IN-DEPTH COASTAL/MARINE SURVEY REPORT FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF EL NIDO
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:
All photos by 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. In-Depth Coastal/Marine Survey Report for El Nido Municipality Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Tables iii List of Figures v
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vi
CHAPTER 1. MANGROVE 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 2.0 OBJECTIVES 1 3.0 EXPECTED OUTPUT 2 4.0 METHODOLOGY 2
4.1 Date and Place of Survey and Location of Transect 2 4.1.1 Sampling Procedure 6 4.1.2 Field Methods 6 4.1.3 Data Processing and Analysis 8
5.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 10
5.1 Biodiversity Assessment 10 5.1.1 Species Composition and Distribution 10 5.1.2 Ecological Diversity Indices 13 5.1.3 Similarity Index and Matrix 18 5.1.4 Analysis of Variance for Significant Difference of Diversity Index 21 5.1.5 Cluster Analysis 22
5.2 Mangrove Forest Conditions and Structure 24 5.2.1 Relative Values 24 5.2.2 Average Stocking 25 5.2.3 Stand Volume 28
5.3 Ecological Condition and Degradation 33
5.4 Mangrove Management Zoning and Proposed Strategy 35 5.4.1 Ranking of Mangrove Sites for ECAN Zoning 35 5.4.2 Proposed Management Strategy 38
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 48
CHAPTER 2. SEAGRASS 49
1.0 Introduction 49 2.0 Materials and Methods 50 3.0 Results and Discussion 52 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 56
CHAPTER 3. CORAL REEFS 57
1.0 Introduction 57 2.0 Review of Literature 57 3.0 Materials and Methods 57 4.0 Results 60 5.0 Discussion 74 6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations 80
CHAPTER 4. REEF FISHES 81
1.0 Introduction 81 2.0 Materials and Methods 81 3.0 Results 82 4.0 Discussion 85 5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation 87
APPENDICES 88
Appendix 1. Estimated fish abundance (individuals/400 sqm) per species from 7 sampling stations, El Nido, Palawan, February to March 2004 88
Appendix 2. Estimated fish biomass (kg/400 sqm) per species from 7 sampling stations, El Nido, Palawan, February to March 2004 98
Appendix 3. Fish species richness from 6 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, Data Summarized from MERF, 1993 108
LIST OF REFERENCES 109
______ii List of Tables
Table No. Title Page
1 Location and position of Belt Transects surveyed by Mangrove 3 Team in El Nido, 2004 2 List of true and associate mangrove species identified and 10 recorded in El Nido, Palawan, 2004 3 Distribution and abundance of top 10 mangrove species 13 in different sampling sites of El Nido, 2004 4 The diversity indices of 43 sampling sites in mangrove forest 15 of El Nido calculated using different diversity formula 5 The relative values of the average overall diversity index 16 and evenness based on Fernando Biodiversity Scale (1998) 6 Degree of Similarity based on Percent Diversity Index 19 of El Nido 7 Analysis of Variance 21 8 The RF, RDen, RDom, and IV of top 15 mangrove 24 species in El Nido, 2004 9 Average Stocking (N/ha) of Timber and Pole size trees 27 per transect in El Nido, 2004 10 Stand Volume (m3/ha.) of Timber and Pole size trees by transect 29 in El Nido, 2004 11 Mangrove index of degradation and ecological condition 33 indices of El Nido based on forest structure and ecological diversity 12 Ranking of mangrove ecological indices for ECAN zoning 37 and potential management options 13 Factors considered in choosing appropriate management 40 strategies of mangrove areas in El Nido, Palawan 14 Seagrass Resource Location and Description 49 15 Seagrass Description in the Proposed High Priority ECAN 54 Zones, 2004 16 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Pinasil Island. 62 17 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Shallow 63 Station at Tapiutan Island. 18 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Deep Station 64 at Tapiutan Island. 19 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Shallow 65 Station at Cadlao Island. 20 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Deep Station 66 at Cadlao Island. 21 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Shallow 67 Station at Daracotan Island. 22 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Deep Station 68 at Daracotan Island. 23 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Tiniguiban Reef. 70 24 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Talawtawan 71 Island.
______iii 25 Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Cabugao Island. 72 26 List of Coral-genera and Species, El Nido, Palawan 73 27 List of genera recorded in the present and previous surveys 75 showing the unique and common genera in the respective studies 28 Diversity (generic) of reef corals at selected sites in El Nido, 76 Palawan. Acrhelia horrescens is an uncommon coral species that was found only at Tapiutan island 29 Proposed coral reef core zones in El Nido, Palawan 77 30 Geo-coordinates of the 7 sampling Stations in El Nido, Palawan 83 31 Total species richness (species), abundance (individuals) and 83 Biomass (kg) of fishes from 7 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, March 2004 32 Mean species richness (species/100 sqm), abundance 84 (individuals/100 sqm), and biomass (kg/100 sqm) of fishes from 7 sampling stations in ElNido, Palawan, March 2004 33 Total abundance (individuals) of indicator, major and target 85 species from 7 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, March 2004 34 Mean abundance (individuals/100 sqm) of indicator, major and 85 target species from 7 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, March 2004
______iv List of Figures
Figure No. Title Page
1 Municipality of El Nido, 2004 2 2 Diameter measurement of mangrove trees 6 3 Mangrove Regeneration 7 4 Rhizophora apiculata 12 5 Bruguiera gymnorrhiza 12 6 Xylocarpus granatum 12 7 Ceriops tangal 12 8 Rhizophora mucronata 12 9 Distribution and abundance of top 5 mangrove species in 13 different sampling sites of El Nido, 2004 10 The Cluster Analysis of 43 transects in El Nido, Palawan, 23 2004 11 Graph showing pattern of Relative Values of top 15 25 mangrove species in El Nido, Palawan, 2004 12 Graph showing average stocking of Pole and Timber 26 13 Picture showing portion of Cadlao mangrove area 32 14 Picture showing degraded mangrove area 33 15 Locations of the Proposed ECAN Core Zones 51 16 Estimates of bottom cover on swathe 52 quadrats (size 5 x 2.5 m) across the extent of seagrasses, i.e., from shore incidence to seaward end, in the four areas proposed as high-priority seagrass core zones 17 Seagrass in-depth survey composition, shoot densities 53 (mean ± SEM), and bottom cover (mean %) of seagrasses determined from the smaller quadrats (area=0.250 m2) 18 Seagrass in-depth survey canopy heights of the numerically 55 dominant seagrasses in the four areas surveyed 19 Map of the coral reef in-depth survey study area, El Nido, 58 Palawan 20 Coral reef in-depth study survey stations where the line or 69 video transect methods were employed 21 Benthic Lifeform Summary for the Sites and Stations 78 assessed in the in-depth surveys of El Nido, Palawan 22 Proposed Coral Reef Core Zones in El Nido, Palawan 79 23 Reef fish in-depth survey Sampling Stations, El Nido, 82 Palawan, March 2004. Stations in red are the proposed core zones 24 Fish Sampling Stations in El Nido from the survey of 86 MERF, 1993 25 Proposed core zones based on the reef fish in-depth survey, 87 El Nido, Palawan, March 2004, and the survey of MERF, 1993
______v Executive Summary
The Municipality of El Nido was identified as one of the two municipalities in Palawan for detailed ECAN Zones Management Planning under the Sustainable Environmental Management Project (SEMP-NP). These two areas were the subject of detailed assessments that employed detailed methodologies following the SEMP- NP Manual on Terrestrial and Coastal Field Surveys. The selected sites in the two areas for in-depth surveys for seagrass, coral reef and reef fishes were the pre- identified potential ECAN core zones based on the results of the previously conducted baseline studies. The assessment of mangrove was based solely on this in-depth survey.
Mangrove
The in-depth mangrove survey for El Nido municipality was undertaken to characterize its species biodiversity, and community structure and condition. The generated data were used to recommend appropriate management zoning of mangroves and recommend alternative management strategies/measures to strengthen locally-based management scheme(s). The survey was conducted from 16 April to 06 May 2004. The Belt Transect Method was employed where 10 m x 50 m plots were located along the transect. Based on a 0.1% sampling intensity 43 transects distributed in 14 barangays were selected for the survey.
The mangrove forest in El Nido occupies a total land area of 3, 217.27 has, almost 78 percent (78%) of which are classified to be of sparse and open canopy, composed of regenerations and least poles. The distribution in the order from largest to smallest areas are as follows: Bgy Aberawan 469.19 has (17.52%), Bgy Manlag 409.26 has (15.29%), Bgy New Ibajay 390.92 has (14.60%), Bgy Mabini 311.7 has (11.64%), Bgy Corong-corong 251.42 has (9.39%), Bgy Villapaz 250.13 has (9.34%), Bgy Bucana 195.89 has (7.32%), Bgy Sibaltan 167.43 has (6.25%), Bgy Tiniguiban 87.69 has (3.28%), Bgy Bagong Bayan 69.3 has (2.59%), Bgy San Fernando 29.96 has (1.12%), Bgy Pasadena 17.17 has (0.64%), Bgy Barutoan 14.74 has (0.55%), and Cadlao Is 12.48 has (0.47%). There are cases of clear cutting for charcoal making which, among others, is considered as the primary cause of mangrove depletion. There are also observed selective cuttings of poles and piles for household uses and domestic consumption.
The survey documented 19 true and 22 associate mangrove species that belong to 19 families and 26 genera of vascular plants. The most widely distributed species are Rhizophora apiculata (Ra) Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Bg), Xylocarpus granatum (Xg), Ceriops tagal (Ct) Rhizophora mucronata (Rm), Bruguiera cylindrica (Bc), Heritiera littorea (Hl), Bruguiera sexangula (Bs), Sonneratia alba (Sal) and Rhizophora stylosa. The most abundant species (total individuals in 43 transects) are Rhizophora apiculata (Ra), Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Bg), Xylocarpus granatum (Xg), Ceriops tagal (Ct) Rhizophora mucronata (Rm), Bruguiera cylindrica (Bc), Heritiera littorea (Hl), Bruguiera sexangula (Bs), Sonneratia alba (Sal) and Rhizophora stylosa.
______EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vi El Nido has an overall 1/D index diversity (I/D) of 0.5932, Equitability or Evenness index of 0.39509, most abundant distribution index (N∞) of 1.798155, 1 Shannon species abundance (H ) of 1.01002 and Dmg of 1.2878. The average overall index diversity of 1.016635 and 0.395099 Evenness index indicated that mangroves of El Nido has a very low to moderately high relative value of biodiversity based on Fernando Biodiversity Scale (1998). The average index of diversity (species richness, abundance and dominance) indicates that all transects have very low biodiversity value. However, in terms of evenness of distribution of species abundance, sampling areas in El Nido belong to relatively moderate biodiversity scale.
The most diverse sample is Transect 23 (Bgy Mabini), particularly in terms of species richness (S and Mmg ) and most abundant species distribution index (N∞). With respect to Evenness (E) and Shannon’s species abundance (H1) Transect 30 (Bgy New Ibajay) is the most diverse sampling site. The Similarity Index (degree of similarity of diversity index) shows that almost all of the mangrove areas in El Nido are similar in species composition, distribution and pattern of distribution although their degree of similarity varies in species richness, abundance and dominance.
Overall, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for Significant Difference of Diversity Indeces showed that at alpha=0.001, there are differences in mean diversity indices of mangrove forest across the 43 transects Cluster analysis of similarity indices showed distinct and different layers or groupings of transect that support the observation that mangrove species composition and distribution form a similar homogeneous pattern or zonation notably according to ground gradient/level and substrate.
The average stocking for the municipality can be described based on DENR 1998 and FAO 1996 classification as follows: 712.42 has (22.14%) as adequately stocked/closed canopy (=> 1500 timber trees per has), 2471.72 has (76.83%) as inadequately stocked/sparse canopy (625-1499 timber trees per has) and 33.13 has (1.03%) as logged over areas/open canopy (< 625 timber trees per has). Overall, the average stocking of El Nido is 408 trees/ha which is considered as logged-over or cleared/open area. On a per sample transect basis, Transects 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), 11 (Bgy Aberawan) and 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban) had adequate stocking of 6180, 3898 and 3004, trees, respectively. All of the remaining transect areas have either inadequate or open/logged-over forest stocking. As to volume the average mangrove forests of El Nido have an average stand of 36.428 m3/ha, which falls in the logged over or open mangrove category. On a per sample transect basis, high to middle volume class mangrove areas still exist. The high volume class mangrove areas are located in Transect 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban) 253.219 m3/ha and Transect 30 (Bgy New Ibajay) 210.974 m3/ha. Transects with middle class volumes are Transects 11 (Bgy Aberawan) 159.387 m3/ha, 32 (Bgy Villapaz) 64.248 m3/ha, 34 (Bgy Sibaltan) 61.936 m3/ha and 26 (Bgy Mabini) 60.353 m3/ha.
