Article Details
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): Maret
Assessment of Coral Reef Condition in Nusi Island, Nabire, Indonesia
Purpose: This study aimed to assess coral reef health at Nusi Island, Nabire, Indonesia, by analyzing the benthic composition using Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) technology.
Research Methodology: Data were collected using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method, deploying a 50-meter transect line at approximately 10 m depth. High-resolution images were captured, and 1,500 data points were analyzed to evaluate the benthic substrate composition.
Results: The findings revealed severe degradation of coral reefs. Site 2 (Pulau Nusi) showed only 3.13% live coral cover, with sand and rubble dominating the substrate. Site 1 (Nabire) fared slightly better, with 6.64% live coral cover, although it still showed significant damage.
Conclusions: The coral reefs at both study sites are severely degraded, with Site 2 in a critical state, mainly due to sedimentation. These data highlight the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate these stresses and foster reef recovery.
Limitations: This study was limited to a single 50-meter transect at one depth, providing a snapshot of the reef condition. Further research is required to identify specific degradation drivers and conduct long-term monitoring.
Contributions: This study provides the first quantitative assessment of coral reef conditions on Nusi Island, offering essential baseline data for future conservation efforts.

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