Status, benthic composition and generic diversity of coral resources in Tinabilan Fish and Shell Sanctuary, Northwest Leyte, Eastern Philippines

Paper Details

Research Paper 03/11/2022
Views (920) Download (112)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Status, benthic composition and generic diversity of coral resources in Tinabilan Fish and Shell Sanctuary, Northwest Leyte, Eastern Philippines

Jason G. Tuang-Tuang
Int. J. Biosci.21( 5), 18-23, November 2022.
Certificate: IJB 2022 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were recognized as an effective strategy to improve the hard coral cover through the reduction of anthropogenic stressors and pressures. With the absence of baseline data on the status of the coral reef community structure in Tinabilan Fish and Shell Sanctuary, the enforced protection and management effectiveness could not be determined. Baseline data on the hard coral cover, taxonomic composition, and benthic community structure were gathered using the enhanced Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method supplemented with the Taxonomic Agglomeration Units (TAUs). The outside stations of the protected area were recorded to have a slightly higher cover and generic diversity of hard corals compared to the inside stations. However, it was revealed during informal interviews that the present location of the MPA was heavily bombarded with illegal fishing activities decades ago. The data suggest that the protection implemented in the MPA may have gradually improved the benthic community structure of the coral reef.

VIEWS 173

Azanza RV, Aliño PM, Cabral RB, Junio-Meñez MA, Pernia EM, Mendoza RU, Siriban CS. 2017. Valuing and Managing the Philippines’ Marine Resources toward a Prosperous Ocean-Based Blue Economy. Public Policy (Philippines) 18, 1-26

Cinner JE, McClanahan TR, Daw TM, Graham NAJ, Maina J, Wilson SK, Hughes TP. 2009. Linking social and ecological systems to sustain coral reef fisheries. Current Biology 19, 206–212.

Cooper TF, Gilmour JP, Fabricius KE. 2009. Bioindicators of changes in water quality on coral reefs: review and recommendations for monitoring programmes. Coral Reefs 28, 589–606, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0512-x.

Edgar GJ, Stuart-Smith RD, Willis TJ, Kininmonth S, Baker SC, Banks S, Barrett NS, Becerro MA, Bernard ATF, Berkhout J, Buxton CD, Campbell SJ, Cooper AT, Davey, M, Edgar SC, Försterra G, Galvan DE, Irigoyen AJ, Kushner DJ, Moura R, Parnell PE, Shears NT, Soler G, Strain EMA, Thomson RJ. 2014. Global Conservation outcomes depend on marine protected areas with five key features. Nature 506, 216-220.

Edinger EN, Risk MJ. 2000. Reef classification by coral morphology predicts coral reef conservation value. Biological Conservation 92(1), 1-13.

Flower J, Ortiz JC, Cholett I, Abdullah S. 2016. Interpreting coral reef monitoring data: A guide for improved management decision. Ecological Indicator 72, 848-869. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ecolind.2016.

Graham NAJ, Nash KL. 2012. The importance of structural complexity in coral reef ecosystems. Coral Reefs 32(2), 315-326.

Groves CR, Game ET. 2016. Conservation planning: Informed decisions for a healthier planet. Greenwood Village, Colorado: Roberts and Company Publishers.

Guest JR, Low J, Tun K, Wilson B, Ng C, Raingeard D, Ulstrup KE, Tanzil JTI, Todd PA, Toh TC, McDougald D, Chous LM, Steinberg PD. 2016. Coral community response to bleaching on a highly disturbed reef. Science Reports 6, e20717.

Hughes TP, Barnes ML, Bellwood DR, Cinner JE, Cumming GS, Jackson JB, Kleypas J, van de Leemput IA, Lough JM, Morrison TH, Palumbi SR, van Nes EH, Scheff M. 2017. Coral reefs in the Anthropocene. Nature 546, 82-90.

Licuanan AM, Reyes MZ, Luzon, KS, Chan MAA, Licuanan, WY. 2017. Initial findings of the nationwide assessment of Philippine coral reefs. Philippine Journal of Science 146, 177-185.

Licuanan WR, Robles R, Dygico M, Songco A, van Woesik R. 2016. Coral benchmark in the center of biodiversity. Marine Pollution Bulletin 114, 1135-1140

Licuanan WY, Robles R, Reyes M. 2019. Status and recent trends in coral reefs of the Philippines. Marine Pollution Bulletin 142, 554-550

Licuanan WY. 2020. New scales to guide the assessment of hard coral cover and diversity in the Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries 27(2), 121-126.

Littler MM, Littler DS, Brooks BL. 2006. Harmful algae on tropical coral reefs: bottom-up eutrophication and top-down herbivory. Harmful Algae 5:565-585 Sale, P.F. et al. 2005. Critical science gaps impede use of no-take fishery reserves. Trends in Biology & Evolution 20, 74-80.

Mouillot D, Parravicini V, Bellwood D, Leprieur F, Huang D, Cowman P, Albouy C, Hughes T, Thuiller W, Guilhaumon F. 2016. Global marine protected areas do not secure the evolutionary history of tropical corals and fishes. Nature Communications 7(1).

Pichon M. 2011. Porites. In: Hopley D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Modern Coral Reefs. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht

Sale PF, Cowen RK, Danilowicz BS, Jones GP, Kritzer JP, Lindeman KC, Planes S, Polunin NVC, Russ GR, Sadovy YJ, Steneck RS. 2005. Critical science gaps impede use of no-take fishery reserves. Trends in Biology & Evolution 20, 74-80

Sandin SA, Smith JE, De Martini EE, Dinsdale EA, Donner SD. 2008. Baselines and degradation of coral reefs in the Northern Line Islands. PLoS ONE 3, e1548 s

Stella JS, Pratchett MS, Hutchings PA, Jones GP. 2011. Coral associated invertebrates: diversity, ecological importance and vulnerability to disturbance. Oceanography and Marine Biology – An Annual Review 49, 43-104

Tuang-tuang JG. 2021. Status of Scleractinian Corals and Reef-Associated Benthos in Tres Marias Islets, Northwest Leyte, Eastern Philippines. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences 18 (6), 1-7.

Ward-Paige CA, Risk MJ, Sherwood OA, Jaap WC. 2015. Clinoid sponge surveys on the Florida Reef Tract suggest land-based nutrient inputs. Marine Pollution Bulletin 51, 570-579.