The recommended zoning and management strategy(ies) for the mangrove areas of El Nido are based on the ranking of the summation of ecological indices (1=highest, 43=lowest) for all of the transects and on average stocking class, forest cover class, stand volume class, biodiversity index class, threatened endemic spp., and biodiversity hotspots. These are taken to be reflective of the current habitat/forest ______EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii condition and structure, land uses, biodiversity status, potential for ecological tourist destination, habitation/settlement and source of living of indigenous people. Mangrove areas similar to forest conditions and structures in Transects with ranks 1 to 10 are proposed for Core Zone for Strict Protection. These transects are Transect 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban), Transect 23 (Bgy Mabini), Transect 34 (Bgy Sibaltan), Transect 20 (Bgy Bucana), Transect 40 (Bgy Bagong Bayan), Transect 11 (Bgy Aberawan), Transect 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), Transect 32 (Bgy Villapaz), Transect 26 (Bgy Mabini), and Transect 37 (Bgy Tiniguiban). Those with similar conditions and structures to transects with ranked 11th to 29th are proposed for Restricted/Traditional Use Zone while those similar to condition and structure to transects with ranks 30th to 44th are proposed for Regulated Multiple Use Zone. The open/logged over areas within each zone should be rehabilitated and considered as part of its specific recommended zones. The restoration sub-zones are potential expansion areas for core zone, restricted/traditional use, or regulated multiple use zones once the desired structure and condition is attained. The area adjacent to the transition zone towards the lowland/terrestrial area is suggested as buffer zone.
The heavily exploited and degraded mangrove areas should be immediately rehabilitated. Enrichment planting and assisted natural regeneration can be adapted to rehabilitate the area using species based on species distribution and zonation. R. apiculata, R. mucronata, and R. stylosa may be considered since these are the preferred species for forestation due to their economic and ecological values. The mangrove-dependent households should be organized to undertake the responsibility of rehabilitating, managing, and protecting, the mangrove forest within their respective areas.
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 shall be more community focused than environment centered. 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 need to be strengthened and enhanced in order for them to become effective stewards and de facto managers of the resources. Likewise, being the primary stakeholders, the mangrove-dependent households need to be involved in undertaking rehabilitation, and conservation of the coastal resources in order to sustain the provision of goods/services and to protect the base of their economic activities, thereby reducing poverty incidence. The CBMFM/CBRMP concept of restoring the coastal resource may be adopted to generate local participation and to ensure the sustainability of whatever intervention projects/strategies that will be implemented.
Seagrass
The in-depth survey for seagrass conducted in 2004 was focused on the pre- identified potential high priority ECAN Core Zones based on the baseline surveys in Barangays Bebeladan, Corong-Corong, Sibaltan, and San Fernando. This in-depth survey further characterized the four sites in terms of species, species densities and canopy heights in addition to the previously gathered data on measures of seagrass stands that include species, canopy cover, and species richness values. The survey
______EXECUTIVE SUMMARY viii employed a modified methodology following the Transect Quadrat Technique described by English et al. (1994) using 50 cm x 50 cm quadrats positioned randomly in favor of the lush portions of the meadows.
The meadows were bordered onshore by mangroves followed by a narrow stretch of mudflats (Bebeladan, Sibaltan) and by narrow beachfronts (Corong-Corong, San Fernando) then delimited at the seaward edges by harder bottoms, which marked the beginning of the coral zone (Bebeladan, Corong-Corong), or drop-offs (Sibaltan, San Fernando). The lush areas of the meadows occurred on sandy sediments mixed with rubble and mud fractions within the sub tidal shallows.
The survey recorded nine species in the four sites, of which only 4 to 6 species were found assembled together within the quadrats The dominant species included Halodule uninervis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, and Enhalus acoroides
During the baseline survey, observations of canopy cover ≥50% were apparent in the survey sites. The species diversity, as the Shannon-Weiner index H’, followed the following sequence of sites: Bebeladan > Corong-Corong > San Fernando > Sibaltan. The biomass was contributed the most by S. isoetifolium (Bebeladan and Corong-Corong), T. hemprichii (Sibaltan), and E. acoroides (San Fernando). The canopy of the dominant species ranged between 10 and 20 cm. Grazed tracks of Dugon dugon were typical features of the meadows visited, along with small sand patches and volcanoes, which indicate turbidity causing activity by burrowing shrimps.
The survey showed that based on bottom cover estimates and density counts, seagrass abundances are within the moderate to dense/lush category, and species diversity is also within the moderate range for seagrass communities of the Indo-West Pacific. These meadow maintenance strategies offer assurance to animal populations – marine mammals, turtles, resident and transient fish, crustaceans – that obtain nourishment from seagrass resources in these areas.
The four sites exhibited properties and features that are commendable as ECAN core zones. These sites are recommended as potential ECAN Core Zones that deserve utmost protection to serve as self-replenishing, sustaining systems and as feeding grounds to the endangered dugongs.
Coral Reef
The in-depth survey for coral reef conducted in 2004 was focused on the eight pre-identified potential high priority ECAN Core Zones sites with more than 30% hard coral cover based on the baselines surveys. These were Pinasil Island, Cadlao Island, Daracotan Island, Tiniguiban Reef, Tiniguiban Shoal, Talawtawan Island and Cabugao Island. Tapiutan Island was chosen by virtue of the presence of an uncommon coral species, Acrhelia horrescens.
The coral reef surveys employed either the line intercept technique (LIT) or video transect (VT) method described by Loya 1978, English et al. 1997. Transects were deployed at both shallow (3-5 m depth) and deep (7-10 m depth) whenever
______EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ix possible. The sites were characterized in terms of percent coral cover of the different lifeforms and, where possible, biodiversity of coral genera. Potential or actual threats to the coral reef ecosystem were also identified.
The highest hard coral cover of >50% was recorded for Cadlao Is and Tiniguiban Shoal. Except for Tapiutan Is and Tiniguiban Reef, the remaining sites have greater than 40% hard coral cover. In terms of diversity Pinasil Island, Cadlao Is, Tiniguiban Reef, and Daracotan Is were assessed to have >50% diversity. Tapiutan Island recorded an uncommon species, Acrhelia horrescens.
All the eight surveyed sites are recommended as coral reef ECAN Core Zones. While the present 50% rule for coral cover will qualify only Cadlao Is as a core zone, Pinasil Island, Daracotan Island, Talawtawan Island and Cabugao Island all have coral cover that is close to 50% and should also be protected. Tiniguiban Reef while low in coral cover on the average only have certain sections of the transect with high coral cover. Tapiutan Island, on the other hand, does have a low cover but harbors a not so common coral species that is worth protecting.
Coral Reef Fish
The in-depth survey for reef fish conducted in 2004 was focused on the eight pre- identified potential high priority ECAN Core Zones sites for coral reefs based on the baselines surveys. These were Pinasil Island, Tapiutan Is, Cadlao Island, Daracotan Island, Tiniguiban Reef, Tiniguiban Shoal, Talawtawan Island and Cabugao Island. The survey involves the identification, quantification and richness of species as well as estimation of abundances and biomass. Data and information generated from the in-depth survey will better describe the existing fauna in the survey sites, its possible contribution to the local fisheries in the area, and the identification of sites as potential coastal marine core zones.
The in-depth reef fish survey was conducted following a modification of the Underwater Fish Visual Census Technique described by English et al. (1994). Transects were deployed at both shallow (3-5 m depth) and deep (7-10 m depth) whenever possible. Parameters recorded include the identification of reef fish at the species level, total size of each fish estimated to the nearest centimeter and abundances determined by actual counts. The fish were later categorized as target, indicator or major fish species based on the “importance” data of individual species compiled in FishBase 2000 (Froese and Pauly, 2000). Biomass of each species was also calculated.
Based on the results of the in-depth fish surveys conducted at seven sampling stations, the fish communities are in relatively good condition especially in terms of species richness. The highest values of species richness were recorded from Station 1 - Bebeledan, Station 2 - Cadlao, Station 3 - Daracotan and Station 6 –. These stations also had some of the highest abundances of indicator and target species. From the study of MERF (1993), at least two sites had similarly high species richness, namely: Station 1 – Inambuyod and Station 3 – Tres Marias. Please refer to Table 2. Therefore, based on species richness alone, it is recommended that these 6 stations from the two studies be considered as potential core zones.
______EXECUTIVE SUMMARY x CHAPTER 1 – IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY
1.0 INTRODUCTION
El Nido’s resources are rich but are threatened by unsustainable exploitation - -- among others, the good supply of their freshwater is threatened by the continuous destruction of their watershed by logging and kaingin. Its forest and marine ecosystems are inhabited by diverse flora and fauna, which are sources of livelihood to many. While fish and other marine products still abound in El Nido, overfishing and destructive means of harvest such as the use of fine-mesh net, dynamite and cyanide by fishermen, both from outside and within El Nido reduce the chance of sustaining yield of these resources.
As part of the mangrove resource assessment conducted in the municipality of El Nido in 2004, mangrove forest structures and measured tree growth parameters were assessed in 43 transects.
Mangrove forest in the municipality has a total land area of 3, 217.27 hectares with classifications as follows: closed, sparse, and open canopy of 712.42 ha, 2, 471.72 ha, and 33.13 ha, respectively. This mangrove stand has an average volume of 36.43 m³/ha with an average stocking, mean basal area, mean dbh, mean height and mean regeneration of 404 trees/ha, 14.65 m²/ha, 16.03 cm, 11.41 m and 396 saplings/ha, respectively.
Almost 78 percent (78%) of the total mangrove area in El Nido was classified to be of sparse and open canopy, composed of regenerations and least poles as a result of unemployment and unawareness about environmental condition in the community.
There are still cases of clearcutting for charcoal making which, among others, is considered as the primary cause of mangrove depletion. The community seems to have no choice at all and tends to depend on said activity(ies) just to survive because of unemployment. In addition, there are observed selective cuttings of poles and piles for household uses and domestic consumption.
2.0 OBJECTIVES:
The study aimed to:
1. Determine the forest structure, condition and ecological diversity of mangrove in El Nido;
2. Determine the pattern of uses and existing land uses of mangroves;
3. Determine the appropriate management zoning of mangroves; and
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 1 4. Recommend some alternative management strategies and measures to strengthen locally-based management scheme(s) for promotion of ecological tourist destinations.
3.0 EXPECTED OUTPUTS
• Characterization of the status of mangrove habitats in terms of forest conditions, structures and ecological diversity;
• Assessment of the potential of mangrove as ecological tourist destination;
• Propose management interventions considering sustainable mangrove productivity in terms of fisheries, eco-tourism and forestry production; and
• Classification and zoning of mangroves for strict protection or preservation, conservation or community-based sustainable small scale utilization, and for restoration or rehabilitation.
4.0 ME THODOLOGY
4.1 Date and Place of Survey and Location of Transect
TENIGUIBAN BUCANA TENIGUIBAN
SAN FERNANDO
BARATUAN = 1 SIBALTAN= 2
VILLA PAZ = 3 PASADEñA = 2
NEW IBAJAY = 4 Corong-Corong NEW IBAJAY = 4
Figure 1. Municipality of El Nido, 2004
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 2
Resource and Ecological Assessment (REA) of mangrove in El Nido, Palawan was conducted from April 16 to May 6, 2004. Table 1 shows the location of transects surveyed.
