Diversity of coral form at selected area of Bidong Island and Redang Island, Terengganu

Abstract

A study of coral reef distribution was conducted by Point Intersept Transect and Video Transect method at Bidong Island (Karah, Pasir Cina and Tengkorak Island) and Redang Island (Batu Ling and Terumbu Kili). Mean for coral distribution at all station using PIT showed 62% was dead coral, 30% was live coral and 8% was others fonns while Video showed 67% was dead coral, 200/o was live coral and 13% was others (0.28% algae, 2% invertebrate and 11 % SSR). Using PIT methods, Karah, Bidong, Tengkorak and Batu Ling was resulted as 'Fair' condition and Terumbu Kili as 'Poor' condition according to Gomez et al. (1994). Video methods showed only Batu Ling stated as 'Fair' while the other sites was in 'Poor' condition. The most abundant live coral at study sites for both methods was Acropora branching except for Terumbu Kili using PIT method that showed Coral Foliose as abundant coral fonn. Based on study, coral diversity was higher at Batu Ling than others station followed by Karah, Bidong, Terumbu Kili and Tengkorak. Inverterbrate diversity was found higher at Tengkorak and followed by Batu Ling, Karah, Bidong and Terumbu Kili.