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BASELINE REPORT ON COASTAL RESOURCES for Taytay, Municipality

September 2006

Prepared for:

PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Palawan Center for Sustainable Development

Sta. Monica Heights, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines 5300 Email: [email protected]

Tel.: (63-48) 434-4235, Fax: 434-4234

Funded through a loan from :

JAPAN BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Prepared by:

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL in association with

ALMEC Corporation CERTEZA Information Systems, Inc.

DARUMA Technologies Inc. Geo-Surveys & Mapping, Inc.

Photo Credits:

Photos by PCSDS and SEMP-NP ECAN Zoning Component Project Management Office

This report can be reproduced as long as the convenors are properly acknowledged as the source of information

Reproduction of this publication for sale or other commercial

purposes is prohibited without the written consent of the publisher.

Printed by:

Futuristic Printing Press, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

Suggested Citation:

PCSDS. 2006. Baseline Report on Coastal Resources for Taytay, Municipality, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

____________________________________________________________________________________ iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables v List of Figures vii List of Plates viii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY x CHAPTER I: CORAL REEFS 1 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Materials and Methods 1 3.0 Results 3 3.1 Live Coral and Reef Condition 3 3.2 Soft Coral and Dead Coral Cover 11 3.3 Associated Macroinvertebrates and seaweeds in Coral Reefs 13 4.0 Discussions 17 5.0 Summary of Major Findings 19 6.0 Recommendations 1 CHAPTER II: REEF FISHES 20 7.0 Introduction 20 8.0 Materials and Methods 20 9.0 Results 20 10.0 Discussions 25 11.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 26 CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 27 12.0 Introduction 27 13.0 Materials and Methods 28 14.0 Results 28 14.1 Seagrass 28 14.2 Associated Seaweeds and Macroinvertebrates 40 15.0 Discussions 43 16.0 Summary of Major Findings 50 17.0 Recommendations 51

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CHAPTER IV: MARINE MAMMALS AND SEA TURTLES 52 18.0 Introduction 52 19.0 Methods 52 20.0 Results 52

20.1 Respondent Background 52 20.2 Dugong Status 54 20.3 Turtle Status 58 20.4 Cetacean Status 60 20.5 Threats 63 20.6 Conservation Awareness 64

21.0 Discussions 66 22.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 69 CHAPTER V: MANGROVE FOREST 70 23.0 Introduction 70 24.0 Objectives 70 25.0 Expected outputs 70 26.0 Methodology 80 26.1 Biodiveristy Assessment 80 26.2 Structural Analysis of Mangrove Vegetation 88 26.3 Pattern of Uses and Ecological State of Mangrove 93 27.0 Results and Discussions 100 REFERENCES 101 APPENDICES A 105

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LIST OF TABLES Tables

No. Titles Page

No.

1 Reef sites with live coral cover of 1-10%, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 4 2 Reef sites with liver coral cover of 11-30%, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 4 3 Reef sites with liver coral cover of 31-50%, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 4 4 Reef sites with liver coral cover of 51-75%, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 5 5 Reef sites with liver coral cover of 76-100%, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 6 6 Classification and distribution of coral reef sites surveyed based on

percentage live coral cover, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 9

7 Average percentage cover of hard corals, soft corals, total live corals (hard and soft coral combined) and dead corals, observed in the reef sites surveyed, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

12

8 Benthic components and occurrence of macroinvertebrates and seagrass and seaweeds in coral reefs, Taytay, Palawan, 2004

15

9 Species Richness of Reef Fishes from Sampling Stations, Taytay, Palawan, 2004

21

10 Sampling Station Data for the Baseline Survey of Seagrass and Seaweeds in the Municipality of Taytya, Northern Palawan, June 2004. Legend: nplot=number of plots samples; (*)=perpendicular distance from shore to seaward edge; S/S-R=Sandy/sandy-rocky, S=Sandy, S/S-M=Sandy/sandy-muddy

31

11 Seagrass Species Composition and Occurrence for the Baseline Survey of Seagrass and Seaweds in the Municipality of Taytay, Norther, Palawan, June 2004. Legend: nspecies=number of species; CYRO=Cymodocea rotundata, CYSE=Cymodocea serrulata, ENHA=Enhalus acoroides, HPIN=Halodule pinifolia, HOVA=Halophila ovalis; HUNI=Halodule uninervis, SYRI=Syringodium isoetifolium, THALI=Thalassia hemprichii

35

12 Percentage Bottom Cover of the Species of Seagrasses for the Baseline Survey in the Municipality of Taytay, Norther, Palawan, June 2004. Legend: nplot=number of plots; CYRO=Cymodocea rotundata, CYSE=Cymodocea serrulata, ENHA=Enhalus acoroides, HPIN=Halodule pinifolia, HOVA=Halophila ovalis; HUNI=Halodule uninervis, SYRI=Syringodium isoetifolium, THALI=Thalassia hemprichii

38

13 Seaweed Species and their Abundance Observed at Each of the Seagrass Sampling Station, Taytay, Northern Palawan, June 2004

41

14 Respondent Profile, Taytay, Palawan, 2004 53 15 Fishing Profile, Taytay, Palawan, 2004 53 16 Percentage Distribution of the Reasons given by Respondents for the

Increase in Dugong Numbers, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004 57

17 Percentage Distribution of the Reasons given by Respondents for the Decrease in Dugong Numbers, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004

57

18 Percentage Distribution of the Reasons given by Respondents for the Increase in Turtle Numbers, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004

60

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Tables No.

Titles Page No.

19 Trends in Cetacean Numbers, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004 63 20 Perceived Threats of marine mammals, Taytya, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004 63 21 Fisherfolk Attitudes on Incidental Animal Catches, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-

June 2004 65

22 Awareness and Implementation: Conservation Laws, Taytay, Palawan, Jan-June 2004

66

23 Location and position of belt transects surveyed by Mangrove Team in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

71

24 List of true and associate mangrove species identified and recorded in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

81

25 Distribution and abundance of top 10 mangrove species in different sampling sites of Taytay, Palawan, 2003

83

26 The diversity indices of 78 sampling sites in mangrove forest calculated using different diversity formula, Taytay, Palawan, 2003

84

27 The relative values of Shannon’s diversity index and evenness of species distribution mangroves in Taytay, Palawan based on Fernando Biodiversity Scale (1998)

86

28 Comparison of Biodiverity Index of mangrove habitat in other countries/sites, 2004

88

29 The RF, RDen, RDom, and IV of top 15 mangrove species in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

89

30 Average stocking (N/ha) of timber and pole size trees/transect in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

89

31 Stand Volume (m3.ha) of timber and pole by transect in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

91

32 Mangrove index of degradation and ecological condition indices of Taytay based on forest structure and ecological diversity parameters

95

33 Ranking of mangrove ecological indices for ECAN zoning and potential management options, Taytay, Palawan, 2003

98

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LIST OF FIGURES Figures

No. Titles Page

No.

1 The study area showing the coral reefs site surveyed (manta tow tracts), Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

2

2 The reef sites surveyed showing percentage live hard coral cover scores and reef condition, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

7

3 Reef fish sampling stations, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 23 4 Recommended core zones based on reef fish species richness, Taytay,

Palawan, June 2004. Stations 21-Talakanin Island, 22-Apulit Island, 23-Pavillon Island, 28-Malapaena, 29-Asugunan Point, and 32-Mulawi

26

5 Coastline surveyed and sampling stations established ( ) for the seagrass-seaweed survey in the municipality of Taytay (5-11 June 2004)

29

6 Coastline surveyed having seagrass beds ( ) in the municipality of Taytay, June 2004

30

7 Locations of fish corals or “baklad” and fish cages associated with the seagrass beds in the municipality of Taytay, June 2004

33

8 Percentage cover of seagrass species in Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 39 9 Percentage cover of seagrasses at each sampling stations in Taytay,

Palawan, June 2004 39

10 Location of seagrass survey sites from PCSDS (2002, green triangles), MERF 1994, yellow squares) and this survey (ECAN 2004, red circles), numbers inside indicate percent cover of seagrasses at each survey site.

44

11 Seagrass resource map of Taytay (data source: PCSDS, 2002 and this study). The seagrass bed in Bucal was the most diverse among the sites surveyed and may be considered young. This is contrasts to seagrass beds in Batas Island E, Batas Island W

46

12 Dugong Distribution, Taytya, Palawan, 2004 55 13 Dugong Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004 56 14 Dugong Group Size, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004 46 15 Distribution of Turtle Sightings and Nesting Beaches, Taytay, Palawan,

Jan.-June, 2004 58

16 Turtle Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June, 2004 59 17 Cetacean Distribution, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004 61 18 Dophin Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2005 61 19 Whale Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan.-June 2004 62 20 Occurrence of by-catch dugongs and turtles, Taytya, Palawan, 2003 64

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LIST OF PLATES

Plates No.

Titles Page No.

1 View of an island reef, inner Bahura, as seen from the east (inner

Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004) 8

2 Excellent coral cover condition in Talakanen Island. Several colonies of the branching coral Acropora Formosa (upper right) with foliose coral Montipora foliosa (Taytay Bay, 12 June 2004)

9

3 Staghorn coral Acropora (left) and massive coral Porites (right) with an abundance of small reef fishes, Malapeña Island (outer Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004)

10

4 View of an island reef, inner Bahura, as seen from the east (inner Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004)

11

5 The barrel sponge Xestospongia testudinaria, there is a school of reef fish fusiliers or “dalagang bukid” (upper) and a variety of hard corals in the background, Malapeña Island (outer Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004)

13

6 Spiny lobster or “banagan” (Panulirus sp.) resting in a crevice, with only its white conspicuous antennae showing outside, Malapeña Island (outer Malampaya Sound), 11 June 2004

14

7 Monarch damsel Dischistodus pseudochrysopoecilus (Pomocentridae), Malampaya Sound, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

24

8 Cardinalfish Apogon griffini (Apogonidae), Malampaya Sound, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

24

9 Round-tipped seagrass Cymodocea rotundata at Station 9-Bantolan (Brgy. Bantolan), Taytay Bay, 7 June 2004

34

10 Mixed stands of Syringe grass Syringodium isoetifolium and toothed seagrass Cymodocea serrulata at Station 14-Purungyawan E (Taytay proper), Taytay Bay, 9 June 2004

34

11 Pure stands of tropical eelgrass Enhalus acoroides at Station 7-Baras (Brgy. Baras), Calauag Bay, 7 June 2004

36

12 Spoon-grass Halophila ovalis at Station 10-Langnayan (Brgy. Poblacion), Taytya Bay, 8 June 2004

36

13 Fiber-Strand grass Halodule pinifolia and round-tipped seagrass Cymodocea rotundata at Stations 5-Debangan Island N (Brgy. Debangan), Taytay Bay, 6 June 2004

37

14 “Kaingin” and mangrove cutting in Barangay Baras (Lat 10041’11.9 N and Long 119038’09.0 E), Calauag Bay, 7 Juna 2004

48

15 Mangrove cutting in Barangay Baras (Lat 10040’18.7 N and Long 119037’17.4 E), Calauag Bay, 7 June 2004

49

____________________________________________________________________________________ ix

Plates No.

Titles Page No.

16 “Kaingin” and mangrove cutting in Barangay Baras (Lat 10040’23.1 N and Long 119037’09.2 E), Calauag Bay, 7 June 2004

49

17 Irrawaddy dolphin in Malampaya Sound. Note the very short, stubby dorsal fin (Photo by J. Garcia)

68

18 Picture showing the layout of the subplot for the measurement of mangrove regeneration

77

19 Picture showing dbh measurement of Rhizophora apiculata 78 20 Rhizophora apiculata (Bakauan-lalaki) 82 21 Rhizophora mucronata (Bakauan-babae) 82 22 Xylocarpus granatum 82 23 Ceriops tangal (Tangal) 83 24 Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Busain) 83

____________________________________________________________________________________EXECUTIVE SUMMARY x

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the results of the baseline survey work on coral reef and seagrass-seaweed resources accomplished for the municipality of Taytay, as one of the 11 survey sites for ECAN Zoning Project, which will recommend strategic core areas to function as protected zones to help sustain biodiversity. The surveys were carried out on June 5-9, 2004 in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters, and on June 10-11, 2004 in Malampaya Sound. Thirty-five coral reef sites were surveyed for reef condition (26 sites in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters and nine (9) in Malampaya Sound); 17 seagrass sites for macrophyte condition (15 in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters and two (2) in Malampaya Sound). Thirty two sites for reef fish surveys, ____ for marine mammal interview survey and a total of 78 transect stations for mangrove forest assessment.

The coral reefs in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters are in fair condition (average of 47.5% cover). Ten sites of the 26 reefs studied are in good condition (51-75% cover). These are located in Sandoval, Silanga S, Polariquen, Apulit Island, Ticas Reef, Pabelion Island, Sitio Tamolot, Bantolan S, Baras and Paly Island. Eight reef sites with fair coral cover (31-50%) are located in Batas Island N, Batas Island SE, Batas Island SW, Maytiqued Island, Pamantolon, Biton N, Biton S and Bantolan N. Talakanen Island and Purungyawan, which are located in Taytay Bay proper, are in excellent condition (76-100% cover). Four reef sites with poor condition (11-30% cover) are found in Dipla Island, Debangan Island, Busy Bees and Santa Cruz Point. Two remaining distant reefs (about 32 km from the mainland Taytay Proper), which are located in Maobanen Island and Casian Island, are in very poor coral condition (1-10% cover). The coral reefs in Malampaya Sound are, however, in good condition (average of 57% cover). Five sites of the nine (9) reefs surveyed are in good condition (51-75% cover). These are located in Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef), Binaloan Bay, Malapeña Island, Islang Mayaman and Sapatos Island. The remaining four reef areas at Tumbod, Boat Rock, Mabatingan Island and Inner Bahura have fair condition (31-50% cover). The small patch reef (locally known in the area as Boat Rock) is characterized by a large tract of broken coral colonies, coral rubbles and craters on the reef substrate of this reef, mainly due to destructive fishing such as the use of dynamite and cyanide. Overall, the condition of the coral reefs in the municipality of Taytay is fair (average of 49.9% cover). Of the 35 reef sites surveyed, only two (2) are in excellent condition, 15 are in good condition, 12 are in fair condition, four (4) are considered poor and two (2) sites are in very poor condition. Old dead hard corals fouled with microalgae predominates reef substrates of the coral reefs surveyed while the soft coral communities are not well developed. Large areas of the reef flats are colonized by tall stands of brown seaweed Sargassum, which indicates seasonal blooms (good growth) of Sargassum on these reefs during the rainy months. The most common macroinvertebrates are the long-spined black sea urchin Diadema setosum, unidentified

____________________________________________________________________________________EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xi

sponges, barrel sponge Xestospongia testudinaria, ear sponge Phyllospongia sp., giant clams Tridacna spp., sea anemones, and the oyster Lopha cristagalli.

Observed high percentage of dead hard corals along most reefs surveyed is attributed to either blast fishing or cyanide fishing. Blast fishing has reduced much of the substrate in some areas into unconsolidated rubbles, thus, rendering unsuitable for immediate recolonization. Blast fishing is illegal but continued to be used along some reefs in the area.

Local fishers complain about the negative effect of the presence of pearl farm structures in the area, which is the loss, or reduction of (productive) nearshore fishing grounds available to small fishers. For instance, the areas occupied by the pearl farms in Calauag Bay are traditional fishing grounds for squids.

Based on the result of coral survey conducted, Talakanen Island, Purungyawan, Silanga S, Ticas Reef, Polariquen, Pabelion Island, Apulit Island, Sandoval, Sitio Tamolot, Bantolan S, Baras and Paly Island in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest live coral cover recorded and probably, are the most diverse in the Bay area. While the coral reef islands Malapeña, Islang Mayaman and Sapatos and the shores of Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef) and Binaloan Bay in Malampaya Sound may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest live hard coral cover recorded and probably, are the most diverse in the Sound. These reef areas represent very important ecosystems and must be preserved and protected from any form of alteration. Thus, in-depth surveys of these reef areas are recommended.

Meanwhile, results of the baseline survey suggest that the fish communities of Taytay are in relatively good condition in terms of diversity and structure. The fish communities were well represented in terms of number of species and the number of indicator and target species. Target fishes were mainly minor targets of low commercial value such as parrotfishes. A total of 224 fish species were recorde from the 32 smpling stations distributed among 39 reef fish families. Fourteen (14) species from four (4) familes were indicator species. In which, thre (3) are indicators of silty coastal environment. Several species of groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae) and sea breams (Lethrinidae) were also recorded. The occurrence of snappers and sea breams were fairly even across stations, but the groupers were mainly recorded in the stations located within the Malampaya Sound. Majority of fish species encountered are fishes with no commercial value but occupy specialized niches and functions as important thropic links, represnting at least six (6) feeding guilds.

Of the 32 sampling sites, six (6) sites are recommended as potential core zones based species richness, three at the east coast of Taytay, and another three (3) at the west coast in Malampaya Sound. Stations 21 – Talakanin Island, 22 – Apulit Island, and 23 – Pavillon Island at the east coast of Taytay had 57, 52 and 56 species, respectively. Aside from the relatively high fish species richness, these small islands are also of species interest. Station 21 – Talakanin Island is a small island with no permanent residents. Surprisingly, very high intact live coral cover was observed in the area despite of the apparent history of dynamite fishing in other nearby reefs. Its location, size, land use status and ownership make it a prime candidate as a core zone. Station 22 – Apulit Island, currently the site of the Club Noah resort.

____________________________________________________________________________________EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xii

Seagrasses survey on the other hand revealed its abundance in Taytay Bay area in association with the presence of mangroves and coral reefs. In Malampaya Sound however, its coverage is limited. Large areas are in fair (25-46% cover) to good (50-65% cover) conditions. Fort Isabel/Pier, Purungyawan W, Batas Island E, Langnayan and Lulukyun are the seagrass beds with good cover.

The present survey recorded eight (8) species of seagrasses belonging to six (6) genera, consistent with PCP-PAWB-Toba Aquarium’s (1995) findings in Taytay Bay. These are Halodule pinifolia, Halodule uninervis, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii. These represent half of the total species known to occur in the Philippines. PCSDS (2003), however, recorded ten (10) species and this included the least common estuarine spoon-grass Halophila beccarri and the small spoon-grass Halophila minor. Among the species of seagrasses, Enhalus acoroides is the most common, followed by Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea serrulata.

Most of the surveyed seagrass communities exhibited high species diversity. Of the 17 stations studied, only six (6) stations had less than four (4) species diversity, while the rest recorded five (5) to eight (8) species. The low number of species is attributed to the dominance or pure stands of Enhalus acoroides. The seagrass bed in Bucal (Outer Malampaya Sound) is the most diverse and may be considered young.

Seaweeds occur only in a small portion of the seagrass bed. There are fourteen species of seaweeds [seven (7) greens, six (6) browns and one (1) red] observed in the area, namely: Caulerpa taxifolia, Caulerpa serrulata, Caulerpa racemosa, Halimeda macroloba, Halimeda opuntia, Neomeris sp, Udotea orientalis, Padina japonica, Sargassum sp., Colpomenia sinuosa, Dictyota sp., Valonia ventricosa, Turbinaria sp. and Tydemania expeditionis. All the sites surveyed exhibited low species diversity (three (3)-four (4) species) except the seagrass bed in Sandoval with six (6) species. The brown seaweed Sargassum sp. is the most common and abundant in 11 out of 17 surveyed sites.

Echinoderms represent the only macroinvertebrates present among the seagrass habitats. These included three (3) echinoids (Diadema setosum, Echinometra mathaei and Echinothrix calamaris), two (2) asteroids (Protoreaster nodosus and Linckia laevigata) and one (1) holothuroid (Synapta maculata). Of these, the long-spined black sea urchin Diadema setosum is the most common and abundant. The holothurians (black sea cucumbers) are not found during this survey, suggesting that these organisms are among the most extensively exploited invertebrates in the area.

Soil erosion brought by the continuous practice of ‘kaingin’, along with siltation, aggravated by the continuous cutting of the mangroves are seen as the primary threats to the seagrass resources in the area. Pollution [for e.g., the extensive use of agricultural chemicals in Abongan (innermost part of Malampaya’s Inner Sound)]; over-exploitation of the associated fisheries resources (such as sea cucumbers, giant clams and a gastropod mollusk Strombus sp. locally known as ‘sikad -sikad’); and continuous use of illegal fishing methods (e.g. dynamite, cyanide and electricity) are also affecting seagrass habitats in the area.

____________________________________________________________________________________EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xiii

On the basis of the conducted survey, Fort Isabel/Pier, Purungyawan W, Batas Island E, Langnayan and Lulukyun may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest percentage cover. While, Bukal, Batas Island SE, Batas Island W, Debangan Island N, Langnayan, Lulukyun, Malapya (Bantolan), Purungyawan E and Purungyawan W may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest seagrass species richness.

Further, based on the classification of seagrass meadows (Fortes, 1990) and survey results, these seagrass beds belong to the disturbed category. This means that they occupy bays and coves, near human habitation. They should therefore be the subject of effective control measures (Fortes, 1990). Thus, in order to effectively control and manage these seagrass areas, we need a better understanding of their ecology, in the face of rapidly deteriorating marine environment. This would therefore require in-depth surveys of these seagrass areas to yield baseline data on the inherent biological and ecological capabilities of the plant populations and communities.

Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle survey on the other hand showed that dugongs exist in small numbers in Taytay owing to the presence of feeding areas located mostly inshore. Movements from one feeding area to another needs to be monitored if dugong protected areas are to be established in the municipality.

Increased sighting frequencies for turtles during the months of February, May, and June in waters near nesting beaches may suggest nesting season in the municipality. While comparable data on nesting seasons from neighboring Asian countries seem to support this information, research and monitoring on nesting activities need to be carried out.

Cetaceans are widely distributed both in the eastern and western sections of Taytay. Abundance survey conducted in 1999 in the eastern Sulu Sea identified the spinner dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, Fraser’s dolphin, and short-finned pilot whales as the most abundant species. Due to the animals’ large-scale movements, respondents confirmed the presence of such species in Taytay through photo-identification. Other cetaceans, e.g. sperm whales and killer whales were also identified.

Irrawaddy dolphins occurring in Malampaya sound may be the first cetacean species to become extinct in Philippine waters due to low numbers, limited range, and high mortalities in fish nets if no serious efforts to protect the animal are done.

The future of marine mammals and sea turtles in Taytay remain uncertain due to by-catch in fish nets, and fish corral. Accidental captures of turtles in hook and line also contribute to turtle mortalities in the area. The level of threat on marine wildlife cannot be assessed due to the absence of quantified data on catches and population estimates, therefore, if conservation measures are to be established, efforts to obtain the data mentioned needs to be undertaken.

The low level of awareness among fisherfolks on the life history, biology, and conservation needs of dugongs, sea turtles, and cetaceans also needs to be addressed. While environmental education seems to be the best option to address this at the moment, the significant roles of local communities as agents in conservation should be emphasized and made

____________________________________________________________________________________EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xiv

understood to the point of effecting a behavioral change among fisherfolks on the urgent need to protect marine mammals and sea turtles.

Assessment of mangrove forest covered 78 transect stations in Taytay Bay and the mangroves forests of Malampaya Sound. A total of 20 true and 20 associate mangrove species were identified and recorded during the survey belonging to 14 families and 27 genera of vascular plants. Further, Rhizophora apiculata was found to be the most widely distributed, likewise recorded as physiognomically dominant, and important mangrove in Taytay. In terms of abundance (total individual), Rhizophora apiculata rank first. Meanwhile, mangoves of Malampaya sound was recorded as the most diverse stand in terms of species richness, and evenness of distribution while the most number of species (16 species) was recorded at Barangay Bato.

Average stand volume was recorded at 291 cubic meter/ha classified by DENR and FAO as moderate volume forest stand. Timber size trees contributed 69% (average of 206 m3/ha) while pole size trees shared 29% (average of 85.06 m3 / ha) of the total stand volume. Majority of sampled transect (49%) had high volume stand while 40% and 14% belongs to moderate and low stand volume.

Most mangrove areas in Taytay had been continuously subjected to cutting for charcoal, poles and piles that resulted to the low stature, open canopy and state of regeneration of mangroves. Almost 50% of mangroves along Taytay Bay are in a state of initial regeneration with loosely distributed remnants of timber size trees. Cutting and charcoal making are rampant in barangay Busy Bees, Pamantolon, Bantulan, Calauag, Liminangcong and Pancol. Comparatively, mangrove along the Malampaya Sound has better forest condition and structure than mangrove along Taytay Bay.

So. Putol, barangay Batas had the highest number of trees/ha (1,484 trees/ha) and lowest stocking of 42 in So. Turao, San Jose. So. Putol had the highest basal area of 217 m2 /per ha and lowest basal area is 5.17 m2/ha in So.Pirate, San Jose. In terms of stand volume, So. Calumluman, So. Mayat, Brgy Pamantolon, and Mondo Proper, Brgy Maytigued had the highest value of high, moderate and low stand volume with average stand volume of 464, 137 and 41 m3/ha. The highest and lowest mean diameter at breast height is recorded in So. Mayatan, Old Guinlo and Bato Island, Busy Bees with 24.24 and 13.52 m, respectively.

The highest values of different indicators mean that the mangrove is still in good ecological condition and the lower their aggregate values indicate the worst ecological state of mangrove. The mangrove stands along Malampaya Sound have comparatively good ecological condition compared to mangrove areas along Taytay Bay. Malapai Island; Brgy Batas, So Marilao, Brgy Depla; Mondo Proper, Brgy Maytigued; So. Malapuyong, Brgy Maytigued; So. Tangi, Brgy Silanga; Asbornd island, Busy Bees, Maggawayan, Brgy Silanga, So. Tolinay, Brgy Bantulan; Tumanday Island, Calauag; So. Turao, San Jose and So. Pirate, San Jose had degraded/logged over forest condition with the lowest stand volume of 23 m3/ha which represent the worst mangrove forest condition in Taytay. There are two endemic mangrove species that can be found only in the Philippines, which are abundantly found in Northern Palawan including Taytay namely, Rhizhopora stylosa (Bakawan bato) and Campostenum philipinnensis (Gapas gapas).

____________________________________________________________________________________EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xv

Immediate rehabilitation of heavily exploited and degraded mangrove areas is, among others of primary importance. Enrichment planting and assisted natural regeneration can be adapted to rehabilitate said areas using species distribution and zonation as among the bases for the choice of species. In most mangrove reforestation initiatives in the country, R. apiculata, R. mucronata, and R. stylosa are the preferred species due to their economic and ecological values. The mangrove-dependent households should be organized to undertake the rehabilitation, management, and protection of mangrove forests.

Community organizing (CO) should be an integral part of the development and rehabilitation of mangrove areas, together with the other coastal resources. The CBMFM/CBRMP concept of restoring the coastal resources may be adopted to generate local participation and to ensure the sustainability of whatever interventions implemented.

