ROI-Based Substrate Cover Quantification from Underwater Photo Transects Using ImageJ: A Case Study at the Paiton Coal-Fired Power Plant, Indonesia

Tri Djoko Lelono; Oktiyas Muzaky Luthfi; Andik Isdianto; Ivan Karra Nagatha; Muhammad Naufal Eka Putra

doi:10.48084/etasr.18092

Authors

Tri Djoko Lelono Department of Utilization of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Brawijaya University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6458-8451
Oktiyas Muzaky Luthfi Marine Science Study Program, Brawijaya University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9550-9381
Andik Isdianto Marine Science Study Program, Brawijaya University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4808-7868
Ivan Karra Nagatha Marine Science Study Program, Brawijaya University, Indonesia
Muhammad Naufal Eka Putra Master Program of Environmental Management & Development, Brawijaya University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8821-6070

Volume: 16 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 36432-36437 | June 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.18092

Received: 10 February 2026 | Revised: 21 March 2026 and 21 April 2026 | Accepted: 8 May 2026 | Online: 6 June 2026

Corresponding author: Tri Djoko Lelono

Abstract

This paper presents the integrated Underwater Photo Transect (UPT)–ImageJ workflow for quantifying reef substrate cover in an industrial coastal setting near the Paiton coal-fired power plant (PLTU Paiton), East Java, Indonesia. A 70 m transect was surveyed at approximately 5 m depth using 70 photoquadrats (1×1 m). Quadrat images were analyzed in ImageJ through scale calibration and Region-of-Interest (RoI) delineation for standardized substrate classes, yielding class areas that were converted into benthic percent cover. The substrate composition was dominated by rubble (57.62%), followed by rock (17.83%), hard coral (15.44%), sponge (5.97%), and dead coral with algae (3.14%). Based on hard-coral cover (15.44%), the site was classified as Poor/Damaged under the live-coral cover thresholds. The proposed workflow provides a transparent and auditable approach for repeatable substrate-cover monitoring from UPT imagery in high-activity industrial and maritime coastal zones.

Keywords:

benthic monitoring, coral reef condition assessment, coral rubble dynamics, environmental baseline, industrial coastal zone, maritime disturbance, reef resilience, spatial heterogeneity

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