Benthic community structure and geomorphology of uncharted nearshore reefs in Kuantan coastal waters

Kamarudin, Nurazidah and Nik Asbullah, Nik Aisyah Ilnani and Azmi, Amira Nasuha and Mustapa, Mohd Zaini and Mohd. Hanapiah, Muhammad Faiz (2024) Benthic community structure and geomorphology of uncharted nearshore reefs in Kuantan coastal waters. Journal of Tropical Resources and Sustainable Science (JTRSS), 12 (1). pp. 1-6. E-ISSN 2462-2389

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Abstract

The nearshore reefs play several important ecosystem functions in marine environments, especially in coastal areas. Six relatively unknown nearshore reef sites were surveyed in the southern Kuantan coastal waters using the coral video transect (CVT) technique between April 2021 and September 2022 to estimate coral reef benthic components. Data analysis on coral reef benthic components indicated that these uncharted nearshore reefs have ‘fair’ coral cover with an average percentage of 39.4 % ± 17.8 in which ST 1 recorded the highest live coral cover coverage with 68.06 %. Abiotic components (sand and rock) were the second-most abundant and the coverage of dead coral was relatively low at all stations. A total of 33 coral genera were recorded in this study in which Porites, Acropora and Montipora mean percentage cover dominated most of the reef sites. Bathymetry data indicated that some of these uncharted reefs were located on submerged shoals with a depth range between 12 – 17 meters. The variation in benthic community composition observed among reef sites highlights the importance of location-specific management and conservation strategies.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	coral reefs, nearshore reefs, community structure, geomorphology, Kuantan
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541.13 Ecology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Science Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Marine Science
Depositing User:	Dr Muhammad Faiz Mohd Hanapiah
Date Deposited:	16 Dec 2024 10:28
Last Modified:	16 Dec 2024 10:28
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/116759

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