This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Coral reefs in Indonesia's Spermonde Archipelago are under pressure from both natural and anthropogenic activities. Researchers from Hasanuddin University assessed reef conditions across three islands using underwater photography and drone surveys, while also gathering local perspectives on reef conditions and restoration.
They found greater live coral cover in clearer waters but limited community readiness to participate in conservation efforts, suggesting that training and institutional support could strengthen local communities' role in protecting these natural treasures. The Spermonde Archipelago, home to 120 coral islands, is a coral biodiversity hotspot in Indonesia. However, reefs face increasing pressure from pollution, destructive fishing, coastal development and other human activities.
Live coral cover has declined from 45% to 28% over the past two decades, underscoring the need for effective reef monitoring. Several approaches are available for monitoring coral reefs: Line intercept transects (LIT) record substrate along measured lines; underwater photo transects (UPT) estimate substrate coverage using transect photographs; and drone surveys capture broader reef views from above the water. But which approach works best under the dynamic conditions of the Spermonde Archipelago?
Until now, no systematic comparison had been conducted. Jamaluddin Jompa, a professor in the Department of Marine Science at Hasanuddin University, and his colleagues evaluated these approaches across three representative islands in the Spermonde Archipelago, each with different water-quality conditions: Lae-Lae Island, with highly turbid water; Kodingareng Lompo Island, with moderate water clarity; and Lanyukang Island, with relatively clear water. They also conducted focus group discussions with 33 residents to understand local perceptions about reef degradation and identify conservation measures suited to local conditions.
The study was published in the journal Anthropocene Coasts. "We aimed to provide an evidence-based foundation for conservation policies while enhancing the adaptive capacity of local communities and stakeholders in responding to evolving ecological challenges in the Spermonde Archipelago," explained Jompa. The results showed that coral reef conditions varied across sites with different water conditions.
The LIT and UPT results showed better reef conditions in the clearer waters of Kodingareng Lompo and Lanyukang, where live hard coral remained relatively abundant. In contrast, the more turbid waters of Lae-Lae had more rock, coral rubble and dead coral covered with algae. Drone mapping provided a broader view of the reefs but could not reliably distinguish different substrate types in the highly turbid waters of Lae-Lae.
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