Peer review_The existing values of small island’s vulnerability index based on exposure dimension: a case study of Kawe regional marine protected area in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Abstract

Kawe Regional Marine Protected Area is recognized as a marine conservation area located in the Northern region of the Raja Ampat archipelago. This study estimates the vulnerability indices of the small islands within the Kawe Regional Marine Protected Area, based on the exposure dimension. Research was conducted in 2016 on the islands of Piai, Sayang, Wayag, Unai/Quoy, Bag and Uranie Island. Variables such as sea level rise, sea surface temperature, sand temperature, inundation rate, turtle nesting habitat and manta ray habitat were measured. These data were scored and weighted in order to calculate the vulnerability index of exposure index value. The results indicate that the existing value of vulnerability exposure index on small islands within the area of Kawe Regional Marine Protected Area ranges between 0.1 to 0.9, where the level of information ranges from low level to extreme level. Sayang and Uranie islands are at the value of vulnerability exposure indexes of 0.65 and 0.50 which are at medium level. The other three islands (i.e. Wayag, Quoy and Bag) have low values of exposure vulnerability index of 0.1 to 0.4 due to the islands’ protection factor so that very low external influences are likely to occur in this island.