Profil Morfologi, Lingkungan Perairan, dan Potensi Ekonomi Ulva sp. di Bali - Desy Febrianti; Fenny Crista Anastasia Panjaitan; Amiqatul Fikriyah; Resti Nurmala Dewi; Achmad Suhermanto; Iman Muhaimin; Dimas Rizky Hariyadi; Indra Kristiana; Sumartini Sumartini; Nur Hidayah (Journal of Marine Research, 2026)
Beberapa lokasi di Pulau Bali dilaporkan memiliki potensi alga hijau atau chlorophyta dari jenis Ulva Sp. Namun, pemanfaatan ekonominya masih belum optimal. Penelitian ini bertujuan melakukan identifikasi morfologi, karakteristik perairan, dan potensi pengembangan ekonomi Ulva Sp. di Pulau Bali. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan pada delapan lokasi yang terdapat di Kabupaten Jembrana, Buleleng, dan Kota Denpasar. Setiap lokasi memiliki 3 stasiun pengambilan sampel dengan luasan 30x30 cm per stasiun. Pengamatan morfologi pada sampel Ulva sp. dilakukan secara visual/manual terkait bentuk, ukuran, dan warna talus. Parameter karakteristik perairan yang dianalisis yaitu suhu, pH, salinitas, DO, jenis substrat, dan kondisi liangkungan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat 4 morfologi talus berbeda yang ditemukan yaitu talus pipih, bermembran, dan transparan ditemukan di satu lokasi; talus pipih, kaku, dan hijau keperakan ditemukan di lima lokasi, talus tabung, kusut dan bergerigi ditemukan di tiga lokasi; serta talus tabung, lurus, dan bercabang ditemukan di dua lokasi. Parameter kualitas air di lokasi tumbuhnya Ulva seperti suhu berkisar antara 26,5-30,7 OC, DO 6,3-10,2 mg/l, salinitas 29,5-31,5 ppt, pH 7,94-8,25. Ulva sp. ditemukan di wilayah pantai yang masih terpengaruh pasang surut dengan substrat berupa pasir, pasir berbatu, atau hamparan batu karang. Pemanfaatan Ulva secara ekonomis oleh masyarakat masih terbatas pada jenis Ulva dengan talus pipih, bermembran, dan transparan serta talus pipih, kaku, dan hijau keperakan, yang digunakan untuk pakan abalon (ulva segar) dan dijual ke industri (ulva kering), Harga Ulva segar berkisar Rp 2.000,- s.d Rp 5.000,-, harga Ulva kering berkisar antara Rp 3.000 s.d Rp 15.000,-.  Several locations in Bali are reported to have the potential for green algae or chlorophyta from Ulva Sp. However, it’s economic utilization is still not optimal. This study aims to identify the morphology, water characteristics, and economic development potential of Ulva Sp. in Bali. Sampling was carried out at eight locations in Jembrana Regency, Buleleng, and Denpasar City. Each location has 3 sampling stations with an area of 30x30 cm per station. Morphological observations on Ulva spesimen were carried out visually/manually related Thallus texture, shape, size, abd colour. The parameters of the water characteristics described were temperature, pH, salinity, DO, type of substrate, and environmental conditions. The results showed that there were 4 different thallus morphologies; Flat thallus, thin, membranous, and transparent thallus found in one location; Flat thallus, stiff, and mid to dark green with strong metalic gloss found in five locations, tubular, crumpled texture with denticulation macro and microscopic thallus found in three locations; and tubular, straight, and branched thallus found in two locations. Water quality parameters at the location where Ulva grows such as temperature ranges from 26.5-30.7 OC, DO 6.3-10.2 mg/l, salinity 29.5-31.5 ppt, pH 7.94-8.25. Ulva sp. is found in coastal areas that are still affected by tides with substrates in the form of sand, rocky sand, or coral reefs. The economic utilization of Ulva by the community is still limited to the type of Ulva with Flat thallus, thin, membranous, and transparent thallus and flat, stiff, and mid to dark green with strong metalic gloss thallus, which are used for abalone feed (fresh ulva) and to industry (dried ulva). The price of fresh Ulva ranges from IDR 2,000 to IDR 5,000, the price of dried Ulva ranges from IDR 3,000 to IDR 15,000.