Monitoring Trends in Coral Reef Health: A Spatio-Temporal Study (2021-2024) (Case Study: National Conservation Area Policy of Pieh Island and Surrounding Seas), West Sumatra Province, Indonesia

Et Al., Manafi

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.446711

Monitoring Trends in Coral Reef Health: A Spatio-Temporal Study (2021-2024) (Case Study: National Conservation Area Policy of Pieh Island and Surrounding Seas), West Sumatra Province, Indonesia

Author

Manafi et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2025.446711

Abstract

Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems that provide significant ecological and economic benefits. However, increasing pressure from human activities and environmental changes threatens their sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate spatial and temporal trends in coral reef health in the Pulau Pieh National Conservation Area and its surrounding waters from 2021 to 2024. Data were collected using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method and were analyzed with Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe) software. Key parameters assessed included live coral cover, algal cover, sand cover, and the Coral Mortality Index (IM). The results revealed spatial and temporal variations in reef condition, with some locations showing notable degradation attributed to both anthropogenic and natural stressors. These findings highlight the urgent need for adaptive, data-driven conservation strategies to ensure the long-term resilience of coral reef ecosystems.

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