_____________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER I: CORAL REEFS 1

CHAPTER I CORAL REEFS

1.0 INTRODUCTION Much biodiversity work focuses on coral reefs, considered the richest of all ecosystems in the ocean. Coral reefs are significant food resources, particularly in many poor developing tropical countries. They are the basis for many subsistence fisheries and increasing commercial fisheries as well (Dahl, 1981). Aside from their significance to coastal fisheries, coral reefs are important tourism and recreation sites. The coral reefs also act as an important coastal defense for the local villages. More importantly, they provide support and sustenance to other coastal ecosystems upon which people depend (White, 1990). Notwithstanding the importance of this habitat, however, very few studies on coral reefs have been conducted in the municipality of Taytay.

Coral reefs exist within a narrow range of environmental conditions such that even slight changes to its environment could result in drastic changes to the ecosystem. Human-induced stresses play a major role in the degradation of most, if not all reefs in the Philippines. The use of destructive fishing methods such as dynamite and cyanide have caused considerable damage to the reefs. PCSDS (2002) reported that Taytay Bay coral reefs were in a very disturbed condition. Of the thirteen sites surveyed, based on percentage live coral cover (hard and soft corals combined), only one was in good condition, one was considered fair and 11 sites were in poor condition. The overall average mortality index for 8 sites surveyed using Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method was computed at 40.6%, suggesting high mortality. Degradation of this resource is widespread in the area, caused by siltation and illegal fishing methods. The loss or degradation of these reefs results in lost habitats or niches for the various organisms eventually translating into decreased productivity.

This report presents the results of the baseline survey of coral reef for the municipality of Taytay for ECAN Zoning Project. The purpose of this activity is to determine the condition of the coral reefs in the area and to identify potential core zones of coral reef. 2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

The survey areas covered the coral reefs that thrive within the municipality of Taytay, including Taytay Bay, Shark Fin Bay, Calauag Bay and Malampaya Sound. Surveys were carried out on June 5-9, 2004 in Taytay Bay and adjoining areas, and on June 10-11, 2004 in Outer and Inner Malampaya Sound. Baseline surveys were made in selected reef sites (Figure 1) to determine the percentage cover of living hard and soft corals, dead corals and other components such as algae and macroinvertebrates associated with the reef. Sampling sites were selected through the use of secondary data, topographic maps and in consultation with the NIPAP (National Integrated


Protected Areas Programme) staff in Old Guinlo (Malampaya Sound) and locally hired boat/operator and guide familiar with the area as well as local fisherfolks encountered during the survey.

Figure 1. The Study Area Showing the Coral Reef Sites Surveyed (manta tow tracts), Taytay, Palawan, June 2004.


The manta tow reconnaissance technique (English et al., 1994, 1997) was employed in this baseline survey. However, a slight modification was employed. Instead the snorkeller being towed behind the boat, the observer uses the manta board that was secured to the outrigger. This permits the snorkeller to relay the observations directly to the person on board who notes the interval time (every two minutes) of the observation points and records the GPS position of tow. The snorkeller records percentages of dead, living and soft coral covers. Other significant observations of lifeforms (e.g., macroalgae, Diadema sp., Acanthaster planci) as well as other outstanding reef features (e.g., anchor damage, dynamite/cyanide damage, Acanthaster infestation, coral bleaching) were also recorded.

During the observation tow, the team encountered low to very poor visibility in many sampling areas due to their proximity to the mangrove swamps and river mouths. In Malampaya’s Inner Sound, visibility was particularly very low due to the presence of greater amount of suspended materials including heavy concentration of dinoflagellate phytoplankton (algal bloom) of the species Noctiluca scintillans.

The scoring categories to estimate coral cover outlined in the Coastal/Marine Survey Manual of the ECAN Zoning Project are those of English et al. (1994, 1997) and modified in Montebon (1997) as follows: 0= no cover, 1= 1-10%, 2=11-30%, 3= 31-50%, 4= 51-75%, and 5= 76-100%. Each category is qualitatively classified as being in very poor, poor, fair, good and excellent condition, respectively. The classification very poor is added here for category 1 (1-10%).

In addition, spot check diving using Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) was employed to assess the condition of some reef sites (e.g., in Inner Bahura Reef, Inner Malampaya Sound) and also to conduct close-inspection of those reefs with good coral cover (e.g., in Asogonon Reef and Malapeña Island, Outer Malampaya Sound; Talakanen Island, Taytay Bay). Underwater photo documentation was conducted at these reefs to document the existing condition of the coral reef habitats. 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 Live Coral Cover and Reef Condition

Coral reefs surveyed are primarily of the fringing type. Thirty-five sites (see Figure 1) were surveyed for reef condition (i.e. 26 in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters and nine (9) inside the Malampaya Sound). Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 list the reef areas surveyed with live hard coral cover scores of one (1) (1-10%), two (2) (11-30%), three (3) (31-50%), four (4) (51-75%) and five (5) (76-100%), respectively. These are all depicted in Figure 2.


Table 1. Hard Coral Cover Scores By Reef Site, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

Location N Latitude E Longitude Hard Coral Cover Casian Island 11.03047 119.42531 1-10% Casian Island 11.03115 119.42549 1-10% Casian Island 11.03128 119.42534 1-10% Casian Island 11.03145 119.42499 1-10% Maobanen Island 11.03320 119.41352 1-10% Maobanen Island 11.03373 119.41383 1-10% Maobanen Island 11.03388 119.41380 1-10% Maobanen Island 11.03434 119.41371 1-10%

Table 2. Reef sites with live coral cover of 11-30%, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004


Location N Latitude E Longitude Hard Coral Cover

Batas Island N 11.11090 119.34553 31-50% Batas Island N 11.11135 119.39549 31-50% Batas Island N 11.11143 119.34552 31-50% Batas Island N 11.11172 119.34530 31-50% Batas Island SE 11.09123 119.36370 31-50% Batas Island SE 11.09129 119.36421 31-50% Batas Island SE 11.09127 119.36438 31-50% Batas Island SE 11.09130 119.36515 31-50% Batas Island SW 11.08356 119.33036 31-50% Batas Island SW 11.08297 119.33019 31-50% Batas Island SW 11.08295 119.33043 31-50% Batas Island SW 11.08262 119.33028 31-50% Maytigued Island 11.02402 119.37472 31-50% Maytigued Island 11.02422 119.37429 31-50% Maytigued Island 11.02418 119.37431 31-50% Maytigued Island 11.02403 119.37408 31-50% Pamantolon 10.53334 119.29414 31-50% Pamantolon 10.53350 119.29399 31-50%

Location N Latitude E Longitude Hard Coral Cover Dipla Island 11.05097 119.34127 11-30% Dipla Island 11.05091 119.34096 11-30% Dipla Island 11.05091 119.34095 11-30% Dipla Island 11.05051 119.34086 11-30% Debangan Island 11.01357 119.44028 11-30% Debangan Island 11.01397 119.44017 11-30% Debangan Island 11.01397 119.44006 11-30% Debangan Island 11.01431 119.43588 11-30% Busy Bees 11.00207 119.30114 11-30% Busy Bees 11.00229 119.30099 11-30% Busy Bees 11.00234 119.30105 11-30% Busy Bees 11.00245 119.30079 11-30% Santa Cruz Point 10.49218 119.35564 11-30% Santa Cruz Point 10.49246 119.35544 11-30%


Table 3 continued . . . Pamantolon 10.53349 119.29400 31-50% Pamantolon 10.53382 119.29394 31-50% Biton S (Icadambanauan Island) 10.48394 119.37219 31-50% Biton S (Icadambanauan Island) 10.48366 119.3719 31-50% Biton S (Icadambanauan Island) 10.48365 119.37189 31-50% Biton S (Icadambanauan Island) 10.48359 119.37137 31-50% Biton N (Icadambanauan Island) 10.50167 119.37146 31-50% Biton N (Icadambanauan Island) 10.50125 119.37127 31-50% Biton N (Icadambanauan Island) 10.50110 119.37154 31-50% Biton N (Icadambanauan Island) 10.50065 119.37119 31-50% Bantolan N 10.47051 119.35410 31-50% Bantolan N 10.47101 119.35412 31-50% Bantolan N 10.47117 119.35405 31-50% Bantolan N 10.47146 119.35379 31-50% Tumbod (M.Sound) 10.58219 119.17500 31-50% Tumbod (M.Sound) 10.58217 119.17498 31-50% Tumbod (M.Sound) 10.58237 119.17501 31-50% Tumbod (M.Sound) 10.58276 119.17498 31-50% Mabatingan Island (M. Sound) 10.52446 119.19592 31-50% Mabatingan Island (M. Sound) 10.52429 119.19549 31-50% Mabatingan Island (M. Sound) 10.52427 119.19542 31-50% Mabatingan Island (M. Sound) 10.52408 119.19506 31-50% Inner Bahura (M. Sound) 10.49324 119.23479 31-50% Boat Rock (M. Sound) 10.55239 119.20094 31-50% Boat Rock (M. Sound) 10.55296 119.20102 31-50%


Location N Latitude E Longitude Hard Coral Cover Sandoval 11.05491 119.31485 51-75% Sandoval 11.05418 119.31445 51-75% Sandoval 11.05389 119.31487 51-75% Sandoval 11.05351 119.31542 51-75% Silanga S 11.01031 119.34013 51-75% Silanga S 11.01002 119.34044 51-75% Silanga S 11.00599 119.34037 51-75% Silanga S 11.00560 119.34030 51-75% Polariquen 10.57393 119.29492 51-75% Apulit Island 10.57437 119.36054 51-75% Apulit Island 10.57427 119.36082 51-75% Apulit Island 10.57423 119.36099 51-75% Apulit Island 10.57418 119.36137 51-75% Pabelion Island 10.53178 119.36561 51-75% Pabelion Island 10.53132 119.36567 51-75% Pabelion Island 10.53062 119.36586 51-75% Ticas Reef 10.54262 119.31138 51-75% Ticas Reef 10.54223 119.31158 51-75% Ticas Reef 10.54217 119.31183 51-75% Ticas Reef 10.54181 119.31218 51-75% Sitio Tamolot 10.49249 119.35543 51-75%


Table 4 continued . . . Sitio Tamolot 10.49284 119.35516 51-75% Bantolan S 10.43197 119.36221 51-75% Bantolan S 10.43229 119.36239 51-75% Bantolan S 10.43240 119.36283 51-75% Bantolan S 10.43286 119.36296 51-75% Baras 10.41340 119.37385 51-75% Baras 10.41350 119.37339 51-75% Baras 10.41348 119.37324 51-75% Baras 10.41377 119.37286 51-75% Paly Island 10.42566 119.41151 51-75% Paly Island 10.42444 119.41148 51-75% Paly Island 10.42473 119.41155 51-75% Paly Island 10.42419 119.41131 51-75% Talisay Bay (M. Sound) 10.56149 119.16423 51-75% Talisay Bay (M. Sound) 10.56137 119.16379 51-75% Talisay Bay (M .Sound) 10.56133 119.16373 51-75% Talisay Bay (M. Sound) 10.56128 119.16324 51-75% Malapeña Island (M. Sound) 10.55424 119.18438 51-75% Malapeña Island (M. Sound) 10.55392 119.18443 51-75% Malapeña Island (M. Sound) 10.55391 119.18445 51-75% Malapeña Island (M. Sound) 10.55351 119.18446 51-75% Binaloan Bay (M. Sound) 10.54423 119.20245 51-75% Binaloan Bay (M. Sound) 10.54413 119.20293 51-75% Binaloan Bay (M. Sound) 10.54413 119.20293 51-75% Binaloan Bay (M. Sound) 10.54412 119.20347 51-75% Islang Mayaman (M.Sound) 10.52175 119.18489 51-75% Islang Mayaman (M.Sound) 10.52210 119.18455 51-75% Islang Mayaman (M.Sound) 10.52212 119.18449 51-75% Islang Mayaman (M.Sound) 10.52226 119.18407 51-75% Sapatos Island (M.Sound) 10.50419 119.18297 51-75% Sapatos Island (M.Sound) 10.50429 119.18271 51-75% Sapatos Island (M.Sound) 10.52430 119.18270 51-75% Sapatos Island (M.Sound) 10.50397 119.18271 51-75%

Table 5. Reef sites with live hard coral cover of 76-100%, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

Location N Latitude E Longitude Hard Coral Cover Talakanen Island 10.58282 119.32114 76-100% Talakanen Island 10.58282 119.32093 76-100% Talakanen Island 10.58282 119.32090 76-100% Talakanen Island 10.58306 119.32061 76-100% Purungyawan 10.49234 119.31507 76-100% Purungyawan 10.49254 119.31478 76-100% Purungyawan 10.49256 119.31480 76-100% Purungyawan 10.49279 119.31450 76-100%


Figure 2. The Reef Sites Surveyed Showing Percentage Live Hard Coral Cover Scores and Reef Conditions, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004


In Taytay Bay and adjoining waters, ten sites (about 38.4%) of the 26 reefs studied were

in good condition (51-75% live coral cover) (Table 6A). These are located in Sandoval, Silanga S, Polariquen, Apulit Island, Ticas Reef, Pavillon Island, Sitio Tamolot, Bantolan S, Baras and Paly Island (Table 7). Among the reefs with fair coral cover (31-50%) are those located in Batas Island N, Batas Island SE, Batas Island SW, Maytiqued Island, Pamantolon, Biton N, Biton S and Bantolan N (30.8%). Talakanen Island (Plate 1) and Purungyawan, which are located in Taytay Bay proper, have the highest percentage coral cover at 76-100% or an equivalent rating of excellent (Plate 2). Four reef sites (15.4%) with poor condition (11-30% cover) include Dipla Island, Debangan Island, Busy Bees and Santa Cruz Point. The two remaining sites (7.7%), which are located in Maobanen Island and Casian Island, have reefs with very poor condition (1-10% cover).

Plate 1. View of the back section of Talakanen Island, as seen from the east (Taytay Bay, 12 June 2004)


Plate 2. Excellent coral cover condition in Talakanen Island. Several colonies of the branching coral Acropora formosa (upper right) with foliose coral Montipora foliosa (Taytay Bay, 12 June 2004) Table 6. Classification and Distribution Reef Sites Surveyed Based on Percentage Live Coral Cover, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 A. Taytay Bay and Adjoining Waters

Category Limits (% Coral Cover)

Number of Reef Sites

Classification Share (%)

1-10 2 Very Poor 7.7 11-30 4 Poor 15.4 31-50 8 Fair 30.8 51-75 10 Good 38.4

76-100 2 Excellent 7.7 Total 26 100.0

Overall Average = 47.5 Fair B. Malampaya Sound




1-10 - Very Poor - 11-30 - Poor - 31-50 4 Fair 44.4 51-75 5 Good 55.6

76-100 - Excellent - Total 9 100.0

Overall Average = 57.0 % Good


C. Taytay Bay and Adjoining Waters and Malampaya Sound Combined




1-10 2 Very Poor 5.7 11-30 4 Poor 11.4 31-50 12 Fair 34.3 51-75 15 Good 42.9

76-100 2 Excellent 5.7 Total 35 100.0 Overall Average = 49.9 % Fair

In Malampaya Sound, five sites (55.6%) of the nine (9) reefs surveyed were in good condition (51-75%) (Table 6B). These are located in Talisay Bay (Asogono Reef), Binaloan Bay, Malapena Island (Plate 3), Islang Mayaman and Sapatos Island (see Table 7). The other four reef areas (44.4%) at Tumbod, Boat Rock, Mabatingan Island and Inner Bahura (Plate 4) have fair condition (31-50 % cover).

Plate 3. Staghorn coral Acropora (left) and massive coral Porites (right) with an abundance of small reef fishes, Malapeña Island (Outer Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004)


Plate 4. View of an island reef, Inner Bahura, as seen from the east (Inner Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004)

The average coral cover for all reef sites surveyed in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters

was computed at 47.5% (fair condition) while for all reef sites in Malampaya Sound was at 57% (good condition) (see Table 6A and Table 6B, respectively). Of the 35 reef sites surveyed, only two (5.7%) were in excellent condition, fifteen (42.9%) were in good condition, twelve (34.3%) were in fair condition, four (11.4%) were considered poor and two sites (5.7%) were in very poor condition. In general, the condition of the reefs for the whole study area was fair with an average live coral cover of 49.9% (Table 6C). 3.2 Soft Coral and Dead Coral Cover The common soft coral communities present on the reefs were Sarcophyton and Lobophyton. Soft corals were sighted in 17 out of 35 reef sites surveyed (see Table 7). They did not contribute significantly to the bottom cover, which ranged from 0% to 10%. The highest soft coral cover was observed in Polariquen, Pavillon Island, Sitio Tamolot, Baras and Binaloan Bay (30% cover each). Next highest was noted in Sandoval, Silangan S, Talakanen Island, Apulit Island, Purungyawan, Bantolan S, Paly Island, Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef) and Boat Rock (5% each).

A notable feature of the reef sites surveyed is a high bottom cover of old dead corals (range of 10-60%) (see Table 7) mostly fouled by mixed assemblages of algal turfs and coralline algae, which indicate that the corals had been dead for a long time. Dead coral cover was higher in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters (average of 34.2%) than in Malampaya Sound (average of 23.3%).


Table 7 Average Percentage Cover of Hard Corals, Soft Corals, Total Live Corals (hard and soft corals combined) and Dead Corals, Observed in the Reef Sites Surveyed, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004

Reef Site Hard Coral (HC) (%)

Soft Coral (SC)

(%)

% Total Live Coral

Cover (LCC)

Reef Condition

Dead Coral (DC) (%)

TAYTAY BAY & ADJOINING WATERS

1. Batas Island N 40 2 42 Fair 40 2. Batas Island SE 35 0 35 Fair 40 3. Batas Island SW 35 0 35 Fair 40 4. Sandoval 50 5 55 Good 30 5. Dipla Island 30 0 30 Poor 40 6. Maytigued Island 50 0 50 Fair 40 7. Maobanen Island 10 0 10 Very Poor 30 8. Casian Island 10 0 10 Very Poor 30 9. Debangan Island 30 0 30 Poor 30 10. Silanga S 63 5 68 Good 25 11. Busy Bees 30 0 30 Poor 40 12. Polariquen 50 10 60 Good 30 13. Talakanen Island 80 5 85 Excellent 10 14. Apulit Island 50 5 55 Good 30 15. Ticas Reef 63 0 63 Good 28 16. Pamantolon 50 0 50 Fair 40 17. Purungyawan 75 5 80 Excellent 10 18. Pabelion Island 50 10 60 Good 20 19. Biton N 35 3 38 Fair 50 20. Biton S 35 3 38 Fair 50 21. Sitio Tamolot 50 10 60 Good 30 22. Santa Cruz Point 30 0 30 Poor 60 23. Bantolan N 50 0 50 Fair 40 24. Bantolan S 50 5 55 Good 38 25. Baras 50 10 60 Good 30 26. Paly Island 50 5 55 Good 38 MALAMPAYA SOUND 27. Tumbod 50 0 50 Fair 40 28. Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef) 50 5 55 Good 20 29. Malapeña Island 63 0 63 Good 30 30. Boat Rock 30 5 35 Fair 30 31. Binaloan Bay 50 10 60 Good 10 32. Mabatingan Island 50 0 50 Fair 40 33. Islang Mayaman 75 0 75 Good 15 34. Sapatos Island 75 0 75 Good 15 35. Inner Bahura 50 0 50 Fair 10


In general, the highest dead coral cover in all reef sites was found in Santa Cruz Point (60%), then followed by Biton N and Biton S (50% each) and Batas Island N, Batas Island SE, Batas island SW, Dipla Island, Maytigued Island, Busy Bees, Pamantolon, Bantolan N, Tumbod and Mabatingan Island (40% each). Reef areas with minimal cover of dead corals included Talakanen Island, Purungyawan, Binaloan Bay, Inner Bahura, Islang Mayaman and Sapatos Island (10-15%).

During the survey, large tracts of broken coral colonies, coral rubbles and craters on the reef substrate in some reef sites surveyed like in Biton N, Biton S, Paly Island and Boat Rock were encountered. Other reef areas with coral rubbles were noted in Dipla Island, Silanga S, Pabelion Island, Talisay Bay, Tumbod and Binaloan Bay. Destructive fishing, such as the use of dynamite and sodium cyanide may have produced these observed mortalities. 3.3 Associated Macroinvertebrates and Seaweeds in Coral Reefs Numerous common reef macroinvertebrates and benthic algae and thin patches of seagrasses were sighted in some reef sites surveyed (Table 8). The most common macroinvertebrates are the long-spined black sea urchin Diadema setosum, unidentified sponges, barrel sponge Xestospongia testudinaria (see Plate 5), ear sponge Phyllospongia sp., giant clams Tridacna spp., sea anemones, and the oyster Lopha cristagalli. Some sea urchins like Diadema setosum were found in significant numbers in some reefs areas like in Sandoval, Dipla Island, Paly Island, Tumbod, Mabatingan Island and Sapatos Island. Starfish Nardoa tuberculata and the oyster Lopha cristagalli were seen only in Sandoval, Dipla Island and Maytigued Island. Giant clams Tridacna spp. were common in some areas of the reef in Batas Island N, Casian Island, Debangan Island, Purungyawan, Pabelion Island and Biton N (Icandambanauan Island). A brightly-colored spiny lobster Panulirus sp. was seen in Malapeña Island, resting in a crevice, with only its conspicuous white antennae showing outside (Plate 6).

Plate 5. The barrel sponge Xestospongia testudinaria. There is a school of

reef fish fusiliers or ‘dalagang bukid’ (upper) and a variety of hard corals in the background, Malapeña Island (Outer Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004)


Plate 6. Spiny lobster or ‘banagan’ (Panulirus sp.) resting in a crevice,

with only its white conspicuous antennae showing outside, Malapeña Island (Outer Malampaya Sound, 11 June 2004)

In Taytay Bay and adjoining waters, the most common macrobenthic algae sighted on most reefs surveyed were the brown seaweeds Sargassum sp., Turbinaria sp. and Padina sp. (see Table 8). Similarly, in the reefs of Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef) and Malapeña Island (Outer Malampaya Sound), the most conspicuous seaweeds were also Sargassum spp. They were, however, found absent in all other reef sites in Malampaya Sound. It is of interest to note that numerous small-scale Kappaphycus and Eucheuma seaweed farms were seen on the reef in Tumbod. Seaweed farming is presently the most productive form of livelihood among the coastal communities in this area of Malampaya Sound. Numerous seaweed farms were also observed along the nearshore areas of Taytay Bay (i.e., in Polariquen, Pamantolon and Calauag).

In between the coral colonies were soft bottom sediments of sand where a patchy distribution of thin seagrass beds were also noted. The sand supports a growth of the seagrass and these were particularly seen in some reef sites like in Batas Island SE, Dipla Island, Maytigued Island, Polariquen and Talakanen Island (see also Table 8).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER I: CORAL REEFS 15

Table 8. Benthic components and occurrence of macroinvertebrates and seagrass-seaweeds in coral reefs, Taytay,Palawan, 2004

MACROINVERTEBRATES SEAWEEDS

Echinoderms

Bivalves

Ascidians

Decapod

s

Gorgonia

ns

Poriferans

Anthozo

ans

Octocor

als

Brown Algae

Green Algae

SEAGR

ASS

REEF SITE

Diadema

setosum

Nardoa

Feather

Stars

Giant

Clams

Oyster

Lopha

Sea Squirts

Lobster Panuliru

s

Seafans Sponge

Xestospongia

Phyllospongia

Sea Anomen

e

Seawhip Junceell

a

Sargassum

Turbinaria

Padina

Halimeda

Seagrass

bed

Batas Is. N x x x x x Batas Is. SE x x Batas Is. SW x x x Sandoval x x x x Dipla Is. x x x x x x x Maytigued Is. x x x x x x x Maobanen Is. x x Casian Is. x x Debangan Is. x x Silanga S x x Busy Bees x Polariquen x x Talakanen Is. x x x x x x Apulit Is. x x Ticas Reef x x Pamantolon x x x x x Purungyawan x x Pabelion Is. x x x x Biton N x x x x x x Biton S x x x x x Sitio Tamolot x x x x Santa Cruz Point

x x

Bantolan N x x x Bantolan S x Baras x x x x x x x x Paly Is. x x Tumbod x Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef)

x x x

Malapeña Is.

x x x

Boat Rock x x x Binaloan Bay

x x x x

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER I: CORAL REEFS 16

Table 8 continued . . . Mabatingan Is.

x x x x

Islang Mayam

x x x

Sapatos Is. x x Inner Bahura

x x


4.0 DISCUSSIONS

In spite of the limited sampling period, the present study shows interesting results. The remaining good reefs are located to sites close to the mainland while those reefs in poor condition are limited to distant/island reefs (see Figure 2). The problems of siltation (sediment smothering) particularly those emanating from upland deforestation (‘kaingin’) and mangrovecutting, however, were not discernable at the time of the surveys. The source of coral demise in the area cannot accurately be ascertained, but there were reports, and ample physical evidence, which points out that majority of the coral reefs surveyed were adversely affected by either explosives or chemicals (cyanide) used in illegal fishing. No sign of stress (discoloration) or recent dead corals that can be associated to blast and cyanide fishing was observed at the time of the survey. Likewise, no coral bleaching event and presence of the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci (a natural predator of stony corals) were observed on the reefs.

The reef system of Talakanen Island (see Plates 1 and 2) is a potential area for tourist destination and research purposes. It is located only 5 km from the mainland (Barangay Polariquen) (see Figure 2). This area abounds with reef resources (coral, reef fishes, macroinvertebrates, benthic algae, seagrass) and categorized as having excellent coral cover (76-100%). Large mounds, crevices and overhangs give the reef an irregular relief. The water is clear and following the edge of the reef is a steep drop-off down to about 25 meters. The reef is well flushed and there is no sign of fine terrigenous silts. There are abundant Acropora and other diverse corals such as Montipora, Porites, Pachyseris, Galaxea, Hydnophora, Heliopora, Merulina, Platygyra, Goniastrea, Seriatopora, Euphyllia and Pavona. The steep wall supports a diverse array of encrusting and foliose corals. In Purungyawan, coral colonies consisted mainly of massive types, which included Porites and other coral species like Favites, Seriatopora, Platygyra, Fungia, Montipora, Pavona, Euphyllia and Symphallia.

Two reefs, Ticas Reef and Silanga S (63% and 68% live coral cover) were categorized as having good coral condition (51-75%). Ticas Reef is described as a shoal type of reef located in the Taytay Bay reef system, with depths of five (5) m and about three (3) km away from the mainland (Barangay Pamantolon). The more dominant coral species include Acropora, Porites, Montipora, Favites, Fungia Pachyseris, Seriatopora and Platygyra. The reef site in Silanga S consisted mostly of massive Porites (boulder type) and other diverse corals such as Pavona, Seriatopora, Galaxea, Favia and Goniopora.