Table 1. Location and Position of Belt Transects surveyed by the Mangrove Team in El Nido, Palawan, 2004
Survey GPS Reading Length of the Size of the Remarks Site/Transect transect (m) transect N 11° 08' 22.8" E 119° 24' Brgy. Coron- 45.5" - N 11° 08' 55.2 E corong 119° 24' 46.5" Transect 1 145 145m X 10m Transect 2 180 180mMABINI X 10m= 5 N 11° 08' 22.8" E 119° 24' 45.5" - N 11° 08' 55.2 E 350m X 10m Transect 3 119° 24' 46.5" 350 w/ cuttings N 11° 08' 39.6" E 119° 24' 130m X 10m Transect 4 21.7 N 120E 130 N 11° 08' 29.5" E 119° 25'
Brgy. Manlag 31.8" Transect 5 400 400m X 10m N 11° 08' 29.5" E 119° 25' 200m X 10m Transect 6 31.8" 200 w/ cuttings N 11° 07' 00.7" E 119° 25' 15.8" - N 11° 06' 59.9" E 50m X 10m w/ cutting, Transect 7 119° 25' 24.0" 50 charcoal making N 11° 08' 10.5" E 119° 24' 20.6" - N 11° 07' 22.1" E 40m X 10m Transect 7a 119° 25' 19.1" 40 w/ cuttings, N 11° 02' 00.7" E 119° 24' 285m X 10m household Transect 8 40.2" 285 consumption Brgy.
Aberawan N 11° 00' 52.5" E 119° 21' 165m X 10m Transect 9 23.3" 165 N 11° 02' 12.1" E 119° 24' 58.0" - N 11° 02' 06.8" E 170m X 10m Transect 10 119 ° 25' 02.0" 170 N 11° 02' 00.7" E 119° 24' 600m X 10m Transect 11 40.2" 600 Brgy
Bebeladan Transect 12 110 110m X 10m
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 3 Survey GPS Reading Length of the Size of the Remarks Site/Transect transect (m) transect N 11° 02' 02.6" E 119° 24' 11.3" - N 11° 02' 00.6 E 150m X 10m Transect 12a 119° 24' 15.0" 150 N 11° 02' 45.5" E 119° 22' 50m X 10m Transect 13 53.2" 50 Transect 14 375 375m X 10m N 11° 02' 33.3" E 119° 22' 26.7" - N 11° 02' 29.8" E 310m X 10m Transect 15 119° 22' 22.4" 310 Brgy
Aberawan N 11º 02' 32.4" E119º 22' 280m X 10m Transect 16 32.9" 280 Cadlao island N 11º 11' 20.8" E119º 22' 8m X 10m Transect 17 32.8" 8 Brgy Pasadeña N 11° 16' 18.5" E 119° 26' 14.2" - N 11° 16' 17.9" E 68m X 10m Transect 18 119° 26' 14.4" 68 Transect 18a 162 162m X 10m w/ cuttings Brgy Bucana N 11° 18' 24.7"- N 11° 18' 20.1"/ E 119° 25' 15.5" - E 170m X 10m Transect 19 119° 25' 10.7" 170 Sparse, w/ N11º 11' 20.1" E119º 25' 350m X 10m cuttings, w/ Transect 20 24.3" 350 charcoal making Brgy
Baratuan? N 11° 19' 15.9" E 119° 27' 195m X 10m Transect 21 08.6" 195 w/ cuttings Brgy Bucana N 11º 19' 26.6" E119º 27' w/ clear cutting, 200m X 10m Transect 22 22.6" 200 charcoal making Brgy Mabini N 11º 07' 17.6" E 119º 30' 450m X 10m Transect 23 25.4" 450 Sparse w/ cuttings N11 06' 06.0" E 119 30' 45.2" - N 11 06' 09.1" E 150m X 10m Transect 24 119 30' 41.2" 150 N 110 06' 37.4" E 1190 31' 24.8" - N 110 06' 35.9" E 50m X 10m Transect 25 1190 32' 24.2" 50
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 4 Survey GPS Reading Length of the Size of the Remarks Site/Transect transect (m) transect N 11º 08' 43.9" E119º 30' w/ girdling and 339m X 10m Transect 26 23.7" 339 cuttings Transect 27 156 156m X 10m Brgy New
Ibajay N 110 09' 25.2" E 1190 31' 23.9" - N 110 09' 25.8" E 225m X 10 Transect 28 1190 31' 15.6" 225 N 110 09' 50.4" E 1190 31' 54.3" - N 110 09' 56.0" E 200m X 10m Transect 29 1190 31' 52.9" 200 N 11º 11' 21" E119º 32' w/ clearings - 1465m X 10m Transect 30 21.8" 1465 sparse N11º 11'42.9" E119º 31' Plot 7 sparse w/ 352m X 10m Transect 30a 43.3" 352 cuttings Brgy. Villapaz N 110 12' 34.8" E 1190 32' 225m X 10m Transect 31 57.4" 225 N11º 12'33.5" w/ clearings and 250m X 10m Transect 32 E119º32'56.2" 250 girdling N 110 11' 38.5" E 1190 31' 58.2" - N 110 11' 37.5" E 250m X 10m Transect 33 1190 31' 58.6" 250 Dense Brgy Sibaltan N 11º 16' 23.6" E119º 33' 250m X 10m Transect 34 58.5" 250 w/ cuttings Transect 35 250 250m X 10m Brgy San
Fernando N 11°19' 37.9" E 119° 30' 175m X 10m Transect 36 55.5" 175 Brgy
Tiniguiban N11° 30' 39.7" E119° 30' 357m X 10m Transect 37 39.7" 357 w/ cuttings N 11º 20' 31" E 119º 30' 788m X 10m Transect 38 37.6" 788 w/ cuttings Brgy Bagong
Bayan Open area due to N 11° 59' 57.7" E 119° 24' clear cutting, w/ Transect 39 21.1" charcoal making N 11° 00' 20.5" E 119° 23' 464m X 10m Transect 40 34.4" 464 w/ cuttings
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 5
Survey GPS Reading Length of the Size of the Remarks Site/Transect transect (m) transect N 11° 60' 52" E 119° 21' 165m X 10m Transect 41 23.3" 165 w/ cuttings Brgy
Bebeladan N 11° 3' 28.1"E 119° 20' 50m X 10 Transect 42 16.9" 50 N 11° 03' 29.2" E 119° 20' 170m X 10m Transect 43 14.9" 170
4.1.1 Sampling Procedure
Transects were laid out in the base map considering the different land uses, forest conditions and extent of mangrove areas. Mangrove areas in El Nido were delineated and classified into 3 forest covers such as dense, sparse, and open/lclear areas using the SPOT 5 imageries. Reconnaissance was conducted to validate the mangrove cover condition and the result was considered in the final selection of sampling sites. The belt transect of 10 meter width traversed the different mangrove forest conditions perpendicular to the shorelines or river bank.
4.1.2 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 5 cm in diameter were recorded per plot for:
1. total height and/or merchantable height; and 2. diameter at breast height (DBH)/diameter above budroot (DAB)
Diameter measurement of trees was difficult for some shape and growth forms of mangrove trees hence, the following were used as guide for the measurement of diameter:
1. When the stem forks below breast height, or sprouts from a single base close to the ground or above it, each Figure 2. Diameter measurement branch was measured as a separate stem.
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 6 2. When the stem forks at breast height or slightly above, the diameter at breast height is measured just below the swelling caused of the fork. 3. When the stem has prop roots of fluted lower trunk, the diameter was measured above them. 4. When the stem is swelling, branches or abnormalities at the point of measurement, the diameter was measured slightly above or below the irregularity where it stops affecting normal form.
A 2m x 50m subplot was laid out for the Figure 3. Regeneration measurement of regeneration. Saplings, (diameter smaller than 5 cm and height more than 2 m) were identified and the number of individuals by species was determined. Counts of seedlings (height lower than 2 m) were recorded as number of individuals of species.
With each plot in the different transects, mangrove species were identified and classified into:
1. timber size trees ( > 15 cm DBH/DAB) 2. pole size trees ( > 5 cm up to 15 cm in DBH/DAB) 3. regeneration
¾ saplings (5 cm DBH/DAB and 2 m in height)
¾ seedlings (height below 2 m)
In timber size trees (>15 cm DBH/DAB), the following parameters were assessed:
1. Merchantable height (to the nearest 0.5m). The height from stump (.3 m above the budroot in Rhizophora spp. or ½ m above the ground in non-Rhizophora spp. up to the first major branch or 10cm top diameter limit). 2. Total Height (to the nearest 0.5 m) 3. DAB/DBH (to the nearest 0.5 cm)
In pole-size trees, only the total height and DBH/DAB were measured. Due to difficult conditions, which hinder work, the height was measured directly using calibrated poles as guide for small to medium size trees. For large size trees (more than 10 meters high), 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 spp., diameter was recorded at 1.3 m height from the ground level
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 7 known as diameter breast height (DBH). In Rhizophora spp., because of the presence of stilt roots, the diameter was recorded at a height of 0.3 m from the topmost stilt roots known as diameter above bud-root (DAB).
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 the following:
1. presence of ferns and other non-woody species; 2. presence of crab mounds; and 3. presence of avifauna and wildlife
4.1.3 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, 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.
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
2 Mean Diameter (Dg) Dg (cm) = Σd / No. of trees on the plot where: d = diameter
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 height (Dho) 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
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 8 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 were 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 x 100 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
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 was 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.
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 9 Berger-Parker diversity index
The Berger-Parker index was 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 was 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 occurred in the two sites.
5.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
5.1 Biodiversity Assessment
5.1.1 Species Composition and Distribution
There were 19 true and 22 associate mangrove species identified and recorded during the survey which belongs to 19 families and 26 genera of vascular plants (Table 2).
Table 2. List of True and Associate Mangrove Species Identified and Recorded in El Nido, Palawan, 2004
Scientific Names Code Common Name Existing in El Nido
TRUE MANGROVE Aegiceras floridum Af Tinduk-tindukan * Aegiceras corniculatun Ac Saging-saging * 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 *
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 10
Scientific Names Code Common Name Existing in El Nido
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 * 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 nuga Cn 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 Pngp Bani * Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea Sh Nilad * Terminalia catappa Tc Talisai * Thespesia populneoides Tp Malabanalo * Thespesia populnea Tpo Banalo * Cerbera manghas Cm Baraibai *
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 11 The most widely distributed species in El Nido are Rhizophora apiculata (Ra) Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Bg), Xylocarpus granatum (Xg), Ceriops tagal (Ct) Rhizophora mucronata (Rm), Bruguiera cylindrica (Bc), Heritiera littorea (Hl), Bruguiera sexangula (Bs), Sonneratia alba (Sal) and Rhizophora stylosa, which were recorded in Transects 42 (Bgy Bebeladan), 35 (Bgy Sibaltan), 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), 23 (Bgy Mabini), 22 (Bgy Bucana), 20 (Bgy Bucana), 18 (Bgy Pasadena), 15 (Bgy Bebeladan) and 5 (Bgy Manlag), respectively. In terms of abundance (total individuals in 43 transects), Rhizophora apiculata (Ra), Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Bg), Xylocarpus granatum (Xg), Figure 4. Rhizophora apiculata Ceriops tagal (Ct) Rhizophora mucronata (Rm), Bruguiera cylindrica (Bc), Heritiera littorea (Hl), Bruguiera sexangula (Bs), Sonneratia alba (Sal) and Rhizophora stylosa species had 30,833, 4588, 2723, 2836, 1441, 676, 264, 691, 264, and 245 individuals, respectively (Table 3).
Figure 6. Xylocarpus granatum Figure 5. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Figure 8. Rhizophora mucronata Figure 7. Ceriops tagal
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 12 Table 3. Distribution and Abundance of Top 10 Mangrove Species in Different Sampling Sites of El Nido, Palawan, 2004
Species No. of Transect Individual Count (N)
Ra 42 30833 Bg 35 4588 Xg 30 2723 Ct 23 2836 Rm 22 1441 Bc 22 676 Hl 20 264 Bs 18 691 Sal 15 264 Rs 5 245
5.1.2 Ecological Diversity Indices
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0 1 10 11 12 12a 13 14 15 16 17 18 18a 19 2 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 3 30 30a 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 4 40 41 42 43 5 6 7 7a 8 9
Transect Ra Bg Xg Ct Rm
Figure 9. Distribution and abundance of top 5 mangrove species in different sampling sites of El Nido, Palawan, 2004
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 13 Species diversity measures species richness and species abundance. Species abundance is often more sensitive to environmental disturbance than species richness. Evenness (equitability) describes how equally abundant the species are distributed.
