Diversity of The Seaweed and Its Utilization by Communities in Beach of District Palang, Tuban Regency

Abstract

Seaweed that grows naturally (wild seaweed) is abundant in the Beach District of Palang, Tuban Regency, and has the potential to be utilized by the community. The purpose of this study was to analyze the diversity index and dominance index of seaweed and its use by the local community as an initial inventory of biological seaweed resources in Beach District of Palang, Tuban Regency. Sampling was carried out using the cruising method at two research stations, namely Panyuran Village and Glodog Village. Data analysis was descriptive qualitative. Measurement of physical and chemical parameters of the water includes temperature, pH, salinity, and current speed. The collection of information on the use of seaweed is done by interview method. Based on the research results, there were 15 species of seaweed where 8 species included Chlorophyta, 6 species included Rhodophyta, and 1 species included Phaeophyta. The diversity index of seaweed at station I and station II were 2.41 and 2.11, respectively, which were classified as moderate. The domination index of seaweed at station I and station II was 0.09 and 0.12, respectively, which was relatively low. The results of the physical-chemical parameter measurements show that the quality of the waters still meets the quality standards based on the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia number 22 of 2021. The use of seaweed by local communities is limited to the species Caulerpa lentillifera, Caulerpa racemosa, Caulerpa cylindracea to be processed into rujak and Gracilaria verrucosa to be processed into gudir (pudding).