Coral reefs provide essential benefits, but they are fragile
and declining worldwide. Thus, reliable reef health assessments are crucial for
guiding conservation efforts in Indonesia, a biodiversity hotspot. This study
compares the methods of the Indonesian Reef Health Index (RHI_Indonesia) and
the Mesoamerican Reef Health Index (RHI_Mesoamerican) to determine which method
is more effective and suitable for Indonesian waters. Both methods were
evaluated using data from 159 reef observation sites, focusing on live coral
cover (LCC), fleshy algal cover (FAC), and reef fish biomass (RFB), including
the herbivorous and carnivorous families. A t-test showed a strongly
significant difference (p = 0.001) between the RHI_Indonesia and
RHI_Mesoamerican methods. Additionally, multiple linear regression, Residual
Sum of Squares (RSS), and the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) indicated that
the RHI_Mesoamerican method provided a better statistical fit and a stronger
ecological response. The qualitative assessment also found that the
RHI_Mesoamerican approach is easier to implement and more detailed, enhancing
reef fish classification and field efficiency, especially with a few trained
UVC experts. It incorporates adaptive management through three reference
indicators: the benchmark, the target, and the red flag. In contrast,
RHI_Indonesia provides an initial evaluation but lacks management guidance and
clear targets, though it supports long-term monitoring, similar to the COREMAP
program. This study also highlights the important role of herbivorous reef fish
in maintaining the coral–algal balance and improving reef health. Therefore, it
is recommended that future Indonesian reef assessments integrate herbivore
indicators with benthic parameters to strengthen reef monitoring and
conservation.
Author(s) Details
Sam Wouthuyzen
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia and Centre for
Collaborative Research on Aquatic Ecosystems in Eastern Indonesia, Ambon,
Indonesia.
Daniel D. Pelasula
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia and Centre for Collaborative Research on Aquatic Ecosystems
in Eastern Indonesia, Ambon, Indonesia.
Frensly D. Hukom
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia and Centre for Collaborative Research on Aquatic Ecosystems
in Eastern Indonesia, Ambon, Indonesia.
Petrus C. Makatipu
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
G. Giyanto
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Jemmy Souhoka
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Muhammad Abrar
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Hendrik A.W.
Cappenberg
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Abd. W. Rajab
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
E. Edward
Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Serpong, Indonesia.
Rikoh M. Siringoringo
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Teguh Peristiwady
Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and
Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia.
Eghbert E. Ampou
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Tumpak Sidabutar
Research Center for Biota System, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Raden Sutiadi
Research Center for Ecology, National Research and Innovation Agency,
Cibinong, Indonesia.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v4/6777
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