Progress on Coastal Ecosystems: Corals and Mangroves Recovery 12 Years Later after March 2005 Earthquake in North Nias, North Sumatera.
Abstract: Twelve years ago 9.3
Mw earthquake in the Andaman Islands, on December 26, 2004 accompanied by the
tsunami in Aceh led to extraordinary losses, unprecedented for human life in
coastal areas of Indonesia and neighboring countries. A few months later, on
March 28, 2005 an earthquake 8.7 Mw has
occured around Nias, hundreds of hectares of coral reef ecosystems lifted into
the terrestrial, many corals die of drought and collapse due to earthquake
vibration. Similarly, most of the mangrove moved away from the coastline due to
land lifting. The purpose of this study is to determine the development of
coastal ecosystems, especially coral reefs have been damaged by the earthquake
and mangrove due to changes in the environment. The method used in this study
is remote sensing technique through the data acquired from landsat imageries,
measurements of coastal profile, coral reef health monitoring data collected in
each year at six permanent stations. The field research conducted in August
2005, December 2014 and December 2015, the last two activities are under
research collaboration between the Marine Agency of North Nias Regency and
Research Center for Oceanography LIPI. The results showed in the period
2007-2010 live coral coverage is likely to increase in the range between 2.23%
to 48%. Instead since 2014 showed a significant decrease in almost all
stations. Twice earthquakes with 33the magnitude 8.2 Mw and 8.6 Mw occurred almost simultaneously on
April 11, 2012 at 400 km southwest of Aceh is thought to play a role in tear
down the developing corals. Similarly, the existence of mangrove that has moved
away from the coastline due to the land lifting in 2005, species of Rhyzophora desiccated and died slowly but other species such as
Aegiceras, Dolichandrone, Xylocarpus and Cheriops appear stayed on the dry land condition and seemed to be
growing normally
Keywords: coastal ecosystems,
recovery 12 years later, March 2005 earthquake, North Nias, North Sumatera
Penulis: Suyarso, Bayu
Prayuda, Praditya Avianto
Kode Jurnal: jpperikanandd170321