 km the sea in which has marine and fisheries resources that can be developed for the benefit of the community. The province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has enormous marine and fisheries potential, and high sea diversity such as mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. Seagrass species found in East Nusa Tenggara were Enhalus acoroides, Cymodocea rotundata, cymodocea serrulata, Thalassia hemprichii, Thalassodenron ciliatum, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halophila minor, and Halophila ovalis. Alor Regency is one of 92 outermost islands in Indonesia, located in the islands of East Nusa Tenggara, with an area of 10,773.62 km2, a land area of 2,864.6 km2 coastline length 287.10 km2. (BAPPEDA, 2005). Based on WWF results, 2009 seagrass plants spread along the coastline of the entire island of Alor Regency. In Alor Regency, seagrass growth is found in 6 locations, namely Mali beach, Deere beach, Alila beach, Dunangbila beach, Bagang beach and Lapang Island. In this observation seagrass had good growth potential there were 7 species of seagrass in Alor Regency waters. The seven species include Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium isoetifolium, Cymomodocea rotundata, Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia. On the coast of Mali and Deere beach itself were found as many as 4 types of seagrass, but the cover of seagrasses on the beach of Mali was relatively low compared to other regions in Alor Regency which was 15%. Of the 6 locations that have been studied, there are some islands that have far enough seagrass potential including Sikka Island. Sikka Island is one of the areas in the Kabola Subdistrict of Alor Regency and has great marine and fisheries potential, but resource exploration is still inadequate and requires professional and integrated management in order to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries development in Sikka Island so that utilization will occur sustainably and still maintaining the sustainability of existing resources. Sikka Island has a high biodiversity in which there is a Dugong. Dugong has habitat in seagrass beds, such as in the bay, wide and shallow mangrove areas, shady coastal areas. The criteria for this habitat are similar to the waters on Sikka Island, thus supporting the breeding of Dugong in this coastals waters. Seagrass is a food for Dugong, therefore, this animal is classified as a plant-eating type (herbivore) Adult dugongs can spend 25-30 kg of wet seagrass every day (Azkab, 1998). Therefore it is necessary to do research on the diversity of seagrass (Seagrass) in Sikka Island waters. Based on the background stated, thea problem to be studied are: 1). what types of seagrass are in the waters of Sikka Island? 2). How is the diversity of seagrass species in Sikka island waters? Food Security │ 205 3-4 September 2018, Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia The Purpose of the Study The aims of this study were: 1). to determine seagrass species in the waters of Sikka island, 2). To determine the species diversity of seagrass in the waters of the Sikka island. The benefits of this research are: 1). Result data obtained can be used as information about various types of seagrass (seagrass) in island waters Sikka Alor Regency. 2). For researchers can be used as study material and references for further research and it is expected that there will be developed regarding this research. 3). For the community, it can be used as an information on the importance of preserving nature in the coastal environment, especially seagrass ecosystems and the benefits of seagrass as habitat for marine life. METHODS This research was carried out within 1 (one) month, namely on the 1st of May to 30th of May 2017, located on Sikka Island, Kabola District, Alor Regency. Determination of the research location can be seen in Figure 1. Figure 1. Research location Tools and Materials Tools and materials used in research can be seen in Table 1 206 │ ICCC 2018 Proceeding 3-4 September 2018, Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Table 1. tools and materials Research Schemes Research flow schemes can be seen in Figure 2. Figure 2. Scheme approach to problems Food Security │ 207 3-4 September 2018, Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia The method used in this research is a method descriptive exploratory. Method Explorative descriptive is conducting surveys to be the basis for policy making or further research. Descriptive research that is explorative aims to describe the state or status of the seagrass phenomenon in Sikka Island, Alor Regency. Determination of Observation Stations Determine the location of observation stations based on the existence and environmental conditions around Sikka Island. At each station three transect lines were stretched perpendicular to the shoreline towards the sea, 5 stations were taken in the study area where each station was a seagrass area on each line with ten plot samples with a size of 1 mx 1 m2 and according to the conditions of the field that is in accordance with the presence or absence of seagrass habitat. So that obtained 30 (thirty) observation plots at 1 station. The design of the observation plot on the seagrass station can be seen in (Figure 3). Figure 3. Observation plot design In each line transect, a plot of 1 meter x 1 meter is placed. In each plot, the determination of each seagrass plant that has been determined and the number of individuals in each type has been determined. Identification of Seagrass types Type Identification is done by matching the data in the field such as the shape of leaves, flowers, and seagrass roots with a catalog, then the types of seagrass obtained in the field are presented in table form (Minister of Environment Decree no.200 years, 2004). Identification of seagrass types uses seagrass identification guidelines according to McKenzie (2003). 208 │ ICCC 2018 Proceeding 3-4 September 2018, Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Seagrass data collection was carried out in one research location, namely on Sikka Island, which was divided into 5 (five) research stations with a number of 30 plot plots measuring 1 meter x 1 meter2. Each station observed two variables, species density, and stand number, then the coordinate point was taken using GPS (Global Positioning system) station distribution and the number of plots scattered in each station can be seen in Figure 4. Figure 4. Seagrass research design In one station there are three (3) line transects with each line transect there are 10 plots and the length of the line transect is 100 m and the distance between plots to plots is 10 m the number of plots in one station has 30 plots so the total number of plots in the study location contained 150 plots.