Spatial variations of current forest structure and composition of mangrove forest in Biliran Island, Philippines

Paper Details

Research Paper 07/06/2023
Views (272) Download (45)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Spatial variations of current forest structure and composition of mangrove forest in Biliran Island, Philippines

Randy A. Villarin, Ruffy M. Rodrigo
J. Bio. Env. Sci.22( 6), 30-36, June 2023.
Certificate: JBES 2023 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Mangrove forests are unique ecosystems that provide numerous ecological services, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and coastal protection. However, more information is needed about the structure and composition of the Biliran Island mangrove forest in the Philippines. Basal area or diameter at breast height is a commonly used parameter for biomass estimation; we aimed to investigate the spatial variability of forest structure, including diameter at breast height and basal area and species composition. We found significant variations in forest structure and composition among different localities, likely due to natural and human-made disturbances. These findings provide a valuable baseline for understanding forest dynamics and informing future forest policies toward protecting and conserving essential mangrove ecosystems in the country. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of understanding the structure and composition of mangrove forests for effective conservation and management. These results can help inform future research on carbon storage and sequestration in mangrove forests as blue carbon, as well as conservation and management strategies for these vital ecosystems.

VIEWS 59

Abino AC, Castillo JAA, Lee YJ. 2014. Assessment of species diversity, biomass, and carbon sequestration potential of a natural mangrove stand in Samar, the Philippines. Forest Science and Technology 10, 2-8.

Ali A, Yan ER. 2017. Functional identity of overstorey tree height and understorey conservative traits drive aboveground biomass in a subtropical forest. Ecological Indicators 83,158-168.

Alongi DM. 2002. Present state and future of the world’s mangrove forests. Environmental Conservation 29, 331-349.

Jusoff K, Taha D. 2008. Managing sustainable mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Sustainable Development 1, 88-96.

Naylor LA, Viles HA, Carter NEA. 2002. Biogeomorphology revisited: looking towards the future. Geomorphology 47, 3-14.

Odum WE, Johannes RE. 1975. The response of mangroves to man-induced environmental stress. Oceanography Series 12, 52-62.

Ogawa Y, Sadaba RB, Kanzaki M. 2022. Stand structure, biomass, and net primary productivity of planted and natural mangrove forests in Batan Bay Estuary, Philippines. Tropics 31, 1-9.

Pan Y, Birdsey RA, Phillips OL, Jackson RB. 2013. The structure, distribution, and biomass of the world’s forests. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 44, 593-622.

Primavera JH, Dela Cruz M, Montilijao C, Consunji H, Dela Paz M, Rollon RN, Maranan K, Samson MS, Blanco A. 2016. Preliminary assessment of post-Haiyan mangrove damage and short-term recovery in Eastern Samar, central Philippines. Marine Pollution Bulletin 109, 744-750.

Primavera JH. 1995. Mangroves and brackishwater pond culture in the Philippines. Hydrobiologia 295, 303-309.

Primavera JH. 2000. Development and conservation of Philippine mangroves: institutional issues. Ecological Economics 35, 91-106.

Quevedo JMD, Uchiyama Y, Kohsaka R. 2021. Local perceptions of blue carbon ecosystem infrastructures in Panay Island, Philippines. Coastal Engineering Journal 63, 227-247.

Salmo III SG, Malapit V, GarciamcA, Pagkalinawan HM. 2019. Establishing rates of carbon sequestration in mangroves from an earthquake uplift event. Biology Letters 15, 20180799.

Slik JWF, Aiba SI, Brearley FQ, Cannon CH, Forshed O, Kitayama K, Nagamasu H, Nilus R, Payne J, Paoli G, Poulsen AD. 2010. Environmental correlates of tree biomass, basal area, wood specific gravity, and stem density gradients in Borneo’s tropical forests. Global Ecology and Biogeography 19, 50-60.

Srikanth S, Lum SKY, Chen Z. 2016. Mangrove root: adaptations and ecological importance. Trees 30, 451-465.

Upadhyay RK. 2020. Markers for global climate change and its impact on social, biological and ecological systems: a review. American Journal of Climate Change 9, 159.

Walters BB, Rönnbäck P, Kovacs JM, Crona B, Hussain SA, Badola R, Primavera JH, Barbier E, Dahdouh-Guebas F. 2008. Ethnobiology, socio-economics, and management of mangrove forests: A review. Aquatic Botany 89, 220-236.

Wirth C, Schumacher J, Schulze ED. 2004. Generic biomass functions for Norway spruce in Central Europe-a meta-analysis approach toward prediction and uncertainty estimation. Tree Physiology 24, 121-139.

Yachi S, Loreau M. 2007. Does complementary resource use enhance ecosystem functioning. A model of light competition in plant communities. Ecology Letters 10, 54-62.

Yuan Z, Wang S, Ali A, Gazol A, Ruiz-Benito P, Wang X, Lin F, Ye J, Haz Z, Loreau M. 2018. Aboveground carbon storage is driven by functional trait composition and stand structural attributes rather than biodiversity in temperate mixed forests recovering from disturbances. Annals of Forest Science 75, 1-13.