KARAKTERISTIK JAJAK MAKAN (FEEDING TRAIL) DUGONG PADA EKOSISTEM LAMUN DI PULAU SUMPAT DESA PENGUDANG KABUPATEN BINTAN

Abstract

This study aims to measure the structure of the seagrass ecosystem in the dugong feeding area, besides this research measures the dimensions of the dugong feeding trails in the seagrass habitat, and measures the biomass of seagrass eaten by dugong. The method used is survey data collection carried out directly in the field, in accordance with the research data needs. Seagrass structures were collected using the quadrant transect method, feeding trail with measurements of length, width and depth, and biomass using a 20 x 20cm2 box taken outside and inside the feding trail. The percentage of seagrass cover ranged from 62.94% to 89.2%, the density of the seagrass ranged from 127 individuals / m2 to 692 individuals / m2. Dimensions Feeding trail ranging from 0.985 (m2) to 1,050 (m2), the amount of seagrass edible biomass ranges from 16.350 dugong (gbk / m2) to 82.879 (gbk / m2). In this study, the seagrass which is the food of dugong is a type of Hallodule pinifolia. PCA analysis between seagrass ecosystem structure data and water parameters showed that cover, density, had positive correlation with brightness. Then PCA analysis between seagrass biomass, edible biomass, and feeding area trail had a positive correlation with seagrass density. This shows that the higher the seagrass density causes more seagrass biomass to be eaten by dugong.