ASOSIASI KUDA LAUT (Hippocampus sp.) PADA EKOSISTEM LAMUN DI PESISIR UTARA PULAU BINTAN

Abstract

Bintan Island is one of the areas in Indonesian waters where the seagrass ecosystem is distributed. The seagrass ecosystem serves as habitat for maintenance and spawning for various marine biota, including seahorses. At least seven types of seahorses are reported to live in the waters of Bintan Island. This research aims to determine the type and cover of seagrass, identify the type and the density of seahorses in the seagrass ecosystem, and determine the relationship between the condition of the seagrass ecosystem and the presence of seahorses in North Bintan waters. This research was carried out on May-June 2023 the north coast of Bintan Island. There are three stations in this research: Sebong Pereh, Sebong Lagoi, and Sakera. Seagrass cover was taken using the quadrat transect method, and seahorse data collection was carried out in the seagrass ecosystem observation area using the visual census method on transects measuring 100x100 m. Seven types of seagrass were found in this study, dominated by Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii. The highest seagrass coverage was found in Sebong Lagoi Waters (60.61%). Two species of the seahorses are found in this study, namely Hippocampus kuda and Hippocampus comes. Hippocampus kuda was more dominant than Hippocampus comes. Based on PCA analysis, there was a relationship between seahorse density and seagrass coverage. The high seagrass coverage has an impact on the high density of seahorse.