A Comparative Study Between the Growth Rate of Mangroves (Rhizophora mucronata)

in Seaward Zone and Landward Zone in Sitio Manguihay, Barangay Bobon, City of

Mati, Davao Oriental

Background of the Study

According to Alun Anderson, mangroves not only supply shelter to some creatures

but they also preserve coastal hamlets (Anderson, 2010). Most people may understand what

Alun Anderson would like to relay to the people of the community. This concept is true since

we all know that mangroves (Rhizophora mucronata) play important role in anyone’s life.

Mangrove species supports human needs in certain aspect like medicine, clear water,

alcohol, fuel and fire wood (Rath, 2019). It also plays a central role in transferring organic

matter and energy from the land to marine ecosystem (WWF, 2019). Also, it is important to

fish nurseries and prevent shoreline erosion, thus protecting coral reefs and sea beds. With

that, we should help to preserve and conserve the mangrove species (Rath, 2019).

Sitio Manguihay in Barangay Bobon, Mati City is a place where mangroves are

abundant. In this area, huge number of mangroves is being preserved. However, this setting is

in need of vegetation development. Vegetation affects the weather and climate since it

influences both the albedo of the Earth and its amount of water vapour and carbon dioxide

(NCSU, 2019). Thus, with the increasing of vegetation, mangroves will be preserved well.

However, not all the residents in the community have the knowledge about the

importance of the mangroves. Through this study, people living near the coastal areas will

learn the value of the mangroves for them to know the purpose of preserving the mangroves.