In protected areas like Malampaya Sound, some of the good hard coral coverage (51-75%) of the bottom was found in five (5) sites of the nine (9) reefs surveyed in the area. These reef sites are located along the shores of Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef), Binaloan Bay, Malapeña Island, Islang Mayaman and Sapatos Island (see Figure 2). Porites, Acropora, Montipora Pavona, Favia, Favites, Galaxea, Platygyra, Millepora, Lobophyllia, Goniastrea, Seriatopora, Pocillopora, Euphyllia, Merulina, Polyphyllia, Pectinia and Fungia largely represent these growths of living corals. Malapeña Island is a fishing location for local fisher folks. Seven fishers were observed spear fishing on this reef at 8 m depth.

The lowest hard coral cover (1-10%) was recorded in Maobanen Island and Casian Island, about 32 km away from the mainland (Taytay Proper), with corals that are mainly


massive Porites (boulder type) and tabulate Acropora. These reef areas have shown signs of deterioration due to dynamite and cyanide fishing. A similar reef condition was noted in Debangan Island and Batas Island (32 and 40 km away from Taytay Proper, respectively). Obviously, these distant reefs would be more difficult to police and would require more resources and manpower to effect protection.

Soft corals are not well developed in the study area, as these organisms prefer clearer waters. They are often found in areas of strong currents, which prevent sedimentation of the colonies surface. Siltation in the area is high as the water is generally turbid. Most of the soft coral communities, however, were found to be growing on the skeletal remains of hard corals. Soft corals are fast colonizers of available substrate and their presence inhabits settlement and recolonization by stony coral larvae.

Specimens of the endangered giant clams Tridacna spp. were found in some reef areas, mostly on coral reef areas around the islands such as in Batas Island, Casian Island, Debangan Island, Pabelion Island and Icadambanauan Island. The clams appear to be a probable remnant of a once thriving population of giant clams in the area.

It is of interest to note that sea turtles were encountered swimming on top of the reefs in Silanga S and Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef). Likewise, the blue-spotted fantail stingray (Taeniura lymna) also called ‘pagi’ was also encountered in Bantolan N.

Large portions of almost all the reef sites surveyed in Taytay Bay area were colonized by tall stands of brown seaweed Sargassum spp. especially towards the shallower sections (reef flats) of the coral reefs. This probably indicates seasonal blooms (good growth) of Sargassum on these reefs during the rainy months (or during the SW monsoon season). Some species of Sargassum have been noted to attain full maturity during the wet months (Cordero, 1981). However, the factors controlling the periodic blooms of macroalgae are not clear (Coles, 1988).

Local fishers interviewed complain about the negative effect of the presence of pearl farm structures in the area, which is the loss, or reduction of (productive) nearshore fishing grounds available to small fishers. For instance, the areas occupied by the pearl farms in Calauag Bay are traditional fishing grounds for squids. On a positive note, however, pearl farms may have become “protected areas” or fish refuges and may function as sources of fish recruits to nearby fishing grounds (Ingles, 2000). Pearl farms have certainly contributed much to the generation/enhancement of the resources, a deterrent to illegal fishing activities. In fact, coral reefs adjacent to the pearl farms have been protected from any form of fishing activities. Such unplanned protection prevents resources, particularly fishes, from becoming depleted and thus maintains or even enhances yields from areas adjacent to them.


5.0 SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS The major findings to be drawn from this study are:

The coral reefs in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters are in fair condition (average cover of 47.5%). On the other hand, the reefs in Malampaya Sound are in good condition (average cover of 57%).

The condition of the reefs for the whole study area is fair (average cover of 49.9%). Of the 35 reef sites studied, only two (2) are in excellent condition, 15 are in good condition, 12 are in fair condition, four (4) are considered poor and two (2) sites are in very poor condition.

Old dead hard corals fouled with microalgae predominate reef substrates of the coral reefs surveyed while the soft coral communities are not well developed. Large portions of the reef flats are colonized by tall stands of brown seaweed Sargassum, which indicate seasonal blooms (good growth) of Sargassum on these reefs during the rainy months.

The most common macroinvertebrates are the long-spined black sea urchin Diadema setosum, unidentified sponges, barrel sponge Xestospongia testudinaria, ear sponge Phyllospongia sp., giant clams Tridacna spp., sea anemones, and the oyster Lopha cristagalli.

Blast and cyanide fishing are the apparent causes of widespread coral reef destruction in the area. 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Talakanen Island, Purungyawan, Silanga S, Ticas Reef, Polariquen, Pabelion Island, Apulit Island, Sandoval, Sitio Tamolot, Bantolan S, Baras and Paly Island in Taytay Bay and adjoining waters may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest live coral cover recorded (see Table 7 and Figure 2) and probably, are the most diverse in the Bay area.

The coral reef islands Malapeña, Islang Mayaman and Sapatos and along the shores of Talisay Bay (Asogonon Reef) and Binaloan Bay in Malampaya Sound may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest live hard coral cover recorded (see also Table 7 and Figure 2) and probably, are the most diverse in the Sound.

These coral reef areas represent very important ecosystems and must be preserved and protected from any form of alteration. Thus, in-depth surveys of these coral reef areas are recommended.

____________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER II: REEF FISHES 20

CHAPTER II REEF FISHES

7.0 INTRODUCTION

A survey of the coral reefs and reef-associated fishes in the Taytay, Palawan was conducted for the Marine and Coastal Resources Survey and Research Component of the SEMP-ECAN Zoning Project. Data on the fish communities of the Municipality of Taytay are an important contribution in assessing the resources of the coral reefs in the area.

A baseline survey of reef fishes was conducted in Municipality of Taytay. This survey

is rapid and qualitative in nature. It will help construct and contribute to the listing of fish species that occur in specific reef sites in Taytay and its surrounding islands. It also aims to identify sites with the highest species richness as potential core zones. 8.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

A baseline survey was used to observe the reef fish assemblages at specific coral reef sites in Taytay. Using snorkeling equipment, an observer swam along the reef for about 10 to 20 minutes (depending on factors such as water visibility, number of observable fish species, etc.). Fish were observed within a 50m by 5m survey corridor covering a total area of approximately 250m2 for each station. All fish observed were identified to the lowest possible taxon and recorded on an underwater slate. Fishes were identified based on visual appearance and comparing these with photographic references (Allen, 1991; Randall et al., 1997; FishBase, 2000; and Lieske and Myers, 2001). Fish were later categorized as target, indicator or major fish species based on the “importance” data compiled in FishBase 2000 (Froese and Pauly, 2000).

The survey method limited the observations and subsequent species listing to numerically dominant and visually obvious species of fish. Cryptic and small species of reef fishes were difficult to detect and identify using this technique. Furthermore, abundances and biomass of fish were not determined. Geo-references of the fish survey stations were determined and recorded with a Garmin Summit GPS. 9.0 RESULTS

A total of 32 sampling stations were surveyed in Municipality of Taytay (Figure 3). Stations were mainly situated at or near the reef crest where most of the fish occur. However, the observer commonly traversed the reef flat and reef slope areas thereby covering a wider range of reef zones (Table 9). Furthermore, benthic cover and the dominant substratum also varied across stations including dominant stands of coral, Padina and Sargassum beds, sandy areas and rocky reefs (Table 9).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER II: REEF FISHES 21

Table 9. Species Richness Of Reef Fishes From Sampling Stations, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004.

Station Species Coordinates Locality Barangay Remarks

1 27 N11 01 13.0 E119 36 51.5 Batas Is. South side, near Brgy. E. imbicata; Padina area; low fish #

2 17 N11 11 17.2 E119 34 53.0 Batas Is. North side low vis; Sargassum area; low fish #

3 33 N11 08 26.2 E119 33 02.8 Batas Is. West side coral area; reef shoals and flat zone

4 27 N11 05 35.1 E119 31 54.2 Brgy. Sandoval high coral; coral knolls; low fish #; low vis

5 30 N11 05 05.1 E119 34 08.6 Maytiguid Is. Brgy. Dipla low vis; low fish #; coral rubble area

6 21 N11 01 43.1 E119 43 58.8 Debangan Is. East side Sargassum area 7 14 N11 03 14.5 E119 42 49.9 Casian Is. East side Sargassum area; low fish #

8 38 N11 03 43.4 E119 41 37.1 Maobanen Is. East side Sargassum area; sand and seagrass

9 34 N11 02 40.3 E119 37 40.8 Maytiguid Is. Brgy. Maytiguid good corals, good fish 10 30 N11 00 56.0 E119 34 02.9 Brgy. Silanga good corals, good fish; low vis 11 35 N10 42 41.9 E119 41 13.1 Paly Is. (Ibaton Is.) West side blasted coral area 12 47 N10 41 37.7 E119 37 28.6 Brgy. Baras Crest/steep slope; good coral;

good vis; high fish #; size and richness

13 2 N10 43 28.6 E119 36 29.6 Calauag Bay; Brgy. Brgy. Calauag sandy area of bay; Padina reef; Sw farms

14 38 N10 47 14.6 E119 35 37.9 Brgy. Bantulan Crest/steep slope; low vis 15 42 N10 48 35.9 E119 37 13.7 Cadambanauan Is. Brgy. Biton crest/steep slope; high fish #,

biomass; Caesio, decapterus, damsels

16 46 N10 50 12.5 E119 37 12.7 Cadambanauan Is. Brgy. Biton black moray with weird movement

17 31 N10 49 28.4 E119 35 51.6 Brgy. Sta Cruz Crest/steep slope

18 22 N10 49 27.9 E119 31 45.0 Brgy. Purongyawan, Poblacion low vis; near MG; crest/slope; high coral

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER II: REEF FISHES 22

Table 9 continued …

19 19 N10 53 38.2 E119 29 39.4 Brgy. Pamantungon low damsels; high Lutjanids,

size; high biomass; low richness; near MG; low vis

20 46 N10 54 18.1 E119 31 21.8 Tricas Reef Poblacion high coral 21 57 N10 58 30.6 E119 32 06.1 Talakanin Is. Brgy. Talakanin very good coral; crest/slope;

small island; high fish # and richness

22 52 N10 57 41.8 E119 36 13.7 Apulit Is. Club Noah crest/steep slope; high size, #, biomass, richess, target fish

23 56 N10 53 06.2 E119 36 58.6 Pavillon Is. Poblacion dynamited area; coral rubble; high richness and size

24 35 N10 52 22.6 E119 18 40.7 Mayaman Is. Malampaya high coral; high C. teres, N. anabatoides, A. sexfasciatus; coral community, much like P. Galera; 5-7m is sand

25 20 N10 50 42.9 E119 18 27.1 Sapatos Is. Malampaya low coral; high C. teres; 5m is sand

26 50 N10 52 40.8 E119 19 50.6 Mabatingan Is. Malampaya high richness 27 19 N10 49 32.4 E119 23 47.9 Inner Bahura Malampaya rocky rubble reef; low fish, vis 28 68 N10 55 35.1 E119 18 44.6 Malapaena Malampaya high coral; high richness; low vis 29 79 N10 56 13.7 E119 16 37.9 Asugunan Pt., Talisay Bay Malampaya high coral; near sound mouth;

high vis, richness; Turtle 30 44 N10 58 21.9 E119 17 50.0 Tumbod, Pennabaltan Bay Malampaya 31 46 N10 55 29.6 E119 20 10.2 Boat Rock Malampaya low vis; Laticauda 32 62 N10 54 42.3 E119 20 24.5 Mulawi, Binaloan Malampaya high DCA; high richness; near

NPAP guardhouse


Figure 3. Reef Fish Sampling Stations, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004.

Total of 224 species of fish distributed among 39 families were recorded from the

sampling stations. This included at least 13 unidentified fish from eight (8) families. A complete listing of the species observed and their occurrences is summarized in Appendix A. A total of only 14 species from four (4) families were indicator species. The presence of these fish in a specific area may indicate the present condition of the habitat because they are highly associated with their environment. Eleven of the 14 indicator species listed were coral feeding fishes while three (3) were indicators of silty environments (i.e. Chelmon rostratus, Parachaetodon ocellatus, and Aeoliscus strigatus). Major species of fish were represented by 110 species from 19 families (Appendix A). The majority of the major species were damselfishes (Pomacentridae, 51 species) (Plate 7), wrasses (Labridae, 18 species), and cardinalfishes (Apogonidae, 14 species) (Plate 8). The rest of the 27 other major fish species were distributed among the remaining 16 families (Appendix A). Major fish species are fish with no commercial value in fisheries but occupy specialized niches in the marine environment and function as important tropic links. These fishes represented at least six (6) feeding guilds, including: herbivores, omnivores, planktivores, benthic carnivores, detritivores and piscivores. One hundred species from 22 families belonged to the target species category (Appendix A). Target species are fish commonly exploited in fisheries and are of commercial value. The


majority of the target species observed were of low commercial value (i.e. wrasses, parrotfishes, etc.), although several high value species were also recorded among those listed. These included the grouper Plectropomus leopardus, and several species of snappers (Lutjanidae). However, P. leopardus was only recorded in five (5) of the 32 sampling stations (Appendix A).

Plate 7. Monarch damsel Dischistodus pseudochrysopoecilus (Pomacentridae), Malampaya Sound, Taytay, June 2004.

Plate 8. Cardinalfish Apogon griffini (Apogonidae), Malampaya Sound, Taytay, June 2004.


Species richness ranged from two (2) to 79 species per 250 m2 (mean of 37 species per 250 m2) across stations. The lowest species richness was recorded at Station 13 – Calauag Bay (Table 9). This station had a sandy substrate and only two (2) species were recorded. On the other hand, Station 29 – Asugunan Point in Talisay Bay, Malampaya had the highest species richness of 79 species per 250 m2. This station had high coral cover, good horizontal visibility and is located near the mouth of Malampaya Sound (Table 9, Figure 3). 10.0 DISCUSSIONS

The results of the baseline survey suggest that the fish communities of Taytay are in

relatively good condition in terms of diversity and structure. The fish communities were well represented in terms of number of species and the number of indicator and target species. Target fishes were mainly minor targets of low commercial value such as parrotfishes. However, several species of groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae) and sea breams (Lethrinidae) were also recorded. The occurrence of snappers and sea breams were fairly even across stations, but the groupers were mainly recorded in the stations located within the Malampaya Sound (Appendix A).

Six (6) sites are recommended as potential core zones based on species richness, three at

the east coast of Taytay, and another three (3) at the west coast in Malampaya Sound (Figure 4). Stations 21 – Talakanin Island, 22 – Apulit Island, and 23 – Pavillon Island at the east coast of Taytay had 57, 52 and 56 species, respectively. Aside from the relatively high fish species richness, these small islands are also of species interest. Station 21 – Talakanin Island is a small island with no permanent residents. Surprisingly, very high intact live coral cover was observed in the area despite of the apparent history of dynamite fishing in other nearby reefs. Its location, size, land use status and ownership make it a prime candidate as a core zone. Station 22 – Apulit Island is currently the site of the Club Noah resort. This works to the advantage of the coral reef and reef fishes in the island because the presence of the resort is an effective deterrent to illegal fishing practice. Some of the largest individuals of target fishes were observed in this area and this may be an indication of the effects of the protective management being enforced in the area. A similar scenario of protection was found in Station 23 – Pavillon Island. The presence of wardens and security personnel overseeing the protection of the “balinsasayaw” nesting caves on the island deter not only poachers but also, to some degree, illegal fishers. At the Malampaya Sound, Stations 28 - Malapaena, 29 – Asugunan Point and 32 – Mulawin were identified as potential core zones. These three stations have the three highest species richness among the 32 sampling stations and are located in the outer section of the sound. It is likely that the proximity of these sites to the mouth of the sound allows for more species of fish from the west coast of Taytay (and Palawan on a larger scale) to recruit at these areas.


Figure 4. Recommended Core Zones Based On Reef Fish Species Richness, Taytay,

Palawan, June 2004. Stations 21 – Talakanin Island, 22 – Apulit Island, 23 – Pavillon Island, 28 – Malapaena, 29 – Asugunan Point, and 32 – Mulawi.

11.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The reef fishes of the Municipality of Taytay are in relatively good condition. From the 32 sampling stations surveyed, at least six (6) were identified as potential core zones. Three of these stations are small islands and at least two (2) of them already have some form of protection, while the other three potential core zone sites are already within the protected area of the Malampaya Sound. It is recommended that a more detailed assessment of these 6 sites be conducted to generate a more detailed assessment of the fish communities and their habitat.

___________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 27

CHAPTER III SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS

12.0 INTRODUCTION Seagrasses (locally called ‘lusay’ or ‘baryaw-baryaw’) are marine angiosperms that posses true roots, stems and leaves (Fortes, 1981), and produce flowers, fruits and seeds during certain seasons (Fortes, 1990). Adaptability to estuarine or marine environments enables seagrasses to colonize large inter-tidal and sub-tidal zones of coastal areas. They usually flourish in areas between mangrove forests and coral reefs (Meñes et al., 1983). Most of the time they are found near mangrove areas where nutrient is very much available. Sixteen species of seagrasses have been reported to occur in the Philippines (Fortes, 1990). Among these, ten (10) have been documented to occur in the municipality of Taytay (PCSDS, 2002). Seaweeds, on the other hand, are macroscopic marine algae found throughout the photic zone. Algae attach themselves via holdfasts to boulders, cobbles, fine sand, clay, mud, or even to corals and larger seaweed species (Fortes, 1981). Algae can thrive in seagrass meadows (Fortes, 1990) or they can be found in highly disturbed reef fringes (Trono and Biña, 1987). Seagrasses and seaweeds are important habitat components of Taytay’s coastline. However, seaweeds are not as dominant as seagrassses as they cover only a small portion of the seagrass beds in the area (PCSDS, 2002).

Seagrasses are nursery grounds and permanent habitats for certain fishes and economically important invertebrates, e.g., siganids, shrimps, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and shellfishes. Like mangroves, seagrasses hold sediments which prevents siltation to corals. Nutrients, specifically carbon and nitrogen, are produced by seagrasses for the consumption of nearby coral reef communities. Seagrass is an important habitat and virtually the only food of the dugong (Dugon dugon), preferring the carbohydrate-rich underground storage roots (rhizomes) of the smaller seagrass species (Bateman, 1984 as cited in ERTL, 1995). It is also the principal food of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Both animals are still breeding abundantly in northern Palawan. On a worldwide scale, seagrasses influence global budget of carbon. Smith (1981) estimated that marine macrophytes (seagrasses and seaweeds) impact the global carbon budget by sequestering as much as 109 tons of carbon per year.

Thus, this study is an important step in making a comprehensive inventory (mapping and identification) of the seagrass communities in Taytay to catalogue the extent and location of the resource, and identify areas in need of protection and rehabilitation before this very important resource will be lost.

This report summarizes the results of the baseline survey of seagrass and seaweed resources in municipal waters of Taytay. Their species composition, percent cover and distribution pattern are presented.


13.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study area encompassed the coastal barangays that border Taytay Bay (including Shark Fin Bay on the north and Calauag Bay on the south of Taytay Bay proper) and Outer and Inner Malampaya .

Taytay Bay and adjacent areas were surveyed on June 5-9, 2004 while Malampaya Sound was on June 10-11, 2004. Survey sites were selected through the use of secondary data, topographic maps and in consultation with the locally hired boat/operator and guide familiar with the area as well as barangay officials/residents and fishermen encountered during the survey.

Inner Malampaya Sound, some near shore tidal areas along the east coast were covered with strong greenish-yellowish water discoloration mainly due to coastal algal (Noctiluca scintillans) bloom. The very high concentration of algal blooms greatly affects the water visibility thus it hindered the team from doing the seagrass survey in some of these areas.

Figure 5 shows the coastline surveyed and the locations of sampling stations. All the 17 stations sampled during the survey are listed in Table 10, which also indicates their locations and coordinates, number of plots sampled, bed width, substrate type, and coastal vegetation. A GPS was used to record actual positions of seagrass beds observed and sampling stations established. The transect-quadrat sampling method (perpendicular to the shore on a 10 m2 plot) for baseline assessment of study sites for ECAN priority areas was applied in this baseline survey. However, a modification was employed, instead of placing the quadrat along the imaginary transect for every 10 meters interval, observations were made at interval of 50 meters. At each plot, the percentage bottom cover of seagrasses (from the categories in SeagrassNet, Short et al., 2002) and species composition were determined. Seaweeds, since they were observed to occur only in a small portion of the seagrass bed, were qualitatively described as to rare, occasional, common, or abundant. The other parameters obtained from each plot and along the vicinity of the imaginary transect location to describe the seagrass habitat were: substrate type, feeding craters of dugongs, presence of conspicuous macroinvertebrates and fishing activities. Types of coastal vegetations were also noted. Site features were photo documented whenever possible. 14.0 RESULTS

14.1 Seagrass

Seagrass Distribution Figure 6 shows the locations of seagrass beds based from GPS readings for Taytay Bay and adjacent areas (Shark Fin Bay and Calauag Bay) and Outer and Inner Malampaya Sound taken in this survey.


Figure 5. Coastline Surveyed and Sampling Stations Established For The Seagrass- Seaweed Survey In The Municipality of Taytay (5-11 June 2004).


Figure 6. Coastline Surveyed Having Seagrass beds In The Municipality of Taytay, June 2004.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 31

Table 10. Sampling Station Data for the Baseline Survey of Seagrass-Seaweeds in the Municipality of Taytay, Northern

Palawan, June 2004. Legend: n plot= number of plots sampled; ( * ) = perpendicular distance from shore to seaward edge; S/S-R= Sandy/sandy-rocky, S= Sandy, S/S-M = Sandy/sandy-muddy.

Position Area

Barangay/Island

Location

Sta. Lat. N Long. E

n plot

Approx. Bed Width*

(m)

Substrate Type

Coastal Vegetation

Batas Island Brgy. Batas E 1 11o09’21.3 119o36’35.0 4 150 S/S-R Mangroves Batas Island Brgy. Batas W 2 11o09’10.2 119o36’11.2 5 200 S Mangroves

Shark Fin Bay

Sandoval Sandoval 3 11o05’27.6 119o31’51.5 3 100 S/S-M Mangroves Casian Island Brgy. Casian NE 4 11o02’35.6 119o43’03.8 3 100 S Shrubs/coconut Debangan Island Brgy. Debangan N 5 11o01’43.8 119o43’44.3 3 100 S/S-R Shrubs

Taytay Bay

Busy Bees Busy Bees 6 11o00’02.5 119o30’02.7 3 100 S/S-M Mangroves Baras Baras (mainland) 7 10o41’11.9 119o38’09.0 4 150 S-M Mangroves Calauag Bay Calauag Calauag 8 10o40’54.5 119o35’14.1 3 100 S Mangroves Bantolan Bantolan 9 10o46’22.4 119o35’31.6 2 50 S/S- R Mangroves Poblacion Langnayan 10 10o51’11.4 119o30’38.0 7 300 S/S- R Mangroves Poblacion Lulukyun 11 10o52’09.8 119o29’57.8 6 250 S/S- R Mangroves Bantolan Malapya 12 10o48’53.2 119o35’54.4 5 200 S Mangroves Taytay Proper Purungyawan E 13 10o50’03.8 119o33’49.5 6 250 S Shrubs/mangroves Taytay Proper Purungyawan W 14 10o49’36.0 119o31’30.2 6 250 S Breakwater/fort

Taytay Bay

Taytay Proper Fort/Pier 15 10o49’37.8 119o31’21.3 3 100 S/S- R Mangroves Banbanan (Inner Sound) Malaya Bay 16 10o47’42.6 119o22’31.7 2 50 S-M Mangroves Malampaya Sound Liminangcong (Outer Sound) Bucal 17 10o54’12.8 119o20’20.9 6 250 S Shrubs/small trees

____________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 32

Seagrass beds were found in association with the presence of mangroves and coral reefs, mainly along the shallow coastal waters of Taytay Bay (mainland), starting from Sitio Purungyawan westward to Taytay proper (Fort Isabel/breakwater/pier), then northward to Barangays Poblacion (Sitios Langnayan and Lulukyun), Pamantolon, Polariquen, Busy Bees and Silanga S. Seagrass beds also occurred along the east coast of Silanga N and Sandoval. Towards south, seagrass beds occurred along the shore of Barangay Bantolan (facing Icadambanauan Island) and also along the shores of Barangays Calauag and Baras.

Seagrass beds also occurred in sheltered coves of the coastline of some adjacent offshore islands. These were in Batas Island (N, SE and SW coasts), Dipla Island (in Barangay Dipla Poblacion), Casian Island NE and Debangan Island N and Icadambanauan Island W (Barangay Biton).

The ocular survey around the coast of Paly Island (see Figure 5) showed the absence of seagrass beds. The substrate was composed of rocks/boulders, long dead corals, rubbles and sand colonized by tall stands of brown alga Sargassum.

It is likewise worthwhile to mention that in most of these seagrass beds, the dominant type of fishing gear being employed is fish corral (‘baklad’). Along with this gear, some fishermen are engaged in grouper fattening using fish cage. A large number of fish corrals exists in Barangays Busy Bees and Polariquen while quite a number of fish cages are present in Barangays Biton (Icadambanauan Island) and Baras. The presence of fish corral and fish cage observed in the immediate vicinity of the seagrass beds visited is shown in Figure 7.

In Malampaya Sound, seagrass beds were observed to be sparsely distributed along the tidal areas. Seagrass beds in the Outer Malampaya Sound were present on a particular site along the east coast in Sitio Bukal of Barangay Liminangcong where the bed was diverse and well-developed, covering a very wide area of the sandy substratum and was estimated to extend from 250 to 300 meters away from the beach. No mangrove vegetation was observed in this particular area. This site is vegetated with beach shrubs. This area is known for its white sand beach. Local bathers frequently visit this beach area.

Seagrass beds along the east coast of Inner Malampaya Sound, on the other hand, were found in Dulugu Bay, Colon Bay and the coast between Hinataktakan Point and Rocket Point of Barangay Pancol where the beds were generally small and in pure stands of Enhalus acoroides. On the west coast, seagrass beds were also in pure stands of Enhalus acoroides and were found only in Malaya Bay, Binatauay Bay, Damao Channel and Chinicaran Passage. The shorelines were vegetated with mangroves. Fish corral is also widely used along these seagrass areas (see Figure 7).


Figure 7. Locations of Fish Corrals or ‘Baklad’ and Fish Cages Associated with the

Seagrass Beds in the Municipality of Taytay, June 2004


Species Composition and Occurrence

The species composition and occurrence of seagrasses observed on each sampling station are presented in Table 11. Eight species of seagrass have so far been identified from the 17 study sites, namely: 1) Cymodocea rotundata, 2) Cymodocea serrulata, 3)Enhalus acoroides, 4) Halodule uninervis, 5) Halodule pinifolia, 6) Halophila ovalis, 7) Syringodium isoetifolium, and 8) Thalassia hemprichii. Underwater photographs of some of these species of seagrass are provided in Plates 9 to 13.

