Species Distribution and Coverage of Seagrass in the Moramo Bay Marine Protected Area (MB-MPA), Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

The Indonesian government has established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard marine resources and associated ecosystems, including seagrass, coral reefs, and mangroves. Moramo Bay, covering 21,902.34 ha, was designated as an MPA through the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Number 22 of 2021. Within this bay, seagrass, coral reef, and mangrove ecosystems are interconnected and interact physically, chemically, and biologically. This study aimed to assess the species distribution and condition of seagrass coverage in the Moramo Bay Marine Protected Area (MB-MPA). Nine observation stations were established, representing a total seagrass ecosystem area of 1,168.47 ha. The sample plot method was applied to evaluate seagrass bed conditions. Six seagrass species were identified, with Enhalus acoroides, Cymodocea rotundata, and Thalassia hemprichii dominating. Seagrass coverage across stations ranged from 25.00 to 91.67%, with an average of 54.44%, classified as less healthy. Consequently, 45.56% of the seagrass was categorized as moderately damaged. The ecological quality of the seagrass beds, analyzed using the seagrass ecological quality index (SEQI), yielded an index value of 0.67, indicating a moderate category. These findings may serve as a reference for local government in developing strategies for the sustainable management of seagrass ecosystems within the MB-MPA.