CORAL REEF BENTHIC COMPOSITION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON REEF FISH

COMMUNITIES IN BUTON ISLANDS

Elsa Dianita Aulia1, Tri Aryono Hadi1, Isa Nagib Edrus2, Yosephine Tuti1, Muhammad Abrar1, Agus
Budiyanto1, Jemmy Sohouka1, Sudiar3, La Ode Halimmudin3, Sabarudin4, Ahmad Reza Dzumalek1,
Iping3, Wa Ode Halfiani3, Siti Sulha1 and Suharsono1

Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (PPO-LIPI), East Ancol, North Jakarta
1

14430, Jakarta, Indonesia.

2
Reserach Center for Marine Fisheries, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Republic of Indonesia,
Cibinong – Bogor, Indonesia
3
Marine and Fisheries Agency of South Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
4
Marine and Fisheries Agency of Central Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
5
Marine and Fisheries Agency of Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

*Coresponding author: elsadianitaa@gmail.com, ari_080885@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Benthic communities in coral reef ecosystems are very dynamic and influenced by
environmental conditions and human factors. Unfortunately, changes in benthic communities
can impact reef fish communities which are essential to support fishery industries. This study
investigates the change and relationships between coral reef benthic and fish communities in
Buton Islands from 2016 to 2018. The methods used were underwater photo quadrat to
estimate percent covers of benthic communities and belt transect to observe the reef fish
communities. The result shows that, based on an ordination analysis, the majority of reefs
within the years were characterized by Dead Coral with Algae (DCA) and hard coral (HC),
indicating that the reef conditions, in general, remained stable during the period. In this case,
DCA covers were 42.13 ± 3.66% (SE) in 2016, 42.97 ± 2.21% (SE) in 2017, and 28.46 ±
4.27% (SE) in 2018, whereas, percent covers of hard corals were 28.83 ± 3.92% (SE), 30.16
± 3.49% (SE) and 35.76 ± 4.41% (SE) for 2016, 2017, and 2018 respectively. Although not
significantly changing, this stable condition was correlated significantly with overall fish
diversity. Furthermore, corallivore species richness and diversity were subject to change
when the benthic gradients changed. Although not all fish functional groups were affected
(probably due to low percent covers of algae, sponges, soft corals, and others), the change in
benthic communities requires more attention, especially when the reefs shift to non-reef
building corals-dominated reefs. Continuous monitoring and local communities’ participation
need to be improved to maintain the current reef condition and provide better insight
regarding coastal ecosystem management.
Keywords: Buton Islands, benthic communities, coral reefs, reef fish