Of the 8 species of seagrass observed, Enhalus acoroides appeared to be the most common, followed by Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea serrulata. They were found in many stations. The least common was Syringodium isoetifolium. There were only five areas where S. isoetifolium was found: in Batas Island E, Batas Island W, Debangan Island N, Purungyawan W and Bucal.

Plate 9. Round-tipped seagrass Cymodocea rotundata at Station 9-Bantolan

(Brgy. Bantolan), Taytay Bay, 7 June 2004

Plate 10. Mixed stands of syringe grass Syringodium isoetifolium and toothed seagrass Cymodocea serrulata at Station 14- Purungyawan E (Taytay Proper), Taytay Bay, 9 June 2004

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 35

Table 11 Seagrass Species Composition and Occurrence for the Baseline Survey of Seagrass-Seaweeds in the Municipality of Taytay, Northern Palawan, June 2004. Legend: nspecies= number of species; CYRO= Cymodocea rotundata, CYSE= Cymodocea serrulata, ENHA= Enhalus acoroides, HPIN= Halodule pinifolia, HOVA= Halophila ovalis, HUNI= Halodule uninervis, SYRI= Syringodium isoetifolium, THALI= Thalassia hemprichii.

Area Barangay/Island Location Sta. nspecies CYRO CYSE ENHA HPIN HOVA HUNI SYRI THALI

Batas Island Brgy. Batas E 1 7 X X X X X X X Brgy. Batas W 2 7 X X X X X X X

Shark Fin Bay

Sandoval Sandoval 3 4 X X X X Casian Island Brgy. Casian NE 4 5 X X X X X Debangan Island Brgy. Debangan N 5 7 X X X X X X X

Taytay Bay

Busy Bees Busy Bees 6 3 X X X Baras Baras 7 3 X X X Calauag Bay Calauag Calauag 8 3 X X X Bantolan Bantolan 9 4 X X X X Poblacion Langnayan 10 7 X X X X X X X Lulukyun 11 7 X X X X X X X Bantolan Malapya 12 7 X X X X X X X Taytay Proper Purungyawan E 13 7 X X X X X X X Purungyawan W 14 7 X X X X X X X

Taytay Bay

Fort/Pier 15 5 X X X X X Banbanan (Inner Sound) Malaya Bay 16 1 X Malampaya Sound Liminangcong (Outer Sound)

Bucal 17 8 X X X X X X X X

_____________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 36

Plate 11. Pure stands of tropical eelgrass Enhalus acoroides at Station 7-Baras

(Brgy. Baras), Calauag Bay, 7 June 2004

Plate 12. Spoon-grass Halophila ovalis at Station 10- Langnayan (Brgy. Poblacion), Taytay Bay, 8 June 2004


Plate 13. Fiber-strand grass Halodule pinifolia and round-tipped seagrass Cymodocea rotundata at Station 5-Debangan Island N (Brgy. Debangan), Taytay Bay, 6 June 2004

Of the 17 study sites, Bucal (Outer Malampaya Sound) was the most diverse having a total of 8 species, followed by Batas Island E, Batas Island W, Debangan Island N, Langnayan, Lulukyun, Bantolan, Purungyawan E and Purungyawan W having a total of 7 species each. The least diverse was observed in Malaya Bay (Inner Malampaya Sound) having pure stands of Enhalus acoroides. This area was characterized by sandy-muddy substrate and very close to the mangroves. Similarly, Baras and Calauag recorded a total of only 2 species each (mixed stands of Enhalus acoroides-Thalassia hemprichii species and Enhalus acoroides-Cymodocea serrulata species, respectively). Percentage Seagrass Cover

In terms of percent substrate cover, on the average, Enhalus acoroides coverage was found to be the most dominant on the seagrass beds with 44% (Table 12 and Figure 8). Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea serrulata were similar in percent substrate cover with 31% and 28%, respecytively..

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 38

Table 12. Percentage Bottom Cover of the Species of Seagrasses for the Baseline Survey in the Municipality of Taytay, Northern Palawan, June 2004. Legend: n-plot = number of plots; CYRO= Cymodocea rotundata, CYSE= Cymodocea serrulata, ENHA= Enhalus acoroides, HPIN= Halodule pinifolia, HOVA= Halophila ovalis, HUNI= Halodule uninervis, SYRI= Syringodium isoetifolium, THALI= Thalassia hemprichii.

Area Barangay/Island Location Sta. N-plot CYRO CYSE ENHA HPIN HOVA HUNI SYRI THALI Batas Island Brgy. Batas E 1 4 18 20 40 5 10 10 23 Brgy. Batas W 2 5 13 23 19 5 19 20 60

Shark Fin Bay

Sandoval Sandoval 3 3 20 73 10 25 Casian Island Brgy. Casian NE 4 3 30 25 27 16 10 Debangan Island Brgy. Debangan N 5 3 37 33 15 15 5 12 15

Taytay Bay

Busy Bees Busy Bees 6 3 77 10 20 Baras Baras 7 4 95 20 Calauag Bay Calauag Calauag 8 3 65 27 90 Bantolan Bantolan 9 2 20 25 40 25 Poblacion Langnayan 10 7 27 30 22 20 20 20 33 Lulukyun 11 6 26 50 48 18 8 19 18 Bantolan Malapya 12 5 8 38 54 20 10 3 Taytay Proper Purungyawan E 13 6 25 21 51 8 5 10 13 Purungyawan W 14 6 32 12 26 10 12 15 37

Taytay Bay

Fort/Pier 15 3 10 15 8 10 63 Banbanan (Inner Sound) Malaya Bay 16 2 100 Malampaya Sound Liminangcong (Outer Sound)

Bucal 17 6 28 10 8 20 8 17 30 23

Total 274 364 707 157 66 165 90 463 Mean Cover (%) 22.83 28.00 44.19 17.44 8.25 13.75 18.00 30.87

Mean Relative Cover (%) 11.58 15.38 29.88 6.63 2.78 6.97 3.80 19.56


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

TS-1 TS-2 TS-3 TS-4 TS-5 TS-6 TS-7 TS-8 TS-9 TS-10 TS-11 TS-12 TS-13 TS-14 TS-15 TS-16 TS-17

Stations

Perc

enta

ge

05

101520253035404550

CYRO CYSE ENHA HPIN HOVA HUNI SYRI THALI

Species

Perc

enta

ge

Cover (%) Relative Cover (%)

Figure 8. Percentage Cover of Seagrass Species in Taytay, Palawan, June 2004 The seagrass beds at Fort Isabel/Pier, Purungyawan W and Batas Island E showed the

highest cover at 65%, 63% and 60%, respectively (Figure 9). The next highest was observed in Langnayan and Lulukyun at 55% each, then followed by Batas Island W, Baras, Malapya, Purungyawan E and Bukal having cover in the range of 41 to 46%. All the remaining seagrass areas (Sandoval, Casian Island NE, Debangan Island N, Busy Bees, Calauag, Bantolan and Malaya Bay) have cover ranging from 23 to 38%. The lowest seagrass cover was observed in Busy Bees.

At Fort Isabel/Pier and Purungyawan W, Thalassia hemprichii was the dominant species

(63% and 37% cover, respectively). Cymodocea serrulata and Cymodocea rotundata were the next dominant (15% and 32% cover, respectively). Likewise, in Calauag, Thalassia hemprichii (90% cover) was also the dominant species, also followed by Cymodocea serrulata (65% cover) (see Table 3).

Figure 9. Percentage Cover of Seagrasses at Each Sampling Station in Taytay, Palawan, June 2004


The mixed association of Enhalus acoroides-Thalassia hemprichii species was observed to be common in Batas Island E, Sandoval, Busy Bees, Baras and Bantolan. Enhalus acoroides ranked as the dominant species in this association which range from 40% in Bantolan to 95% in Baras, while Thalassia hemprichii as the second dominant ranging from 20% in Busy Bees and Baras to 25% in Sandoval and Bantolan. Noticeable in Casian Island NE was the absence of Enhalus acoroides despite its being the most common species in the whole study area. Cymodocea rotundata (30%) Halodule pinifolia (27%) and Cymodocea serrulata (25%) were the dominant species in this area. The sampling site was characterized by sandy substrate. No mangroves were observed. Only beach shrubs and some coconut trees were noted. In Bucal, Syringodium isoetifolium and Cymodocea rotundata were the dominant species (30% and 28%, respectively). This was followed by Thalasssia hemprichii and Halodule pinifolia (23% and 20%, respectively). Enhalus acoroides was patchy (only 8% cover) in this area. As already mentioned earlier, a very wide area of sandy substratum with no mangrove vegetation characterized this area. 14.2 Associated Seaweeds and Macroinvertebrates

The components, occurrence and abundance of seaweeds at each of the seagrass sampling stations are presented in Table 13. Abundance has been noted qualitatively as rare, occasional, common or abundant. Seaweeds were seen interspersed with seagrass in most of the study sites. Fourteen seaweed species were found in the whole study area and represented by seven (7) species from the Chlorophyta (the greens such as Caulerpa taxifolia, Caulerpa serrulata, Caulerpa racemosa, Halimeda macroloba, Halimeda opuntia, Neomeris sp., and Udotea orientalis), 6 species from Phaeophyta (the browns such as Padina japonica, Sargassum sp., Colpomenia sinuosa, Dictyota sp., Valonia ventricosa, and Turbinaria sp.) and one (1) from Rhodophyta (the reds represented solely by Tydemania expeditionis).

Seaweeds were observed to be dominated by the brown pigmented alga Sargassum sp. in 11 out of 17 surveyed sites (see Table 13), usually as an abundant constituent, most occurring at the seaward edge of the seagrass bed (end of the transect) near the reef. They were found attached to rocks, rubbles and dead coral substrate. Likewise, thick stands of Sargassum were observed on the shallower sections of the inter-tidal reef flats, which included dead reef surfaces and living coral colonies. The seaweeds Caulerpa spp., Halimeda spp. and Padina japonica were also found common in the seagrass areas surveyed. Tydemania expeditionis was observed as an occasional constituent. Udotea orientalis and Neomeris sp. were rarely found.

Only three (3) to four (4) species of seaweeds were observed at each seagrass study site except in Sandoval where a total of six (6) species were recorded. No seaweeds were observed in Malaya Bay (Inner Malampaya Sound).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 41

Table 13. Seaweed Species and their Abundance Observed at Each of the Seagrass Sampling Station in Taytay, Northern Palawan, June 2004.

Area Barangay/Island Location

Algae Abundance No. of

Species Remarks

Batas Island Brgy. Batas E Caulerpa taxifolia Padina japonica Sargassum sp.

Common Common Abundant

3

No sign of sea cucumber

Brgy. Batas W Caulerpa taxifolia Padina japonica Halimeda macroloba

Common Common Common

3


Shark Fin Bay

Sandoval Sandoval Halimeda macroloba Halimeda opuntia Caulerpa serrulata Colpomenia sinuosa Udotea orientalis Sargassum sp.

Common Common Common Occasional Rare Abundant

6


Casian Island Brgy. Casian NE Dictyota sp. Valonia ventricosa Caulerpa serrulata Sargassum sp.

Occasional Occasional Common Abundant

4


Debangan Island Brgy. Debangan N Sargassum sp. Colpomenia sinuosa Turbinaria sp. Padina japonica

Abundant Occasional Occasional Occasional

4


Taytay Bay

Busy Bees Busy Bees Halimeda macroloba Halimeda opuntia Caulerpa serrulata Neomeris sp.

Common Common Common Rare

4


Baras Baras Halimeda macroloba Halimeda opuntia Caulerpa serrulata


3


Calauag Bay

Calauag Calauag Halimeda opuntia Caulerpa serrulata Dictyota sp.

Common Common Occasional

3


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER III: SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED SEAWEEDS 42

Taytay Bay Bantolan Bantolan Sargassum sp. Padina japonica Caulerpa racemosa

Abundant Common Occasional

3

No sign o

Lulukyun Sargassum sp. Tydemania expeditionis Caulerpa racemosa

Abundant Occasional Occasional

3


Bantolan Malapya Sargassum sp. Padina japonica

Abundant Common

2 No sign of sea cucumber

Taytay Proper Purungyawan E Sargassum sp. Padina japonica Tydemania sp.


3


Purungyawan W Sargassum sp.

Udotea orientalis Caulerpa taxifolia

Abundant Occasional Common

3


Fort/Pier Sargassum sp. Padina japonica Tydemania expeditionis


3


Banbanan (Inner Sound)

Malaya Bay No algae Synapta maculata plenty Malampaya Sound

Liminangcong (Outer Sound)

Bucal Padina japonica Halimeda macroloba Dictyota sp.


3


Table 13 continued . .


Surprisingly, no black sea cucumbers were encountered in all the seagrass areas visited except for the sticky snake sea cucumber Synapta maculata. They were found plenty in Malaya Bay. The most common macroinvertebrate found on the seagrass beds, on the other hand, was the long-spined black urchin Diadema setosum notably in Baras, Langnayan, Lulukyun and Fort Isabel/Pier. Other fauna commonly found were the horned sea star Protoreaster nodosus, the blue sea star Linckia laevigata, the rock boring urchin Echinometra mathaei and the urchin Echinothrix calamaris. 15.0 DISCUSSIONS The survey of literature show that MERF (1994) has sampled one (1) seagrass station in Malampaya Sound and two (2) stations in Taytay Bay proper as part of a study of environmentally-sensitive resources in the northern Palawan area. Then in 2001 PCSDS surveyed 17 seagrass stations in Taytay Bay and Sharkfin Bay, and the CRA report (PCSDS, 2002) of the survey is the first comprehensive account of the seagrass-seaweed resources of the area. Likewise, the present study surveyed 17 stations in Taytay Bay, Sharkfin Bay, Calauag Bay and Outer and Inner Malampaya Sound. Shown in Figure 6 are the locations of the seagrass beds sampled within the study area from these 3 different surveys. It may be noted from this figure that for the present study, there were no field observations made along the coastline outside of the Malampaya Sound at the west coast (South China Sea side). This is because of the very strong winds combined with extremely rough seas that prevailed in the area during the survey period. The southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ season was observed to have started during this survey period when the area is geographically exposed to the prevailing southwest monsoon winds.

Given also in Figure 10 is the percentage seagrass cover among stations sampled from

the three (3) different surveys. A large portion (58% of the total seagrass beds surveyed) of seagrass areas including those in the offshore islands can still be classified as fair (having the range of 25-46% cover). Good condition is shared at 24% of the total seagrass areas studied and most of these can be found in Batas Island, Taytay proper and Barangay Poblacion (having 50-65% cover). On the other hand, excellent condition is shared at only 6% and is spotted in a sheltered location of the Inner Malampaya Sound and at one particular site in Barangay Poblacion (having 75% and 76% cover, respectively). Only four (4) seagrass areas such as in Binolican Island, Busy Bees, Canique and Pamantolon were categorized in poor condition (shared at 12%) having 1%, 23%, 2% and 16%, respectively. The seagrass bed of Binolican was dominated by seaweeds and that of the Canique was solely represented by pure stands of Enhalus acoroides. In Pamantolon, Enhalus acoroides was found absent (PCSDS, 2002). In contrast, the seagrass bed of Busy Bees was dominated by Enhalus acoroides.


Figure 10. Location of Seagrass Survey Sites from PCSDS (2002, green triangles),

MERF 1994,( yellow squares) and this Survey (ECAN 2004, red circles), Taytay

• Sta. 1 •Sta.

• Sta.

Sta. • Sta.

• Sta.

•

•

•

•••• • ••••

••

•

••

4

3

• ECAN Survey CRA Survey (PCSDS, MERF Survey

Legend


Shown in Figure 11 is the seagrass resource distribution for the present study (also

depicted in Figure 6) including those for the various stations sampled from the previous CRA survey (PCSDS, 2002). These identified seagrass beds are usually associated with the mangroves and coral reefs in this area. Thus, the seagrass species found were basically mangroves-corals associates, predominated by pure-stands of Enhalus acoroides, or by the mixed association of Enhalus acoroides-Thalassia hemprichii-Cymodocea serrulata species. However, in areas where there are no mangroves, for example in Casian Island NE, mixed association of Cymodocea rotundata-Halodule pinifolia-Cymodocea serrulata species were common (while Enhalus acoroides absent). In Bucal, where there are also no mangroves, mixed association of Syringodium isoetifolium-Cymodocea rotundata species was noted (while Enhalus acoroides patchy). These species of seagrasses thrive primarily on sandy or muddy substrate along inter-tidal area. A study (Rollon, 1998) showed that shoot size of Enhalus acoroides is strongly affected by sediment type and nutrients. An increased level of nutrients also strongly affected the shoot size of Enhalus seedlings (Rollon, 1998) and mature plants (Agawin et al., 1996).

Fishing structures such as fish corrals (‘baklad’) and fish cages seen in the immediate

vicinity of the seagrass beds surveyed were also documented (see Figure 7). The most widely used, however, is the fish corral, a semi-permanent gear made of bamboo matting, chicken wire or netting materials, designed as a guiding barriers with intricate system of successive enclosures. It is used to catch shrimps, crabs and fishes. Fish cage, on the other hand, is used for grouper (‘lapu-lapu’) fattening. No impacts are expected from the presence of these fishing structures on the seagrass ecosystems surveyed.

Terrados et al. (1998) categorized some seagrass according to its siltation sensitivity level, wherein Syringodium isoetifolium is the most sensitive while those highly resistant are Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis and Halophila ovalis. It is probable that they are also more tolerant of a wide range of environmental parameters such as water velocity, substrate types and temperature. The abundance of Syringodium isoetifolium in Bucal (30% cover) and also its occurrence in Batas Island E, Batas Island W, Debangan Island N and Purungyawan W (see Table 12) can be attributed to the clear waters allowing for photosynthesis where the substrate (see Table 10) was partly favorable for the growth of this species. On the other hand, Enhalus acoroides has been found to be hardy species, which is able to survive domestic waste effluent and high siltation levels as compared to other species (Thorhaug, 1987).


Figure 11. Seagrass Resource Map of Taytay (data source: PCSDS, 2002 and this study). The seagrass bed in Bucal was the most diverse among the sites surveyed and may be considered young. This is in contrasts to seagrass beds in Batas Island E, Batas Island W,

The present survey recorded eight (8) species of seagrasses belonging to six (6) genera,

which is consistent with PCP-PAWB-Toba Aquarium’s (1995) findings in Taytay Bay. These


are Halodule pinifolia, Halodule uninervis, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii. These represent half of the total species known to occur in the Philippines.

In the CRA report (PCSDS, 2002), there were 10 species found and this included the least common estuarine spoon-grass Halophila beccarri and the small spoon-grass Halophila minor. The former was recorded at three (3) sites in Casian Island, Silanga (mainland) and Dipla Island while the latter was recorded at only one site in Sandoval. However, these two species were not observed during the present survey perhaps due to differences in the locations of sampling stations and/or the observation technique used, or may be due to seasonality.

Debangan Island N, Langnayan and Lulukyun, Bantolan, Purungyawan E and Purungyawan W with a total of 7 species each, which may be considered ‘constant’ or at its climax stage.

As to seaweeds, only 14 species were recorded in this survey. These represent almost half of the 29 species known to occur in the study area as reported by PCSDS (2002). Two possible reasons could be suggested for the differences. The locations of sampling stations and the observation technique used were different for the two surveys. Although, both survey results indicate substantial growth of brown seaweed Sargassum. Unlike seagrasses, seaweeds are not deeply rooted and the stability of the bottom sediment is an important factor in their development and viability. They do not tolerate turbid conditions.

The significantly high occurrence, along with very high cover indicate that the seaweed

Sargassum may be important to the productivity of Taytay Bay and adjacent areas. They may have a substantial role in reducing water energy and regulating flows and may also serve as a habitat together with the seagrasses. Sargassum is already known to provide an important protective habitat of juvenile stages of penaeid shrimp (Al Attar, 1981). Sargassum species are known to thrive in relatively harsh environments. Turbulent water conditions favor the growth of Sargassum. They are equipped with discoid holdfasts that allow them to attach to solid substrates preventing them from being dislodged by strong waves. Furthermore, Sargassum species have air bladders that allow them to float and avoid smothering by silt. Sargassum species are commercially important as sources of raw material for the production of alginates, phycocolloids used primarily for food and industrial applications.

Very little is known about the distribution and abundance of seagrass macroinvertebrates. CRA report (PCSDS, 2002) listed six (6) species of macroinvertebrates (sea cucumber, starfish, Diadema setosum, pencil urchin Heterocentrotus sp., giant clams Tridacna gigas and Tridacna crocea or ‘let-let’) on seagrass beds of Taytay, mostly recorded from Binolican Island, Manbanen Island, Calabadian Island, Batas Island, Dipla Island and Bubolongan Island. The true giant clam Tridacna gigas was found in Batas Island while Tridacna crocea was abundant in Dipla Island, Bubolongan Island and Manbanen Island. Diadema setosum was found to be the most abundant particularly in seagrass areas of Dipla Island and Calabadian Island. On the other hand, the present survey found 6 species of macroinvertebrates, belonging to only one animal group, the echinoderms (Diadema setosum, Echinometra mathaei, Echinothrix calamaris, Protoreaster nodosus, Linckia laevigata and


Synapta maculata). Most of these animals showed preference on the sandy substrate and appear to feed on algae and dead coral (with its contained organisms). The presence of algae on the surface of rocks, rubbles and dead corals and organic detritus on the surfaces of the sand, enables these animals to graze and live abundantly. There are a number of fisheries based on echinoderms, principally sea urchins and sea cucumbers. When ripe, the gonads of some sea urchins are highly valued as food items in the Orient. Sea cucumbers are taken for ‘trepang’, the dried body wall, which is also popular in the Orient (Colin and Arneson, 1995). In the Philippines, the sea urchins preferred is Tripneustes gratilla, although Diadema setosum and Echinothrix diadema are also used if Tripneustes gratilla is not available (Trinidad-Roa, 1989).

The absence of the holothuroids, commonly known as sea cucumbers or beche-de-mer in this survey, is very unusual since the animals are supposed to be very common in seagrass bed. They nourish on detritus materials mostly found in sand and play a major role in the food web (Allen and Steene, 1998). Sea cucumbers are harvested from wild populations. These are dried and exported to Manila. An unregulated collection of this animal greatly affects the ecosystem and therefore will affect the ecological balance prevailing in the seagrass bed.

It was observed in this survey that in some coastline of Taytay, in particular along Barangay Baras and Barangay Calauag (Plate 14-16), ‘kaingin’ or slash-and burn agriculture and cutting of mangroves (i.e., for space expansion, charcoal and lumber), are still being practiced which threaten not only the survival of mangroves, but also to the associated seagrass beds, coral reefs and fisheries resources. Along these coastal areas are intensive human activity such as fishing, boating and sea farming (fish cage, seaweed Eucheuma and pearl culture). Over harvesting of economically important molluscan invertebrate shells locally known as “sikad-sikad” on an excellent seagrass bed at Barangay Poblacion and indiscriminate throwing of garbage are some of the coastal activities affecting seagrass habitats in this area (PCSDS, 2002).

Plate 14. “Kaingin” and mangrove cutting in Barangay Baras (Lat 10º41’11.9 N and Long 119º38’09.0 E), Calauag Bay, 7 June 2004


Plate 15. Mangrove cutting in Barangay Baras (Lat 10º40’18.7 N and Long 119º37’17.4 E), Calauag Bay, 7 June 2004 Plate 16. “Kaingin: and mangrove cutting in Barangay Baras (Lat 10º40’23.1 N and Long 119º37’09.2 E), Calauag Bay, 7 June 2004


The seagrass habitat is currently under threat in the ASEAN region where a 20 to 60%

decrease in area during the last ten years was reported (Fortes, 1995). This is mainly attributed to declining water quality associated with eutrophication (nutrient loading), pollution from several forms of coastal development and destructive forms of fishing (PCP-PAWB-Toba Aquarium, 1995; WCPI, 1997). Since seagrasses are photosynthesizing organisms, their health is quite limited to the quality and amount of sunlight that they receive. For optimum production, seagrasses require good water quality with reduced turbidity, sedimentation and pollution (IUCN/UNEP, 1985). 16.0 SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS The major findings to be drawn from this study are:

There is still a widespread coverage of seagrasses in Taytay Bay and adjacent areas in association with the presence of mangroves and coral reefs. In Malampaya Sound, its coverage is limited as shown by their sparse growth. Most seagrass beds are in close association with fish corral (‘baklad’).

Seagrass resources in Taytay are still abundant. Large areas are in fair to good conditions (having 25-46% and 50-65% cover, respectively). Fort Isabel/Pier, Purungyawan W, Batas Island E, Langnayan and Lulukyun are the areas with good seagrass cover.

The present survey recorded eight (8) species. These are Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium and Thalassia hemprichii. PCSDS (2002) recorded ten (10) species of seagrasses and this included Halophila beccarri and Halophila minor. Enhalus acoroides is the most common, followed by Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea serrulata.

Most of the surveyed seagrass communities exhibited high species diversity. Of the 17 stations studied, only six (6) stations had less than 4 species diversity, while the rest recorded five (5) to eight (8) species. The low number of species is attributed to the dominance or pure stands of Enhalus acoroides.

Fourteen species of seaweeds were recorded (seven (7) greens, six (6) browns and one (1) red) in this survey, namely: Caulerpa taxifolia, Caulerpa serrulata, Caulerpa racemosa, Halimeda macroloba, Halimeda opuntia, Neomeris sp, Udotea orientalis, Padina japonica, Sargassum sp., Colpomenia sinuosa, Dictyota sp., Valonia ventricosa, Turbinaria sp. and Tydemania expeditionis. Some of these species are a local food resource.

Seaweeds occur only in a small portion of the seagrass bed. There are only 3-4 species of seaweeds found at each study site except in the seagrass bed in Sandoval with 6 species. The brown seaweed Sargassum sp. is the most abundant in 11 out of 17 surveyed sites


Echinoderms represent the only macroinvertebrates present among the seagrass habitats.

These included three (3) echinoids (Diadema setosum, Echinometra mathaei and Echinothrix calamaris), two (2) asteroids (Protoreaster nodosus and Linkia laevigata) and one (1) holothuroid (Synapta maculata). Of these, the long-spined black urchin Diadema setosum was commonly found. The black sea cucumbers were not found during this survey, suggesting that these organisms are among the most extensively exploited invertebrates in the area.

