DISTRIBUTION OF SEAGRASS IN THE COAST OF BAHOI, MANEMBO-NEMBO AND TANDURUSA, NORTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Seagrass has important ecological functions, namely as a nursery-grown, spawning and protection areas for marine biota. In the world, there are 60 species of seagrasses, and in Indonesia, there are 14 species from 7 genera. The waters of North Sulawesi store a high potential of seagrass ecosystems. This study aimed to observe the distribution of seagrass from the Bahoi, Manembo-Nembo, and Tandurusa coast, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sampling carried out at the lowest ebb at the lunar or full moon phase. The method used for sampling is random, both for transect and squared lines. The results showed that from the Bahoi, Menembo-Nembo and Tandurusa coast, ten seagrass species from 7 genera and two families were found, namely Enhallus acoroides, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila minor, Halophla ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii, dan Thalassodendron ciliatum. Information on seagrass distribution in an area can be taken into consideration for the government and related agencies in drafting a regulation in the management of seagrass ecosystem resources.