Browsing by Author "Muhammad Faiz bin Mohd Hanapiah"

Inshore reefs areas play several important ecosystem functions in marine environment especially in coastal area. Eight reef sites were surveyed using coral video transect (CVT) technique between April 2017 and April 2019 in Balok reef and Raja Muda reef to estimate coral reef benthic components. The timing of coral spawning of two Acropora species; Acropora cytherea and Acropora clathrata was estimated through dissection and histological analyses of coral fragments that were collected during predicted spawning months (March until May 2018) from Balok reef, Kuantan. In addition, physicochemical parameters (sea temperature, salinity and pH) were measured from March until September 2018 by multiprobe parameter. Satellite image was extracted between 2014 and 2018 from Aqua MODIS to observe seasonal pattern of sea surface temperature. Hydrodynamic model of Kuantan coastal water was simulated using MIKE 21 Flow Model FM and validated using 4 series of in situ current speed and direction data measured by Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) between August 2017 and April 2018. Dispersal pattern of coral larvae among three known inshore reefs (Pulau Ular, Balok Reef and Raja Muda reef) in Kuantan coastal waters was elucidated by simulating virtual larvae trajectories during spawning event in 2018. Dispersal pathways were modelled and constructed by incorporating biological traits (timing of spawning and pelagic larvae duration) using Lagrangian particle tracking module integrated with 2-dimensional, hydrodynamic, flexible network model (MIKE 21 FM). Dispersal Potential Index (DPi) was developed based on four important factors described throughout this thesis (adult coral cover, pelagic larvae duration, current speed and depth variation) to estimate dispersal potential capacity of coral larvae. Data analysis on coral reef benthic components indicated that Kuantan coastal waters has ‘fair’ coral cover with average percentage of 40.2 % ± 10.65 in which Angly 3 (ST3) recorded the highest live coral cover coverage with 50.3%. Abiotic components (sand and rock) were the second-most abundant and the coverage of dead coral was relatively low at all stations. Coral spawning observation of two Acropora species; Acropora cytherea and Acropora clathrata indicate spawning of these broadcast spawners occurred following full moon in April 2019. This finding confirmed histological examinations in the previous year (2018) that spawning for this genus might occur in April 2019. The gamete maturity coincided with the peak sea surface temperature within Kuantan coastal waters from April until May 2018. Optimal pelagic larvae duration for these species were estimated to be between 6 – 8 days after spawning. Hydrodynamic model indicated the prevalence of tidal forcing in influencing current flow in Kuantan coastal region rather than seasonal changes by monsoonal winds. Virtual larvae simulation indicated Pulau Ular has high larvae retention (76 %) in which most of larvae originated from natal reef. Balok reef was dominant source of larvae for Raja Muda reef. Results also indicated that patches reefs near Raja Muda was ideal sink site for coral larvae and should be prioritized for future ecosystem management action. It is believed that findings from this research could give reliable scientific on dispersal of coral larvae within inshore reefs of Kuantan coastal waters.

Understanding coral recruitment is important in the wake of regional decline of coral reef. This study was aimed to demonstrate three important aspects in recruitment processes: adult coral community structure; spatio-temporal coral recruitment pattern and the impact of sessile benthic organisms on post-settlement processes in Tioman Island, Malaysia. A total of six reef sites were surveyed using coral video transect method namely Genting Village, Renggis Island, Teduh Bay, Dalam Bay, Juara Bay and Benuang Bay. Tioman Island has ‘good’ coral reef condition with an average of 53% total live coral cover. Twenty eight genera from thirteen families were recorded during adult coral community structure survey with Benuang Bay demonstrated the highest H’ and EH’ indexes (2.35 and 0.78). Recruitment and post-settlement survival studies were conducted at four reef sites namely Genting Village, Renggis Island, Teduh Bay and Juara Bay. Recruitment densities were determined by quantifying number of coral recruits settled on terra-cotta tiles and artificial reef settlement plates. Coral recruits were categorized as Acroporidae, Pocilloporidae, Faviidae, Poritidae and Fungiidae. A total of 2087 coral recruits were counted in this study with mean recruitment densities 8.76 ± 0.75 recruits per plate. Recruitment dominated by Acroporidae followed by Pocilloporidae, Faviidae, Poritidae and Fungiidae. Recruitment densities varied significantly within spatio-temporal scales, but not between depth, types of settlement plates and plate’s orientation. Spawning event was predicted in Tioman Island with major spawning event might begin in August while minor spawning event began in April. Colonization of sessile benthic organism may influence recruitment success during initial settlement period. Bryozoan showed negative correlation with recruitment densities at all reef sites. This research has provided important information in assessing reef resilience towards various disturbances inside marine protected area in Malaysia.