There are a number of issues that threaten the seagrass ecosystem in the area. These issues are largely man-made activities such as: Continuous practice of slash-and-burn farming (‘kaingin’), which contributes to soil erosion (deposition of silt);

Siltation, which is further aggravated by the continuous cutting of the mangroves; Pollution [for e.g., the extensive use of agricultural chemicals in Abongan (innermost part of Malampaya’s Inner Sound)] which may cause death to its biota; Over-exploitation of the associated fisheries resources such as sea cucumbers, giant clams and a gastropod mollusk Strombus sp. locally known as ‘sikad-sikad’; and

Continuous use of illegal fishing methods (e.g. dynamite, cyanide and electricity). 17.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on percentage cover, Fort Isabel/Pier, Purungyawan W, Batas Island E, Langnayan and Lulukyun may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest percentage cover (see Figures 9 and 10).

Based on species richness, Bukal, Batas Island SE, Batas Island W, Debangan Island N, Langnayan, Lulukyun, Malapya (Bantolan), Purungyawan E and Purungyawan W may be recommended as core zones as they have the highest seagrass species richness (see Table 11).

Based on the classification of seagrass meadows (Fortes, 1990) and the results of the survey, these seagrass beds belong to the disturbed category. This means that they occupy bays and coves, near human habitation. They should therefore be the subject of effective control measures (Fortes, 1990). Thus, in order to effectively control and manage these seagrass areas, we need a better understanding of their ecology, in the face of rapidly deteriorating marine environment. This would therefore require in-depth surveys of these seagrass areas to yield baseline data on the inherent biological and ecological capabilities of the plant populations and communities.

____________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER IV: MARINE MAMMALS AND SEA TURTLES 52

CHAPTER IV MARINE MAMMALS AND SEA TURTLES

18.0 INTRODUCTION

Most species of marine mammals and sea turtles are in the IUCN endangered species list. More often than not, anthropogenic activities account for most animal mortalities adversely affecting animal populations. The municipality of Taytay harbor such marine wildlife, however, information on the status of dugongs, sea turtles, and cetaceans in the area is scanty. Given their critical status, conservation strategies need to be developed to ensure their long-term survival.

This survey was conducted to obtain baseline data on dugong habitats, turtle nesting sites, and cetacean distribution in Taytay, Northern Palawan. This activity is part of a series of assessments on the status of the marine and coastal environment of Northern Palawan with the over-all objective of protecting and managing habitats that are essential complements to protect marine wildlife species. 19.0 METHODS

The Key Informant Interview (KII) method was chosen for this survey given the limitations of the project. Interview surveys are simple and relatively inexpensive to implement and the resultant data can be valuable in highlighting priorities and generating research hypotheses for future quantitative surveys. However, reliability of data is a limitation and information gathered from interviews should be verified where possible.

A semi-structured questionnaire was used covering subjects including animal distribution, feeding and nesting habitats, threats, trends, conservation awareness as well as information on recent animal sightings. Animal species was determined using photo-identification. A base map was used to record sightings and data was transferred using Garmin Map Source to obtain coordinates. Data obtained were encoded in a data base and descriptive statistics was used to quantify data. 20.0 RESULTS

20.1 Respondent Background

One hundred eighty six (186) interviews with fishermen in ten (10) coastal and island

barangays in the municipality of Taytay were conducted in June 2004. Majority (83%) of the respondents were full-time fishermen, and have been fishing in their barangay waters for five to ten years (24%). Fishing activities were conducted once daily using hook and line (59%) and fish nets (25%).


Most respondents (38%) belong to the 30-39 age bracket. Ethnicity was primarily Visayan (49%) in origin, followed by Palaweños (34%). Established residency in Taytay ranged from 21 to 30 years (20%). Educational attainment for respondents was generally of primary level (42%). Further details on respondent and fishing profile are summarized in Tables 14 and 15. Table 14. Respondent Profile, Taytay, Palawan, 2004

Survey Area

No. of respondents

Age class

%

Ethnic Origin

%

EducationalAttainment

%

EstablishedResidency

(years) %

Baras 21 15-19 5 Luzon 14 primary

level 42 5-10 13

Batas 17 20-29 21 Visayas 49 elementary

grad 26 11-15 18

Biton 29 30-39 38 Palawan 34 secondary

level 15 16-20 15

Canique 7 40-49 22 Mindoro 2 high school

grad 6 21-30 20 Casian 33 50-59 12 No data 2 college level 5 31-40 11

Maytigued 2

60 and

older 2 vocational 1 41-50 6

Paly 30 no

data 1 no schooling 4 51-60 5 Silanga 10 1-4 11 Talacanen 8 5 mos 1 Tumbod 29 TOTAL 186 100 100 100 100

Table 15. Fishing Profile, Taytay, Palawan, 2004

Fishers' Classification %

No. of years

fishing in area %

Fishing frequency %

Gears used %

Full time 83 5-10 24 Once daily 55 hook and line 59

Part time 15 11-15 22 Twice daily 3

multiple hook & line 4


Table 15 continued . . .

Occasional 3 16-20 18 twice weekly 9 long line 1

21-30 13 2 - 3x daily 1 spear 9 31-40 2 3x weekly 5 fish net 25 41-50 1 4 - 6x weekly 1 compressor 0 51-60 1 5x/wk 1 fish corral 0 1-4 18 6x/wk 2 basnig 0 5 mos 1 irregular 19 bubo 0 no data 1 10x/month 1 seasonal 4 18 days/month 1

TOTAL 100 100 100 100 20.2 Dugong Status Animal Identification

A total of 66% (n=122) of the respondents have reportedly seen a dugong and most (n=93, 76%) were familiar with the animal. The rest (n=29, 24%) described it either as a dolphin or shark. On the other hand, only 34% (n=64) of the respondents have not seen the animal. Behavior

Common behaviors reported were swimming, eating, and floating on surface. Feeding sites were identified in Batas, Casian, Baras, and Tumbod. Distribution

Dugongs were more distributed in the coastal waters of the eastern sector of Taytay. In the western sector, animal distribution was confined in Tumbod, near the mouth of the Inner Malampaya Sound. Figure 12 illustrates animal distribution.


Figure 12 . Dugong Distribution, Taytay, Palawan. 2004 Frequency of Sightings

Dugong sightings (Figure 13) for a six-month period (Jan-June 2004) were highest in Paly followed by Baras. Most sightings occurred in February in Paly where the animal was most frequently seen swimming, followed by June in Baras where the animal was reportedly feeding. Animals were usually sighted during the early mornings in most areas except in Baras and Talacanen where animals were sighted in the late afternoon. Sightings were believed to be opportunistic throughout the year expect for Paly where the animal was reportedly seen once a month, and everyday in Baras.


Figure 13. Dugong Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan. – June 2004

Group Size

Figure. 14 shows that dugongs commonly occurred in solitary units. Mother and calf pairs vary in most of the areas. Groups of three individuals occurred most in Paly, while groups of four reportedly occurred in Silanga and Biton.

0

5

10

15

20

Batas

CasianBara

s

Silang

a

Canique

Tumbo

dPaly

Biton

Talaca

nen

Maytig

ued

Survey Areas

Num

ber

of S

ight

ings

024681012

Num

ber

of

Indi

vidu

alssightings: Jan-June 2004

one adult

2 adults

3 adults

4 adults

mother & calf

Figure 14. Dugong Group Size, Taytay, Palawan, Jan. – June 2004

Figure 1. Dugong Sightings: Jan to June 2004

0

5

10

15

20

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June

Month

Num

ber o

f Sig

htin

gs

BatasCasianBarasSilangaCaniqueTumbodPalyBitonTalacanenMaytigued


Trends in animal numbers

Respondents generally believe that dugong numbers were increasing (54%) in the municipality due to the following reasons (Table 16).

Table 16. Percentage Distribution of the Reasons Given by Respondents for the Increse in dugoung Numbers, Taytay, Palawan, Jan-June 2004

Reason %

Animal is not hunted 44

Catching is prohibited 30

No reason given 12

It gives birth 11

Many are still seen 3

On the other hand, respondent’s (36%) responses on reasons of their belief that dugongs numbers were decreasing are presented in Table 17. The rest (10%) of the respondents were unsure whether dugong numbers were increasing or not.

Table 17. Percentage Distribution of the Reasons Given by the Respondents for the Decrease in Dugong Numbers,Taytay, Palawan, Jan-June 2004

Reason %

No reason given 31

It is rarely seen 27

Animal is hunted and eaten 25

Death due to dynamite 7

Death due to by-catch in fish net &

pangulong 4

Animal is slow to reproduce 4

death due to stranding in fish corral 2


20.3 Turtle Status Animal Identification

Respondents had a high level of awareness on turtles occurring in their municipality, their knowledge however is limited to species identification and behaviors observed. Based on photo identification, respondents identified the hawksbill and green turtles as commonly occurring in their areas. The loggerhead turtle was also identified to occur in Casian. Behavior

Most behaviors observed were swimming and breathing. Feeding on seagrasses and seaweeds was frequently observed in Baras and Tumbod, while nesting was observed in Batas, Silanga, and Biton. Distribution

Turtles were most distributed in the eastern sector of the municipality although animals also occur in the Inner and Outer Malampaya Sound. Distribution was mostly near shore waters while nests were distriibuted in both coastal and island beaches. Figure 15 illustrates distribution of turtle sightings and nests.

Figure 15. Distribution of Turtle Sightings and Nesting Beaches, Taytay, Palawan, Jan-June. 2004

Legend: Turtle Sighting Turtle Nest


Frequency of Sighting

Turtles were reportedly seen everyday (84%), at anytime (65%). Animal sightings though, were limited to solitary individuals in most areas except in Casian, Batas, Silanga, and Biton where respondents report two to three individuals together. Sighting frequencies (Figure 16) for a six-month period varied in most areas. Sightings were notably highest in June (53%) particularly in Tumbod. May (27%) also exhibited high sighting frequencies mostly in Baras and Casian; followed by February (17%) in Biton and Paly.

Figure 16. Turtle Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan. – June, 2004 Trends in Animal Numbers Bulk of the respondents (91%) believe that turtle numbers were increasing in their areas based on the following reasons they have provided (Table 18)

Figure 3. Turtle Sightings: January to June 2004

0 5 10 15 20

BatasCasianBaras

SilangaCaniqueTumbod

PalyBiton

TalacanenMaytegue

Area

s S

urve

yed

No. of Sightings

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June


Table 18. Percentage Distribution of the Reasons Given by Respondents for the Increase in Turtle Numbers, Taytay, Palawan, Jan-June 2004

many still seen

prohibited to catch

not eating many eggs

no answer

not hunted

13% 9% 1% 45% 19% 13%

Meanwhile, 7% of the respondents were unsure, while 2% said that the numbers were decreasing because some said the animals were hunted and eaten, while the rest gave no answers as to the reason of decrease.

20.4 Cetacean Status Animal Identification

Most respondents (90%) have seen dolphins. However, 8% of them confuse it with sharks. Also, 48% have seen whales but 18% of them confuse the animal with the whale shark. Common cetacean species identified were the bottlenose dolphin, spinner dolphins, and pilot whales which were often confused with dolphin due to group size. Other species identified to be occurring were the sperm whale, spotted dolphin, risso’s dolphin, melon-headed whale, rough toothed dolphin and killer whale. Respondents generally perceived cetaceans to be ‘another kind of fish’ in the marine environment. Behavior

Dolphin behaviors were limited to swimming and porpoising. Respondents from Casian frequently observed dolphins feeding on small fishes. Whale behaviors on the other hand, were limited to surfacing and breathing. In Paly Island, respondents reported to have seen whales feeding on sergistid shrimps, locally known as ‘alamang’. Distribution

Dolphin distribution in the municipality was in offshore waters and inshore bays. In the western area, dolphin distribution was in the outer portion of Malampaya sound. Whales were distributed in offshore waters. Figure 17 illustrates cetacean distribution in Taytay.


Figure 17. Cetacean Distribution, Taytay, Palawan. Jan-June 2004 Frequency of Sighting

Dolphin sightings (Figure 18) were highest in Baras (22%) for a six-month period starting January 2004. The months of May and June exhibited most sighting frequencies which varies in the northeastern and southeastern parts of Taytay Bay.

Figure 18. Dophin Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan. – June, 2004

Legend: Dolphin Sighting Whale Sighting

0 5 10 15 20

No. of Sightings

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

Mon

th



Whale sightings (Figure 19) were highest in Tumbod (25%) for June. It is in Paly however, that sightings were observed to occur regularly for two months (between Jan-Feb, between Feb-March), then in between the summer months of April and May.

Figure 19. Whale Sightings, Taytay, Palawan, Jan. – June, 2004

Group Size

Dolphin individuals ranged from units to groups in most areas. Aggregations were reported in Paly and Biton. Larger whales on the other hand, were observed to occur singly except in Casian, Biton, and Paly where five (5) to ten (10) individuals where seen together. Animal descriptions (long dorsal fin, black and white patches) by fishermen from those areas correspond to a pod of killer whales. Trends in Animal Numbers

Respondents generally believe that dolphin (94%) and whale (54%) numbers were increasing in Taytay because they were not hunted. Table 19 lists the details in trends.

0 5 10 15 20

No. of Sightings

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

Mon

th



Table 19. Trends in Cetacean Numbers, Taytay,Palawan, Jan-June 2004

Increas- ing (%)

Decreas-ing (%)

Unsure (%)

Reasons for increase Do W Reasons for decrease Do W Do W 94 54 3 16 3 30

They are not hunted 29 23 No reason given 60 11 No reason given 17 26 They are caught in nets 20 0 They give birth 16 10 They are hunted 0 11

Many are still seen 16 16 Animal is rarely seen 0 42 Catching is prohibited 11 19 They give birth only to one

individual20 36

They are hard to catch 9 3 Not eating animal meat 1 0

Too big to fit in net 1 3

20.5 Threats

Perceived threats in the municipality varied among the respondents. While 29% believed there were none that could affect marine wildlife, 26% and 25% of the fisherfolks identified the common threat of dynamite and cyanide fishing. Table 20 lists other threats identified by the respondents.

Strandings and By-catch

Occurrences of animal strandings were uncommon in most of the areas surveyed. Conversely, results revealed high incidents of by-catch for dugongs and turtles, the latter having the greatest impact. Casian had the highest incident of by-catch for turtles, while Biton had the most dugong by-catch incidents differing slightly from Casian. Fish nets (59%) account for catches. Other causes of incidental catch were fish corrals (25%), hook & line (15%), and

Table 20. Perceived Threats of Marine Mammals, Taytay, Palawan, Jan-June 2004

(%) None existing 29

Dynamite 26 Cyanide 25

Don’t know 13 Pollution 3

Man 2 Fish corral 1

Fish net 1


dynamite (1%). Respondents generally will release (88%) the animal if it is still alive, 7% will slaughter the animal for food consumption, 3% will surrender the animal to the DENR, and 2% will just throw the animal. Figure 20 details by-catch occurrences.

CY 2003

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Batas

Casian

Baras

Silang

aPaly

Biton

Talaca

nen

Maytig

ued

Canique

Tumbo

d

Survey Areas

No.

of B

y-C

atch

In

cide

nts

0

5

10

15

20

25

Impl

emen

ts o

f Cat

ch DugongTurtleFish CorralFish NetHook & LineDynamite

Figure 20. Occurrence of By-catch Dugongs and Turtles, Taytay, Palawan, 2004

20.6 Conservation Awareness Fisherfolk Attitude on Accidental Captures Almost all of the respondents (99%) will release the animal when it is accidentally caught during their fishing activities. If the animal is dead, 56% will leave the animal alone since possession of captured animals were prohibited. Table 21 lists further details on fisherfolk behavior regarding accidental animal captures.


Awareness of Laws

A total of 95% of the respondents were aware of the existence of laws regarding animal protection, 3% have not heard, while 2% were unsure. Community leaders (47%) were identified to be a major source on the dissemination of conservation laws followed by announcements over the radio (14%). On the implementation of such laws in their areas, 67% said that it is being implemented, 19% reported the absence of implementation, and 13% were unsure. Table 22 lists the details.

Table 21. Fisherfolk Attitudes on Incidental Animal Catches, Taytay, Palawan, Jan-June 2004

If animal is ALIVE If animal is DEAD Action % Action %

Release 99 Leave animal alone, possession is prohibited

56

Reasons: Catching is prohibited

48 Take it for food consumption 12

Not eating meat 21 Throw it at sea 11 They help people 9 Bury it 9

The animal is pitiful 7 No answer 8 To increase their

numbers5 Report it to Barangay Officials 3

No reason given 5 No economic value 4

Already rare 1 Report to Barangay Officials

1


Table 22. Awareness and Implementation of Conservation Laws, Taytay,Palawan, Jan-June 2004

A. Awareness on existence of laws on animal protection

Yes (%)

No (%)

Unsure (%)

95 3 2 Source: Community Leaders 47 Media 25

Newspaper 10 Radio 1 TV 14

Government Agencies 16 DENR 5 PCSD 2 BFAR/Fisheries 9

Unsure 6 Fellow Fishermen 4 Seminar 2 School 1

B. Implementation of laws in area Yes (%)

No (%)

Unsure (%)

67 19 13 Method of implementation: Not identified 79 Community is not catching animals

13

Animals caught were immediately released

6

Barangay officials strict in law implementation

2

21.0 DISCUSSIONS

Survey results for dugongs suggest that animals still occur in small numbers particularly in the eastern sector of the municipality. Most animal sightings occurred in areas with seagrass beds suggesting that these sites are inshore feeding grounds for dugongs. In addition to the secondary data (Kataoka et al 1995) which indicated dugong counts in Taytay Bay and the northeastern areas, Paly and Baras in the southeastern sector also harbor dugongs in their waters based on sighting data from this survey. Paly exhibited the highest sighting frequency for mother and calf pairs, and the number of individuals seen in the area were most varied compared to other sites. Swimming was the common behavior observed by respondents from this island barangay perhaps suggesting that the area is part of the dugongs’ range of movement


from one feeding area to another – in this case, from feeding grounds in Dumaran (WWF 1998) to Baras based on frequent feeding behavior of the animal as reported by respondents in the area. This pattern of movement however, needs to be verified through monitoring and surveys.

While most respondents believe that dugong numbers were increasing in their areas, data on population estimates is insufficient to support this information. Most of the available data is qualitative, and there are still extensive gaps in knowledge of dugong status, distribution and behavioral characteristics.

As with the rest of Northern Palawan, turtles were a common sight in Taytay. Observed feeding behavior on seagrasses and seaweeds by most respondents and tagging data (DENR, 2001) on Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) suggest that the species is most common as compared to the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata).

Data from sighting frequencies showed increased turtle sightings during the months of February, May, and June. Further, areas where these animals were most frequently seen were found to be near nesting sites. This may possibly indicate seasons of mating and nesting. Usually, at the start of the breeding season, the adult males and females migrate over long distances to congregate and copulate near the nesting area. When mating is finished, the males depart, presumably returning to the distant feeding grounds while the female moves to an area adjacent to the nesting beach and begins to make eggs. Thereafter, the female comes ashore to lay her eggs (Limpus 1993). In Thailand, peak nesting season for Green and Hawksbill turtles occur in the months of June and July (Chantrapornsyl 1993). Peak nesting season for Hawksbills is from March to June, and April to July for Green turtles in Malaysia (Ibrahim 1993). In Sabah Turtle Islands, peak nesting season for Hawksbills occur from January to June (Basintal and Lakim 1993). Although results from this survey are insufficient to determine nesting seasons, data however, can suggest primary indication.

Although respondents believe that turtle numbers were increasing in their areas due to egg production and frequent sightings, data is primarily anecdotal and is therefore inconclusive. Quantitative data to support this information is deficient because of the absence of research and monitoring in the municipality.

During the first cetacean abundance survey in the eastern part of the Sulu Sea conducted in June-July 1999, it was recorded that the four most abundant species occurring in the area were the spinner dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, Fraser’s dolphin, and short-finned pilot whales. Other relatively abundant species in the Sulu Sea were the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus, melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra and Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus (Dolar, 1999). Cetaceans spend most of their time foraging for food which explains their large-scale movements. Thus, it is not surprising to find these cetaceans in the Taytay area given its’ proximity to the Sulu Sea. Photo-identification by respondents already revealed the presence of some species occurring in their waters and it is likely that cetacean species new to Taytay exist.

It was surprising that respondents from Tumbod in the northwestern sector of the municipality gave no mention of Irrawaddy dolphins (Plate 17) occurring in Malampaya sound. The status of the animal is worth mentioning in this report since the population found in the


sound is the only known existing species in the Philippines. Latest data obtained from the survey conducted in Malampaya last 2001 revealed that the population is isolated within the inner sound and that the population size is dangerously small. Only an estimated 77 Irrawaddy dolphins are all that is left in Malampaya sound (Smith et al 2002). Given the results of the survey, the Irrawaddy dolphin population is in immediate danger of extinction due to low numbers, limited range, and high mortality thus prompting the IUCN-Cetacean Specialist Group to classify the animal as critically endangered (Reeves et al 2003).

The months of May and June revealed most cetacean sightings in the areas surveyed.

Tan (1995) stated that “the season of toothed whales seems to run through all 12 months of the year the fact that many prey species of toothed whales can be found almost all year round”. He further stated that baleen whale season in northern Palawan occurs from December to June coinciding with the shoaling season for ‘dilis’ and ‘alamang’. While Tans’ report is true to some extent, data from the areas surveyed is inconclusive since seasonality of cetacean movement in the area has not been established pending surveys and monitoring. Likewise, population estimates for cetaceans in Taytay should be conducted through boat surveys over a period of time to support anecdotal data on abundance and trends in animal numbers.

Dynamite and cyanide fishing were identified activities impacting marine mammals and

sea turtles. These impacts were generally regarded as perceptions by the respondents, in reality however, by-catch is a far more serious threat affecting animal populations. By-catch refers to the incidental capture of non-target species in fisheries and is the primary threat to species survival in the municipality as well as the rest of Northern Palawan. It is very unfortunate that

Plate 17. Irrawaddy dolphin in Malampaya Sound. Note the very short, stubby dorsal fin. (Photo by J. Garcia)


the data necessary to determine the magnitude of by-catch on dugongs, sea turtles, and cetacean populations is not readily available. This lack of information has long been recognized as a serious deficiency in marine mammals and sea turtle management throughout the country. In the meantime, fishermen shall remain incredulous of the idea that by-catch is a serious problem for the animals unless conservation needs of the species is made understood.

Conservation awareness was high among respondents. Release of the animals accidentally caught in fishing gears was the course of action since awareness of laws protecting dugongs, sea turtles, and cetaceans were eminent among fisherfolks. However, awareness on the animals’ life history, biology, and conservation needs is lacking in most areas. 22.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Dugongs exist in small numbers in Taytay owing to the presence of feeding areas located mostly inshore. Movements from one feeding area to another needs to be monitored if dugong protected areas are to be established in the municipality.

Increased sighting frequencies for turtles during the months of February, May, and June in waters near nesting beaches may suggest nesting season in the municipality. While comparable data on nesting seasons from neighboring Asian countries seem to support this information, research and monitoring on nesting activities need to be carried out.

Cetaceans are widely distributed both in the eastern and western sections of Taytay. Abundance survey conducted in 1999 in the eastern Sulu Sea identified the spinner dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, Fraser’s dolphin, and short-finned pilot whales as the most abundant species. Due to the animals’ large-scale movements, respondents confirmed the presence of such species in Taytay through photo-identification. Other cetaceans, e.g. sperm whales and killer whales were also identified.

Irrawaddy dolphins occurring in Malampaya sound may be the first cetacean species to become extinct in Philippine waters due to low numbers, limited range, and high mortalities in fish nets if no serious efforts to protect the animal are done.

The future of marine mammals and sea turtles in Taytay remain uncertain due to by-catch in fish nets, and fish corral. Accidental captures of turtles in hook and line also contribute to turtle mortalities in the area. The level of threat on marine wildlife cannot be assessed due to the absence of quantified data on catches and population estimate. Therefore, if conservation measures are to be established, efforts to obtain the data mentioned need to be undertaken.

The low level of awareness among fisherfolks on the life history, biology, and conservation needs of dugongs, sea turtles, and cetaceans also needs to be addressed. While environmental education seems to be the best option to address this at the moment, the significant roles of local communities as agents in conservation should be emphasized and made understood to the point of effecting a behavioral change among fisherfolks on the urgent need to protect marine mammals and sea turtles.

____________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER V: MANGROVE FOREST 70

CHAPTER V MANGROVE FOREST

23.0 INTRODUCTION

Palawan has an estimated mangrove area of 26,086 hectares and the whole mangrove area is declared as mangrove swamp forest reserve per Presidential Proclamation (P.P.) 2152. Almost 35% of the total conservation or mangrove reservation (74,267 has) in the country is found in Palawan. In mangrove forest reserves, small-scale sustainable utilization of forest resources is allowed but commercial and large-scale utilization and conversion to other land uses such as fishpond are strictly prohibited.

However, recent surveys and studies showed that mangrove forest inside the reservation

are continuously subjected to cutting and worst, cleared and developed into fishponds. The depletion of stock of old growth mangrove forests is primarily due to commercial large scale cutting for timber, fuelwood, charcoal and direct conversion into fishpond. Likewise, the stock depletion in second growth is largely due to continuous cutting for sustenance/subsistence use as poles and piles and fuelwood and some local industrial requirements such as bakery, construction materials, fish trap poles and low-cost housing materials (Bennagen and Cabahug, 1991). The previously dense mangrove forests are now sparsely vegetated second growth and became reproductive-brush.

24.0 OBJECTIVES

The study aims to determine the: 1. forest structure, condition and ecological diversity of mangrove in Taytay; 2. pattern of uses and existing land uses of mangroves; and 3. appropriate management zoning of mangroves.

25.0 EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• Characterization of the status of mangrove habitats in terms of forest conditions,

structures and ecological diversity; and • Classification and zoning of mangroves for strict protection or preservation,

conservation or community-based sustainable small-scale utilization, and for restoration or rehabilitation.


25.0 METHODOLOGY Date and Place of Survey and Location of Transect

Resource and Ecological Assessment (REA) of mangrove in Taytay, Palawan was conducted from October 24 to November 21, 2003. There were 78 transects measured that covered both mangrove along Taytay Bay and Malampaya Sound (Table 23).

Table 23. Location and Position of Belt Transects Surveyed, Taytay, Palawan, 2003.

Taytay, Palawan Coordinates Tran

No.

