Analysis the suitability and carrying capacity of coral reefs ecosystem to develop marine tourisms in Tuapejat The Regency of Mentawai Islands:

Abstract

The area of coral reef ecosystem that exists in North Sipora (Tuapejat) reaches 55.0716 krn2, which consists of 30.7747 km2fi.inging reef and 24.2969 km2 shoal reefs. From the observation of the coral reef condition using LIT method in 13 permanent transect stations it can be seen that there were 6 stations that belong to coral reefs of good category, and 7 stations that belong to coral reefs of sufficientlaverage category. The category division refers to: 0 - 24.9% belonging to bad condition; 25 - 49.9% belonging to average condition, 50 - 74.9% belonging to good condition; and 75100% belonging to very good condition( Gomes and Yap, 1989). The percentage of life form coral reefs cover in general was dominated by hard coral Non Acropora. Coral of the genus Acropora is only dominant in station 12 and station 13. The other locations were dominated by Non Acropora from the genus Porites, Pocillopora, and Heliopora.