The Influence of Oceanographic Factors on the Growth Rate of Transplanted Acropora muricata in Bone Bay, Indonesia

Suryadi, Lalu; Irwan, Irwan; Hawati, Hawati; Amiluddin, Muchtar; Irwansyah, Irwansyah

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.420196.6508

The Influence of Oceanographic Factors on the Growth Rate of Transplanted Acropora muricata in Bone Bay, Indonesia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Marine Engineering, Politeknik Kelautan dan Perikanan Bone, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

² Department of Fishery Agrobusiness, Faculty of Fisheries, Universitas Cokroaminoto Makassar

10.21608/ejabf.2025.420196.6508

Abstract

This study examined the influence of oceanographic factors on the growth of transplanted Acropora muricata in Bone Bay, Indonesia, over a four-month monitoring period. Coral growth was measured at four stations positioned along a nearshore–offshore gradient, while key environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, light intensity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and phosphate) were simultaneously assessed. Results indicated that growth increased steadily from November (8.48cm) to February (9.85cm), with significant spatial differences among stations (P< 0.001). Station 2 exhibited the highest mean growth (9.44cm), while Station 4, the farthest offshore, showed the lowest (8.78cm), suggesting that factors beyond distance from shore drive coral performance. Pearson correlation analysis revealed positive associations of growth with pH (r = 0.54) and phosphate (r = 0.35), and negative associations with nitrate (r = –0.42) and salinity (r = –0.38). Multiple regression explained 67% of growth variability (R² = 0.673), with phosphate emerging as the strongest positive predictor (β = 0.60, P = 0.035). Principal component analysis further demonstrated alignment of growth with phosphate, pH, and dissolved oxygen, while nitrate and temperature were oppositely loaded. These findings highlight that balanced nutrient availability and stable carbonate chemistry are essential for coral transplant success. The study emphasized the importance of considering local environmental conditions when selecting sites for reef restoration.

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