Shannon (H1), Simpson (1/D) and Berger-Parker (N∞) were computed and are presented in Table 4. The relationship between different diversity indices varies depending on species richness, abundance, dominance and sample size. The value of H1 is related to species richness and usually influenced by the species abundance distribution but is more sensitive to sample size. Simpson index is heavily weighted towards the most abundant species in the sample and less sensitive to species richness but also sensitive to sample size. Berger-Parker is independent of species richness but least influenced by sample size. Simpson index is the reciprocal form of the Berger- Parker index and is usually adopted as an indicator of ecological diversity because an increase in the value of the index accompanies an increase in diversity and a reduction in dominance (Maguran, 1987).
The most diverse sampling site is Transect 23 (Bgy Mabini), particularly in terms of species richness (S and Mmg ) and most abundant species distribution index (N∞). However, in terms of Evenness (E) and Shannon’s species abundance (H1) Transect 30 (Bgy New Ibajay) is the most diverse sampling site. The greater the evenness makes it more diverse. High evenness occur in top 10 sampling sites such as Transects 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), 30a (Bgy New Ibajay), 11 (Bgy Aberawan), 13 (Bgy Aberawan), 3 (Bgy Corong-corong), 32 (Bgy Villapaz), 26 (Bgy Mabini), 4 (Bgy Corong-corong), 40 (Bgy Bagong Bayan), 33 (Bgy Villapaz) and 28 (Bgy New Ibajay) where species are equitably abundant indicating a high diversity index (Maguran, 1987). Considering the combination of plant biodiversity indices such as 1 Mmg, H , 1/D, N∞ and E Transect 23 (Bgy Mabini) is the most diverse site followed by Transects 21 (Bgy Barotuan), 1 (Bgy Corong-corong), 9 (Bgy Aberawan), 17 (Bgy Aberawan), 20 (Bgy Bucana), 22 (Bgy Bucana), 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban), 41 (Bgy Bagong Bayan) and 42 (Bgy Bebeladan). However, using Simpson index (1/D), the top 10 diverse sampling sites are Transects 29 (Bgy New Ibajay), 27 (Bgy Mabini), 30a (Bgy New Ibajay), 7 (Bgy Manlag), 3 (Bgy Corong-corong), 4 (Bgy Corong- corong), 7a (Bgy Manlag), 5 (Bgy Manlag), 11 Bgy Aberawan) and 15 (Bgy Bebeladan). El Nido has an overall 1/D index diversity of 0.5932, Equitability or 1 Evenness of 0.39509, N∞ index of 1.798155, H index of 1.01002 and Dmg of 1.2878. The average overall index diversity of 1.016635 and 0.395099 Evenness index indicated that mangroves of El Nido has a very low to moderately high relative value of biodiversity based on Fernando Biodiversity Scale (1998). Plant biodiversity depends on species composition and distribution; abundance and dominance of plants in certain habitats or vegetation community(ies).
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 14 Table 4. The Diversity Indices of 43 Sampling Sites in Mangrove Forest of El Nido, Palawan, Using Various Diversity Formulas
Species Berger- Average Individuals Margalef Shannon Shannon Simpson Transect richness Parker (N (Dmg,H1, (N) (Dmg) (H') evenness (E) (1/D) (S) ∞) E,1/D,N() Bgy Corong-corong T1 15 540 2.2252 0.10125 0.0373887 0.19984 3.25301 1.6368 T2 7 155 1.1897 0.039252 0.0201717 0.4801 1.53465 0.8146 T3 4 509 0.4814 0.097023 0.0699872 0.82813 1.10173 0.59458 T4 4 452 0.4907 0.088985 0.0641893 0.80533 1.12159 0.59386 Bgy Manlag T5 6 329 0.8627 0.070274 0.0392208 0.77708 1.13841 0.697993 T6 4 197 0.5678 0.047401 0.0341922 0.67072 1.25478 0.658683 T7 5 170 0.7788 0.042224 0.0262352 0.85388 1.0828 0.65938 T7a 3 62 0.4846 0.018693 0.0170152 0.79323 1.12727 0.61705 T8 13 376 2.0237 0.077669 0.0302809 0.66128 1.23684 0.995107 Bgy Aberawan T9 17 152 3.1848 0.038649 0.0136414 0.3218 1.9 1.49925 T10 8 245 1.2724 0.056136 0.0269957 0.50478 1.44118 0.912389 T11 10 1985 1.1852 0.236084 0.1025301 0.75057 1.15879 0.7684 Bgy Bebeladan T12 3 109 0.4263 0.029625 0.0269654 0.56116 1.45333 0.687888 T12a 4 221 0.5557 0.051837 0.0373925 0.54969 1.49324 0.71592 T13 4 78 0.6886 0.022574 0.0162837 0.35564 2.22857 1.007278 T14 6 232 0.918 0.053824 0.0300395 0.46186 1.54667 0.859529 T15 6 390 0.8381 0.07981 0.0445428 0.73109 1.1747 0.710851 Bgy Aberawan T16 7 420 0.9933 0.08431 0.0433266 0.58154 1.37255 0.791401 T17 5 21 1.3138 0.007529 0.004678 0.27143 2.1 1.19347 Bgy Pasadena T18 4 52 0.7593 0.01616 0.0116569 0.3537 2.36364 1.06708 T18a 8 149 1.3989 0.038043 0.0182947 0.36876 1.83951 1.067228 Bgy Bucana T19 7 158 1.1852 0.039853 0.0204802 0.50931 1.43636 0.8953 T20 14 370 2.1984 0.076743 0.0290797 0.42723 1.62996 1.1617 Bgy Barotuan? T21 9 94 1.7608 0.026281 0.0119609 0.15305 3.76 1.75885 Bgy Bucana T22 9 195 1.5172 0.047024 0.0214016 0.32398 1.9697 1.137166 Bgy Mabini T23 30 614 4.5171 0.110972 0.0326274 0.08822 5.48214 2.80199 T24 4 71 0.7038 0.0209 0.015076 0.62213 1.29091 0.72955 T25 2 25 0.3107 0.008734 0.0125998 0.54667 1.47059 0.694777 T26 10 941 1.3145 0.148912 0.0646718 0.67014 1.23491 0.827457 T27 5 142 0.8071 0.036615 0.0227504 0.90411 1.05185 0.64616 Bgy New Ibajay T28 5 298 0.7021 0.065206 0.0405147 0.72623 1.17787 0.688796 T29 5 273 0.7131 0.060996 0.0378987 0.93528 1.03409 0.610578 T30 10 2894 1.1292 0.286727 0.1245238 0.73119 1.17404 0.768347 T30a 3 652 0.3086 0.115778 0.1053857 0.88562 1.06362 0.538101 Bgy Villapaz T31 8 378 1.1795 0.077976 0.0374987 0.60044 1.32168 0.83337 T32 7 772 0.9024 0.130217 0.0669185 0.69273 1.2254 0.715446 T33 7 416 0.9949 0.083716 0.0430218 0.56855 1.35505 0.809877
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 15
Species Berger- Average Individuals Margalef Shannon Shannon Simpson Transect richness Parker (N (Dmg,H1, (N) (Dmg) (H') evenness (E) (1/D) (S) ∞) E,1/D,N() Bgy Sibaltan T34 10 507 1.445 0.096747 0.0420166 0.69849 1.21583 0.831579 T35 4 164 0.5883 0.041044 0.029607 0.39174 1.92941 0.881381 Bgy San Fernando T36 6 180 0.9628 0.044166 0.0246493 0.69721 1.20805 0.75038 Bgy Tiniguiban T37 9 407 1.3314 0.082374 0.0374901 0.49947 1.49632 0.91638 T38 16 1494 2.0522 0.200048 0.0721521 0.41619 1.631 1.125099 Bgy Bagong Bayan T39 5 57 0.9894 0.017438 0.0108349 0.34649 2.03571 1.022954 T40 9 566 1.2621 0.104724 0.0476617 0.37562 1.77429 1.00132 T41 11 137 2.0325 0.035585 0.01484 0.48111 1.47312 1.10289 Bgy Bebeladan T42 7 118 1.2577 0.031578 0.0162276 0.32928 2.03448 1.09067 T43 4 219 0.5567 0.051473 0.0371298 0.48565 1.92105 0.82644 Total 55.3617 43.43012 16.989251 25.50764 77.32069 43.71529 Average 1.2878 1.01002 0.395099 0.5932 1.798155 1.0166346
Mangrove flora in El Nido has very low relative value of biodiversity but has moderately relative value of equitability. The true mangrove species are restricted to thrive only in a very adverse saline environmental condition. The true and associate mangrove species usually have predictable pattern of species composition and distribution. Based on the average index of diversity (species richness, abundance and dominance), all transects has a very low biodiversity value but in terms of evenness of distribution of species abundance, sampling areas in El Nido belong to relatively moderate biodiversity scale based on Fernando Biodiversity Scale (Table 5).
Table 5. The Relative Values of the Average Overall Diversity Index and Evenness Based on the Fernando Biodiversity Scale (1998)
Ave. Value of H', D , Relative Shannon evenness Transect mg Relative Values E,1/D and N∞ Values (E) Over-all 1.0166346 Very Low 0.395099 Moderate Bgy Corong-corong 1 1.6368 Very Low 0.0373887 Very Low 2 0.8146 Very Low 0.0201717 Very Low 3 0.59458 Very Low 0.0699872 Very Low 4 0.59386 Very Low 0.0641893 Very Low Bgy Manlag 5 0.697993 Very Low 0.0392208 Very Low 6 0.658683 Very Low 0.0341922 Very Low 7 0.65938 Very Low 0.0262352 Very Low 7a 0.61705 Very Low 0.0170152 Very Low 8 0.995107 Very Low 0.0302809 Very Low
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 16
Ave. Value of H', Relative Shannon evenness Transect Relative Values Dmg, E,1/D and N∞ Values (E) Bgy Aberawan 9 1.49925 Very Low 0.0136414 Very Low 10 0.912389 Very Low 0.0269957 Very Low 11 0.7684 Very Low 0.1025301 Very low Bgy Bebeladan 12 0.687888 Very Low 0.0269654 Very Low 12a 0.71592 Very Low 0.0373925 Very Low 13 1.007278 Very Low 0.0162837 Very Low 14 0.859529 Very Low 0.0300395 Very Low 15 0.710851 Very Low 0.0445428 Very Low Bgy Aberawan 16 0.791401 Very Low 0.0433266 Very Low 17 1.19347 Very Low 0.004678 Very Low Bgy Pasadena 18 1.06708 Very Low 0.0116569 Very Low 18a 1.067228 Very Low 0.0182947 Very Low Bgy Bucana 19 0.8953 Very Low 0.0204802 Very Low 20 1.1617 Very Low 0.0290797 Very Low Bgy Barotuan 21 1.75885 Very Low 0.0119609 Very low Bgy Bucana 22 1.137166 Very Low 0.0214016 Very Low Bgy Mabini 23 2.80199 Moderate 0.0326274 Very Low 24 0.72955 Very Low 0.015076 Very Low 25 0.694777 Very Low 0.0125998 Very Low 26 0.827457 Very Low 0.0646718 Very Low 27 0.64616 Very Low 0.0227504 Very Low Bgy New Ibajay 28 0.688796 Very Low 0.0405147 Very low 29 0.610578 Very Low 0.0378987 Very Low 30 0.768347 Very Low 0.1245238 Moderate 30a 0.538101 Very Low 0.1053857 Moderate Bgy Villapaz 31 0.83337 Very Low 0.0374987 Very Low 32 0.715446 Very Low 0.0669185 Very Low 33 0.809877 Very Low 0.0430218 Very Low Bgy Sibaltan 34 0.831579 Very Low 0.0420166 Very Low 35 0.881381 Very Low 0.029607 Very Low
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 17
Ave. Value of H', Relative Shannon evenness Transect D , E,1/D and Relative Values mg Values (E) N∞ Bgy San Fernando 36 0.75038 Very Low 0.0246493 Very low Bgy Tiniguiban 37 0.91638 Very Low 0.0374901 Very Low 38 1.125099 Very Low 0.0721521 Very Low Bgy Bagong Bayan 39 1.022954 Very Low 0.0108349 Very Low 40 1.00132 Very Low 0.0476617 Very Low 41 1.10289 Very Low 0.01484 Very Low Bgy Bebeladan 42 1.09067 Very Low 0.0162276 Very low 43 0.82644 Very Low 0.0371298 Very Low
5.1.3 Similarity Index and Matrix
Table 6 (degree of similarity of diversity index) shows that almost all of the mangrove areas in El Nido have similarity in species composition, distribution and pattern of distribution although their degree of similarity varies in species richness, abundance and dominance. Seventeen (17) percent (17%) of the possible degree of similarity between and among transects has below 40% degree of similarity (not quite similar), 13 % are less similar with degree of similarity of 40-50%, 12% are likely similar with 60-79% degree of similarity, 13% are similar with 80-99% degree of similarity and no identical or most similar transects.
