Around 77% of Indonesian islands is small islands and Indonesia known as mega biodiversity center, but coastal biodiversity of small islands was not well documented. The objective of this study is to assess coastal biodiversity in small islands and its conservation status. The study indicated that small islands provide complex biodiversity ranging from ecosystem to species. Diversity index of mangrove: 1.4-1.8, seagrass: 1.5–1.9, coral: 1.7–2.3. Ecosystem condition in urban small island was poor and in rural small island was healthy. The islands also provide fauna diversity i.e mollusc (110 species), crabs (52 species), and coral fish (261 species). Diversity of mollusc and crabs in rural island was higher than in urban island, χ2 (1) = 1.3, p< 0.001 and χ2 (1) = 4.3, p< 0.002, respectively. Diversity index of coral fish range from 2.14 to 4.27 (mean: 3.4). Most of the biodiversity located outside protected area and main threats were ecosystem degradation, pollution, overexploitation, and sedimentation. In conclusion, small islands are important coastal biodiversity spots, but it faces tremendous threats. The study recommends better management of coastal biodiversity i.e. establishing coastal protected areas in small islands, building marine corridor, and public awareness to ensure biodiversity conservation.

Nusalaut Island is one of the small islands in Maluku waters that is influenced by the dynamics of

Note on species richness of gastropods in coastal area of Leti Island, southern Banda was conducted as a part of Southern Banda Expedition on October 7-16, 2015. Sample collection was carried out by hand picking in Serwaru, Tutukey village, Leti Island, Southwest Maluku.  A total of 125 individu from 25 species of gastropods was found. The highest number of individu is Clypeomorus moniliferus. Generally, gastropods found in this area were associated with rocky hard substrate.

Ambon Bay consists of two regions i.e. Inner and Outer Ambon Bay that was separated by Galala-Poka sill. Consequently these waters have different local environmental conditions that leads to the bivalve populations differences, one of them is venus clam Gafrarium tumidum. In this study, the distribution and spatial variation in population characteristics of of venus clam was quantified based on the analysis of their twelve shell dimensions from different populations. Fieldwork and analyses were conducted on April – Juni 2013. Total of 585 individuals of venus clam were found and could be divided into ten size-classes and three size categories i.e. small (< 23.11 mm), medium (23.12–32.05 mm) and large size (> 32.06 mm). The highest size-class density was found at medium size. Spatial distribution was related to the characteristics of sediment and other potential factors. Result of discriminant analysis showed that shell-width (SW) was the variable with the highest discriminating power and distinguishing between Inner and Outer Ambon Bay populations.