No. of

Plot

Transect Length

(m)

Area (m²)

Dom Spp

Co-Dom Remarks

Brgy. Batas (island)

So. Putol N 11º 01' 23.4" E 119º 35' 11.9" 1 8 375 3750 Ra Bs

W/ cuttings of Timber size tree

So. Miraon N 11º 09 50.0" E 119º 33' 20.8" 2 7 330 3300 Ra Rs W/ cuttings

Imorigue Is., Brgy. Batas

N 11º 10' 06.1" E 119º 33' 06.4" 3 3 140 1400 Ra Ra &

Bg

So. Balisbis, N 11º 08' 45.3" E 119º 34' 58.21" 4 10 500 5000 Ra Sal &

Rm

Malapai Is N 11º 08' 44.8" E 119º 33' 24.6" 5 3 103 1030 Ra Rm

So. Putot, Batas N 11º 09' 71.3" E 119º 35' 871" 6 8 400 4000 Ra

About 200 meters

covered w/ nipa

Brgy. Depla

Bubolongan, Depla

N 11º 05’ 47.0” E 119º 53’ 41.5” 7 2 100 1000 Ra Bg

So. Bilaya, Depla

N 11º 05’ 07.7” E 119º 36’ 55.3” 8 6 300 3000 Ra Rm

So. Acoi-Acoi, Brgy. Depla

N 11º 04’ 58.0” E 119º 36’ 22. 7” 9 5 210 2100 Ra Rm

Brgy. Depla N 11º 04’ 19.4” E 119º 33’ 59. 9” 10 5 227 2270 Ra Bs

Brgy. Depla N 11º 04. 55.5” E 119º 34’ 09. 4” 11 6 300 3000 Ra Rm

So. Marilao, Depla

N 11º 02. 60.1” E 119º 34.113” 12 6 300 3000 Ra

So. Kurtina, Depla

N 11º 01. 58.9” E 119º 35.21” 13 10 470 4700 Ra

Bg, Xg, Ct


Table 23 continued. . .

Brgy. Maytiqued

Maytiqued, Taytay 14 3 150 1500 Ra

Sc, Xg, Ct

Mondo Proper 15 2 100 1000 Ra Sc, Xg, Ct

Brgy. Maytiqued 16 5 250 2500 Ra Rm

So. Malapuyong,

N 11º 01. 454" E 119º 77.316" 17 7 335 3350 Ra Rm

Brgy. Silanga N 11º 02' 31.1" E 119º 33' 32.0" 18 5 225 2250 Ra Rm

Silanga lower N 11º 00. 19.3" E 119º 40.31" 19 4 200 2000 Ra Rm

So. Tangi, N 11º 00. 316" E 119º 32. 470" 20 3 135 1350 Ra Sal

So. Maggawayan,

Silanga c/o K. Dexter 29a 2 88 880 Ra Rm

So. Maggawaya,

Silanga Brgy.Busy

Bees

Bato Is. Busy Bees

N 11º 00' 49.9" E 119º 32' 07.3" 21 3 150 1500 Ra Sal Leaning

Bato Is. Busy Bees

N 11º 00' 43.1" E 119º 31' 54.5" 22 2 100 1000 Ra Rs

Asbornd Is. Busy Bees

N 11º 00' 816" E 119º 31' 268" 23 3 140 1400 Ra Rm

So. Lapac, Brgy. Busy

Bees

N 11º 00' 55.1" E 119º 30' 56.0" 24 11 550 5500 Ra Rm

Densed w/ ulingan sa

plot 11 So. Lapac, Brgy. Busy

Bees

N 11º 00' 33.6" E 119º 30' 09.5" 25 6 260 2600

Ra & Gapas-gapas

Bg & Ct

Brgy. Pulariqueen

So. Ngalan N 10º 58' 16.4" E 119º 29' 30.7" 26 5 235 2350 Ra Cd &

Xg

Brgy. Pulariqueen

Proper

N 10º 57. 474" E 119º 29.40" 27 3 150 1500 Rm Sal

Brgy. Pulariqueen

N 10º 55' 29.2" E 119º 29' 55.5" 28 4 200 2000 Ra Rm &

Xg


Table 23 continued. . .

Brgy. Sandoval

Panatalan Is., N 11º 05' 08.4" E 119º 33' 04" 30a 2 85 850 Rs Ra &

Rm

So. Magkawayan

N 11º 04' 47.4" E 119º 33' 04" 31a 4 175 1750 Ra Rm

Sandoval Proper 32a 6 285 2850 Ra SC,

Xg

So. Banaba,Sandov

al 33a 3 115 1150 Ct

Brgy. Pamantolon

So. Patuladan, N 10° 55' 17.1" E119° 29' 69.1" 29 7 350 3500 Ra Ct,

Xg W/ Cuttings

Fronting Is. Pamantolon

Norte 30 4 200 2000 Rs Ra, Sc

So. Mayat, Pamantolon 31 9 410 4100 Rs

Ra, Xg, Ct

Centro, Pamantolon

N 10° 53' 29.1" E119° 29' 27.3" 32 8 400 4000 Ra Rm

open/cleared due to

charcoal making

So. Lolokyon, Pamantolon

N 10° 52' 37.00" E119° 29' 09.13" 33 15 725 7250 Ra

Aa, Cd, Xg


N 10° 52' 23.9" E119° 29' 15.1" 34 3 150 1500 Ra Sal Sparse


N 10° 52' 01.9" E119° 29' 55.2" 35 8 386 3860 Ra Sal,

Cd

So. Langayan N 10° 31' 18.2" E119° 30' 19.20" 36 5 250 2500 Sal, Sc Bc,

Ra w/ clearings

So. Langayan N 10° 51' 00.2" E119° 30' 45.00" 37 9 450 4500 Ra Rm,

Rs

more clearings and open spaces

Poblacin

So. Mayruba, Poblacion

N 10° 48.841' E119° 32.571' 38 7 335 3350 Ra, Rm Xg

Sitio Tabuyo N 10° 49' 54.0" E119° 33' 47.3" 39 7 340 3400 Ra

Malapia, Poblacion

N 10° 50.113' E119° 34.679' 40 7 350 3500 Ra, Rm Rs Leaning


Table 23 continued . . . Brgy Bantolan

So. Tolinay, Brgy. Bantulan

N 10° 49.537' E119° 35.474' 41 6 300 3000 Ra, Rs Sparse

So. Mamubot/ Maybulo

N 10° 48' 36.0" E119° 34' 46.8" 42 13 650 6500 Ra

Clearings-w/ ulingan sa 1st and last

plot (Landward to

Landward)

So. Tarem N 10° 48.558' E119° 35.200' 43 8 377 3770 Ra, Rs

So. Tambal N 10° 47.048' E119° 34.585' 44 8 365 3650 Rm, Ra

Old Bantolon, bantolan Proper

N 10° 46' 25.1" E119° 35' 04.4" 45 10 460 4600 Ra Sal,

Bg

Brgy. Calauag

So. Panlongon, N 10° 42.203' E119° 35.239' 46 5 250 2500 Ra, Rm

last two plots are open-

sparse

Tumanday Island

N 10° 40. 580' E119° 34.926' 47 3 130 1300 Ra Rm w/ Clearings

So. Lagoyloy N 10° 40' 51.5" E119° 34' 13.9" 48 5 250 2500 Ra Rm w/ clearings

So. Calabukay N 10° 39.849' E119° 35.825' 49 10 500 5000 Ra Rm Patches of

clearings So.

Calumluman N 10° 40' 40.5" E119° 37' 42.7" 50 6 275 2750 Ra Rs

Ibobor Island N10° 42' 44.6" E119° 37' 37.0" 51 4 200 2000 Rm, Ra Rs

Brgy. Guinlo

So. Mayatan, Brgy. Old

Guinlo

N 10° 49’ 33.8” E119° 27’ 26.1” 52 14 700 7000 Ct Bc

So. Yakal, New Guinlo 53 7 350 3500 Ra &

Rm Ct

Brgy. Bato So. Ipil, Brgy.

Bato N 10° 44’ 30.7” E119° 27’ 25.1” 54 8 400 4000 Rm Bg &

Ct

Brgy. Bato 55 8 375 3750 Rm & Ra

Xg,Cd, Sh


Table 23 continued . . . Abongan

Panikian/ Abongan River

N 10° 43’ 22.3” E119° 26’ 55.0” 56 11 550 5500 Ra Xg,

Ct

So. Pinaggupitan,

Abongan

N 10° 42’ 48.9” E119° 26’ 28.5” 57 8 400 4000 Bs, Xg Ea Landward to

Seaward

So. Inrea, Abongan River

N 10° 12’ 54.4” E119° 22’ 251” 58 6 300 3000 Xg Bg

Bgy. Alacalian

So. Tibay, Brgy Alacalian

N 10° 43. 334” E 119° 25. 7” 59 7 350 3500 Ra &

Rm Xg &

Bg

Brgy. Alacalian,

Malampaya

N 10° 45. 15’ E 119° 25.290’ 60 5 250 2500 Ra Bc &

Ct

Maratpat Island,

Alacalian 61 5 250 2500 Ra Rm

So. Kawakayan 62 6 300 300 Rm & Ra

Ll & Sh

So. Maratdat N 10° 45. 939’ E 119° 23.674’ 63 12 575 5750 Rm &

Ra Xg &

Ct

Brgy. Banbanan

So. Lapay, Brgy.

Banbanan, Malampaya

Sound

N 10° 50’ 56.9” E 119° 16 52.3” 64 5 250 2500 Ra Bg

more seedlings and

saplings

So. Sinyaran, Brgy.

Banbanan

N 10° 48’ 42. 2” E 119° 19’ 50.5” 65 7 350 3500 Ra & Bg

more seedlings and

saplings

San Jose So. Turao, San

Jose Taytay 66 4 175 1750 Rm & Ra

Rs & Xg

So. Turao, San Jose Taytay

N 10° 52’ 12.5” E 119° 15’ 47.4 “ 67 5 220 2200 Ra &

Rm Landward to Seaward

So. Pirate, San Jose

N 10° 54’ 07.2” E 119° 16’ 34.1” 68 2 90 900 Ra

Tumbol Island N 10° 00’ 00. 6" E 119° 17' 56.0" 69 6 255 2550 Ra, Bg,

Rm plot 5 -6 sparse

Liminangcong Liminangcong,

Malampaya Sound Center

sound

N 10° 58' 629" E 119° 18. 448" 70 2 100 1000 Ra & Ct

So. Binaluan, Liminangcong

N 10° 56. 700' E 119° 20. 126' 71 3 150 1500 Rm Ra


Table 23 continued . . . So. Buluran,

Brgy. Binaluan N 10° 56' 41.9" E119° 21' 19.3" 72 10 500 5000 Ra &

Rm Bc & Bg

So. Binaloan, Pancol

Liminangcong

N 10° 54.564' E119° 20. 726' 73 2 100 1000 Rm &

Ra

So. Tulduan, Liminangcong

N 10° 09. 406' E119° 20. 743' 74 `7 350 3500 Ra Rm

w/ newly cut Timber size tree of 26cm

dbh

Kataban River, Malampaya

N 11° 00' 37.9" E119° 21' 53.3" 75 12 600 6000 Rm &

Ra Bc & Bg

w/ abandoned fishpond

Pancol

Pancol, Dibalat River 76b 3 150 1500 Rm &

Ra

Xg, Ea, Bg

So. Dibalat Pancol

N 10° 56' 13.5" E119° 21' 06.9" 76a 4 168 1680 Ra Bg

So. Dimaabot, Brgy. Pancol

N 10° 50' 49.3" E119° 26' 31.9" 77 12 600 6000 Ct

Ra, Xg, Bg

Poblacion

So. Igang, Poblacion

N 10° 50. 719' E119° 27.100' 78 8 400 4000 Ra, Rm,

Ct w/

abandoned fishpond

Sampling Procedure

Transects were laid out in the base map taking into consideration the different land uses, forest conditions and extent of mangrove areas. Mangrove areas in Taytay were delineated and classified into three (3) forest covers such as dense, sparse, or open/clear areas using satellite imageries. Reconnaissance was conducted to validate the mangrove forest conditions and the result was considered in the final selection of the sampling sites. The belt transect of 10 meter width traversed the different mangrove forest conditions perpendicular to the shorelines and riverbank.

Field Methods

The study areas were demarcated into transects running perpendicular to the seashore up to the inland using GPS to ascertain the direction and avoid overlapping or intersection of transects toward the landward area. Each transect was divided into 10m x 50m size plot. In each transect, trees inside the plot larger than 5cm in diameter were recorded per plot for total height and/or merchantable height; and diameter at breast height (DBH)/Diameter above budroot.

A 2m x 50m subplot was laid out for the measurement of regeneration. Saplings, (with diameter smaller than 5cm and height more than 2m) were identified and the number of individuals by species was determined. Counts of seedlings (with height lower than 2m) were recorded as number of individuals of species (Plate 18).


Within each plot in the different transects, mangrove species were identified and

classified into: 1. Timber size trees (>15cm DBH/DAB); 2. Pole size trees (>5cm up to 15cm in DBH/DAB); and 3. Regeneration

Saplings (5cm DBH/DAB and 2m in height) Seedlings (height below 2m)

For timber size trees (>15cm DBH/DAB), the following parameters were assessed:

1. Merchantable height (to the nearest 0.5m). The height from stump (0.3m above

the budroot in Rhizophora spp. or ½m above the ground in non-Rhizophora spp up to the first major branch or 10cm top diameter limit).

2. Total Height (to the nearest 0.5m) 3. DAB/DBH (to the nearest 0.5cm)

For pole-size trees, only the total height and DBH/DAB were measured. Due to difficult conditions, which hindered the work, the height was measured directly using calibrated poles as guide for small to medium size trees. For large size trees (those more than 10m height), height was estimated.

Initially, the diameter was measured accurately using a diameter tape, and as the work

progressed, the diameter was already estimated directly. In all species, except for Rhizophora, diameter was recorded at 1.3m height from the ground level known as DBH. In Rhizophora spp., because of the presence of stilt roots, the diameter was recorded at height of 0.3 meter from the topmost stilt roots known as DAB (Plate 19).

Plate 18. Picture showing the layout of the subplot for the measurement of mangrove regeneration.


In the case of regeneration saplings and seedlings, the density (number present in each

plot) in the different transects were recorded by species.

In addition to the above quantitative data, observations were made on: 1) presence of ferns; 2) presence of crab mounds; and 3) presence of avifauna and wildlife. Data Processing and Analysis

Individual tree volume of timber size trees was computed using the volume equations or using the volume tables for each species derived by Cabahug (1986a; 1986b) for timber-producing mangrove species. Based on the computed volume, a stand and stock table was constructed using the suggested format. Other tree parameter variables such as stand volume (SV), stand stock per hectare (N), diameter of the mean basal area of the tree (Dg), stand dominant height (Ho), mean diameter of dominant height (Dho), stand mean (H) and stand basal area (G) were computed using the formula/equations formulated by FAO, as follows: Stand volume (SV) SV (m3/ha) = ΣV

Plot area

Stand stock per hectare (N) N (tree/ha) = Total no. of live trees on the plot Plot area Mean Diameter (Dg) Dg (cm) = Σd /No. of trees on the plot

where d = diameter of the tree

Plate 19. Picture showing dbh measurement of Rhizophora apiculata


Stand dominant height (Ho) Ho (m) = ΣDh/No. of dominant trees on the plot where Dh = height of dominant trees Mean diameter of dominant Dho (cm) = ΣDd/No. of dominant trees on the plot where Dd = diameter of dominant trees Stand mean height (H) H(m) = ΣTh/No. of trees on the plot where Th = tree height Stand basal area (G) G (m2/ha)) = ΣBa/Plot area

where: Ba = 0.007854 (Dbh)2

The dominant species for each site was determined based on the importance value (IV). The IV is the sum of the relative density, relative frequency, and relative coverage. These are computed using the following formula:

Density = Total number of individuals counted for a given species

Total area sampled

Relative density Total number of individuals of a given species x 100 = Total number of individuals of all species

Coverage = Total area covered by a given species Total area sampled Relative coverage = Total coverage of a species x 100 Total coverage of all species Frequency = Number of plots where a given species occur Total number of plots in the site Relative frequency = Frequency of a given species x 100 Total frequency of all species Importance Value = Relative density + Relative coverage + Relative frequency The diversity indices are computed using the following formula: Species richness measures

Margalef’s index DMg = (S-1)/ln N Menhinick’s index DMn = S/√ N


Shannon diversity index H’ = -Σpi ln pi where pi, the proportional abundance of the ith species = (ni/N) Evenness of the species can now be calculated using the formula: E = H’ /ln S Simpson’s index (n1(n1- 1)) D = Σ ___________ (N(N-1)) where n1 = the number of individuals in the ith species, and N = the total number of individuals. Berger-Parker diversity index The Berger-Parker index is calculated from the equation: d = Nmax/N where N = total number of individuals and Nmax = number of individuals in the most abundant species. In order to ensure that the index increases with increasing diversity the reciprocal form of the measure is usually adopted. Similarity measures Sorenson measure using the qualitative data, the formula: CN = 2jN / (aN + bN) where aN = the number of individuals in site A; bN = the number of individuals in site B; and jN = the sum of the lower of the two abundances or species which occur in the two sites. 26.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The mangrove team established 78 transects, assessed the mangrove structure, and measured tree growth parameters in the municipality of Taytay, Palawan. 26.1 Biodiversity Assessment Species Composition and Distribution

There were 20 true and 20 associate mangrove species identified and recorded during the survey, which belong to 14 families and 27 genera of vascular plants (Table 24).


Table 24. List of True and Associate Mangrove Species Identified and Recorded in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

Scientific Names Code Common Name Existing in Taytay

TRUE MANGROVE Aegiceras corniculatum Ac Saging-saging *

Aegiceras floridum Af Tinduk-ti d k

* Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Bg Busain *

Bruguiera sexangula Bs Pototan * Bruguiera cylindrical Bc Pototan lalaki * Bruguiera parviflora Bp Langarai *

Ceriops tagal Ct Tangal * Ceriops decandra Cd Malatangal *

Lumnitzera littorea Ll Tabau * Lumnitzera racemosa Lr Kulasi *

Nypa fruticans Nf Nipa * Rhizophora apiculata Ra Bakauan lalaki *

Rhizophora mucronata Rm Bakauan babae * Rhizophora stylosa Rs Bakauan bato *

Sonneratia alba Sal Pagatpat * Sonneratia caseolaris Sc Pedada * Excoecaria agallocha Ea Buta-buta * Xylocarpus granatum Xg Tabigi *

Campostenum philipinnensis Cp Gapas-gapas *

Xylocarpus moluccensis Xm Piagau * MANGROVE ASSOCIATE

Acanthus ebracteatus Aeb Tigbau * Acacia farnesiana Afa Aroma *

Acrostichum aureum Aau Lagolo * Barringtonia asiatica Ba Botong *

Barringtonia racemosa Br Putat * Caesalpinia crista Cc Sapinit *

Cynometra ramiflora Cr Balitbitan * Derris trifoliate Dt Mangasin *

Hibiscus tiliaceus Ht Malubago * Instia bijuga Ib Ipil *

Morinda citrifolia Mc Bangkoro * Osbornia octodonta Oo Tualis * Pandanus tectorius Pt Prickly pandan * Pongamia pinnata Pp Bani *


Table 24 continued . . . Scyphiphora

hydrophyllacea Sh Nilad * Table 24 continued. . .

Terminalia catappa Tc Talisai * Thespesia populneoides Tp Malabanalo *

Thespesia populnea Tpo Banalo * Cerbera manghas Cm Baraibai *

Dolichandrone spathacea Dsp Tui *

The most widely distributed species in Taytay are Rhizophora apiculata (Plate 20), Rhizophora mucronata (Plate 21), Xylocarpus granatum (Plate 22), Ceriops tagal (Plate 23) and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Plate 24) which are recorded in 78, 57, 56, 53 and 50 transects. In terms of abundance (total individual), Rhizophora apiculata, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora mucronata, Xylocarpus granatum, and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza species has 300,585; 66,180; 53,420; 30,480 and 21,644 individuals respectively (Table 25). Species diversity depends on species composition and number of individual species in certain vegetation community.

Plate 20. Rhizophora apiculata (Bakauan-lalaki)

Plate 21 Rhizophora mucronata (Bakauan babae)

Plate 22. Xylocarpus granatum


Table 25. Distribution and Abundance of Top Ten Mangrove Species in Different

Sampling Sites of Taytay, Palawan, 2003.

Species No. Transect Individual Count (N) Ra 78 300585 Ct 53 66180 Rm 57 53420 Xg 56 30480 Bg 50 21644 Bs 31 8565 Sh 13 8160 Ea 19 7000 Rs 20 6320 Ll 22 5540 Sa 19 5280 Bc 27 4740 Cd 14 3335 Hl 21 2820 Sc 22 2580

Diversity Indices

The most diverse sampling site in terms of Species richness (Dmg), Evenness of distribution (E), Shannon Index of Diversity (H1), Simpson’s index (1/D) and most abundant species distribution index (N∞) is transect 70, 61, 62, 62 and 62 respectively. The top 5 sampling sites with high evenness index are transects 61, 6, 42, 1 and 51 where distribution of species is equitably abundance, hence indicated a high diversity index (Maguran, 1987).

Plate 23. Ceriops tangal (Tangal)

Plate 24. Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Busain)


Considering combination of indices of H1 , 1/D and N∞ indices show that transect 62 has consistently indicated diverse indices. However, using Simpson index (1/D) the top 5 diverse sampling sites are T-62, T-63, T-57, T-36 and T-56 (Table 26).

Table 26. The Diversity Indices of 78 Sampling Sites in Mangrove Forest Calculated Using Different Diversity Formula, Taytay,Palawan, 2003

Transect

Species richness

(S) Individuals

(N) Margalef

(Dmg) Shannon

Evenness (E) Shannon

(H') Simpson

(1/D)

Berger-Parker (N¥ )

1 15 1484 1.9172 0.0593992 0.92091 0.64493 1.25126 2 6 207 0.9376 0.0210645 0.3275 0.87876 1.06701 3 5 108 0.8543 0.0138739 0.978 0.46158 1.61194 4 7 254 1.0836 0.0227972 0.57546 0.76683 1.14414 5 4 114 0.6334 0.0168351 0.57853 0.7297 1.17526 6 2 420 0.1656 0.0943879 0.04242 0.98578 1.00719 7 12 78 2.5248 0.0068733 1.85598 0.22078 2.51613 8 5 251 0.7239 0. 0273072 0.69901 0.65128 1.255 9 5 343 0.6852 0.0348182 0.45413 0.7795 1.13953

10 8 330 1.2071 0.0261572 0.55909 0.77045 1.14187 11 3 205 0.3757 0.0340908 0.86023 0.48847 1.55303 12 2 181 0.1924 0.0489274 0.22909 0.88521 1.06471 13 5 464 0.6515 0.0438311 0.69046 0.66831 1.23733 14 5 150 0.7983 0.0181201 0.63848 0.69387 1.20968 15 7 107 1.284 0.0113879 1.13621 0.45336 1.55072 16 6 160 0.9852 0.017145 0.82089 0.63789 1.25984 17 3 320 0.3467 0.0483462 0.19797 0.92098 1.04235 18 7 176 1.1604 0.0170419 1.27248 0.35162 1.91304 19 6 210 0.9351 0.0213065 0.64952 0.70353 1.2 20 4 123 0.6234 0.0179111 0.38318 0.83127 1.09821 21 7 269 1.0724 0.0238458 0.49843 0.80456 1.11618 22 4 94 0.6603 0.0143725 0.33621 0.85747 1.08046 23 4 91 0.6651 0.0139937 0.50765 0.73065 1.18182 24 5 324 0.692 0.0333201 0.96544 0.53786 1.39056 25 7 399 1.0018 0.0323354 1.33578 0.33294 1.97525 26 4 173 0.5822 0.0235942 0.42001 0.8069 1.11613 27 4 53 0.7556 0.0089259 1.13583 0.33019 2.52381 28 7 171 1.1669 0.0166529 0.89956 0.57393 1.34646 29 7 215 1.1172 0.0199882 1.15307 0.43534 1.59259 30 8 119 1.4647 0.0116234 1.36249 0.31762 2.47917 31 6 206 0.9385 0.0209837 0.71567 0.64613 1.2638 32 14 206 2.44 0.0142466 1.72815 0.32967 1.7913 33 12 188 2.1007 0.014068 1.22837 0.45847 1.54098 34 9 142 1.6143 0.0126978 1.06182 0.52792 1.40594 35 7 193 1.1401 0.0183448 0.94033 0.55009 1.37857 36 14 215 2.4206 0.0147383 1.92059 0.198 2.79221


Table 26 continued . . .

37 6 227 0.9217 0.0226611 0.60703 0.74866 1.15816 38 9 253 1.4458 0.0201273 1.56023 0.26253 2.53 39 5 472 0.6497 0.0443987 0.83679 0.58189 1.34091 40 6 405 0.8328 0.0355187 0.43252 0.80493 1.11878 41 5 157 0.7911 0.0187987 0.76035 0.58648 1.35345 42 8 996 1.0139 0.0590868 0.24849 0.91773 1.04403 43 8 270 1.2504 0.0223794 0.35353 0.87179 1.07143 44 5 541 0.6356 0.0491676 0.86065 0.48397 1.68012 45 7 444 0.9843 0.035067 1.20116 0.3815 1.99103 46 3 65 0.4791 0.0133602 0.94909 0.43173 1.66667 47 4 100 0.6514 0.0151224 0.6982 0.56424 1.42857 48 9 492 1.2906 0.0335507 1.45526 0.34663 1.80882 49 7 731 0.9099 0.0507036 0.70902 0.67618 1.22651 50 8 405 1.1659 0.0306048 0.70604 0.71012 1.19118 51 7 270 1.0717 0.0239151 1.10129 0.41826 1.83673 52 12 1037 1.5841 0.050849 1.20633 0.50598 1.42445 53 8 696 1.0695 0.0457923 0.92675 0.56776 1.35146 54 9 245 1.4542 0.0196253 1.54958 0.28384 2.14912 55 16 540 2.3841 0.0285017 1.82989 0.22878 2.57143 56 7 493 0.9677 0.0379414 1.40869 0.27986 2.67935 57 9 340 1.3725 0.0253318 1.62027 0.23849 3.00885 58 12 454 1.7979 0.0279264 1.36127 0.43355 1.55479 59 7 553 0.9501 0.0413339 1.35725 0.31302 2.36325 60 10 622 1.399 0.0380975 1.65957 0.25353 2.41085 61 3 1099 0.2856 0.1197093 0.83959 0.51746 1.46533 62 15 516 2.2414 0.0282092 1.95878 0.1652 4.44828 63 11 719 1.5203 0.0406572 1.64526 0.22499 3.00837 64 7 295 1.055 0.0256255 0.7809 0.65947 1.2395 65 5 363 0.6786 0.0363686 0.69859 0.55331 1.47561 66 9 219 1.4845 0.0179623 1.17778 0.42298 1.65909 67 4 42 0.8026 0.0073379 0.81986 0.5633 1.35484 68 6 56 1.2421 0.0072324 1.16267 0.43701 1.55556 69 7 148 1.2007 0.0148254 1.17609 0.47435 1.48 70 15 169 2.7291 0.0118538 1.84696 0.2488 2.28378 71 4 361 0.5094 0.042044 0.67177 0.54757 1.51046 72 10 557 1.4235 0.0351184 0.90172 0.63167 1.26591 73 5 370 0.6764 0.0369051 0.74323 0.50109 1.73709 74 9 271 1.428 0.0212411 1.05281 0.50428 1.45699 75 8 206 1.3138 0.0180807 1.29268 0.41179 1.62205 76 11 456 1.6333 0.0290358 1.6686 0.2384 2.59091 77 10 384 1.5124 0.0265391 1.16308 0.51507 1.41176 78 13 859 1.7763 0.0431737 1.42775 0.39077 1.67121


Based on the Shannon’s index of diversity all sampling sites in Taytay had very low relative values of biodiversity indices using the scale of Fernando Biodiversity (1998). Likewise, in terms of evenness of distribution of species abundances, all transects had low relative values of biodiversity scale (Table 27).