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 18 Table 6. Degree of Similarity based on percent diversity index of El Nido, Palawan, 2004.
TRANSECT Likely Similar Similar Less Similar Not Quite TRANSECT Most Similar (Green) (Yellow (Pink) Similar (Red) 100% 80-99% Green) 40-59% Below 40 % 60-79% Bgy Corong-corong 3,4,8,15,16,20, 2,6,7,9,11,12 23, A,18A, 7A,12,13,17,1 5,10,14,26,2 1 30A,31,32,33,3 19,22,27,35,3 8,21,24 8 & 29 4, 6,38,41 25,30,39 & 42 37 & 40 & 43 6,7,9,12,12A,1 3,4,7A,8,15,1 4,18A 6,18,20, 11,17,25,26,30 5,10,13,21,2 2 19,22,27,35,36 23,31,33,34,3 ,30A 4,28 & 29 ,41,42 7,39, 32 & 38 & 43 & 40 4,8,15,16,20,2 5,10,12A,14, 6,7,9,11,18A, 7A,12,13,17,1 3,30A 26,28,29, 19,22, 8,21, 3 31,33,34,37, 32,43 27,35,36,38 24,25,30,39 & AND 40 & 41 42 5,8,15,16,20,2 6,10,12A,14, 7,9,18A,19,2 7A,11,12,13,1 3,30A, 4 22,26,28, 7,35,36, 7,18,21 31,33,34,37 & 29,32, & 43 38,41 & 42 24,25,30, & 39 40 Bgy Manlag 8,10,12A,14,1 6,7,9,18A,19, 7A,11,13,17,1 5,16 22,23, 12,21,26,32,4 8,24, 5 20,28,29,31,33 27,30A,34,35 1 & 42 25,30,38, & , & 37 ,36,40 & 43 39 Bgy Manlag 7,9,10,12A,14 8,12,15,16,20, 7A,13,18,23,2 11, ,18A, 6 21,28, 4,30A, 17,25,26,30, 19,22,27,29,3 31,33,37 & 42 32,34,39 & 40 & 38 5,36,41 & 43 9,10,12A,14,1 7A,16,18,23,2 8,12,13,15,20, 8A,19, 4,30A 11,17,25,26,3 7 21,28 22,27,35,36,4 33,34,37,39, 0,32,& 38 29, & 31 1,42, & 43 & 40
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 19
TRANSECT Likely Not Quite Similar Similar Less Similar Most Similar Similar TRANSECT (Green) (Yellow (Pink) 100% (Red) 80-99% Green) 40-59% Below 40 % 60-79% 10,12A,14,22, 15,16,20,28,2 9,12,18A,19,2 11,13,17,18,2 23,30A 8 9,31,33 1,26,27, 4,25,30 and 32,35,36,40, 34, and 37 38,41, and 42 39 and 43 Bgy Aberawan 12,12A,18A,1 15,16,18,20,3 11,17,23,25,2 9,22,27, 10,13,14,21,2 9 1,33,34, 6,30,30A, 35,36,41,42 4,28 and 29 37,39, and 40 32, and 38 and 43 12,15,16,18A, 12A,14,22,28, 19,20,17, 13,21,23,24,2 11,17,18,25,3 10 29,35, 31,33,34,37,4 6,30A, & 32 0,38, & 39 36, and 43 0,41, & 42
12,13,14,15,1 6,17,18,18A 19,20,21,22,2
23,30A,32,34 4,25,27,28, 11 30 & 38 26 & 40 29,31,33,35,3 4,35,36,37, 39,41,42, & 43 Bgy Bebe;adan 14,18A,19,22, 15,16,20,27,3 13,21,23,24,3 17,18,25,26,3 12a 28,29,35 1,33,34, 0A,32, 0 & 38 36, & 43 37,41 & 41 39, & 40 15,16,20,23,2 18,21,24, & 18A,19,27,35, 14,17,22,25,2 6,30,30A,31 13 39 36,41, & 42 8,28,29, & 43 32,33,34,37,3 8, & 40 15,16,18A,20, 19,22,28,29,3 27,31,33 21,23,24,30A, 17,18,25,26,3 14 5,36, & 43 34,37,41, & 32, & 40 0,38, & 39 42 16,20,28,29,3 18A,19,26,27, 22,23,30A,32, 17,18,21,24,2 15 1,33,34, 35,38,41, & 36, & 43 5,,30, & 39 37 & 40 42 Bgy Aberawan 20,23,28,31,3 22,26,29,30A, 18A,19,27,35, 17,18,21,24,2 16 3,34,37, 32,36, & 43 38,41,& 42, 5,30, & 39 & 40
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 20
TRANSECT Likely Not Quite Similar Similar Less Similar Most Similar Similar TRANSECT (Green) (Yellow (Pink) 100% (Red) 80-99% Green) 40-59% Below 40 % 60-79% Bgy Pasadena 20,23,26,28,2 18A,19,22,27, 9,30,30A,31 18 24 & 39 21,25, & 42 35,36, & 41 32,33,34,37,3 8,40, & 43 19,22,27,35,3 21,24,28, & 20,31,33,34,3 23,25,26,30,3 18a 6,41,42 29 7,39, & 40 0A,32, & 38 & 43
5.1.4 Analysis of Variance for Significant Difference of Diversity Index
In determining the significant difference of the index of diversity of different sampling sites, the analysis of variance was estimated with the following premises:
Ho: The mean diversity index of mangrove forest in different transect is similar.
Ha: At least one of the mean diversity indices of mangrove forest in one transect
is not similar with the other transect.
Table 7. Analysis of Variance
DIVERSTY Sum of Mean Df F Sig. Squares Square Between Groups 340607.00 46.00 7404.50 12.24 0.00
Within Groups 1307443.00 2162.00 604.74 Total 1648050.00 2208.00
Decision Rule: Reject Ho if p-value < 0.001. Accept Ho otherwise. Test Statistic: One-way ANOVA SPSS output: p-value = 0.000 Decision: Since 0.000 < 0.001, reject Ho.
______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 21 Conclusion: At alpha=0.001, the mean difference of diversity index of mangrove forest in different transects is significant. At least one of the mean diversity index/indices of mangrove forest in one transect of El Nido is not similar with the other transect.
(p-value>=alpha=.001, insignificant….meaning the mean diversity index of a transect is similar to other transect)
(p-value 5.1.5 Cluster Analysis The similarity index was subjected to cluster analysis to visually detect the clustering of transects or groupings of similar sites together. There were 3 major groupings identified. The first cluster comprised of transects which were 80 to 99% similar such as Transects 34 (Bgy Sibaltan) and 3 (Bgy Corong-corong); 31 (Bgy Villapaz)and 8 (Bgy Manlag); 33 (Bgy Villapaz) and 16 (Bgy Aberawan); 43 (Bgy Bebeladan) and 12a (Bgy Bebeladan); 22 (Bgy Bucana) and 6 (Bgy Manlag); 18a (Bgy Pasadena) and 19 (bgy Bucana); 19 (Bgy Bucana) and 2 Bgy Corong-corong); and 40 (Bgy Bagong Bayan) and 1 (Bgy Corong-Corong); 34 ( Bgy Sibaltan) and 3 (Bgy Corong-corong); and 41 (Bgy Bagong Bayan) and 27 (Bgy Mabini). The second cluster consisted of bigger groupings which may not be likely similar (60 to 79%) such as Transects 25 (Bgy Mabini) and 17 (Bgy Aberawan); 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban) and 11 (Bgy Aberawan), 24 (Bgy Mabini) and 13 (Bgy Bebeladan); 18 (Bgy Pasadena), 39 (Bgy Bagong Bayan) and 7a (Bgy Manlag); 21 (Bgy Barotuan), 42 (Bgy Bebeladan) and 12 (Bgy Bebeladan); 36 (Bgy San Fernando), 35 (Bgy Sibaltan) and 7 (Bgy Manlag);32 (Bgy Villapaz) and 36 (Bgy San Fernando); 14 (Bgy Bebeladan), 43 (Bgy Bebeladan) and 12 (Bgy Bebeladan).The third clustering is the grouping of less similar (40 to 59%) transects such as Transects 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), 28 (Bgy New Ibajay) and 18 (Bgy Pasadena); 27 (Bgy Mabini), 19 (Bgy Bucana) and 16 (Bgy Aberawan); 22 (Bgy Bucana), 11 Bgy Aberawan), 23 (Bgy Mabini) and 6 (Bgy Manlag); 24 (Bgy Mabini) and 7 (Bgy Manlag); 10 (Bgy Aberawan), 2 (Bgy Corong- corong) and 1 (Bgy Corong-corong). The fourth groupings are not quite similar or similarity below 40%. The distinct and different layers or groupings of transect supported the observation that mangrove species composition and distribution formed a similar homogeneous pattern or zonation notably according to ground gradient/level and substrate. Figure 10 shows the clustering of transects. ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 22 Figure 10. The Cluster analysis of 43 transects in El Nido, Palawan, 2004 ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 23 5.2 Mangrove Forest Condition and Structure 5.2.1 Relative Values 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 El Nido. It is also the most frequent, dense and dominant mangrove species recorded. It has consistently gained the highest values of Relative Frequency (RF), Relative Density (RDen), Relative Dominance (RDom) and Importance Value (IV) of 26.909; 73.4803; 71.9638 and 172.3527 respectively. Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Bg) followed second in ranking to R. apiculata with similar consistent decreasing pattern of RF (15.8107), RDen (6.7349), RDom (9.3364) and IV (31.882). The other top fifteen (15) important mangrove species in decreasing order are: Xylocarpus granatum (Xg), Ceriops tagal (Ct), Rhizophora mucronata (Rm), Bruguiera cylindrica (Bc), Heretiera littoralis (Hl), Bruguiera sexangula (Bs), Sonneratia alba (Sal), Ceriops decandra(Cd), Xylocarpus mollucensis; Excoecaria agallocha (Ea) with Importance Value (IV) of 19.2897; 12.0474; 10.6853; 6.5607; 3.966, 5.6298; 5.3321; 2.4314; 2.4918; 2.87156; 2.5266 and 3.0574 respectively (Table 8). Table 8. The RF, RDen, RDom, and IV of top 15 mangrove species in El Nido, Palawan, 2004. Species RF Rden Rdom IV Rank Ra 26.9086 73.4803 71.9638 172.3527 1st Bg 15.8107 6.7349 9.3364 31.882 2nd Xg 10.3654 4.5669 4.3574 19.2897 3rd Ct 6.9103 3.7533 1.3838 12.0474 4th Rm 4.8151 3.0919 2.7783 10.6853 5th Bc 4.6078 1.2546 0.6983 6.5607 6th Hl 2.9327 0.5512 0.4822 3.9661 9th Bs 4.0826 0.8084 0.7388 5.6298 7th Sal 2.1975 0.7244 2.4102 5.3321 8th Cd 1.8851 0.2887 0.2576 2.4314 14th Sc 1.7801 0.3885 0.3232 2.4918 13th Xm 1.57 0.21 0.3773 2.1573 15th Dt 1.8851 0.2782 0.7082 2.8715 11th Ea 1.2577 0.8136 0.4553 2.5266 12th Ll 1.1526 1.0394 0.8654 3.0574 10th ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 24 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Ra Bg Xg Ct Rm Bc Bs Sal Hl Ll Ea Sc Cd Xm Bp Species RF Rden Rdom IV Figure 11. Graph showing pattern of RF, Rden, Rdom and IV of top 15 mangrove species in El Nido, Palawan, 2004. Out of the top 15 mangrove species, three (3) species are commonly observed in the seaward zone such as Rm, Sal and Sc; while four (4) species are frequently recorded in middleward zone such as Ra, Bg, Bc, and Bs. There are eight (8) species frequently recorded in landward zone such as Xg, Ct, Hl, Cd, Xm, Dt, Ea and Ll. 5.2.2 Average Stocking DENR (1998) categorized stocking into adequate stock, inadequate stock, and logged-over areas. This stocking categorization is classified by FAO (1996) as highly dense forest cover, sparse density cover, and logged-over or cleared areas. The stocking of 1,500 timber size trees and above per hectare equivalent to average minimum spacing of 6.67 m2 is considered as adequate or highly dense forest cover. Inadequate stocking or sparse density forest cover has an average stocking of 625 to 1,499 timber size trees/ha with an equivalent minimum spacing of 16.00 m2 while the logged-over or cleared/open area has an average stocking of less than 625 trees/ha. The stocking classification adopted by DENR and FAO can be used for purposes of determining areas for preservation, conservation, rehabilitation and management subzoning options. The mangrove forest structure, particularly in terms of stocking, ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 25 including stand volume, mean diameter and mean height, serves as baseline information in delineating mangrove areas for ECAN zoning. 