Angelea B.

Revantad

Field Trip Report

Introduction

Philippine diversity in the coastal environment is one of the richest in the world. This
environment includes: mangroves which occupies the landward portion of the area, consisting of
trees and shrubs; seagrass comprise of grass-like plants, which inhabit the nearshore area; and
coral reef. Last May 1, 2018, the different natural habitats which provide coastal protection such
as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests in Nogas Island, Anini-y, Antique were
quantified and assessed using a transect line. The three habitats have established a symbiotic
interaction with each other increasing their importance in the marine ecosystem.

The coral community along with seagrass and mangrove exert a stablishing effect on the
environment. Reefs protect coastline from waves allowing mangrove and seagrass communities to
develop. Seagrass trap suspended sediments and slow water movement benefitting corals because
of the lessened sediment in the water and the large accumulation of sediment also become a
substrate for mangrove to colonize. Mangroves trap sediments from upland protecting seagrass
and corals. All three communities hold nutrients from being dispersed and lost into the surrounding
ocean water (McKenzie LJ, 2003).

Methodology

Mangrove

The transect plot method was used in the assessment for mangroves. The transect line was
laid perpendicular to the shore. Each mangrove was identified according to its family, the
circumference of the trunk was measured using a tape measure and the height was estimated. The
length of the assessment was 55 m off the shore.

Seagrass

The Saito and Atobe method was used in assessing the seagrass. A quadrant with the
dimension 50 cm by 50 cm was used. A transect line was laid perpendicular to the shore which
was marked using a GPS. The quadrant was placed every 20 m making sure that the seagrass was
not covered by quadrants to avoid error. The percent cover of seagrass was assessed using five
indices (5 as the highest and 1 as the lowest).
Coral

A transect line was laid parallel to the shore. The transected area was recorded using an
action camera. The video was assessed in the classroom in every 0.25 m. Each was identified as
hard coral (HC), macro algae (MA), dead coral (DC), dead coral with algae (DCA), and sand (S).

Results and discussions

Mangrove

Mangroves are higher plants that predominantly grow in the intertidal areas of tropical and
subtropical shorelines. The term mangrove refers to the individual plants, whereas mangal refers
to the whole community or association dominated by those plants (Calumpong and Menez, 1997).
To adapt to saline environment, mangroves developed unique features such as pneumatophores,
and prop roots. Pneumatophores are shallow roots that spread widely across the substrate that
project from the mud which allow the absorption of oxygen. Prop roots are for better anchorage
during typhoons.

Two of the most common mangroves found in the Philippines are; Rhizophora and
Sonneratia. Sonneratia are medium-sized trees with prominent conical pneumatophores. The
leaves are simple, opposite, fleshy and broadly ovate to suborbicular. Rhizophora are medium to
large trees with prominent prop roots, occurring in deep, soft mud, normally flooded with tides.
The outer bark is ridged, dark-brown on the outside. The leaves are simple, elliptic-oblong to sub-
lanceolate, opposite with wedge-shaped base and pointed tip.

In the transected area perpendicular to the coast, the recorded data shows that the dominant
species is Sonneratia (59%) and 41% is Rhizophora. Tides are a key factor in determining
mangrove association and zonation. Growing seaward is Sonneratia with its roots protruding
above the sand. Behind this is Rhizophora with extensive prop roots which reduce the tidal
currents, cause extensive deposition of mud and silt, and provide surface for attachment or marine
organisms (Calumpong and Menez, 1997).
 MANGROVES
Rhizophora sp. Sonneratia sp.

41%

59%

Figure 1. Percent Mangroves

The calculated results show that the mean trunk circumference of Sonneratia is 44.11
which is greater than that of Rhizophora which is 25.17. The mean estimate height of Rhizophora
is smaller than Sonneratia by at least 1. According to Flora & Fauna Web, Sonneratia is a tree
with broad spreading canopy and height that ranges from 5- 20m. While, Rhizophora is a medium
to large-sized erect mangrove tree growing up to 30 m and its trunk can reach up to 50 cm in
diameter.

Table 1. Calculated results for circumference and height

Species Mean Trunk Circumference Mean Estimate Height

Sonneratia sp. 44.11 6.68
Rhizophora sp. 25.17 5.67

Seagrass

Seagrass are flowering grass-like plants which are adapted to saline habitats. It is either
grass-like or not in gross external morphology. Most seagrass have long, thin strap-like leaves and
a monopodial growth form. The plant arises from a creeping underground stem or rhizome. They
attach to all types of substrate, occurring extensively on soft ones.

In terms of economic and ecological importance, the major functions of seagrass beds are
summarized by Wood, Odum and Zieman (1969) as: (1) stabilization and holding of bottom
sediments; (2) slowing and retardation of water currents; (3) habitat for aquatic organisms; (4)
food; (5) source of organic matter.