Table 27. The Relative Values of Shannon’s Diversity Index andE of Species Distribution Mangroves in Taytay, Palawan based on Fernando Biodiversity Scale (1998).

Transect Shannon Diversity

Index (H1) Relative Values Shannon Evenness

(E) Relative Values 1 0.92091 Very Low 0.0593992 Low 2 0.3275 Very Low 0.0210645 Low 3 0.978 Very Low 0.0138739 Low 4 0.57546 Very Low 0.0227972 Low 5 0.57853 Very Low 0.0168351 Low 6 0.04242 Very Low 0.0943879 Low 7 1.85598 Very Low 0.0068733 Low 8 0.69901 Very Low 0.0273072 Low 9 0.45413 Very Low 0.0348182 Low 10 0.55909 Very Low 0.0261572 Low 11 0.86023 Very Low 0.0340908 Low 12 0.22909 Very Low 0.0489274 Low 13 0.69046 Very Low 0.0438311 Low 14 0.63848 Very Low 0.0181201 Low 15 1.13621 Very Low 0.0113879 Low 16 0.82089 Very Low 0.017145 Low 17 0.19797 Very Low 0.0483462 Low 18 1.27248 Very Low 0.0170419 Low 19 0.64952 Very Low 0.0213065 Low 20 0.38318 Very Low 0.0179111 Low 21 0.49843 Very Low 0.0238458 Low 22 0.33621 Very Low 0.0143725 Low 23 0.50765 Very Low 0.0139937 Low 24 0.96544 Very Low 0.0333201 Low 25 1.33578 Very Low 0.0323354 Low 26 0.42001 Very Low 0.0235942 Low 27 1.13583 Very Low 0.0089259 Low 28 0.89956 Very Low 0.0166529 Low 29 1.15307 Very Low 0.0199882 Low 30 1.36249 Very Low 0.0116234 Low 31 0.71567 Very Low 0.0209837 Low 32 1.72815 Very Low 0.0142466 Low 33 1.22837 Very Low 0.014068 Low 34 1.06182 Very Low 0.0126978 Low 35 0.94033 Very Low 0.0183448 Low


Table 27 continued . . . 36 1.92059 Very Low 0.0147383 Low 37 0.60703 Very Low 0.0226611 Low 38 1.56023 Very Low 0.0201273 Low 39 0.83679 Very Low 0.0443987 Low 40 0.43252 Very Low 0.0355187 Low 41 0.76035 Very Low 0.0187987 Low 42 0.24849 Very Low 0.0590868 Low 43 0.35353 Very Low 0.0223794 Low 44 0.86065 Very Low 0.0491676 Low 45 1.20116 Very Low 0.035067 Low 46 0.94909 Very Low 0.0133602 Low 47 0.6982 Very Low 0.0151224 Low 48 1.45526 Very Low 0.0335507 Low 49 0.70902 Very Low 0.0507036 Low 50 0.70604 Very Low 0.0306048 Low 51 1.10129 Very Low 0.0239151 Low 52 1.20633 Very Low 0.050849 Low 53 0.92675 Very Low 0.0457923 Low 54 1.54958 Very Low 0.0196253 Low 55 1.82989 Very Low 0.0285017 Low 56 1.40869 Very Low 0.0379414 Low 57 1.62027 Very Low 0.0253318 Low 58 1.36127 Very Low 0.0279264 Low 59 1.35725 Very Low 0.0413339 Low 60 1.65957 Very Low 0.0380975 Low 61 0.83959 Very Low 0.1197093 Low 62 1.95878 Very Low 0.0282092 Low 63 1.64526 Very Low 0.0406572 Low 64 0.7809 Very Low 0.0256255 Low 65 0.69859 Very Low 0.0363686 Low 66 1.17778 Very Low 0.0179623 Low 67 0.81986 Very Low 0.0073379 Low 68 1.16267 Very Low 0.0072324 Low 69 1.17609 Very Low 0.0148254 Low 70 1.84696 Very Low 0.0118538 Low 71 0.67177 Very Low 0.042044 Low 72 0.90172 Very Low 0.0351184 Low 73 0.74323 Very Low 0.0369051 Low 74 1.05281 Very Low 0.0212411 Low 75 1.29268 Very Low 0.0180807 Low 76 1.6686 Very Low 0.0290358 Low 77 1.16308 Very Low 0.0265391 Low 78 1.42775 Very Low 0.0431737 Low


Comparison of Biodiversity Index in other Areas

Taytay’s mangrove forest has higher index of biodiversity than other countries such as South Florida and Thailand. In northern Palawan, Taytay has lower index of diversity than Busuanga, Coron and Culion but higher diversity index than El Nido (Table 28).

Table 28. Comparison of Biodiversity Index of mangrove habitat in other countries/sites, 2004.

Country/Site Dmg H1 E 1/D N�

South Florida 0.4979 Thailand: Chantaburi 0.879 Trad 0.7806 Phang-nga 0.584 Ranong 0.433 Philippines: Busuanga 4.73 1.504 0.3974 2.789 2.01 Coron 1.453 1.074 0.079 2.78 1.6098 Culion 0.046 El Nido 0.0717 0.037 Taytay 1.1953 1.0087 0.03 0.5269 1.6659

26.2 Structural Analysis of Mangrove Vegetation Relative Frequency (RF), Relative Density (RDen), Relative Dominance (RDom) and Importance Value (IV)

Rhizophora apiculata (Ra) is the physiognomically dominant and important mangrove species in Taytay in terms of the relative frequency, relative density, and relative dominance. It has consistently recorded the highest value of RF, Rden, Rdom and IV of 27.8375; 56.4067; 58.9158 and 143.1598, respectively. The other top 15 important mangrove species in decreasing order are: Ceriops tagal (Ct), Rhizophora mucronata (Rm), Xylocarpus granatum (Xg), Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Bg), Lumnitzera littorea (Ll), Bruguiera sexangula (Bs), Sonneratia alba (Sal), Bruguiera cylindrica (Bc), Excoecaria agallocha (Ea), Sonneratia caseolaris (Sc), Scyphipora hydrophyllacea (Sh),Rhizophora stylosa (Rs),Heritiera littoralis (Hl), and Ceriops decandra (Cd) (Table 29).


Table 29. The RF, RDen, RDom, and IV of Top 15 Mangrove Species in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

Species RF RDen RDom IV Rank

Ra 27.8375 56.4067 58.9156 143.1598 1 Ct 10.2205 12.4193 4.5059 27.1457 2 Rm 8.6736 10.0285 8.1314 26.8335 3 Xg 10.5587 5.7311 6.393 22.6828 4 Bg 10.7602 4.0685 6.5231 21.3518 5 Ll 3.8313 1.0396 2.8223 7.6932 6 Bs 3.8997 1.6064 1.2981 6.8042 7 Sal 2.0182 0.9946 3.2837 6.2965 8 Bc 3.7666 0.8895 0.7054 5.3615 9 Ea 2.7557 1.3174 1.0605 5.1336 10 Sc 2.4211 0.4842 2.1984 5.1037 11 Sh 2.288 1.5313 0.5395 4.3588 12 Rs 1.9499 1.186 0.886 4.0219 13 Hl 2.1513 0.5292 0.3916 3.0721 14 Cd 1.68 0.6155 0.3029 2.5984 15

Mangrove Forest Condition Average Stocking

Considering the DENR’s stocking classification, almost all transects had an open/cleared stocking of 64 to 598 trees/ha. Only transects 1, 49, 52, 53, 61, 63 and 78 had inadequate stocking range of 701 and 1236 trees/ha. Generally, mangrove of Taytay has an open stocking of 277 trees/ha (Table 30).

Table 30. Average Stocking (N/ha) of Timber and Pole Size Trees/Transect in Taytay, Palawan, 2003.

Transect Timber Pole Total DENR Stocking

Class 1 1218 18 1236 Inadequate 2 155 0 155 Open 3 102 0 102 Open 4 175 9 184 Open 5 110 0 110 Open 6 406 11 417 Open 7 42 0 42 Open 8 160 0 160 Open 9 274 2 276 Open 10 280 3 283 Open


Table 30 continued . . . 11 131 14 145 Open 12 178 1 179 Open 13 445 0 445 Open 14 94 1 95 Open 15 96 3 99 Open 16 114 0 114 Open 17 320 0 320 Open 18 107 5 112 Open 19 156 1 157 Open 20 114 0 114 Open 21 175 0 175 Open 22 59 0 59 Open 23 84 0 84 Open 24 194 11 205 Open 25 305 3 308 Open 26 106 0 106 Open 27 34 0 34 Open 28 146 1 147 Open 29 123 3 126 Open 30 96 3 99 Open 31 134 0 134 Open 32 119 0 119 Open 33 156 0 156 Open 34 92 1 93 Open 35 69 0 69 Open 36 147 0 147 Open 37 182 0 182 Open 38 224 0 224 Open 39 329 4 333 Open 40 388 0 388 Open 41 152 0 152 Open 42 755 9 764 Open 43 255 1 256 Open 44 438 0 438 Open 45 279 0 279 Open 46 52 4 56 Open 47 97 0 97 Open 48 404 9 413 Open 49 696 5 701 Inadequate 50 303 1 304 Open 51 220 1 221 Open 52 963 6 969 Inadequate 53 691 0 691 Inadequate 54 214 1 215 Open 55 373 0 373 Open


Table 30 continued . . . 56 401 47 448 Open 57 253 13 266 Open 58 331 75 406 Open 59 374 0 374 Open 60 557 1 558 Open 61 993 46 1039 Inadequate 62 436 0 436 Open 63 663 37 700 Inadequate 64 268 1 269 Open 65 311 0 311 Open 66 131 10 141 Open 67 28 0 28 Open 68 51 0 51 Open 69 109 2 111 Open 70 148 1 149 Open 71 306 0 306 Open 72 437 0 437 Open 73 288 1 289 Open 74 165 0 165 Open 75 163 8 171 Open 76 335 12 347 Open 77 352 2 354 Open 78 779 9 788 Inadequate

Stand Volume

Mangrove forest of Taytay has an average stand volume of 291 m3/ha, which is classified by DENR and FAO as moderate volume forest stand. Timber size trees contributed 69% (average of 206 m3/ha) while pole size trees shared 29% (average of 85.06 m3 / ha) of the total stand volume. Majority of sampled transect (49%) had high volume stand while 40% and 14% belongs to moderate and low stand volume (Table 31).

Table 31. Stand Volume (m3/ha) of Timber and Pole by Transect in Taytay, Palawan, 2003

Stand Volume (SV)

Transect Timber Pole Total SV Classes 1 663.924 320.87 984.79 High 2 69.697 50.51 120.2 Moderate 3 76.209 10.118 86.33 Moderate 4 224.575 61.402 285.98 High 5 6.935 19.219 26.15 Logged-Over 6 35.199 57.141 92.34 Moderate


Table 31 continued . . . 7 296.523 12.418 308.94 High 8 311.424 41.497 352.92 High 9 148.009 75.002 223.01 Moderate 10 126.35 109.336 235.69 Moderate 11 300.217 30.026 330.24 High 12 9.566 35.593 45.16 Logged-Over 13 95.579 114.741 210.32 Moderate 14 355.989 26.749 382.74 High 15 52.872 11.485 64.36 Moderate 16 99.5 42.098 141.59 Moderate 17 0 48.399 48.4 Logged-Over 18 243.301 36.211 279.51 High 19 59.163 36.362 95.52 Moderate 20 21.75 21.443 43.19 Logged-Over 21 155.517 16.693 172.21 Moderate 22 65.658 25.639 91.297 Moderate 23 12.651 24.364 37.01 Logged –Over 24 430.792 73.107 503.89 High 25 427.565 37.295 464.86 High 26 213.567 54.179 267.75 High 27 140.227 16.797 157.02 Moderate 28 105.544 49.489 155.03 Moderate 29 578.642 28.06 606.702 High 30 40.513 32.54 73.05 Moderate 31 202.104 37.715 239.82 Moderate 32 374.616 35.68 410.29 High 33 84.964 28.774 113.74 Moderate 34 215.617 24.278 239.89 Moderate 35 945.184 21.515 966.69 High 36 192.75 26.566 219.316 Moderate 37 248.258 38.652 286.91 High 38 81.629 49.171 130.8 Moderate 39 566.22 100.017 666.237 High 40 46.283 57.248 103.53 Moderate 41 17.546 11.693 29.24 Logged-Over 42 617.851 246.255 864.12 High 43 14.214 72.194 86.41 Moderate 44 179.498 107.421 286.92 High 45 908.187 67.063 975.25 High 46 61.822 15.848 77.67 Moderate 47 3.764 33.029 36.79 Logged-Over 48 264.33 96.294 360.62 High 49 147.413 128.744 276.16 High 50 1521.224 132.002 1653.22 High 51 74.723 28.993 103.72 Moderate


Table 31 continued . . . 52 198.746 162.691 361.44 High 53 45.886 81.265 127.15 Moderate 54 47.487 40.638 88.12 Moderate 55 548.196 83.943 632.14 High 56 415.368 75.218 490.58 High 57 205.187 79.766 284.95 High 58 336.273 52.743 389.02 High 59 634.651 112.481 747.13 High 60 188.32 131.792 320.11 High 61 126.096 286.13 412.22 High 62 244.07 90.081 334.151 High 63 202.117 157.472 359.58 High 64 197.14 66.702 263.84 High 65 160.662 123.316 283.97 High 66 255.668 37.24 292.91 High 67 26.319 16.273 42.59 Logged-Over 68 9.461 13.11 22.57 Logged-Over 69 79.739 44.567 124.306 Moderate 70 38.019 37.805 75.82 Moderate 71 66.657 59.632 126.29 Moderate 72 295.681 224.369 520.05 High 73 136.789 92.97 229.759 High 74 440.673 57.871 498.544 High 75 172.19 44.662 216.852 Moderate 76 99228.03 97.878 99325 Moderate 77 66.542 82.067 148 Moderate 78 124.935 181.41 306.34 High

26.3 Pattern of Uses and Ecological State of Mangrove Mangrove Resource and Uses

Most mangrove areas in Taytay had been continuously subjected to cutting for charcoal, poles and piles that resulted to the low stature, open canopy and state of regeneration of mangroves. Almost 50% of mangroves along Taytay Bay are in a state of initial regeneration with loosely distributed remnants of timber size trees. Cutting and charcoal making are rampant in barangay Busy Bees, Pamantolon, Bantulan, Calauag, Liminangcong and Pancol. Comparatively, mangrove along the Malampaya Sound has better forest condition and structure than mangrove along Taytay Bay.


Mangrove Ecological State and Index of Degradation

Table 32 shows the values of different ecological indicators and index of degradation. In terms of stocking, T-1 had the highest number of trees/ha (1,484 trees/ha) and lowest stocking of 42 in transect 67. Transect 1 had the highest basal area of 217 m2 /per ha and lowest basal area is 5.17 m2/ha in transect 68. In terms of stand volume, transect 50, 31 and 15 had the highest value of high, moderate and low stand volume with average stand volume of 464, 137 and 41 m3/ha. The highest and lowest mean diameter at breast height is recorded in transect 52 and 21 with 24.24 and 13.52 m, respectively. Transects 45 and 78 had the highest and lowest mean height of 11.47 and 5.93 m. In terms of diversity indices transect 62 had the highest diversity index in terms of H1, 1/D, and N∞ with 1.97495, 4.4569 and 4.4569 relative index value. The highest values of different indicators mean that the mangrove is still in good ecological condition and the lower their aggregate values indicate the worst ecological state of mangrove. In terms of stand volume, the top 5 transects with higher volumes are T-50, T-1, T-45, T-35, and T-59 with 1653, 985, 975, 967 and 747 m3/ha which are mostly located along Malampaya Sound. The mangrove stands along Malampaya Sound have comparatively good ecological condition compared to mangrove areas along Taytay Bay. Transects 5, 12, 15, 17, 20, 23, 29, 41, 47, 67 and 68 had degraded/logged over forest condition with the lowest stand volume of 23 m3/ha which represent the worst mangrove forest condition in Taytay. There are two endemic mangrove species that can be found only in the Philippines, which are abundantly found in Northern Palawan including Taytay namely, Rhizhopora stylosa (Bakawan bato) and Campostenum philipinnensis (Gapas gapas) (Table 32).

Mangrove Management Zoning and Proposed Strategy Ranking of Mangrove Sites for ECAN Zoning

The scoring and ranking is primarily based on qualitative description of the mangrove areas such as stand growth, density, stature and existing pattern of utilization which are supported quantitatively based on stand volume, stocking, mean diameter, mean height, mean basal area and stand and stocking of mangrove forest. This qualitative and quantitative information provided us the basis for recommendation on the effective scheme of rehabilitating and sustaining the mangrove ecosystem as a renewable resource.

The forest structure and ecological diversity indices are used in ranking potential sites

for strictly protected areas, conservation sites for community small scale management, and sites for restoration or forestation. Taytay mangrove forest is relatively in good forest condition and structures compared to El Nido, Culion, Coron and San Vicente due to relatively intact mangrove forest along Malampaya Sound. There are nine (9) and two (2) mangrove areas along

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________CHAPTER V: MANGROVE FOREST 95

Table 32. Mangrove Index of Degradation and Ecological Condition Indices of Taytay Based on Forest Structure and Ecological Diversity Parameters.

ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA Pole and Timber

Transect Stocking Basal Area Vol

Mean DBH (Dg)

Mean Height

(H) Mean Reg IV

Margalef's Index Dmg

Shannon Diversity

Index H' E 1/D N� Endemism

1 1484 217.39 492.4 16.14 7.8 1742 300 1.9172 0.92091 0.0594 0.64493 1.25126 Present 2 207 31.7 60.1 15.46 7.34 82.5 300 0.9376 0.3275 0.0211 0.87876 1.06701 Present 3 108 12.73 43.16 19.61 8.32 414.5 299 0.8543 0.978 0.0139 0.46158 1.61194 Present 4 254 55.7 142.99 17.19 9.58 153 300 1.0836 0.57546 0.0228 0.76683 1.14414 Present 5 114 8.12 13.07 14.78 7.63 299 299 0.6334 0.57853 0.0168 0.7297 1.17526 Present 6 420 29.26 46.17 15.52 7.07 417.5 300 0.1656 0.04242 0.0944 0.98578 1.00719 Present 7 78 41.12 154.47 21.85 10.08 40.5 299 2.5248 1.85598 0.0069 0.22078 2.51613 Present 8 251 66.84 176.46 17.96 8.28 63 299 0.7239 0.69901 0.0273 0.65128 1.255 Present 9 343 48.53 111.51 15.58 8.43 168 300 0.6852 0.45413 0.0348 0.7795 1.13953 Present 10 330 49.26 117.84 16.95 9.29 908 300 1.2071 0.55909 0.0262 0.77045 1.14187 Present 11 205 59.35 165.12 18.8 8.1 48.5 300 0.3757 0.86023 0.0341 0.48847 1.55303 Present 12 181 13.78 22.58 17.65 7.44 353 300 0.1924 0.22909 0.0489 0.88521 1.06471 Present 13 464 50.71 105.16 19.29 8.4 400 300 0.6515 0.69046 0.0438 0.66831 1.23733 Present 14 150 64.54 191.37 19.13 8.78 94.5 300 0.7983 0.63848 0.0181 0.69387 1.20968 Present 15 107 14 32.18 19.56 7.87 60 300 1.284 1.13621 0.0114 0.45336 1.55072 Present 16 160 27.37 70.8 15.81 9.46 250.5 300 0.9852 0.82089 0.0171 0.63789 1.25984 Present 17 320 19.98 24.2 17.17 4.42 1585 299 0.3467 0.19797 0.0483 0.92098 1.04235 Present 18 176 48.64 139.76 14.72 9.66 262 299 1.1604 1.27248 0.0170 0.35162 1.91304 Present 19 210 29.71 47.76 17.83 6.06 176.5 299 0.9351 0.64952 0.0213 0.70353 1.2 Present 20 123 12.05 21.6 15.04 6.98 140.5 300 0.6234 0.38318 0.0179 0.83127 1.09821 Present 21 269 45.35 86.1 13.52 6.21 314 299 1.0724 0.49843 0.0238 0.80456 1.11618 Present 22 94 17.1 47.65 14.92 9.77 29.5 300 0.6603 0.33621 0.0144 0.85747 1.08046 Present


Table 32 continued . . . 23 91 9.99 18.51 17.02 8.95 201 299 0.6651 0.50765 0.0140 0.73065 1.18182 Present 24 324 77.06 251.95 19.62 10.84 82.5 299 0.692 0.96544 0.0333 0.53786 1.39056 Present 25 399 86.15 232.43 15.61 7.52 1092 300 1.0018 1.33578 0.0323 0.33294 1.97525 Present 26 173 42.75 133.87 22.54 11.16 60 299 0.5822 0.42001 0.0236 0.8069 1.11613 Present 27 53 26.64 78.51 19.41 10.06 733.5 300 0.7556 1.13583 0.0089 0.33019 2.52381 Present 28 171 29.77 77.52 20.39 9.57 336 300 1.1669 0.89956 0.0167 0.57393 1.34646 Present 29 215 94.19 303.35 16.1 9.52 375 300 1.1172 1.15307 0.0200 0.43534 1.59259 Present 30 119 18.58 36.53 18.14 7.48 95 299 1.4647 1.36249 0.0116 0.31762 2.47917 Present 31 206 49.55 119.91 18.34 8.34 84.5 300 0.9385 0.71567 0.0210 0.64613 1.2638 Present 32 206 68.49 205.15 17.31 9.22 477 299 2.44 1.72815 0.0142 0.32967 1.7913 Present 33 188 30.15 56.87 18.26 6.9 528.5 300 2.1007 1.22837 0.0141 0.45847 1.54098 Present 34 142 42.1 119.95 19.54 9.04 388.5 300 1.6143 1.06182 0.0127 0.52792 1.40594 Present 35 193 109.28 483.35 17.33 10.56 545.5 299 1.1401 0.94033 0.0183 0.55009 1.37857 Present 36 215 46.6 109.66 16.96 7.06 891 299 2.4206 1.92059 0.0147 0.198 2.79221 Present 37 227 50.4 143.45 17.05 7.68 851.5 300 0.9217 0.60703 0.0227 0.74866 1.15816 Present 38 253 30.69 65.4 16.29 8.45 1537 300 1.4458 1.56023 0.0201 0.26253 2.53 Present 39 472 109.04 333.12 17.84 9.706 477.5 300 0.6497 0.83679 0.0444 0.58189 1.34091 Present 40 405 32.38 51.77 16.77 6.64 734 299 0.8328 0.43252 0.0355 0.80493 1.11878 Present 41 157 8.48 14.62 14.97 8.68 515.5 299 0.7911 0.76035 0.0188 0.58648 1.35345 Present 42 996 170.33 432 13.31 9.08 170 299 1.0139 0.24849 0.0591 0.91773 1.04403 Present 43 270 24.71 43.2 14.8857 7.36 465.5 299 1.2504 0.35353 0.0224 0.87179 1.07143 Present 44 541 63.36 143.46 18.41 8.47 516.5 299 0.6356 0.86065 0.0492 0.48397 1.68012 Present 45 444 128.61 487.63 18.82 11.47 351.5 299 0.9843 1.20116 0.0351 0.3815 1.99103 Present 46 65 15.54 38.84 16.32 8.3 169.5 299 0.4791 0.94909 0.0134 0.43173 1.66667 Present 47 100 10.71 18.4 16.41 6.59 73.5 299 0.6514 0.6982 0.0151 0.56424 1.42857 Present 48 492 60.28 180.31 17.63 10.81 219.5 300 1.2906 1.45526 0.0336 0.34663 1.80882 Present 49 731 59.39 138.08 18.21 9.22 827.5 299 0.9099 0.70902 0.0507 0.67618 1.22651 Present 50 405 471.27 826.61 14.89 10.7 131.5 300 1.1659 0.70604 0.0306 0.71012 1.19118 Present 51 270 26.72 51.86 15.49 7 937.5 300 1.0717 1.10129 0.0239 0.41826 1.83673 Present 52 1037 101.66 180.72 24.24 6.5 3128 299 1.5841 1.20633 0.0508 0.50598 1.42445 Present 53 696 40.34 63.58 14.22 7.97 1453 300 1.0695 0.92675 0.0458 0.56776 1.35146 Present


