Potential of Coral Resilience Post Bleaching in 2016 in the Water of Ujong Seuke East Coast of Weh Island Indonesia

Abstract

Mass bleaching occurred in 2010 in Southeast Asia waters such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. One of the Indonesian waters that experienced bleaching was Weh Island area, which then underwent bleaching again in 2016 and had impacts on the coral ecosystem. Substrate changes and coral cover conditions are noteworthy to determine the potential for coral recovery after bleaching. Therefore, the study aims to measure the condition of coral cover and the potential for coral resilience after bleaching in 2016. Benthic data collection used the Point Intercept Transect method while measuring coral resilience potential used the resilience index through coral cover indicators, fleshy seaweed, and rubble. The observation showed that the coral cover in the waters of Ujong Seuke was 34%, fleshy seaweed by 2.83%, and rubble by 21.17%. This research concludes that the condition of coral reef ecosystems after the bleaching phenomenon in 2016 was in moderate condition, and it has a high potential for resilience. Keywords: coral, bleaching, water, ujong seuke, east coast, Weh Island