Coral reef in center of coral biodiversity (coral triangle): The pulau lirang, southwest moluccas (MBD)

Southwest Moluccas was given three important ecosystems in a tropical area, they were mangrove, seagrass and coral reef. Through Serambi Tanah Air expedition we succeed collecting and mapping those resources. Type of coral reef in the Pulau Lirang was fringing reef that cycled the island. Six stations were decided to obtain coral reef data. We used point intercept transect 2 x 50 m in each station in varied depth between 3-7 m. The result of the study showed that the average of life coral cover in the Pulau Lirang was 33.75% with the highest coverage in station 6 as 54%. The highest coral dead cover was found in station 3 and it was 40.5% in coverage. Competition among sessile organism, strong current and sedimentation was suggested as a threat in this island.