Analysis of Coral Reef Community Structure and Coral Cover in Tanjung Seloka Village, Pulau Laut Selatan District, Kotabaru District, South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Involvement of local communities in conservation efforts is one of the keys to the success of preserving marine biological resources. This study aims to evaluate the structure of coral reef communities and the extent of coral cover in Tanjung Seloka Village, Pulau Laut Selatan District, Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan Province. The research was conducted in the coastal waters of Tanjung Seloka Village, examining bioecological parameters such as live coral cover and coral growth forms, physical parameters including temperature (°C), water clarity (m), and current velocity (m/s), as well as chemical parameters such as salinity (‰), pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method was employed to gather coral reef data. The findings revealed the presence of only two Acropora coral growth forms. The percentage of live coral cover ranged from 26.76% at Station 3 to 52.76% at Station 1. Coral reef conditions were classified between moderate and good. Most water quality parameters, including temperature, current speed, pH, and DO, remained within acceptable environmental standards. However, water clarity was below, and salinity was above, the quality thresholds set by the Minister of Environment Decree No. 51 of 2004.