The Vastness of Coral Reefs
The Indonesian seas boast remarkably vibrant and diverse natural resources. Indonesia’s vibrant coral reefs, estimated to cover over 51,000 square kilometers, draw countless tourists eager to enjoy their marine allure. Additionally, Indonesia is home to 65% of the total area of the Coral Triangle, often referred to as “The Amazon of the Seas,” housing over 500 coral species and more than 3,000 fish species. These reefs are not only a sight to behold, but they also play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem.
Threats to Coral Reefs
Despite their beauty, coral reefs face numerous threats that endanger their existence. During dives, it’s common to encounter broken corals, bleaching, disease, and even dead corals. Several factors impact coral health, including temperature changes, waste pollution, and tourism activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling.
Corals are highly sensitive to temperature changes, which can cause bleaching. When stressed, corals expel their zooxanthellae as a survival mechanism, turning pale white. Bleached corals also compete with algae, which can grow rapidly if not controlled by herbivorous fish, potentially leading to coral death.
In addition to temperature changes, waste pollution often hampers coral growth. Plastics and marine debris frequently cover coral surfaces, preventing them from receiving adequate light and nutrients. Activities like scuba diving and snorkeling pose threats as well, with divers sometimes touching or taking pieces of coral and inadvertently kicking or damaging corals with their fins.
Our Data Collection Activities
Given these threats, monitoring the condition of coral reefs is essential to prevent and protect them from damage. Well-preserved coral reefs positively impact the marine ecosystem, serving as habitats and spawning grounds for fish and protecting shorelines from waves. Monitoring efforts can help ensure these benefits continue for future generations.
To contribute to these conservation efforts, Coral Catch Superwomen are prepared to monitor coral reefs through scholarships awarded to four local women. During the scholarship period, Coral Catch Superwomen employed three methods for coral reef monitoring: LIT, PIT, and UPT. Each method, continuously developed over time, has its own advantages and disadvantages. The UPT method utilizes technology with cameras and software for data processing, unlike LIT and PIT, which are analyzed directly during dives. The LIT method generates more data by covering coral colony length and size, but data collection is time-consuming. In contrast, the PIT method is simpler and quicker, often used for monitoring extensive coral areas. Choosing the best method depends on the needs of each study. We asked the Coral Catch superwomen from batch 7 which method they preferred using:
Riska Nurul: “I am Riska, an undergraduate student in English at Diponegoro University. I prefer the PIT method because it is simpler and easier to perform compared to LIT, as it only records points every 5 cm.”
Nabila Ayu: “I am Nabila Ayu, an undergraduate student in Marine Science at Jenderal Soedirman University. I prefer the UPT method because I enjoy photography 😀. Even though it involves analyzing over 50 photos, I can do it leisurely while listening to music.”
Kanya: “Hi, Kanya here! I enjoyed the underwater photo transect method as it allows for detailed and accurate documentation of coral health and diversity. This non-invasive method minimizes disturbance to the marine environment and provides a permanent visual record for re-examination. It is efficient, enabling detailed analysis back on land and facilitating collaboration with other researchers!”
Dilla: “Hello my name is Dilla, im a Biology graduate from Hasanuddin University, one of my favourite coral catch activitiy is doing EMP program, personally i really like doing LIT, because this survey can improve my concentration underwater, my ability to analyze quickly and precisely and improve my buoyancy ability.”
The Importance of Rapid and Accurate Identification
As a marine conservation researcher, the ability to quickly and accurately identify underwater elements is crucial. This requires practice and confidence. Coral Catch, along with experts in the field, provides knowledge and training to us, the four women selected for the Coral Catch scholarship, allowing us to gain extraordinary experiences and improve our skills. With Coral Catch, we have gained extensive experience in underwater data collection activities, including fish data collection using the roving survey method, coral data collection using the UPT method, substrate data collection using the PIT method, invertebrate data collection using the LIT method, and more.
Each survey method comes with its own set of challenges and rewards, making the work both exciting and demanding.
Roving Survey: The roving survey collects data on indicator fish species over 30 minutes, with divers directly recording indicator fish species on their slates. Afterward, the data is compared, combined, and input into the database. This survey requires a good memory to remember the indicator fish species, making it exciting and challenging.
PIT Method (Point Intercept Transect): This method estimates the coral cover area percentage by observing the substrate condition using a 100-meter transect. Data collection occurs every 0.5 meters, with a 5-meter gap every 20 meters, resulting in 160 data points. This method records live coral, dead coral, and other biota, requiring concentration, precision, quick and accurate analysis skills, and good buoyancy control.
UPT Method (Underwater Photo Transect): This method uses digital cameras and computers. Data collection involves taking underwater photos along a 50-meter transect, with two divers—one taking photos and the other holding the frame. Photos are taken alternately on the left and right sides of the transect line, resulting in 50 photos analyzed with Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions (CPCe). This survey requires concentration and good buoyancy control for smooth data collection.
LIT Method (Line Intercept Transect): Besides coral data, invertebrate data is also essential. Invertebrates, as indicator species, help assess coral reef conditions in an area. Data collection occurs along a 100-meter transect with a 5-meter gap every 20 meters, with divers collecting data in a zigzag pattern. This survey requires precision, as invertebrates often remain hidden.
Wrapping Up!
In conclusion, monitoring coral reefs is essential for their conservation and the overall health of marine ecosystems. By employing various methods and understanding their unique advantages, researchers can effectively contribute to coral reef preservation. The experiences and skills gained through programs like Coral Catch are invaluable for fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to marine conservation. Through diligent monitoring and conservation efforts, we can ensure the beauty and biodiversity of coral reefs for generations to come.