Table 32 continued . . . 54 245 23.79 44.06 17.47 7.02 2320 300 1.4542 1.54958 0.0196 0.28384 2.14912 Present 55 540 131.69 316.07 18.11 7.78 650.5 300 2.3841 1.82989 0.0285 0.22878 2.57143 Present 56 493 89.36 245.29 15.08 8.66 5370 300 0.9677 1.40869 0.0379 0.27986 2.67935 Present 57 340 57.24 142.48 17.86 8.71 1679 299 1.3725 1.62027 0.0253 0.23849 3.00885 Present 58 454 98.92 194.51 16.5 5.96 1675 300 1.7979 1.36127 0.0279 0.43355 1.55479 Present 59 553 121.17 373.57 16.07 10.17 353 300 0.9501 1.35725 0.0413 0.31302 2.36325 Present 60 622 67.97 160.06 13.15 8.89 1929 300 1.399 1.65957 0.0381 0.25353 2.41085 Present 61 1099 93.89 206.11 18.15 8.71 783.5 300 0.2856 0.83959 0.1197 0.51746 1.46533 Present 62 516 87.53 167.08 18.94 6.56 348 300 2.2414 1.95878 0.0282 0.1652 4.44828 Present 63 719 89.03 179.79 20.59 7.97 2780 300 1.5203 1.64526 0.0407 0.22499 3.00837 Present 64 295 44.49 131.92 15.89 9.73 1082 300 1.055 0.7809 0.0256 0.65947 1.2395 Present 65 363 52.28 141.98 17.03 10.27 1203 300 0.6786 0.69859 0.0364 0.55331 1.47561 Present 66 219 58.86 146.45 14.91 7.71 677 300 1.4845 1.17778 0.0180 0.42298 1.65909 Present 67 42 7.79 21.29 15.52 10.38 64.5 299 0.8026 0.81986 0.0073 0.5633 1.35484 Present 68 56 5.17 11.29 15.38 8.68 280 299 1.2421 1.16267 0.0072 0.43701 1.55556 Present 69 148 25.3 62.15 14.79 9.17 665.5 300 1.2007 1.17609 0.0148 0.47435 1.48 Present 70 169 19.33 37.91 14.09 6.32 236.5 300 2.7291 1.84696 0.0119 0.2488 2.28378 Present 71 361 34.4 63.14 15.19 7.19 424.5 299 0.5094 0.67177 0.0420 0.54757 1.51046 Present 72 557 90.47 260.02 15.52 10.96 592.5 300 1.4235 0.90172 0.0351 0.63167 1.26591 Present 73 370 51.13 114.88 18.2 8.46 235.5 299 0.6764 0.74323 0.0369 0.50109 1.73709 Present 74 271 82.62 249.27 17.39 9.8 1361 299 1.428 1.05281 0.0212 0.50428 1.45699 Present 75 206 37.34 108.43 17.92 9.13 535.5 300 1.3138 1.29268 0.0181 0.41179 1.62205 Present 76 456 357.89 49662 16.34 11.41 1101 299 1.6333 1.6686 0.0290 0.2384 2.59091 Present 77 384 40.25 74.3 15.33 6.9 1898 300 1.5124 1.16308 0.0265 0.51507 1.41176 Present 78 859 99.11 153.17 16 5.93 1600 300 1.7763 1.42775 0.0432 0.39077 1.67121 Present


Taytay Bay and Malampaya Sound, respectively that need an immediate rehabilitation and protection. The most degraded areas are those transects with rank 78th to 41st that can be categorized in bad ecological conditions and need immediate protection and management while those transects with rank 40th to 21st can be categorized in between the good and bad mangrove forest condition and structure which can be restored naturally with enrichment planting or minimal artificial intervention. On the other hand, mangrove areas with similar mangrove forest structures and condition to transect with ecological ranking from 1 to 20th can be categorized in good or better ecological condition compared to other mangrove areas categorized above (Table 33). Those mangrove areas with similar ranking to 1 to 20th may be zoned into core zone for strict protection and for wilderness/preservation purposes while those ranked 21st to 40th may be sub-zoned for restricted use which allow artificial restoration in supplement to natural regeneration but those mangrove areas with ecological ranking of 41st to 78th maybe sub-zoned for reforestation or artificial restoration of its ecological condition. Table33. Ranking of mangrove ecological indices for ECAN zoning and potential

management options, Taytay, Palawan, 2003

T

Stocking

Mean Height

Mean DBH

Basal Area Vol Mean

Reg IV Dmg H' E 1/D N� Rank

1 1484 7.8 16.14 217.39 492.4 1742 300 1.9172 0.92091 0.0594 0.64493 1.25126 4th 2 207 7.34 15.46 31.7 60.1 82.5 300 0.9376 0.3275 0.0211 0.87876 1.06701 64th 3 108 8.32 19.61 12.73 43.16 414.5 299 0.8543 0.978 0.0139 0.46158 1.61194 58th 4 254 9.58 17.19 55.7 142.99 153 300 1.0836 0.57546 0.0228 0.76683 1.14414 67th 5 114 7.63 14.78 8.12 13.07 299 299 0.6334 0.57853 0.0168 0.7297 1.17526 62nd 6 420 7.07 15.52 29.26 46.17 417.5 300 0.1656 0.04242 0.0944 0.98578 1.00719 39th 7 78 10.08 21.85 41.12 154.47 40.5 299 2.5248 1.85598 0.0069 0.22078 2.51613 69th 8 251 8.28 17.96 66.84 176.46 63 299 0.7239 0.69901 0.0273 0.65128 1.255 55th 9 343 8.43 15.58 48.53 111.51 168 300 0.6852 0.45413 0.0348 0.7795 1.13953 53rd

10 330 9.29 16.95 49.26 117.84 908 300 1.2071 0.55909 0.0262 0.77045 1.14187 26th 11 205 8.1 18.8 59.35 165.12 48.5 300 0.3757 0.86023 0.0341 0.48847 1.55303 73rd 12 181 7.44 17.65 13.78 22.58 353 300 0.1924 0.22909 0.0489 0.88521 1.06471 65th 13 464 8.4 19.29 50.71 105.16 400 300 0.6515 0.69046 0.0438 0.66831 1.23733 56th 14 150 8.78 19.13 64.54 191.37 94.5 300 0.7983 0.63848 0.0181 0.69387 1.20968 66th 15 107 7.87 19.56 14 32.18 60 300 1.284 1.13621 0.0114 0.45336 1.55072 78th 16 160 9.46 15.81 27.37 70.8 250.5 300 0.9852 0.82089 0.0171 0.63789 1.25984 57th 17 320 4.42 17.17 19.98 24.2 1585 299 0.3467 0.19797 0.0483 0.92098 1.04235 15th 18 176 9.66 14.72 48.64 139.76 262 299 1.1604 1.27248 0.0170 0.35162 1.91304 52nd 19 210 6.06 17.83 29.71 47.76 176.5 299 0.9351 0.64952 0.0213 0.70353 1.2 59th 20 123 6.98 15.04 12.05 21.6 140.5 300 0.6234 0.38318 0.0179 0.83127 1.09821 71st 21 269 6.21 13.52 45.35 86.1 314 299 1.0724 0.49843 0.0238 0.80456 1.11618 49th 22 94 9.77 14.92 17.1 47.65 29.5 300 0.6603 0.33621 0.0144 0.85747 1.08046 76th 23 91 8.95 17.02 9.99 18.51 201 299 0.6651 0.50765 0.0140 0.73065 1.18182 70th 24 324 10.84 19.62 77.06 251.95 82.5 299 0.692 0.96544 0.0333 0.53786 1.39056 48th 25 399 7.52 15.61 86.15 232.43 1092 300 1.0018 1.33578 0.0323 0.33294 1.97525 18th 26 173 11.16 22.54 42.75 133.87 60 299 0.5822 0.42001 0.0236 0.8069 1.11613 63rd 27 53 10.06 19.41 26.64 78.51 733.5 300 0.7556 1.13583 0.0089 0.33019 2.52381 41st 28 171 9.57 20.39 29.77 77.52 336 300 1.1669 0.89956 0.0167 0.57393 1.34646 54th 29 215 9.52 16.1 94.19 303.35 375 300 1.1172 1.15307 0.0200 0.43534 1.59259 37th 30 119 7.48 18.14 18.58 36.53 95 299 1.4647 1.36249 0.0116 0.31762 2.47917 74th


Table 33 continued . . . 31 206 8.34 18.34 49.55 119.91 84.5 300 0.9385 0.71567 0.0210 0.64613 1.2638 60th 32 206 9.22 17.31 68.49 205.15 477 299 2.44 1.72815 0.0142 0.32967 1.7913 40th 33 188 6.9 18.26 30.15 56.87 528.5 300 2.1007 1.22837 0.0141 0.45847 1.54098 45th 34 142 9.04 19.54 42.1 119.95 388.5 300 1.6143 1.06182 0.0127 0.52792 1.40594 50th 35 193 10.56 17.33 109.28 483.35 545.5 299 1.1401 0.94033 0.0183 0.55009 1.37857 29th 36 215 7.06 16.96 46.6 109.66 891 299 2.4206 1.92059 0.0147 0.198 2.79221 34th 37 227 7.68 17.05 50.4 143.45 851.5 300 0.9217 0.60703 0.0227 0.74866 1.15816 33rd 38 253 8.45 16.29 30.69 65.4 1537 300 1.4458 1.56023 0.0201 0.26253 2.53 16th 39 472 9.706 17.84 109.04 333.12 477.5 300 0.6497 0.83679 0.0444 0.58189 1.34091 28th 40 405 6.64 16.77 32.38 51.77 734 299 0.8328 0.43252 0.0355 0.80493 1.11878 32nd 41 157 8.68 14.97 8.48 14.62 515.5 299 0.7911 0.76035 0.0188 0.58648 1.35345 52nd 42 996 9.08 13.31 170.33 432 170 299 1.0139 0.24849 0.0591 0.91773 1.04403 19th 43 270 7.36 14.8857 24.71 43.2 465.5 299 1.2504 0.35353 0.0224 0.87179 1.07143 46th 44 541 8.47 18.41 63.36 143.46 516.5 299 0.6356 0.86065 0.0492 0.48397 1.68012 31st 45 444 11.47 18.82 128.61 487.63 351.5 299 0.9843 1.20116 0.0351 0.3815 1.99103 25th 46 65 8.3 16.32 15.54 38.84 169.5 299 0.4791 0.94909 0.0134 0.43173 1.66667 72nd 47 100 6.59 16.41 10.71 18.4 73.5 299 0.6514 0.6982 0.0151 0.56424 1.42857 75th 48 492 10.81 17.63 60.28 180.31 219.5 300 1.2906 1.45526 0.0336 0.34663 1.80882 38th 49 731 9.22 18.21 59.39 138.08 827.5 299 0.9099 0.70902 0.0507 0.67618 1.22651 21st 50 405 10.7 14.89 471.27 826.61 131.5 300 1.1659 0.70604 0.0306 0.71012 1.19118 17th 51 270 7 15.49 26.72 51.86 937.5 300 1.0717 1.10129 0.0239 0.41826 1.83673 51st 52 1037 6.5 24.24 101.66 180.72 3128 299 1.5841 1.20633 0.0508 0.50598 1.42445 3rd 53 696 7.97 14.22 40.34 63.58 1453 300 1.0695 0.92675 0.0458 0.56776 1.35146 11th 54 245 7.02 17.47 23.79 44.06 2320 300 1.4542 1.54958 0.0196 0.28384 2.14912 8th 55 540 7.78 18.11 131.69 316.07 650.5 300 2.3841 1.82989 0.0285 0.22878 2.57143 22nd 56 493 8.66 15.08 89.36 245.29 5370 300 0.9677 1.40869 0.0379 0.27986 2.67935 2nd 57 340 8.71 17.86 57.24 142.48 1679 299 1.3725 1.62027 0.0253 0.23849 3.00885 12th 58 454 5.96 16.5 98.92 194.51 1675 300 1.7979 1.36127 0.0279 0.43355 1.55479 9th 59 553 10.17 16.07 121.17 373.57 353 300 0.9501 1.35725 0.0413 0.31302 2.36325 27th 60 622 8.89 13.15 67.97 160.06 1929 300 1.399 1.65957 0.0381 0.25353 2.41085 6th 61 1099 8.71 18.15 93.89 206.11 783.5 300 0.2856 0.83959 0.1197 0.51746 1.46533 13th 62 516 6.56 18.94 87.53 167.08 348 300 2.2414 1.95878 0.0282 0.1652 4.44828 35th 63 719 7.97 20.59 89.03 179.79 2780 300 1.5203 1.64526 0.0407 0.22499 3.00837 5th 64 295 9.73 15.89 44.49 131.92 1082 300 1.055 0.7809 0.0256 0.65947 1.2395 23rd 65 363 10.27 17.03 52.28 141.98 1203 300 0.6786 0.69859 0.0364 0.55331 1.47561 20th 66 219 7.71 14.91 58.86 146.45 677 300 1.4845 1.17778 0.0180 0.42298 1.65909 36th 67 42 10.38 15.52 7.79 21.29 64.5 299 0.8026 0.81986 0.0073 0.5633 1.35484 77th 68 56 8.68 15.38 5.17 11.29 280 299 1.2421 1.16267 0.0072 0.43701 1.55556 68th 69 148 9.17 14.79 25.3 62.15 665.5 300 1.2007 1.17609 0.0148 0.47435 1.48 41st 70 169 6.32 14.09 19.33 37.91 236.5 300 2.7291 1.84696 0.0119 0.2488 2.28378 61st 71 361 7.19 15.19 34.4 63.14 424.5 299 0.5094 0.67177 0.0420 0.54757 1.51046 44th 72 557 10.96 15.52 90.47 260.02 592.5 300 1.4235 0.90172 0.0351 0.63167 1.26591 24th 73 370 8.46 18.2 51.13 114.88 235.5 299 0.6764 0.74323 0.0369 0.50109 1.73709 48th 74 271 9.8 17.39 82.62 249.27 1361 299 1.428 1.05281 0.0212 0.50428 1.45699 14th 75 206 9.13 17.92 37.34 108.43 535.5 300 1.3138 1.29268 0.0181 0.41179 1.62205 42nd 76 456 11.41 16.34 357.89 49662 1101 299 1.6333 1.6686 0.0290 0.2384 2.59091 1st 77 384 6.9 15.33 40.25 74.3 1898 300 1.5124 1.16308 0.0265 0.51507 1.41176 10th 78 859 5.93 16 99.11 153.17 1600 300 1.7763 1.42775 0.0432 0.39077 1.67121 7th


27.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Immediate rehabilitation of heavily exploited and degraded mangrove areas is, among others of primary importance. Enrichment planting and assisted natural regeneration can be adapted to rehabilitate said areas using species distribution and zonation as among the bases for the choice of species. In most mangrove reforestation initiatives in the country, R. apiculata, R. mucronata, and R. stylosa are the preferred species due to their economic and ecological values. The mangrove-dependent households should be organized to undertake the rehabilitation, management, and protection of mangrove forests.

Community organizing (CO) should be an integral part of the development and

rehabilitation of mangrove areas, together with the other coastal resources. The CO strategies could be more community focused than environmental centered, as well. The strategies should all be geared towards responding to socio-economic and environmental concerns. The local institutions should be developed and the capabilities of mangrove-dependent households should be strengthened and enhanced for them to become effective stewards and de facto managers of the resources. Likewise, for them, particularly the mangrove-dependent households to undertake rehabilitation, and conservation of the coastal resources in order to sustain the provision of goods and services and protect the base of their economic activities, thereby reducing poverty incidence. The CBMFM/CBRMP concept of restoring the coastal resources may be adopted to generate local participation and to ensure the sustainability of whatever interventions implemented.

____________________________________________________________________________________REFERENCES 101

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_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 105

Appendix A. Occurrence of reef fishes from 32 sampling stations, Taytay, Palawan, June 2004.

STATION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Total

FAMILY SPECIES Category

Acanthuridae Acanthurus thompsoni T * 1

Acanthuridae Acanthurus xanthopterus T * * * 3

Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus striatus T * 1

Acanthuridae Naso unicornis T * 1

Acanthuridae Zebrasoma scopas M * * 2

Acanthuridae Zebrasoma veliferum T * 1

Apogonidae Apogon bandanensis M * 1

Apogonidae Apogon compressus M * * 2

Apogonidae Apogon griffini M * * * * 4

Apogonidae Apogon margaritophorus M * 1

Apogonidae Apogon sealei M * * * * * 5

Apogonidae Apogon sp. 1 M * * * * * 5

Apogonidae Apogon trimaculatus M * 1

Apogonidae Archamia biguttata M * * 2

Apogonidae Archamia zosterophora M * * * 3

Apogonidae Cheilodipterus artus M * * * 3

Apogonidae Cheilodipterus macrodon M * * 2

Apogonidae Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 20

Apogonidae Rhabdamia gracilis M * 1

Apogonidae Sphaeramia nematoptera M * * 2

Balistidae Balistapus undulatus T * 1

Balistidae Balistoides viridescens T * * * * 4

Balistidae Rhinecanthus verrucosus T * 1

Balistidae Sufflamen chrysopterus T * 1

Blenniidae Atrosalarias fuscus M * * * * * 5

Blenniidae Ecsenius bicolor M * 1

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 106

Appendix A continued . . . STATION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Total


Blenniidae Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos M * 1

Blenniidae Salarias fasciatus M * * 2

Caesionidae Caesio caerulaurea T * * * * * * * * * * * 11

Caesionidae Caesio teres T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 17

Caesionidae Pterocaesio chrysozona T * * 2

Carangidae Carangoides ferdau T * * 2

Carangidae Caranx melampygus T * 1

Carangidae Decapterus sp. 1 T * * * * 4

Carangidae Decapterus sp. 2 T * 1

Carangidae Selar crumenophthalmus T * 1

Carangidae Selaroides leptolepis T * * 2

Centriscidae Aeoliscus strigatus I * * * * * * 6

Centropomidae Psammoperca waigiensis T * 1

Chaetodontidae Chaetodon adiergastos I * * 2

Chaetodontidae Chaetodon auriga I * * 2

Chaetodontidae Chaetodon baronessa I * * 2

Chaetodontidae Chaetodon octofasciatus I * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 24

Chaetodontidae Chaetodon speculum I * 1

Chaetodontidae Chaetodon trifasciatus I * * * 3

Chaetodontidae Chaetodon vagabundus I * 1

Chaetodontidae Chelmon rostratus I * * * * * * * * * * * * * 13

Chaetodontidae Heniochus acuminatus M * * * * 4

Chaetodontidae Heniochus chrysostomus I * * 2

Chaetodontidae Heniochus singularis I * * 2

Chaetodontidae Parachaetodon ocellatus I * * 2

Dasyatidae Taeniura lymma T * 1

Engraulidae Spratelloides sp. T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 14

Ephippidae Platax pinnatus T * 1

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 107



Ephippidae Platax teira T * 1

Gobiesocidae Diademichthys lineatus M * * 2

Gobiidae Entomacrodus decussatus M * 1

Haemulidae Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides T * * * * 4

Haemulidae Plectorhinchus lessonii T * * 2

Holocentridae Myripristis murdjan T * 1

Holocentridae Neoniphon sammara T * * 2

Holocentridae Sargocentron rubrum T * * * 3

Holocentridae Sargocentron spiniferum T * 1

Labridae Bodianus mesothorax M * * * 3

Labridae Cheilinus chlorourus T * * * * * * * * * * 10

Labridae Cheilinus fasciatus T * * * * * * * * * * * * 12

Labridae Cheilinus trilobatus T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 14

Labridae Cheilio inermis T * * 2

Labridae Choerodon anchorago T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 15

Labridae Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura M * * 2

Labridae Coris batuensis M * * * * 4

Labridae Diproctacanthus xanthurus I * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 15

Labridae Epibulus insidiator T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 16

Labridae Gomphosus caeruleus M * 1

Labridae Gomphosus varius M * 1

Labridae Halichoeres chloropterus M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 26

Labridae Halichoeres dussumieri M * * * * * * * * * * * * 12

Labridae Halichoeres leucurus M * * * * * * * * * * * 11

Labridae Halichoeres melanochir M * 1

Labridae Halichoeres melanurus M 2 2 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 19

Labridae Halichoeres scapularis M * * * * 4

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 108



Labridae Halichoeres sp. 1 M * * * * * * * * 8

Labridae Hemigymnus fasciatus T * * * * 4

Labridae Hemigymnus melapterus T * * * * * * * * * * * 11

Labridae Labrid sp. 1 M * * 2

Labridae Labroides dimidiatus M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 21

Labridae Macropharyngodon meleagris M * 1

Labridae Oxycheilinus digrammus T * * * * * * * * * * 10

Labridae Oxycheilinus unifasciatus T * * * 3

Labridae Stethojulis strigiventer M * * * * * 5

Labridae Stethojulis trilineata T * * * * * * 6

Labridae Thalassoma hardwicke M * 1

Labridae Thalassoma lunare M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 17

Lethrinidae Lethrinus erythropterus T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 20

Lethrinidae Lethrinus harak T * 1

Lethrinidae Monotaxis grandoculis T * * 2

Lutjanidae Lutjanus argentimaculatus T * 1

Lutjanidae Lutjanus biguttatus T * * * * * 5

Lutjanidae Lutjanus bohar T * 1

Lutjanidae Lutjanus carpanotatus T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 17

Lutjanidae Lutjanus decussatus T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 15

Lutjanidae Lutjanus fulviflamma T * * 2

Lutjanidae Lutjanus fulvus T * 1

Lutjanidae Lutjanus monostigma T * * * * 4

Monacanthidae Amanses scopas M * 1

Monacanthidae Paramonacanthus japonicus M * * 2

Mullidae Mulloidichthys flavolineatus T * 1

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 109

Appendix A continued . . .

STATION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Total


Mullidae Parupeneus barberinoides T * * 2

Mullidae Parupeneus barberinus T * * * * 4

Mullidae Parupeneus indicus T * 1

Mullidae Parupeneus multifasciatus T * * * * 4

Mullidae Upeneus tragula T * * 2

Muraenidae Gymnothorax sp. T * 1

Nemipteridae Pentapodus bifasciatus T * * * * * 5

Nemipteridae Pentapodus caninus T * * * * * * * * 8

Nemipteridae Pentopodus lineatus T * 1

Nemipteridae Scolopsis bilineata T * * 2

Nemipteridae Scolopsis ciliatus T * * * 3

Nemipteridae Scolopsis lineatus T * * 2

Nemipteridae Scolopsis margaritifer T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 23

Ostraciidae Ostracion cubicus M * 1

Pempheridae Pempheris oualensis M * * * 3

Pinguipedidae Parapercis clathrata M * * * 3

Pinguipedidae Parapercis hexophtalma M * 1

Plotosidae Plotosus lineatus M * 1

Pomacanthidae Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 19

Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus semicirculatus M * * 2

Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus sexstriatus M * * 2

Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus xanthometopon M * 1

Pomacentridae Abudefduf bengalensis M * * * * * * * * 8

Pomacentridae Abudefduf lorenzi M * 1

Pomacentridae Abudefduf sexfasciatus M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 18

Pomacentridae Abudefduf sp. M * 1

Pomacentridae Abudefduf vaigiensis M * * * * * * 6

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 110



Pomacentridae Acanthochromis polyacanthus M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 14

Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon curacao M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2 * 23

Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster M * * * * * * * * * * 10

Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis M * * 2 * * * * * 9

Pomacentridae Amblypomacentrus breviceps M * 1

Pomacentridae Amphiprion clarkii M * * * * * * * 7

Pomacentridae Amphiprion frenatus M * 1

Pomacentridae Amphiprion ocellaris M * * * 3

Pomacentridae Cheiloprion labiatus I * 1

Pomacentridae Chromis amboinensis M * * * * * * 6

Pomacentridae Chromis viridis M * * 2

Pomacentridae Chrysiptera parasema M * * * * * * * * * * * * 12

Pomacentridae Chrysiptera rex M * * * 3

Pomacentridae Chrysiptera rollandi M * 1

Pomacentridae Chrysiptera springeri M * * 2

Pomacentridae Chrysiptera unimaculata M * * * * * * * * * * 10

Pomacentridae Damsel 1 M * * * * * * * * 8

Pomacentridae Damsel 2 M * * * * * 5

Pomacentridae Damsel 3 M * 1

Pomacentridae Dascyllus melanurus M * 1

Pomacentridae Dascyllus reticulatus M * * 2

Pomacentridae Dascyllus trimaculatus M * 1

Pomacentridae Dischistodus melanotus M * * * * * * * * 8

Pomacentridae Dischistodus perspicillatus M * * * * * * * * * 9

Pomacentridae Dischistodus prosopotaenia M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 16

Pomacentridae Dischistodus pseudochrysopoecilus M * * * 3

Pomacentridae Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon M * * * 3

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 111

Appendix A continued . . .

STATION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Total


Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon melas M * * * * * * * * 8

Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon nigroris M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 19

Pomacentridae Neopomacentrus anabatoides M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 14

Pomacentridae Neopomacentrus pavo M * 1

Pomacentridae Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus M * * * * * * 6

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus alexanderae M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 14

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus amboinensis M * * * * * * 6

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus bankanensis M * 1

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus burroughi M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 15

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus chrysurus M * * 2

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus coelestis M * * * * * 5

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus lepidogenys M * * 2

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus muloccensis M * * * * * * * * * * * 11

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus philippinus M * * * * * * * 7

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus simsiang M * * * * 4

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus stigma M * * 2

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus taeniometopon M * 1

Pomacentridae Pomacentrus vaiuli M * 1

Pomacentridae Premnas biaculeatus M * * * * * 5

Pomacentridae Stegastes sp. M * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 15

Pseudochromidae Labracinus cyclophthalmus M * * * * * 5

Pseudochromidae Labracinus melanotaenia M * * * * * * * * * 9

Pseudochromidae Pseudochromis fuscus M * 1

Scaridae Calotomus carolinus T * 1

Scaridae Cetoscarus bicolor T * * 2

Scaridae Chlorurus bleekeri T * * * * * * * * * 9

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 112



Scaridae Hipposcarus longiceps T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 19

Scaridae Scarus chameleon T * 1

Scaridae Scarus dimidiatus T * * * * 4

Scaridae Scarus frenatus T * 1

Scaridae Scarus ghobban T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 16

Scaridae Scarus hypselopterus T * * * * * * * * * * * 11

Scaridae Scarus microrhinos T * 1

Scaridae Scarus niger T * * * * * * 6

Scaridae Scarus quoyi T * * * * * * 6

Scaridae Scarus rivulatus T * * * 3

Scaridae Scarus schlegeli T * * * * * 5

Scaridae Scarus sordidus T * * * * * * * * * * * * 12

Scaridae Scarus sp. 1 T * * * * 4

Scaridae Scarus tricolor T * 1

Scombridae Grammatorycnus bilineatus T * 1

Scombridae scombrid sp. 1 T * 1

Scorpaenidae Dendrochirus zebra M * 1

Scorpaenidae Pterois volitans M * 1

Serranidae Cephalopholis boenak T * * * * * 5

Serranidae Cephalopholis cyanostigma T * * * * * * * * * 9

Serranidae Cephalopholis microprion T * * * * * * * * * * * * * 13

Serranidae Diploprion bifasciatum M * * 2

Serranidae Epinephelus fasciatus T * * * 3

Serranidae Epinephelus merra T * 1

Serranidae Epinephelus ongus T * 1

Serranidae Plectropomus leopardus T * * * * * 5

Siganidae Siganus canaliculatus T * * * * 4

Siganidae Siganus corallinus T * 1

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APPENDICES 113



Siganidae Siganus fuscescens T * * * 3

Siganidae Siganus guttatus T * * * * 4

Siganidae Siganus stellatus T * 1

Siganidae Siganus virgatus T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 20

Siganidae Siganus vulpinus T * * * * * 5

Sphyraenidae Sphyraena flavicauda T * * * * 4

Synodontidae Synodus variegatus T * * * * 4

Tetraodontidae Arothron nigropunctatus M * * * * * 5

Zanclidae Zanclus cornutus M * * * * 4

TOTAL 27 17 33 27 30 21 14 38 34 30 35 47 2 38 42 46 31 22 19 46 57 52 56 35 20 50 19 68 79 44 46 62 1187

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