The species that thrive on sand-dominated substrates are of the Syringodium-Cymodocea-

Halodule association. The most widely distributed species is Thalassia hemprichii, colonizing as
far north in Matanes to Malita, Davao (Calumpong, Medalla and Menez, 1985).
 Figure 2 below shows the recorded data of seagrass from the shore in Nogas Island. As
observed from the first quadrant that there is abundance of seagrass in the nearshore in the area,
while in quadrant 2 the amount of seagrass present decreased significantly but eventually
increasing seaward.

Quadrant 1 Quadrant 2 Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4

Figure 2. Saito and Atobe Assessment of Seagrass

Legend:

Table 2. Calculated percent cover of seagrass in Quadrant 1

Class Frequency Midpoint Frequency*Midpoint

5 4 75 300
4 6 37.5 225
3 9 18.75 168.75
2 6 9.38 56.28
1 0 3.13 0
Total 750.03
Percent Cover 30.0012

Table 3. Calculated percent cover of seagrass in Quadrant 2

Class Frequency Midpoint Frequency*Midpoint

5 0 75 0
4 5 37.5 187.5
3 14 18.75 262.5
2 5 9.38 46.9
1 1 3.13 3.13
Total 500.03
Percent Cover 20.0012
Table 4. Calculated percent cover of seagrass in Quadrant 3

Class Frequency Midpoint Frequency*Midpoint

5 2 75 150
4 4 37.5 150
3 6 18.75 112.5
2 12 9.38 112.56
1 1 3.13 3.13
Total 528.19
Percent Cover 21.1276

Table 5. Calculated percent cover of seagrass in Quadrant 4

Class Frequency Midpoint Frequency*Midpoint

5 10 75 750
4 7 37.5 262.5
3 7 18.75 131.25
2 1 9.38 9.38
1 0 3.13 0
Total 1153. 12
Percent Cover 46.1252

The tables above show the calculated percent cover of the quadrants. The first quadrant has
a percent cover of 30.0012, while there was a decrease for utmost 10 towards the second quadrant
(20.0012), quadrant 3 (21.1276) then an increase towards the quadrant 4 (46.1252).

Seagrass beds in the Philippine waters are threatened by the increasing human population
which need extra space for settlement, food, waste disposal and recreation. Undocumented
thousands of hectares of seagrass beds have been lost because of the reclamation of coastal areas
(Calumpong and Menez, 1997).

Corals

Cnidarians, also known as coelenterates are arguably the most common and conspicuous
invertebrates found in shallow tropical Pacific waters because this phylum includes the many
species of corals which build coral reefs (Anderson, 2003). The most abundant are the hard corals
(Sclerectinia). The highest generic richness is believed to occur in the coral triangle (including the
Philippines).

Most of the corals seen are Heliopora sp. (blue coral), Porites sp., and other encrusting,
digitate and massive species of corals. Substrate sand, dead coral, and dead coral with algae are
also present.
 CORAL REEF
Hard coral Macro algae Dead coral Dead coral w/ algae Sand

13%
25%
11%

16%

35%

Figure 3. Coral reef assessment

The result of the coral reef assessment shows that the most dominant species found in the
reefs are the macro algae (35%) followed by hard coral (25%), dead coral (16%), sand (13%), then
dead coral with algae (11%). Combining the dead coral and dead coral with algae would result to
a greater percentage of dead coral compared to that of hard coral. Which means that the coral reefs
in the island is degrading. An explanation for this is the presence of Acanthaster planci, also known
as the crown of thorns starfish.

Crown of thorns starfish prey on nearly all corals but prefer to feed on branching and table
corals. However, if the branching corals cover is low, they eat other corals such as Porites or
foliose corals (n.d., 2017).

References

Anderson G 2003. The coral animal. Marine Science. Internet| cited 2014 Oct 28. Available from:
http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/04benthon/crani.htm
Calumpong H.P., E.G. Menez. 1997. Field Guild to the Common Mangroves, Seagrasses and
Algae of the Philippines. Bookmark, Inc. Makati City.
Calumpong. H.P., S.G. Medalla and E.G. Menez. 1985. Taxonomy and distribution of seagrasses
in the western coast of the Gulf of Davao, southern Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science.
Crown of Thorns Starfish. (2017). Retrieved from http://www.reefresilience.org/coral-
reefs/stressors/predator-outbreaks/crown-of-thorns-starfish/
Flora Fauna Web - Plant Detail - Rhizophora apiculata Blume. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/Special-Pages/plant-detail.aspx?id=3265

Flora Fauna Web - Plant Detail - Sonneratia alba J. Smith. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/Special-Pages/plant-detail.aspx?id=4739

McKenzie LJ, Campbell SJ, Roder CA 2003. Seagrass-watch: manual for mapping & monitoring
seagrass resources by community volunteers 2nd edition. PO Box 5396, Cairns QLd 4870 CRC
Reef, PO Box 772, Townsville, QLD 4810. 100 pp.

Wood, E.J.F., W.E. Odum and J.C. Zieman. 11969. Influence of seagrass on the productivity of coastal
lagoons. Memoirs, Symposium International Costeras (UNAM-UNESCO.).