Carbon Stock of Seagrass Community in Barranglompo Island, Makassar

Blue carbon concept as introduced by UNEP, FAO and UNESCO in 2009 included seagrass beds as one ecosystem having a significant role in global carbon absorption. Absorbed carbon was stored and distributed in various compartments such as in sediments, herbivores, water column, other ecosystems and in form of biomass. The research was conducted in Barranglompo Island, Makassar City to analyze the potency of carbon stock that stored within seagrass biomass. Seagrass density was sampled using quadrat transect method with size of 50cm x 50cm. While for biomass was done by harvesting seagrass at transect of 20cm x 20cm in root penetration depth. Relationship between density, biomass and carbon content of seagrass were used to determine total carbon stock. Seagrass density was surveyed at 236 points, while for biomass sampling was conducted in 30 points. The results showed that seagrass community had total carbon stocks as much as 73.86 tonnes from overall 64.3 ha of seagrass bed areas. Below ground carbon had 56.55 tonnes (76.3%), higher compared to that aboveground which only 17.57 tonnes (23.7%). Seagrass species Enhalus acoroides contributed more than 70% to the total carbon stocks, whereas, based on the carbon classes, the highest contribution was found at class 100-200 gC.m^-2 i.e. 29.41 tonnes (39.7%). These results suggest that seagrass ecosystem plays an important role in maintaining the carbon stock in the ocean and should receive good attention for its conservation.