Hard coral cover in the Halmahera waters: Spatial distribution and environmental factors

Coral reefs are among the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide valuable ecosystem services, including support for fisheries production and the livelihood of coastal communities. However, coral reefs are also threatened by anthropogenic and climate stressors. Establishing a marine protected area (MPA) is a typical coastal management tool widely used in the Philippines for conserving coral reefs and managing the fishing effort. This study presents initial information on the benthic and fish community profiles of the Damilisan Marine Sanctuary (DMS) in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. A modified point-intercept transect method was used to characterize the benthic profile, while the underwater visual census (UVC) was used to determine the fish community profile (diversity and density). The substrate was mainly composed of hard coral (HC) (39.3±18.3%), and the common HC observed were massive Porites and Goniopora, each contributing 12.8% of the total HC cover. Twenty coral reef fish species belonging to 10 families were identified during the UVC and had an overall density of 99±69 ind./1000 m2. Damselfishes (Family Pomacentridae) was the most abundant family (23±0.4 ind./500 m2), while Lutjanus semicinctus was the most abundant species (8.5±1.4 ind./500 m2). It is recommended that regular coral reef monitoring surveys be conducted in the DMS and in other MPAs in Miagao to monitor trends and changes in the HC cover and reef fish density and diversity in the MPA.

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Initial Assessment of the Benthic Profile and Reef Fish Composition of the Damilisan Marine Sanctuary, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines

Regalado,

Magracia,

Olaer

2024

TPJF

0

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Coral reefs are among the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide valuable ecosystem services, including support for fisheries production and the livelihood of coastal communities. However, coral reefs are also threatened by anthropogenic and climate stressors. Establishing a marine protected area (MPA) is a typical coastal management tool widely used in the Philippines for conserving coral reefs and managing the fishing effort. This study presents initial information on the benthic and fish community profiles of the Damilisan Marine Sanctuary (DMS) in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. A modified point-intercept transect method was used to characterize the benthic profile, while the underwater visual census (UVC) was used to determine the fish community profile (diversity and density). The substrate was mainly composed of hard coral (HC) (39.3±18.3%), and the common HC observed were massive Porites and Goniopora, each contributing 12.8% of the total HC cover. Twenty coral reef fish species belonging to 10 families were identified during the UVC and had an overall density of 99±69 ind./1000 m2. Damselfishes (Family Pomacentridae) was the most abundant family (23±0.4 ind./500 m2), while Lutjanus semicinctus was the most abundant species (8.5±1.4 ind./500 m2). It is recommended that regular coral reef monitoring surveys be conducted in the DMS and in other MPAs in Miagao to monitor trends and changes in the HC cover and reef fish density and diversity in the MPA.

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Hard coral cover in the Halmahera waters: Spatial distribution and environmental factors

Cited by 3 publications

References 17 publications

Spatial Variation of Hard Coral Communities In Pulau Bidong, South China Sea: Highlighting Influence of Location, Depth and Reef Zonation

Spatial Variation of Hard Coral Communities In Pulau Bidong, South China Sea: Highlighting Influence of Location, Depth and Reef Zonation

Initial Assessment of the Benthic Profile and Reef Fish Composition of the Damilisan Marine Sanctuary, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines

Initial Assessment of the Benthic Profile and Reef Fish Composition of the Damilisan Marine Sanctuary, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines

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