Komposisi dan Tutupan Karang Keras di Area Terumbu Karang Restorasi dan Alami Nusa Penida, Provinsi Bali

Abstract

Perairan Pulau Nusa Penida, Provinsi Bali, merupakan kawasan konservasi dengan ekosistem terumbu karang yang penting serta menjadi lokasi berbagai kegiatan restorasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui komposisi dan tutupan karang keras pada area terumbu karang restorasi dan alami di Nusa Penida. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada November 2025 di lima stasiun pengamatan yang mewakili kedua area tersebut. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan metode Line Intercept Transect (LIT) sepanjang 50 m dan pengukuran kualitas perairan secara in situ. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa suhu, salinitas, pH, dan oksigen terlarut berada dalam kisaran yang mendukung pertumbuhan karang. Tutupan karang keras pada area restorasi sebesar 26,63%, sedangkan pada area alami mencapai 54,31%. Area restorasi didominasi Acropora branching yang menunjukkan fase awal pemulihan, sementara area alami memiliki keragaman bentuk pertumbuhan dan genera yang lebih tinggi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa restorasi telah mendukung pemulihan terumbu karang, namun kondisinya masih belum menyamai area alami sehingga diperlukan pemantauan secara berkelanjutan.

The waters of Nusa Penida, Bali Province, are a marine conservation area with important coral reef ecosystems and ongoing restoration activities. This study aimed to determine the composition and cover of hard corals in restoration and natural reef areas of Nusa Penida. The study was conducted in November 2025 at five stations representing both reef conditions. Data were collected using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method along 50 m transects and in situ water quality measurements. Results showed that temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen were within ranges suitable for coral growth. Hard coral cover reached 26.63% in restoration areas and 54.31% in natural areas. Restoration sites were dominated by branching Acropora, indicating an early stage of recovery, whereas natural sites exhibited greater diversity of growth forms and coral genera. These findings indicate that restoration efforts have supported coral reef recovery; however, ecological conditions in restoration areas have not yet reached those of natural reefs, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring.