characteristics of geomorphology, ocean dynamics, ecosystem conditions, and utilization of coastal locations by the public. The different view was found on the
east of this island where are dominated by rocks with narrow beaches and mangrove vegetation.
Generally, rocky beaches has a narrow reef flats that only a few dozen yards away even there are only 50-10 m, especially on the east side of the
island. Topography of reef flats in the western and south is generally flat with the slope about 10
o
-25
o
and was followed between 25
o
-50
o
. Wide of reef flat on both sides are in range 50-250 m from the shoreline and there is a shallow reef slope
with only about 4-5 m depth. Reef flats on the north were located at 4- 5 m of depth, with 30-100 m of width, which was followed by a slightly steeper reef
slope about 20-40 m. On the east side is generally characterized by a narrow reef flat which has relatively steep reef slope, 40-70
o
slope, but the depth is only around 10-20 m.
Based on the research results, Government of the Kepulauan Selayar Regency decided the Pasi Island as a Marine Conservation Area through SK
Bupati No. 03. A2009 that be appointed at Benteng on January 5, 2009. This
decree is used as legal basis of a marine conservation area existence in Pasi Island.
2.2 Coastal Ecosystems
Coastal areas as a transition region has natural resources potential that is very large and could be a livelihood source of communities who around it as
fishermen and marine resources users. The major ecosystems in the coastal areas are mangrove, sea grasses and coral reefs ecosystem. According Kaswadji 2001,
the third ecosystem is not always observed, however, if they are found there are linkages of them. Each ecosystem has its own function.
Existing resources consist of: 1 coral reefs ecosystem, 2 sea grass ecosystems, and 3 mangrove
ecosystem.
2.2.1 Coral Reefs Ecosystem
Coral reefs have an important value in coastal areas. Coral reefs and entire life in it are one of the invaluable natural resources that owned by the Selayar
Regency. Coral reefs are complex ecosystems with high biodiversity which found
in the shallow waters of the tropics and subtropics, between 35
o
LU and 32
o
LS, the latitude is the limit for the coral can be able to grow English et al. 1994; Arsjad et
al. 2005. Coral reefs are formed by deposits of calcium carbonate CaCO
3
which are produced by corals reef-building organisms in symbiotic with zooxanthellae and a little extra from calcareous algae and various marine biota
that secreting calcium Arsjad et al. 2005. Coral reefs are unique ecosystems in the tropics. Coral reefs are formed
from massive deposits, especially calcium carbonate that produced by reef organisms, calcareous algae and other organisms that secreting calcium carbonate
Nybakken 1992 in Dahuri 2001.Coral reef ecosystems have a high organic productivity and a rich diversity of inhabitants species such as reef fish. Coral
reefs are one of coastal ecosystems that have a highest natural aesthetic value. In other hand, Coral reefs have a function as protector of coastal and marine
ecosystems from wave pressure.
This ecosystem is unstable, although it has the complexity and high biodiversity, because it is sensitive to disturbances that arise as naturally or human
activities. The existence of coral reefs is largely determined
by the conditions of water visibility, temperature, salinity, water flow velocity, circulation and sedimentation.
Corals are invertebrates under the phylum Coelenterate or Cnidarians Timothy 2003.
a. Some of the benefits gained from the coral reefs existence are:
b. Shelter, breeding and feeding the various species of fish, animals and plants
Marine resources with highly potential economic value c.
A d.
natural laboratory that supporting education and research,
e. Coral reefs are the habitat of several endangered species, such as giant clams
and sea turtles,
f. Physically, coral reefs act as shore protective from erosion and abrasion, the
hard coral structures can withstand the mechanical energy that generated by waves and currents, thereby reducing coastal erosion and prevent coastal
ecosystems damaged such as sea grass beds and mangroves, Coral reefs are a high fish sources. The 32 of 132 species of fish that has
economic value in Indonesia are live in coral reefs, various species of reef fish
became an export commodity.
g. Healthy coral reefs can produce 30-10 tons of
fish per square kilometer per year, Beautiful coral reefs are very potential for marine tourism.
h. Communities
around the coral reefs can exploit this by constructing the diving centers, restaurants, lodgments, so that their income increases,
A high dependence on marine resources has resulted in large-scale exploitation and damaged of coral reefs, particularly those near population
centers. Generally, the damaged is caused by destructive fishing activities that use explosives, cyanide and coral mining, anchoring of the boat and sedimentation.
Coral reefs have the potential for future as sources of employment for the people of Indonesia.
According Suharsono 1998, human activities and natural disturbances that cause a degradation of coral reefs, specifically are:
a. Fishing by using materials and or tools that can endanger fish resources and their environmental, such as fish trapping, anaesthetization and explosivesfish
bombing; b. Mining and decision coral for building materials;
c. Over fishing; d. Water pollutionwaste of factories, ships and household;
e. Activities of coastal areas development that disregard the environment conservation;
f. The boat anchoring on the reef. g. Tourism activities that ignore the sustainability of ecosystems
h. Global warming may cause coral bleaching; i. Tectonic earthquaketsunami that could destroy the coral reefs in coastal areas
on a broad scale; j. Floods and landslides that cause a high sedimentation;
The activities above are the factors that threaten the existence and preservation of coral reefs in Indonesia, thus require serious attention the various
parties to maintain their sustainability.
2.2.2 Seagrass Ecosystem
Seagrass ecosystems are one of three major ecosystems in shallow water that very complex. This region is a considerable potential of marine resources
because it has physical and ecological functions that very importance, with high levels of biodiversity, and there is in tropical waters. Because it has high
productivity, the ecosystem has a very large directly role to the other sea dwellers. Ecological functions of sea grass beds are as feeding ground, nursery
ground, and spawning ground. In addition, the sea grass is an important food source of some kinds of organisms Arifin 2001.
Sea grass ecosystem has a very high organic productivity. According to Erftemeijer 1993 and Zieman 1968 in Tuwo 2002, that the productivity of
seagrass ecosystems is 180-712 gcm
2
Kennish 1990 states that there are five reasons why sea grass is a habitat that groove by a variety of fauna which association in it, they are:
year. In this ecosystem the various types of marine life such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderm and worms, formed
complexity food webs, also resulting in energy flow and material cycles. There are organisms that live in sea grass beds and a faithful visitor also.
a. Seagrass are effectively increasing the surface area of seagrass substrate for epiphytic flora and fauna.
b. Seagrass reducing wave and tidal action, so that at the bottom of the water becomes calm, so very good for some animalsfauna.
c. Seagrass reducing the water movement, dissolved minerals, and easily dissolved organic particles, thereby becoming a source of particles as food for
biota. d. Density of seagrass leaf protecting the seabed from the sun compared to areas
that not covered by seagrass, and causing the dense of animal benthos. e. Condition of seagrass beds that are protected with high food supply make
seagrass to be attracting for nekton juvenile and large sizes nekton. Initially, seagrass vegetation was considered has economic value that is not
too important, but lately has found some active ingredients that derived from seagrass leaves. Furthermore, many different types of fish that have high
