J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2019 Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 15, No. 1, p. 118-125, 2019 http://www.innspub.net RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS Mangrove assessment and utilization in Gonzaga, Cagayan Northern Philippines Andy L Catulin*, Jane R Sambrana1 Program Chair, Biology and College Dean, Cagayan State University, Philippines 1Program Chair, Arts and Sciences, Cagayan State University, Philippines Article published on July 30, 2019 Key words: Mangrove assessment, Utilization, Ecosystem, Environmental, Ecological. Abstract The status and species composition of mangrove forest is a basic and prerequisite for the management and conservation of mangrove resource. The study was conducted to determine the diversity and species composition of mangrove in Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines. There were 18 mangrove species identified. A total of 187 floral mangrove species were counted. The most dominant species found in the two sites, Barangays Caroan and San Jose, are the Pototan (Bruguiera sexangula) and Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba) while the least dominant species thriving in the two sites are Pedada (Sonneratia caseolaris) and Piag-ao (Xylocarpus moluccensis). The index of similarity of two (2) mangrove sites showed a community coefficient value of 0.87. Indicating a high similarity of species composition. A total of 117 respondents were asked about information on the utilization of mangrove. Most of the respondents are familiar with the mangrove species. Along with the utilization component, mangrove is used as shelter or nursery ground of aquatic organism and first line protection from tidal waves, storm surges and other sea related disasters. Likewise, it is being utilized as alternative medicine, as food in composition of vinegar, wine and sweets. Some mangrove tree also bears fruit that are edible as well. The threats to habitat and survival of mangrove species include natural and mand-made factors. Finally, the adaptability and diversity of mangrove species highly depends on favorable ecological and environmental conditions however; the anthropogenic and natural disturbances observed may possess a great threat to mangrove biodiversity. *Corresponding Author: Andy L Catulin [email protected] 118 | Catulin and Sambrana J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2019 Introduction of the root, the stem and the crown of mangroves Cagayan has approximately 3,967.9ha of mangrove serve as physical barriers (Fortez, 2011). areas. These are distributed throughout the municipalities of Abulug, Aparri, Buguey, Calayan, Mangroves play a unique role as the hatching and Claveria, Gonzaga, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Santa nursing grounds of some species of crustaceans, Ana and Santa Teresita. fishes, shellfishes, and other marine species, where the physical aerial and submerged roots, eaves, and The Municipality of Gonzaga is one of the coastal branches serve as their food source. Even the canopy towns of the Province of Cagayan, where some area of the mangrove serves as the niche of some shorelines are thrived by several species of species of birds, mammals and amphibians, which mangroves. Cagayan province These mangroves are among them adapt the physical environment of this protected by the Department of Environment and kind of ecosystem. Mangroves also provide a wider Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries range of wood and non-wood forest products such as and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), to preserve the firewood, charcoal, poles, timber for housing and natural feature of these plants. The municipality of furniture materials, fisheries, medicines, recreation, Gonzaga has mangrove forests sporadically located in ecotourism, bio-filtration and carbon sequestration. seven coastal barangays with swamp and brackish areas, which cover an aggregate area of approximately Mangrove forests are the most productive ecosystems 69.1ha. Generally, the status of the mangrove forests of known with high biomass accumulation below the the municipality is poor with an average of 25% living ground. There has been an increasing interest in the mangrove trees. Most of the areas manifested severe important role of mangroves in the global carbon cutting, heavy erosion and siltation specifically cycle. Mangroves are utilized by local communities all observed in barangays Caroan and San Jose, where the over the world with understanding and appreciation largest tracts of mangrove forest in the municipality are of their values and benefits. located (Pasion and Tumaliuan, 2015). However, the loss of mangrove habitats has severe Mangroves are tropical types of forest that can be impacts on local communities, whose livelihood is found usually along tidal mudflats and along shallow dependent on forests and fisheries. The loss of world water in coastal areas extending towards inland mangroves over the past few decades has mainly been rivers, streams and their tributaries where the waters caused by direct conversion of mangrove areas for are generally brackish. These plants have special and urban and industrial development, and for unique adaptive mechanisms, allowing them to aquaculture and agriculture. survive and continue thriving through climate change and harsh effects of the environment. Additionally, The study generally aimed to conduct an assessment mangroves neutralize sediment runoff from both of mangroves and its utilization in Gonzaga, Cagayan. natural and human activities. Mangroves are often Specifically, this study aimed to: referred to as carbon sinks. 1. Determine the species composition of mangroves found in barangay Caroan and barangay San Jose The Mangrove forest, covered by mangrove trees, act Gonzaga, Cagayan, as the primary producer, naturally making direct 2. Determine the diversity of mangrove species using contact with associated physical and social factors, of the following parameters within the selected sites: the costal environment and marine resources. a. Basal Area Mangrove ecosystem provides different coastal b. Relative density protection such as reducing the current of typhoons, c. Relative dominance storm surges, and tidal waves. The complex structure d. Frequency 119 | Catulin and Sambrana J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2019 e. Relative frequency Relative Frequency = (Frequency value for species f. Importance/value A)/(Total value for all species) x 100 g. Index of similarity Importance Value = relative density + relative 3. Determine the various ways in which mangroves frequency + relative dominance are utilized. Index Similarity Community Coefficient = 2C/(S1 + S2) Materials and methods Where: C = species common to both community The descriptive method of research was used in the S = number of species present in each community study. This study design was used to obtain accurate information on the assessment of mangrove. It will C. Line transect, plot sampling, and diameter breast employ the use of structured questionnaire, interview height techniques to elicit information about utilization of This was based on the available land-use map provided mangroves ecosystem. by Community of Environment and Natural Resources Office Sub-Office of Aparri, Cagayan (CENRO). Field The study sites were conducted in the municipality of guide in the identification of mangrove species along the Gonzaga, Cagayan. The mangrove sites occasionally mangrove forests of the study period. facing along the Pacific Ocean, usually characterized by muddy substratum composed of different plant The researchers used quadrant and transect to the species. The mangrove species grow in any part in study. A line perpendicular to the base line was Gonzaga but the researchers only selected two sites. established with 10 x 10 per quadrant. Measuring of The following sites are; Barangay Caroan and Barangay the Diameter Breast High (DBH), getting the total of San Jose of were mangrove tracts are abundant. specimen, total height, total number of samplings, of mangrove per quadrat was recorded. A tape measure A. Securing of Permit was used to distinguish it from Diameter Breast High The permit was obtained from the Mayor of Gonzaga, (DBH) of a tree. A meter stick was used to measure the Cagayan Marilyn S. Pentecostes, and the Department of crown cover and height of the tree. The researchers Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel also take pictures of roots, barks, stems, leaves, flowers to secure approval for the conduct of the study. Likewise, and fruits of each mangrove species for validation and the researchers were asked the approval and consent of proper identification using digital camera. the barangay captain for the actual data collection and D. Mangrove Utilization Survey for gathering information about the utilization of The utilization survey of mangrove respondents of mangrove in the selected barangays. this study were the residents of the two selected Barangays of Gonzaga, Cagayan which the species of B. Assessment of the study area mangrove occurs. These Barangays are Caroan and Species composition, Importance Value (IV) and San Jose. At least ten percent of the total population index of similarity was taken using the following per barangay was the respondents of the study. formulas Basal Area = C The questionnaire used was furnished with the local C = Circumference of the tree information particularly related to the socio- Relative Dominace = (Individual of species A )/(Total economic benefits and ecological importance of Individuals of all species) x 100 mangrove. Actual observations, on the spot verbal