Coastal ecosystem and trophic relationship of associated macrobenthos in Guang-guang, Mati City, Davao Oriental
Rancil Quin M. Salang | Edison D. Macusi
Abstract:
Coastal ecosystems are where land and water
converge creating a distinct environment hosting a rich
diversity of marine organisms. This study aimed to determine
the zonation pattern of mangroves and the trophic relationship
among the associated macrobenthos in the local coastal
ecosystem of Guang-guang, City of Mati, Davao Oriental. The
establishment of the study area and gathering of field data
were conducted on December 2, 2017, a period of one day
during low tide. There was an absence of zonation pattern on
the mangal due to Rhizophora stylosa being the only mangrove
species present. The marine gastropods observed on the mangal
were Monilea callifera, Pomalea canaliculata, Crassostrea iredalei,
Trochus pyramis, Spisula solidissima, Zeacumantus lutulentus,
Cominella glandiformis,Diloma subrostrata and Haustrum scabina.
On the adjacent intertidal zone, the seagrasses and macroalgae
found were Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Padina
gymnospora, Halophila ovalis, and Halimeda sp., and the presence
of the associated macrobenthos starfish, hermit crab, Philippine
sand dollar, mud crab, blue mussel, marine gastropod, shrimp,
brittle star, fish and jellyfish. The area had a high macrobenthic
diversity with 1.34 on the Shannon-Wiener diversity index and
0.6 on Simpson’s diversity index. On the highest trophic level of
the coastal ecosystem food chain are the producers including
mangroves, sea grasses and algae and the lowest on the trophic
level are the tertiary consumers and apex predators are birds,
turtles, and larger fishes.
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