Andik Isdianto, Ridha Ayu Wibowo, Amelinda Vivian Kudrati, Dian Aliviyanti, Muhammad Arif Asadi, Citra Satrya Dewi Utama, Oktiyas Muzaky Luthfi, Arief Setyanto, Aulia Lanudia Fathah, Dini Atikawati, Alifiulahtin Utaminingsih, Mohammad Maskan, Berlania Mahardika Putri, Supriyadi, Dwi Candra Pratiwi
Coral recruitment, which serves as a key factor in the regeneration of coral populations, is vital for the sustainability of coral ecosystems. The coral ecosystem in the waters around Sempu Island, known for its declining coral cover, relies on this recruitment process. This investigation examines the relationship between hard coral cover and coral recruitment. The percentage of coral cover and the number of coral recruits were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Data were collected at five research stations with the Underwater Photo Transect method in December 2022, February 2023, and April 2023. The coral cover in the Sempu Island Nature Reserve has been deteriorating over three consecutive survey periods, with percentages recorded at 14.28%, 13.92%, and 12.57%. A total of 22 coral recruits were recorded, belonging to six identified genera: Seriatopora, Porites, Pocillopora, Goniastrea, Pavona, and Acropora. Coral recruits and hard coral cover were positively but weakly correlated (r = 0.1119). Stable substrates such as dead coral with algae (DCA), dead coral (DC), and rock (RK) may facilitate coral recruitment. Coral recruits in the Sempu Island Nature Reserve compete with macroalgae and older corals for space and resources. Given the low levels of coral cover and recruitment, sustainable management measures should be implemented to protect the Sempu Island Nature Reserve coral ecosystem. Copyright: ©2025 The authors.
Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Postgraduate School, Brawijaya University, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Doctoral Program of Environmental Studies, Brawijaya University, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Doctoral Program in Sociology, Brawijaya University, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Business Administration, State Polytechnic of Malang, Malang, 65141, Indonesia; Postgraduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, 55284, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Doctoral Program in Ocean Resource and Environmental Changes, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, 202, Taiwan; Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E3, AB, Canada
