Spatial Distribution of Tripneustes gratilla on Ambon Island

ABSTRACT 

Tripneustes gratilla has an important ecological role in various habitats because T. gratilla is directly or indirectly recycling key from the nutrients in the waters of Ambon Island. Ambon Island has a distinctive topography, thus causing inhibition of water exchange period naturally in Ambon Bay. In addition the increasing environmental pollution can narrow the habitat of T. gratilla. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the spatial distribution of sea urchins (T. gratilla) on Ambon. Distribution of T. gratilla population that found in Ambon Island generally has a relatively small number of individuals. From four locations that just only one location has large enough number of individuals. Therefore it is necessary to conserve T. gratilla on Ambon Island so that it won’t extinct CO2-eq mg.m-2.h-1) and muddy sand substrate (4.01 CO2-eq mg.m-2.h-1). The reported values of GWP were relatively low based on the standard value of IPCC, which is 298 CO2-eq mg.m-2.h-1 indicating that the nitrification and denitrification processes producing N2O gas flux are still in normal condition, which would not cause air pollution apa pun yang Anda katakan di artikel berita/topik Anda.

INTRODUCTION 

Sea urchin usually found in areas with abundant algae [1, 2, 3, 4]. However some type of Echinoidea is a predator in coral reef communities [5, 6, 7]. Some Research showed that Sea urchin can be used as bioindicators for heavy metal contamination in water [8, 9]. Ambon Island located in eastern Indonesia have a high marine biodiversity index, one of them is T. gratilla. However exploration of T. gratilla in nature is expected to continue without considering aspects of sustainability, so there is a tendency Sea urchin population decreases dramatically [10]. Ambon Island have a unique topography, thus forming an ecological barrier [11, 12]. In addition, environmental contamination on the island of Ambon is increasing, especially in the bay than on the other area of Ambon Island [13]. With the ecological barrier and decreasing of environmental conditions, it is considered will complicate the interaction between individuals, thus triggering the occurrence inbreeding, high mortality, sterile, reduced mating ability, imbalan * Corresponding author: Veince B Silahooy Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia Email: dveince@yahoo.com -ce growth, the individual becomes susceptible to disease and environmental stress [14, 15]. The consequences could effect on competition ability of a species that can lead to loss function of the species and consequences for changes in an ecosystem [16]. Knowledge of the spatial distribution of T. gratilla allows understanding the patterns of connectivity and distance spread of T. gratilla on Ambon Island. This knowledge is an important factor to assess management strategies for T. gratilla long-term management conservation on Ambon Island. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data sources Species sampling, environmental data and mapping the distribution of T. gratilla conducted at the Ambon Island, Maluku, East Indonesia. Mapping area The map is processed with software QuantumGIS V1.8 subsequently is creating the raster map by the geo-referencing process in order to get the map in accordance with the original position. Following is to do the digitization map process by re-drawing the map with line shape, point, and polygons. Each layer is then given an appropriate name then overlayed to create a layout and then by providing symbols that describe the content of the map. The information on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of N2O flux in Indonesia still needs to be improved, especially in the mangrove ecosystems around Maluku province. It is important to be studied to support the management of mangrove ecosystems based on net zero emissions, especially in the forestry sector. Mangrove ecosystems are present along the coastal areas of Inner Ambon Bay, including locations such as Negeri Lama, Passo, Poka, Nania, and Waiheru. Six species of mangrove trees viz. Avicennia marina, Bruguiera cylindrica, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba, and Osbornia octodonta are found in Waiheru coastal waters17,18.