Feeding ground indications are based on species, seagrass density and existence of Dugong dugon in Hiri Island Sea, North Maluku, Indonesia

Abstract

Seagrass ecosystems are located between mangrove ecosystems and coral reefs. Seagrass ecosystems are habitats and foraging area for many marine organisms. Eco-biological cycles in seagrass ecosystems are important for maintaining populations of many organisms. Seagrass at Hiri Island is distributed horizontally along the coast. This island is also a location where Dugong dugon is found North Maluku. Dugong dugon is a vurneable species that has been included in the IUCN and Appendix I Cites. This study aimed to identify species, density of seagrass and existence of Dugong dugong. The survey method used quadratic transect method to collect seagrass data. The Results found 6 species of seagrass at Hiri Island. Five species of those seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata, Cymodecea rotundata, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila spinulosa) are known as food of Dugong dugon. The highest species density was shown by Halodule uninervis. The presence of Dugong dugon and its feeding trail was found during field survey. Information on seagrass species and Dugong dugon sightings location can be used for endangered species conservation policies. Management and conservation efforts need to be done to maintain seagrass ecosystem and Dugong dugon potential habitat at Hiri Island.

Population structure of commercially important groupers in the coral triangle Gorontalo, Indonesia to support conservation

“…It is, therefore, logical to expect close kinship relationships between grouper populations in eastern Indonesia, and in particular, from around Sulawesi (including Tomini Bay and the Sulawesi Sea), the Moluccas, Nusa Tenggara, and Papua, as has been found for other fish such as mackerels (Rastrelliger spp.) (Akbar et al 2022).…”

The viability of seagrass ecosystems for supporting dugong recovery in Kenya

“…The diet of dugongs is predominantly seagrass, whose ecosystems are located between mangrove ecosystems and coral reefs (Meidina et al, 2023). Seagrass are marine flowering plants found in shallow coastal water where they flower, pollinate, seed, and germinate into new plants forming meadows (Akbar et al, 2021;de la Torre-Castro and Rönnbäck, 2004;Tol et al, 2016;Valentine and Duffy, 2007). They are habitats and foraging areas for many marine organisms including dugongs (Meidina et al, 2023).…”

“…They are habitats and foraging areas for many marine organisms including dugongs (Meidina et al, 2023). The IUCN Red List attributes approximately 27 % of threatened marine species, including dugongs, to loss of seagrass and degradation of seagrass beds (Akbar et al, 2021;Zedan, 2004).…”

Macrophyte Diversity and Conservation Values of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines

“…Large seagrasses such as Enhalus, which were recorded in the VIP, are generally perceived to provide a wide range of ecosystem services(Nordlund et al 2016). Although small, the seagrasses Halophila, Halodule, and Cymodocea -which were recorded in many of the seagrass sites in the VIP -are important food sources for dugongs(Nordlund et al 2016;Akbar et al 2021). Although less known, seagrasses are also sources of pharmaceuticals and raw materials (Nordlund…”