Philippine E-Journals

The Species Composition and Associated Flora and Fauna of the Mangrove Forest in Badian, Cebu Island, Philippines

Heinrich Y. Valenzuela | Almae D. Bacalso | Carmi B. Gano | Kevin D. Pilones | Jay P. Picardal

Discipline: Ecology

 

Abstract:

The mangal community in Malhiao, Badian, Cebu was assessed in terms of physicochemical properties, detailed listing of its mangrove-associated flora and fauna and indices of diversity. A Transect Line Plot (TLP) method was employed to obtain data on mangrove community structure. Assessment revealed that there were 12 true mangrove species belonging to 6 families (H=1.78), where R. stylosa was the densest species (51.75%) and had the highest frequency value (30.48%) while N. fruticans was the most dominant (39.13%). Of all species, R. stylosa had the highest importance value (116.13%). Mangrove-associated fauna in Malhiao include 3 species of birds where Egretta is migratory, 4 species of fishes, 4 species of sponges, a species of cnidarian, 9 species of echinoderms, 3 species of insects, 2 species of spiders, 6 species of mollusks, 4 species of crustaceans and a species of mangrove skink. Mangrove-associated flora overlapped with mangroves in the seaward zone and include 5 seagrass species and 3 macroalgal species. Mangroves in Malhiao are not declining, and there is a high regeneration potential. There is evidence of illegal hunting and frequent gleaning of intertidal mollusks which is a growing threat to biodiversity.