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7a 8 9 10 11 12 12a 13 14 15 16 17 18 18a 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 30a 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Transect Pole Timber Total Figure 12. Graph showing average stocking (N/ha) per transect of timber, pole and total in El Nido, Palawan, 2004. Transects 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), 11 (Bgy Aberawan) and 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban) had adequate stocking of 6180, 3898 and 3004, trees, respectively. All of the remaining transect areas have their stocking to fall either on the inadequate or open/logged-over forest stocking. The stocking of timber size trees is 116 while the average stocking of pole size trees is 699 trees/ha. The stocking of pole size trees generally fall under the inadequate stocking category. The overall average stocking of El Nido is 408 trees/ha (Table 9). ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 26 Table 9. Average Stocking (N/ha) of Timber and Pole Size Trees Per Transect in El Nido, Palawan, 2004. DENR Stocking Transect Timber Pole Total Class Bgy Corong-corong 1 39 1082 1121 Inadequate 2 22 313 335 Open 3 52 926 978 Inadequate 4 263 749 1012 Inadequate Bgy Manlag 5 228 430 658 Inadequate 6 14 380 394 Open 7 14 326 340 Open 7a 16 108 124 Open 8 405 377 782 Inadequate Bgy Aberawan 9 62 347 409 Open 10 80 536 616 Inadequate 11 1660 2238 3898 Adequate Bgy Bebeladan 12 104 338 442 Open 12a 32 406 438 Open 13 4 152 156 Open 14 188 316 504 Open 15 68 846 914 Inadequate Bgy Aberawan 16 261 602 863 Inadequate 17 138 125 263 Open Bgy Pasadena 18 146 22 168 Open 18a 213 142 355 Open Bgy Bucana 19 40 372 412 Open 20 192 542 734 Inadequate Bgy Barotuan 21 55 140 195 Open Bgy Bucana 22 38 312 350 Open Bgy Mabini 23 186 1006 1192 Inadequate 24 60 80 140 Open 25 6 44 50 Open 26 345 1562 1907 Inadequate 27 69 289 358 Open ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 27 DENR Stocking Transect Timber Pole Total Class Bgy New Ibajay 28 48 624 672 Inadequate 29 12 534 546 Open 30 1308 4872 6180 Adequate 30a 540 930 1470 Inadequate Bgy Villapaz 31 134 732 866 Inadequate 32 552 986 1538 Adequate 33 96 734 830 Inadequate Bgy Sibaltan 34 204 806 1010 Inadequate 35 110 291 401 Open Bgy San Fernando 36 124 296 420 Open Bgy Tiniguiban 37 219 702 921 Inadequate 38 1281 1723 3004 Adequate Bgy Bagong Bayan 39 47 59 106 Open 40 275 813 1088 Inadequate 41 135 175 310 Open Bgy Bebeladan 42 32 202 234 Open 43 96 453 549 Open Average Open 116 699 408 5.2.3 Stand Volume The DENR and FAO categorized stand volume as high volume, middle volume, and low volume. Stand with high volume has wood volume of more than 250 m3/ha, middle volume has a range of stand volume from 60 to 250 m3/ha and low volume has wood volume of 60 m3/ha and below. The average stand volume of high volume and middle volume class is 232.10 m3/ha and 86.481 m3/ha, respectively. The high volume class mangrove areas are located in Transect 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban) (253.219 m3/ha) and Transect 30 (Bgy New Ibajay) (210.974 m3/ha). Transects with middle class volumes are Transects 11 (Bgy Aberawan) (159.387 m3/ha), 32 (Bgy Villapaz) (64.248 m3/ha), 34 (Bgy Sibaltan) (61.936 m3/ha) and 26 (Bgy Mabini) (60.353 m3/ha), (Table 10). In terms of stand volume of timber size trees, Transect 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban) has the highest stand volume with 232.518 m3/ha, followed by Transects 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), 11 (Bgy Aberawan), 34 (Bgy Sibaltan), and 32 (Bgy Villapaz) with 114.24 m3/ha; 107.61 m3/ha; 51.35 m3/ha; and 49.46 m3/ha, respectively. On the other ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 28 hand, the top 5 transects with higher stand volume of pole size are Transects 30 (Bgy New Ibajay) (96.738 m3/ha), 11 (Bgy Aberawan) (51.78 m3/ha), 26 (Bgy Mabini) (28.14 m3/ha) and 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban) (20.704 m3/ha). The average stand volume of timber size trees is 25.190 m3/ha while the pole size trees has an average stand of 11.2383 m3/ha. Thus, the mangrove forest of El Nido has an average stand of 36.428, which is categorized as logged over or open mangrove area (Table 10). Table 10. Stand Volume (m3/ha) of Timber and Pole Size Trees by Transect in El Nido, Palawan, 2004. Stand Volume (SV) Transect Timber Pole Total SV Classes Bgy Corong-corong 1 1.997 10.386 12.383 Low 2 2.351 3.416 5.767 Low 3 3.998 18.148 22.146 Low 4 31.685 13.519 45.204 Low Bgy Manlag 5 36.032 9.612 45.644 Low 6 1.503 8.611 10.114 Low 7 1.278 10.36 11.638 Low 7a 2.369 2.298 4.667 Low 8 35.927 7.723 43.65 Low Bgy Aberawan 9 7.617 3.731 11.348 Low 10 6.565 14.748 21.313 Low 11 107.61 51.777 159.387 Middle Bgy Bebeladan 12 11.041 4.788 15.829 Low 12a 2.006 6.887 8.893 Low 13 0.18 1.839 2.019 Low 14 21.187 5.149 26.336 Low 15 7.501 16.388 23.889 Low Bgy Aberawan 16 35.061 11.96 47.021 Low 17 17.913 3.486 21.399 Low Bgy Pasadena 18 18.528 0.722 19.25 Low 18a 30.436 2.057 32.493 Low Bgy Bucana 19 3.025 5.149 8.174 Low 20 45.474 5.98 51.454 Low Bgy Barotuan 21 5.491 2.13 7.621 Low Bgy Bucana 22 7.637 3.24 10.877 Low ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 29 Stand Volume (SV) Transect Timber Pole Total SV Classes Bgy Mabini 23 30.549 11.22 41.769 Low 24 4.445 1.85 6.295 Low 25 0.165 0.539 0.704 Low 26 32.213 28.14 60.353 Middle 27 5.031 4.208 9.239 Low Bgy New Ibajay 28 3.054 8.66 11.714 Low 29 5.539 8.747 14.286 Low 30 114.236 96.738 210.974 High 30a 39.404 11.027 50.431 Low Bgy Villapaz 31 22.984 13.818 36.802 Low 32 49.463 14.785 64.248 Middle 33 7.083 14.265 21.348 Low Bgy Sibaltan 34 51.347 10.589 61.936 Middle 35 17.956 6.103 24.059 Low Bgy San Fernando 36 16.798 5.765 22.563 Low Bgy Tiniguiban 37 24.5 11.078 35.578 Low 38 232.518 20.701 253.219 High Bgy Bagong Bayan 39 8.804 1.616 10.42 Low 40 31.748 17.249 48.997 Low 41 33.189 4.504 37.693 Low Bgy Bebeladan 42 2.723 2.963 5.686 Low 43 5.771 9.532 15.303 Low Average 25.19004 11.2383 36.4284 Low ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 30 Barangay New Ibajay covered almost 12% of the total mangrove area of El Nido with no close canopy being found. It has a total mangrove area of 390.92 has of which, 388.21 has are classified as sparse and 2.71 has as open canopy/density. This mangrove stand has an average stocking of 1029 trees/ha which has a mean stand volume of 71.81 m³/ha. In addition, it has a mean dbh, mean height, mean basal area and mean regeneration of 15.71 cm, 8.72 m, 32.678 m²/ha, and 670 saplings/ha respectively. Barangay Bagong Bayan covered 69.30 has of mangrove area with a mean stand volume of 24.278 m³/ha. This stand has an average stocking (pole and timber), mean dbh, mean height, mean basal area and mean regeneration of 190 trees/ha, 14.44 cm, 8.76 m, 9.168 m²/ha and 290 saplings/ha, respectively. Barangay Aberawan has the second to the largest mangrove area in El Nido with a total area of 469.19 has, almost 15% of the total mangrove area in the municipality of El Nido. This mangrove area has a mean stand volume of 59.769 m³/ha, and an average stocking of 701 trees/ha. Trees observed had 16.19 cm, 10.87 m and 28.405 m²/ha mean dbh, mean height, and mean basal area, respectively. Barangay Villapaz covered sparse mangrove stand with a total area of 250.13 ha with no close and open canopy. This stand has an average stocking (Pole & Timber) of 522 trees/ ha and mean regeneration of 547 saplings/ ha with mean stand volume of 40.80 m³/ha. Trees observed had mean dbh, mean height, and mean basal area of 14.96 cm, 11.72 m and 16.867 m²/ ha respectively. Barangay Sibaltan covered close, sparse and open canopy of 1.28 ha, 164.06 ha and 2.09 ha respectively with a total mangrove area of 167.43 ha. This stand of mangrove has an average stocking (Pole and Timber) of 336 trees/ ha. Identified trees had mean dbh, mean height, mean basal area and mean regeneration of 17.52 cm, 12.96 m, 14.565 m²/ha and 354 saplings/ha respectively. Barangay Teniguiban and Bucana have a total mangrove area of 283.58 ha. Of which, bgy Teniguiban covered only about 87.69 ha while, barangay Bucana covered 195.89 ha. Barangay Tiniguiban has 86.65 ha of sparse and 1.04 ha of close canopy with no open canopy. It has an average stocking of 694 trees/ ha with a total mean stand volume of 103.79 m³/ha. Trees observed had mean dbh, mean height, mean basal area and mean regeneration of 16.35 cm, 12.56 m, 35.11 m²/ ha and 1000 saplings/ha respectively. Almost 90 percent (177.22 ha out of 195.89 ha) of the total mangrove area in barangay Bucana is classified as sparse, 8 percent as open and only 2 percent for close canopy. Mangrove stand has an average stocking (Pole and Timber) of 241 trees/ ha with a mean stand volume of 23.5 m³/ha. Trees observed had mean dbh, mean height, mean basal area and mean regeneration of 16.94 cm, 11.89 m, 8.62 m²/ha and 575 saplings/ha respectively. ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 31 Barangay Manlag covered a mangrove area of 409.26 ha, thirteen percent (13%) of the total mangrove area of the municipality of El Nido. It was the third largest mangrove area of the municipality with a close, sparse and open canopy of 187.83 ha, 215.48 ha and 5.95 ha, respectively. Trees observed had an average stocking (pole and timber) of 227 trees/ha and mean stand volume of 23.142 m³/ha with a mean dbh, height, basal area and mean regeneration of 16.21cm, 13.33 m, 8.286 m²/ha and 109 saplings/ha. Barangay Corong covered a mangrove area of 251.42 ha with a close, sparse and open canopy of 185.19 ha, 64.68 ha and 1.55 ha, respectively. In four out of forty seven transects laid out, trees observed had an average stocking (pole and timber) of 414 trees/ha with a mean stand volume of 21.37 m³/ha and mean dbh, height, basal area and mean regeneration of 15.40 cm, 13.20 m, 9.07 m² and 198 saplings/ha, respectively. Barangay Mabini covered a total mangrove area of 311.70 ha which was classified as sparse canopy with an average stocking (pole and timber) of 359 trees/ha (Figure 19). These trees observed had a total mean stand volume of 23.672 m³/ ha with a mean dbh, height, basal area and regeneration of 14.73 cm, 10.60 m, 9.718 m²/ha and 411 saplings/ ha, respectively. Just like in barangay Mabini, mangrove area in San Fernando, Barutuan and Cadlao Island cover mangrove stands which are classified as sparse with a total area of 29.96 ha, 14.74 ha and 12.48 ha, respectively. Barangay San Fernando has an average stocking of 180 trees/ha and a mean stand volume of 22.56 m³/ha. These trees observed had mean dbh, height, basal area and mean regeneration of 16.64 cm, 10.50 m, 8.50 m²/ ha and 241 saplings/ha respectively. Observed trees in barangay Barutuan had an average stocking of 94 trees/ha with a mean dbh, height, basal area and stand volume of 15.72 cm, 8.5 m, 3.3 m²/ha and 7.62 m³/ha, respectively. This stand had the largest amount of regeneration with a mean value of 1946 saplings/ha. Cadlao Island has 12.48 ha total mangrove area, of which, has 8.35 ha sparse and 4.13 ha open canopy (Figure 13). Cadlao mangrove stand has distinctive features where water and mudflats were concentrated at the center shaped an open wide sphere canopy. This stand has an average stocking of 21 trees/ha with a mean stand volume of 21.40 m³/ ha. Trees observed had mean dbh, height, basal area and mean regeneration of 17.64 cm, 11.00 m, 8.00 m²/ha and 20 saplings/ha respectively. Figure 13. Picture showing portion of Cadlao mangrove area ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 32 Barangay Pasadeña, an inland mangrove stand, covers 17.17 ha with no open canopy having 16.38 ha sparse and .79 close canopy. This stand has an average stocking of 74 trees/ha with of which mean dbh, height, basal area and mean regeneration of 17.45 cm, 12.00 m, 8.763 m²/ha and 89 saplings/ha respectively. 