Coral community structure in Payar Island Marine Park, Malaysia
Conservation efforts such as reef survey and monitoring programs are crucial to ensure the sustainable management of coral reef resources. The present study aims to investigate the diversity and abundance of corals at seven fringing reef sites in Payar Island Marine Park by applying a Coral Video...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Penerbit UMT
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/72424/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/72424/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/72424/1/72424%20Coral%20community%20structure.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/72424/2/72424%20Coral%20community%20structure%20SCOPUS.pdf |
| Summary: | Conservation efforts such as reef survey and monitoring programs are crucial to ensure the
sustainable management of coral reef resources. The present study aims to investigate the diversity
and abundance of corals at seven fringing reef sites in Payar Island Marine Park by applying a Coral
Video Transect method. A total of 38 genera from 14 families of corals were identified. Massive
Porites and massive-platy Physogyra were dominant in the coral assemblages cover almost 49%
of the total live coral coverage. These corals have higher tolerance compared to other corals to
withstand strong currents and high suspended sediment conditions. Reef sites in Payar Island were
categorized as having ‘poor’ to ‘fair’ coral conditions with the percentages of live corals cover from
8.1% to 43.3%. The ‘poor’ average coral condition (15.7% ± 4.9) is most likely influenced by the
impacts of sedimentation and uncontrolled tourism related activities. Current findings provide useful
information on the current status of corals for a better reef management plan in Payar Island Marine
Park. |
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