A Rapid marine biodiversity assessment of the coral reefs in morales Beach, Benoni, Glan, Sarangani Province, Philippine

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/02/2016
Views (204) Download (6)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

A Rapid marine biodiversity assessment of the coral reefs in morales Beach, Benoni, Glan, Sarangani Province, Philippine

Justin Rhea M. Bandiola, Chenny Rose M. Rodriguez, Ralph Jan G. Saluna, Bencel John B. Robles, Hazel Kareen C. Villacanas, Mark Anthony J. Torres, Maria Luisa N. Cabrera, Elani A. Requieron
J. Bio. Env. Sci.8( 2), 233-239, February 2016.
Certificate: JBES 2016 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Morales beach is one of the beaches located in the coastal town of Glan, Sarangani Province and noted for its quite enormous coral reef which is continuously degrading. This study was conducted to assess the health status of coral reef ecosystem and to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters of the area. Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method was used to monitor live coral condition and the supporting fauna at a coral reef ecosystem. Physico-chemical parameters were obtained in situ using a thermometer, refractometer, and a pH meter. The result of the study showed a very low percentage cover of hard corals, no cover percentage of soft corals and high cover percentage of other biota or substrate. The reef areas exhibited poor coral cover with an average of 15 percent live hard corals having family Acropora as the most dominant species (Shannon diversity index of 1.653). Water samples obtained were within the DENR (1990) standards suitable for the optimum growth of coral reefs. The health status of the coral reefs in Morales beach showed a partially disturbed reef due to human intervention. It is greatly recommended to constantly monitor the coral conditions in order to effectively manage and protect the increasing number of Marine Protected Areas (MPA).

VIEWS 5

Aliño PM, Palomar NE, Arceo HO, Uychiaoco AT. 2002. Challenges and opportunities for marine protected area(MPA) management in the Philippines. In Proceedings of the Ninth International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali, 23-27 October 2000, 2, 635-640.

Bennet NJ. 2015. Governing Marine Protected Areas in an Interconnected and Changing World. Conservation Biology 29, 303–306.

Chou LM, Tuan VS, Phil Reefs Yeemin T, Cabanban A, Suharsono Kessna I. 2002. 7. Status of Southeast Asia Coral Reefs, 126-128.

Claudet J, Guidetti P, Mouillot D, Shears NT, Micheli F. 2011. Ecological effects of marine protected areas: conservation, restoration, and functioning In: Marine protected areas: a multidisciplinary approach. Claudet J. (ed). Cambridge University Press, 37-71.

Conservation International. 2008. Marine Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Department  Administrative  Order  No. 35 1990.

GolbuunY,  Bauman  A, Kuartei  J,  Victor  S. 2005. The state of coral reef ecosystems of Palau. The state of coral reef ecosystems of the United States and Pacific freely associated states, 488-507.

Halpern BS, Warner RR. 2002. Marine reserves have rapid and lasting effects. Ecology letters 5(3), 361-366.

Hammer Ø, Harper DAT, Ryan PD. 2001. PAST: Paleontological Statistics Software Package for Education and Data Analysis. Paleontología Electrónica 4(1), 1-9.

Hill J, Wilkinson C. 2004. Methods for ecological monitoring of coral reefs. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Volume I, 117.

Lagnason CA, Bidad WD, Requieron EA. 2015. Biophysical profile of Kawas Marine Sanctuary in Alabel Sarangani Province, Philippines. Advances in Environmental Sciences, 8(1).

Magurran AE. 2004. Measuring Biological Diversity. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

Riegl B, Bruckner A, Coles SL, Renaud P, Dodge RE. 2009. Coral reefs: threats and conservation in an era of global change. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1162, 136–186.

Wear SL, Thurber RV. 2015. Sewage Pollution: Mitigation is key for coral reef stewardship. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

White AT, Cruz-Trinidad A. 1998. Values of Philippine coastal resources. Coastal Resource Management Project of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. 9.