Variation in macrofaunal communities of sea grass beds along a pollution gradient in Bolinao, northwestern Philippines

Abstract

This study examined the variation of macrofaunal communities in sea grass beds along a pollution gradient in Bolinao, northwestern Philippines. We established four stations and compared the diversity and abundance of macrofauna between them. The Shannon diversity index in the least polluted station was more than twice higher than that in the most polluted one. Abundance was more than thrice higher in the most polluted station. The species composition generally varied, with community difference explained largely by the predominance of the filter-feeding bivalve Gafrarium pectinatum and polychaete Capitella capitata. Species heterogeneity was reduced along the pollution gradient by approximately 19% from the least polluted to the most polluted station. This reduction indicates biodiversity alteration, which has a significant impact on ecosystem functioning. Aspects of species heterogeneity should be considered in environmental impact assessments and the management of coastal areas encountered with anthropogenic disturbances.

Home for Marine Species: Seagrass Leaves as Vital Spawning Grounds and Food Source

“…Similarly, the density of M. annulus in Sulangan Island, Nogas Island, and Olango Island, Philippines, were 8.4 ± 0.3 ind/m 2 , 4.4 ± 10.6 ind/m 2 , and 0.01 ± 0.003 ind/m 2 , respectively (Villamor and Yamamoto, 2015). M. annulus is one of the most common species in the family Cypraeidae, which is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific from tropical to temperate areas (Villamor, 2015;Leopardas et al, 2016). In the tropical area, M. annulus is usually found in sandy-rocky and sandy-muddy flat coasts covered with coral rubbles or seagrass, while the boulders in the rough coasts and coral rubbles are essential for the presence of this species in temperate and sub-tropical areas, respectively (Villamor, 2015).…”

Plankton and benthos similarity indices as indicators of the impact of mangrove plantation on the environmental quality of silvofishery ponds

“…is known to be a sensitive benthic organism (Shokat et al 2010), thus its persistent across time in or study indicates that the environment quality was favourable in the ponds. P. sulcata (also known as P. maculata) has a wide habitat range including offshore areas (Willan et al 2015;Leopardas et al 2016), estuaries (Takarina and Adiwibowo 2010) and young mangrove ecosystems (Chen and Ye 2011). On the other hand, P. ventricosa is mostly found in seagrass beds (Kusnadi et al 2008).…”

Spatiotemporal and ecological distribution of megabenthic crustaceans on the shelf-shelf break of Antalya Gulf, the eastern Mediterranean Sea

“…This could be due primarily to the existence of disturbances (fishing, pollution and seasonal environmental variation) in the study area. Leopardas et al (2016) underlined the combined effects of intensive trawling and seasonal environmental gradients on the macrobenthic epifauna. The low diversity of the decapod communities was attributed to the hydrographic heterogeneity and to commercial exploitation (Abello et al, 1988).…”