THE POTENTIAL OF ARTIFICIAL LIVE ROCK AS SUBTRATE FOR CORAL SPAT AND EPIBENTHIC ORGANISMS

Authors

  • Muhammad Hamizan, Y. Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Jalan Istana, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200, Kuantan, Malaysia
  • Shahbudin, S. Department of Marine Science and Technology, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Jalan Istana, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200, Kuantan, Malaysia
  • Noor Faizul Hadry Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Mahfuzah, Y. Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Jalan Istana, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200, Kuantan, Malaysia
  • Rafindde, R. Engineering Material Section, Advanced Materials Research Center (AMREC), SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia
  • Mohd Fikri Akmal, K. Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Jalan Istana, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200, Kuantan, Malaysia
  • Mohd Husaini, R. Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Jalan Istana, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200, Kuantan, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v77.6732

Keywords:

Artificial live rock, coral recruitment, epibenthic organisms, artificial reef

Abstract

Over-exploitation on natural live rock promotes the degradation of ocean ecosystem. This concern has been raised since harvesting may reduce the density of marine ornamentals and degrade marine habitat quality. This study aims to develop artificial live rocks (ALR) that potentially to be used as one of the alternatives to reduce the overharvesting activity toward natural live rocks. The study was conducted at Bidong Island, Terengganu started from April to October 2014. There were 2 types of ALR used in this study; rough and smooth surfaces. A total of 64 pieces of ALR were deployed in April 2014 and retrieved in June, August and October 2014 respectively. Identification in terms of coral spat species and macrobenthic organisms was done after the each retrieval. Coral spat was identified based on the morphology of their columella, septa and corallite wall by using Dinolight Digital Camera. Four species of coral juveniles (Pocillopora damicornis, Stylophora pistillata, Seriatopora hystrix and Acropora millepora) were found attached on ALR surfaces. Whereby, there were 11 phyla of epibenthic organisms were found to attach on ALR which dominated by turf algae and red algae. Percentage coverage of epibenthic calculated using Coral Point Count with Excel extension (CPCe) shown ALR was dominated by turf algae after 2 months (69%) and 4 months (20%) of deployment respectively. Afterward, Red algae (31%) dominated after 6 months of deployment. There was significant difference between coral species and the surfaces (p<0.05). However, no significant difference between types of surfaces with sessile macrobenthic organisms (p>0.05). This finding showed that ALR has a potential to be upgraded as artificial reef towards marine habitat restoration.

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Published

2015-12-13

Issue

Vol. 77 No. 25: Advancement in Marine and Medical Biotechnology

Section

Science and Engineering

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Copyright of articles that appear in Jurnal Teknologi belongs exclusively to Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Penerbit UTM Press). This copyright covers the rights to reproduce the article, including reprints, electronic reproductions, or any other reproductions of similar nature.

How to Cite

THE POTENTIAL OF ARTIFICIAL LIVE ROCK AS SUBTRATE FOR CORAL SPAT AND EPIBENTHIC ORGANISMS. (2015). Jurnal Teknologi, 77(25). https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v77.6732