| dc.description.abstract | Corals frequently face threats from natural conditions such as bleaching. Bleaching events occurred in the waters surrounding Weh Island in 2010 and 2016, resulting in a decline in coral health. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a resilience study of corals in the eastern coastal waters of Weh Island (Pesisir Timur Pulau Weh) as initial data to support coral recovery in the future. The research aims to analyze: (1) coral resilience in the conservation zone of PTPW, (2) ecological aspects in the conservation zone of PTPW, (3) benthic water conditions, and (4) assess the prevalence of diseases in the coastal waters of Pesisir Timur Pulau Weh, Sabang City, Aceh Province. The study intends to produce: (1) coral resilience index and its applications, (2) coral habitat index as an initial step in detecting coral conditions. The study was conducted from August to December 2021, with observations at seven stations, including six in conservation areas and one in a non-conservation area. The research results show that coral resilience at all stations falls within the high category, with the highest coral cover percentage recorded at Station Sumur Tiga, reaching 36.83%. Ecological aspects indicate that coral recruits at all stations are categorized as very low, with low coral diversity. The highest coral mortality occurred at Reuteuk station, at 0.838%, and the highest fish abundance recorded was 16,906.67 individuals per hectare at Sumur Tiga. The prevalence of diseases affecting corals includes Competition-Macroalgae (121.53%), Competition-Sponge (20.39%), Competition-Turf Algae (43.27%), Crustose Coralline Algae (181.76%), Focal Bleaching (22.49%), Pigmentation Response (54.65%), Predation (fish bites) (6.98%), Sediment Damage (9.09%), Tube Formers (55.26%), and Ulcerative White Spots (13.25%). Overall, the highest coral prevalence rate was found at Station Reuteuk, at 91.93%. Conservation efforts have a positive impact on coral resilience and the growth of coral recruits but have not yet effectively reduced coral damage. Based on benthic conditions, it can be inferred that the coral ecosystem is in relatively good condition and is in the process of recovering from past disturbances. | en_US |
