CORAL DISEASE ANALYSIS ON TURTLE-MODEL CORAL TRANSPLANTATION MEDIA ON BARRANG CADDI ISLAND, MAKASSAR CITY

Abstract

This study aims to identify the types of coral infected by pests and diseases, determine the types of diseases and pests that attack, and calculate the prevalence rate of pests and diseases in the coral transplant media of the Turtle model in the waters of Barrang Caddi Island, Makassar City. The study was conducted at six transplant points (Turtle 1–Turtle 6) using a non-experimental quantitative method with field observation, documentation, and measurement of oceanographic parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, current, depth). The results showed that the most infected coral species were Acropora formosa and Pocillopora damicornis, with the dominant pests being algae, sponges, predators, and ascidians, while the diseases found were bleaching and white band disease. The prevalence rate of pests was higher than that of diseases, with an average percentage of 29.82% for pests and 18.43% for diseases in the rainy season, and 20.08% (pests) and 14.04% (diseases) in the summer. This difference indicates that the greatest pressure on the coral ecosystem of the Turtle model transplant comes from pests, especially algae, compared to diseases. These findings provide an initial overview of the health conditions of coral transplants on Barrang Caddi Island and can be used as a reference in coral reef management and rehabilitation strategies in the Spermonde area.