5.3 Ecological Condition and Degradation The average stocking is 408 trees/ha; basal area of 46.80 m2/ha; mean dbh of 16.24 cm; and mean height of 11.41 m, which are far below the expected incremental growth after the logging activities conducted 3 decades ago had supported the observation that mangrove in El Nido had been continuously subjected to cuttings; although it has also been under management as a protected area. The mangrove forest in El Nido can be classified as secondary growth and mostly in regeneration stages with low volume forest, open stocking and generally in pole sizes and has a very low relative biodiversity scale. Although there are mangrove stands that are able to regenerate/restore naturally into their original primary forest structures such as sampling sites in Barangay Aberawan (Transect 11), Ibajay (Transect 30), Villapaz (Transect 32) and Tiniguiban (Transect 38). The mangrove forest in these locations have adequate stocking and are Figure 14. Picture showing degraded mostly in timber size, hence, densely grown mangrove area due to severe with basal area and stand volume cuttings. approximating the primary secondary/primary old growth forest. The presence of at least two endemic species of mangrove add more reasons to preserve and conserve mangroves in El Nido and to vigilantly protect against illegal cutting especially cutting for charcoal production (Table 11). Table 11. Mangrove Index of Degradation and Ecological Condition Indices of El Nido based on Forest Structure and Ecological Diversity. ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA Pole and Timber Tran Stoc- Basal Mean Mean Mean Vol IV D H' E 1/D N Endemism No. king Area DBH Height Reg mg ∞ Bgy Corong-corong 1 540 8.57 12.38 15.8111.17 380 2992.230.100.040.20 3.25301 1 2 155 2.84 5.77 16.168.85 18 2991.190.040.020.48 1.53465 2 3 509 9.66 22.15 14.4010.95 253 3000.480.100.070.83 1.10173 1 4 452 15.20 45.20 15.2021.83 139 2990.490.090.060.81 1.12159 1 Bgy Manlag ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 33 ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA Pole and Timber Tran Stoc- Basal Mean Mean Mean Vol IV D H' E 1/D N Endemism No. king Area DBH Height Reg mg ∞ 5 329 12.88 45.64 15.6516.50 29 3000.860.070.040.78 1.13841 1 6 197 4.05 10.11 16.3611.00 124 2990.570.050.030.67 1.25478 2 7 170 4.29 11.64 16.0210.50 223 2990.780.040.030.85 1.0828 1 7a 62 1.89 4.67 17.6913.33 29 3000.480.020.020.79 1.12727 1 8 376 18.32 43.65 15.3515.33 138 3002.020.080.030.66 1.23684 1 Bgy Aberawan 9 152 6.11 11.35 17.518.80 83 3003.180.040.010.32 1.9 2 10 245 7.85 21.31 14.6113.83 124 3001.270.060.030.50 1.44118 1 11 1985 80.02 159.39 15.5912.50 257 3001.190.240.100.75 1.15879 1 Bgy Bebeladan 12 109 6.34 15.83 15.1511.00 342 3000.430.030.030.56 1.45333 1 12a 221 4.38 8.89 15.269.25 17 2990.560.050.040.55 1.49324 1 13 78 1.18 2.02 12.858.53 44 3000.690.020.020.36 2.22857 2 14 232 8.33 26.34 14.4710.50 64 2990.920.050.030.46 1.54667 2 15 390 10.10 23.89 15.379.83 559 2990.840.080.040.73 1.1747 2 Bgy Aberawan 16 420 19.64 47.02 17.058.33 329 2990.990.080.040.58 1.37255 2 17 21 8.00 21.40 17.6411.00 20 3001.310.010.000.27 2.1 2 Bgy Pasadena 18 52 6.02 19.25 17.6012.30 228 2990.760.020.010.35 2.36364 2 18a 149 12.27 32.49 17.1212.67 18 2991.400.040.020.37 1.83951 2 Bgy Bucana 19 158 4.23 8.17 14.3711.00 223 3001.190.040.020.51 1.43636 1 20 370 16.57 51.45 17.9113.67 778 3002.200.080.030.43 1.62996 2 Bgy Barotuan 21 94 3.30 7.62 15.728.50 19462991.760.030.010.15 3.76 1 Bgy Bucana 22 195 5.03 10.88 18.5511.00 723 3001.520.050.020.32 1.9697 1 Bgy Mabini 23 614 16.33 41.77 16.5313.83 732 2994.520.110.030.09 5.48214 1 24 71 2.29 6.30 14.1711.55 97 3000.700.020.020.62 1.29091 2 25 25 0.51 0.70 13.936.00 48 3000.310.010.010.55 1.47059 1 26 941 25.26 60.35 14.9410.27 519 2991.310.150.060.67 1.23491 1 27 142 4.20 9.24 14.0711.33 656 3000.810.040.020.90 1.05185 1 Bgy New Ibajay 28 298 6.01 11.71 13.868.17 354 2990.700.070.040.73 1.17787 2 29 273 5.46 14.29 18.1812.00 89 2990.710.060.040.94 1.03409 1 30 2894 90.86 210.97 15.397.90 22162991.130.290.120.73 1.17404 1 30a 652 28.38 50.43 15.416.80 19 2990.310.120.110.89 1.06362 1 Bgy Villapaz 31 378 14.24 36.80 15.9610.17 767 2991.180.080.040.60 1.32168 1 ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 34 ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA Pole and Timber 32 772 27.66 64.25 15.0414.17 331 3000.900.130.07 0.69 1.2254 2 33 416 8.70 21.35 13.8910.80 544 2990.990.080.04 0.57 1.35505 2 Bgy Sibaltan 34 507 20.77 61.94 18.2813.33 532 3001.450.100.04 0.70 1.21583 2 35 164 8.36 24.06 16.7612.58 176 2990.590.040.03 0.39 1.92941 2 Bgy San Fernando 36 180 8.50 22.56 16.6410.50 241 2990.960.040.02 0.70 1.20805 2 Bgy Tiniguiban 37 407 14.60 35.58 15.3212.1713793001.330.080.04 0.50 1.49632 2 38 1494 82.23 253.22 17.0815.0013772992.050.200.07 0.42 1.631 2 Bgy Bagong Bayan 39 57 5.07 10.42 21.71 8.67 244 2990.990.020.01 0.35 2.03571 1 40 566 21.13 49.00 17.3112.85 838 3001.260.100.05 0.38 1.77429 1 41 137 10.47 37.69 18.7413.50 76 2992.030.040.01 0.48 1.47312 1 Bgy Bebeladan 42 118 2.80 5.69 15.4112.67 107 2991.260.030.02 0.33 2.03448 1 43 219 7.64 15.30 15.37 9.83 201 2990.560.050.04 0.49 1.92105 1 Ave 408 46.80 36.4316.2411.41 383 The cutting/harvesting of mangrove has been going on due to accessibility, ready market, high demand and preference of charcoal from mangrove trees and very lax enforcement of mangrove cutting ban. Mangrove-dependent families are basically fishermen but heavily dependent on mangrove for livelihood because they have no capital and skills to invest into alternative source of livelihood. They have low comparative advantage to other fishermen who have motorized boats. Most of them have only small non-motorized boats for fishing along estuaries and rivers. There are at least 18 sites sighted with cuttings, clearings and charcoal making in Barangay Manlag, Bucana, Baratuan, Mabini, Ibajay, Sibaltan and Tiniguiban. Clearings of mangrove along the villages, roads and adjacent to agricultural land (ricefield and coconut areas) are also observed in these areas. 5.4 Mangrove Management Zoning and Proposed Strategy 5.4.1 Ranking of Mangrove Sites for ECAN Zoning Gauging from the survey results, there is a need for the revision of zoning into Core, Restricted Use/Traditional Use and Regulated Multiple Use Zones based on current habitat/forest condition and structure, land uses, biodiversity status, potential for ecological tourist destination, habitation/settlement and source of living of indigenous people. The core zone covers mangrove areas with high relative values of biodiversity, medium to high stand volume, adequately stocked and free from settlement or utilization by indigenous people. The restoration zone covers mangrove ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 35 areas with low relative diversity values, open/denuded to inadequately stocked, low stand volume and subjected to cutting. The regulated multiple use zone covers the abandoned and/or unproductive fishpond areas and areas converted into agricultural land. The restricted use zone covers mangrove areas which have the potentials for ecotourism and areas under the indigenous people’s traditional uses. The core, restricted and regulated multiple use zones may further be divided into zones such as restoration sub-zones and afterward zone into core, restricted/traditional and regulated multiple use zone, depending on the management purpose of rehabilitation/restoration. The restoration scheme either ANR, reforestation, afforestation, or aqua-silviculture may be adopted and appropriate depending on the current conditions and structures and management purposes and zones. Mangrove areas similar to forest conditions and structures in Transects with ranks 1 to 10 are proposed for Core Zone for Strict Protection; mangrove areas with similar conditions and structures to transects with ranking 11 to 29 are proposed for Restricted/Traditional Use Zone while mangrove areas similar to condition and structure to transects with ranking 30 to 44 are proposed for Regulated Multiple Use Zone (Table 10). The open/logged over areas within/inside each zone should be rehabilitated and considered as part of its specific recommended zones. The restoration sub-zones are potential expansion areas for core zone, restricted/traditional use, or regulated multiple use zones once the desired structure and condition is attained. The area adjacent to the transition zone towards the lowland/terrestrial area is suggested as buffer zone. The ecotone zone (area between mangroves and terrestrial habitat) always have higher diversity indices in terms of species richness, abundance and dominance. ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 36 Table 12. Ranking of Mangrove Ecological Indices for ECAN Zoning and Potential Management Options Mea Stoc- n Mea Basa Mea Tran Rank king Heig n l n ht DBH Area Vol Reg IV Dmg H' E 1/D N Total Bgy Corong-corong 1 9 19 19 22 31 13 2 3 8 7 36 3 172 11 2 33 31 19 42 43 46 2 16 14 9 24 17 296 40 3 10 24 40 20 23 21 1 35 8 4 5 38 229 24 4 12 1 34 13 12 29 2 34 9 5 6 37 194 16 Bgy Manlag 5 20 2 24 16 11 40 1 23 11 7 8 36 199 17 6 27 23 18 40 37 31 2 32 13 8 13 27 271 34 7 30 26 20 37 33 25 2 26 14 8 4 39 264 33 7a 43 10 7 45 45 40 1 35 16 9 7 37 295 39 8 18 3 31 10 13 30 1 7 10 8 14 29 174 12 Bgy Aberawan 9 34 32 10 30 34 35 1 2 14 10 34 12 248 28 10 23 6 38 27 26 31 1 14 12 8 22 22 230 25 11 2 16 25 3 3 20 1 16 2 3 9 34 134 6 Bgy Bebeladan 12 39 23 35 29 28 17 1 36 15 8 19 21 271 34 12a 25 30 33 36 39 44 2 33 13 7 20 19 301 41 13 41 34 47 46 46 39 1 30 16 9 31 5 345 43 14 24 26 39 25 19 37 2 21 13 8 25 16 255 30 15 16 29 30 19 21 11 2 24 10 7 10 33 212 19 Bgy Aberawan 16 13 36 14 9 10 19 2 19 10 7 17 23 179 13 17 47 23 8 26 24 41 1 13 17 11 35 6 252 29 Bgy Pasadena 18 45 17 9 31 27 24 2 27 16 10 32 4 244 27 18a 35 14 12 17 18 43 2 11 14 9 30 13 218 21 Bgy Bucana 19 32 23 41 38 40 26 1 16 14 9 21 22 283 38 20 19 8 6 11 7 6 1 4 10 8 26 15 121 4 Bgy Barotuan 21 40 35 23 41 41 2 2 8 15 10 37 2 256 31 Bgy Bucana 22 28 23 3 35 35 9 1 9 6 9 34 9 201 18 Bgy Mabini 23 7 7 17 12 14 8 2 1 2 8 38 1 117 2 24 42 20 42 44 42 33 1 29 16 9 15 26 319 42 25 46 40 44 47 47 38 1 37 17 10 20 20 367 44 26 4 27 37 6 6 14 2 13 4 5 13 29 160 9 27 36 21 43 39 38 10 1 25 14 9 2 41 279 36 ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 37 Mea Stoc- n Mea Basa Mea Tran Rank king Heig n l n ht DBH Area Vol Reg IV Dmg H' E 1/D N Total Bgy New Ibajay 28 21 37 46 32 32 16 2 29 11 7 10 32 275 35 29 22 19 5 33 30 34 2 28 12 7 1 42 235 26 30 1 38 28 1 2 1 2 18 1 1 10 33 136 7 30a 6 39 26 4 8 42 2 37 6 2 3 40 215 20 Bgy Villapaz 31 17 28 21 15 16 7 2 17 10 7 16 25 181 14 32 5 5 36 5 4 17 1 22 5 4 12 29 145 8 33 14 25 45 21 25 12 2 19 10 7 18 24 222 22 Bgy Sibaltan 34 11 11 4 8 5 13 1 10 8 7 11 30 119 3 35 31 15 15 24 20 28 2 31 14 8 28 10 226 23 Bgy San Fernando 36 29 26 16 23 22 23 2 20 14 9 11 31 226 23 Bgy Tiniguiban 37 15 18 32 14 17 3 1 12 10 7 22 18 169 10 38 3 4 13 2 1 4 2 5 3 4 27 15 83 1 Bgy Bagong Bayan 39 44 33 1 34 36 22 2 19 16 10 32 7 256 31 40 8 12 11 7 9 5 1 15 8 6 29 14 125 5 41 37 9 2 18 15 36 2 6 14 10 24 20 193 15 Bgy Bebeladan 42 38 14 27 43 44 32 2 15 15 9 33 8 280 37 43 26 29 30 28 29 27 2 33 13 7 23 11 258 32 5.4.2 Proposed Management Strategy Table 12 presents some of the recommended management strategy(ies) for the mangrove areas of El Nido, Palawan. For similar mangrove forest conditions and structure, particularly Transects 11 (Bgy Aberawan), 30 (Bgy New Ibajay), 32 (Bgy Villapaz) and 38 (Bgy Tiniguiban), the core zone for strict protection strategy is recommended. Transects 23 (Bgy Mabini), 34 (Bgy Sibaltan), 37 (Bgy Tiniguiban) and 40 (Bgy Bagong Bayan) are appropriate for the core zone for restoration adapting the assisted natural regeneration scheme of rehabilitation. Mangrove areas of similar forest structure and conditions with Transects 3 (Bgy Corong-corong), 4 (Bgy Corong-corong), 5 (Bgy manlag), 8 (Bgy manlag), 10 (Bgy Aberawan), 15 (Bgy Bebeladan), 16 (Bgy Aberawan), 28 (Bgy New Ibajay), 30a (Bgy New Ibajay), 31 (Bgy Villapaz) and 33 (Bgy Villapaz), are appropriate to have the restricted use zone which need rehabilitation through assisted natural regeneration. Meanwhile, Transects 9 (Bgy Aberawan),17 (Bgy Aberawan), 18 (Bgy Pasadena), 22 (Bgy Bucana), 29 (Bgy Mabini), 35 (Bgy Sibaltan) and 41 (Bgy Bagong Bayan) are suitable for forestation scheme of rehabilitation. The area that are heavily degraded and are ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 38 subjected to continuous cuttings and are adjacent to settlement areas are recommended for multiple use zones and need immediate rehabilitation either through enrichment planting or forestation. Mangrove areas of similar condition and structure with Transects 20 (Bgy Bucana) and 28 (Bgy New Ibajay) may be suited for Enrichment Planting, while those areas of similar forest structure and condition to Transect 2 (Bgy Corong-corong), 6 (Bgy Manlag), 7 (Bgy manlag), 12 (Bgy Bebeladan), 12a (Bgy Bebeladan), 13 (Bgy Bebeladan), 14 (Bgy Bebeladan), 19 (Bgy Bucana), 21 (Bgy Barotuan), 24 (Bgy Mabini), 25 (Bgy Mabini), 27 (Bgy Mabini), 36 (Bgy San Fernando), 39 (Bgy Bagong Bayan), 42 (Bgy Bebeladan) and 43 (Bgy Bebeladan) are suitable for forestation (Table 12). ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 39 Table 13. Factors considered in choosing appropriate management strategy(ies) for mangrove areas of El Nido, Palawan. Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. N 11° 08' 22.8" E 119° 24' 45.5" - N Brgy. Coron- 11° 08' 55.2 E 119° corong 24' 46.5" Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted Volume (Restoration) Very Low CBFMA- Assisted Transect 1 Nat.Reg. Open Logged- Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 2 Over Volume Forestation N 11° 08' 22.8" E Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted 119° 24' 45.5" - N Volume (Restoration) Very Low 11° 08' 55.2 E 119° CBFMA- Transect 3 24' 46.5" Cuttings ANR Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11° 08' 39.6" E CBFMA- Transect 4 119° 24' 21.7 N 120E ANR N 11° 08' 29.5" E Brgy. Manlag 119° 25' 31.8" Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted Very Low Transect 5 Volume (Restoration) ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 40 Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. CBFMA- ANR N 11° 08' 29.5" E Open Logged- Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 6 119° 25' 31.8" over Volume Cuttings Forestation N 11° 07' 00.7" E Open Logged- Low Presence 119° 25' 15.8" - N over Volume Cutting- Very Low 11° 06' 59.9" E 119° charcoal CBFMA- Transect 7 25' 24.0" making Forestation N 11° 08' 10.5" E Open Logged- Low Presence 119° 24' 20.6" - N over Volume Very Low 11° 07' 22.1" E 119° CBFMA- Transect 7a 25' 19.1" Forestation Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11° 02' 00.7" E CBFMA- Transect 8 119° 24' 40.2" Cuttings ANR Brgy. Aberawan Open Logged- Low Presence Restricted over Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11° 00' 52.5" E CBFMA- Transect 9 119° 21' 23.3" Forestation N 11° 02' 12.1" E Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted 119° 24' 58.0" - N Volume (Restoration) Very Low 11° 02' 06.8" E 119 ° CBFMA- Transect 10 25' 02.0" ANR ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 41 Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. Adequate Dense Middle Presence Core Volume (Preservation) Very Low N 11° 02' 00.7" E Strict Transect 11 119° 24' 40.2" Protection Brgy Bebeladan Open Logged- Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Tarnsect 12 over Volume Forestation N 11° 02' 02.6" E Open Logged- Low Presence 119° 24' 11.3" - N over Volume Very Low 11° 02' 00.6 E 119° CBFMA- Transect 12a 24' 15.0" Forestation N 11° 02' 45.5" E Open Logged- Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 13 119° 22' 53.2" over Volume Forestation Open Logged- Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 14 over Volume Forestation N 11° 02' 33.3" E Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted 119° 22' 26.7" - N Volume (Restoration) Very Low 11° 02' 29.8" E 119° CBFMA- Transect 15 22' 22.4" ANR Brgy Abirawan Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11º 02' 32.4" CBFMA- Transect 16 E119º 22' 32.9" ANR ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 42 Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. Cadlao island Open Logged Low Presence Restricted over Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11º 11' 20.8" CBFMA- Transect 17 E119º 22' 32.8" Forestation Brgy Pasadeña N 11° 16' 18.5" E Open Logged Low Presence Restricted 119° 26' 14.2" - N over Volume (Restoration) Moderate 11° 16' 17.9" E 119° CBFMA- Transect 18 26' 14.4" Forestation Open Logged Low Presence Restricted over Volume (Restoration) Very Low CBFMA- Transect 18a Cuttings Forestation Brgy Bucana N 11° 18' 24.7"- N Open Logged Low Presence 11° 18' 20.1"/ E 119° over Volume Very Low 25' 15.5" - E 119° 25' CBFMA- Transect 19 10.7" Forestation Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Cuttings- CBFMA- N11º 11' 20.1" E119º Volume Very Low charcoal Enrichment Transect 20 25' 24.3" making Planting Brgy Baratuan Presence N 11° 19' 15.9" E Open Logged Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 21 119° 27' 08.6" over Volume Cuttings Forestation Brgy Bucana Very Low ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 43 Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. Open Logged Low Presence Restricted over Volume Cutting- (Restoration) Very Low N 11º 19' 26.6" charcoal CBFMA- Transect 22 E119º 27' 22.6" making Forestation Brgy Mabini Inadequate Sparse Moderate Presence Core Volume (Restoration) Moderate N 11º 07' 17.6" E Assisted Transect 23 119º 30' 25.4" Cuttings Natural Reg. N11 06' 06.0" E 119 Open Logged Low Presence 30' 45.2" - N 11 06' over Volume Very Low CBFMA- Transect 24 09.1" E 119 30' 41.2" Forestation N 110 06' 37.4" E Open Logged Low Presence 1190 31' 24.8" - N over Volume Very Low 110 06' 35.9" E 1190 CBFMA- Transect 25 32' 24.2" Forestation Inadequate Sparse Middle Presence Core Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11º 08' 43.9" Girdling- Assisted Transect 26 E119º 30' 23.7" Cuttings Natural Reg. Open Logged Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 27 over Volume Forestation Brgy New Ibajay N 110 09' 25.2" E Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Very Low Transect 28 1190 31' 23.9" - N Volume CBFMA ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 44 Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. 110 09' 25.8" E 1190 Enrichment 31' 15.6" Planting N 110 09' 50.4" E Open Logged Low Presence Restricted 1190 31' 54.3" - N over Volume (Restoration) Very Low 110 09' 56.0" E 1190 CBFMA- Transect 29 31' 52.9" Forestation Adequate Dense High Presence Core Volume (Preservation) Very Low N 11º 11' 21" E119º Strict Transect 30 32' 21.8" Clearing Protection Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted Volume (Restoration) Very Low N11º 11'42.9" E119º CBFMA- Transect 30a 31' 43.3" Cuttings ANR Brgy Villapaz Inadequate Sparse Low Presence Restricted Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 110 12' 34.8" E CBFMA- Transect 31 1190 32' 57.4" ANR Adequate Dense Moderate Presence Core Volume (Preservation) Very Low N11º 12'33.5" Clearing- Strict Transect 32 E119º32'56.2" Girdling Protection N 110 11' 38.5" E Sparse Low Presence Restricted 1190 31' 58.2" - N Volume Very Low (Restoration) Transect 33 110 11' 37.5" E 1190 Inadequate CBFMA- ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 45 Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. 31' 58.6" ANR Brgy Sibaltan Sparse ModerateV Presence Core olume (Restoration) Very Low N 11º 16' 23.6" Assisted Transect 34 E119º 33' 58.5" Inadequate Cuttings Natural Reg. Logged Low Presence Restricted over Volume (Restoration) Very Low CBFMA- Transect 35 Open Forestation Brgy San Fernando N 11°19' 37.9" E Logged Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 36 119° 30' 55.5" Open over Volume Forestation Brgy Tiniguiban Sparse Low Presence Core Volume (Restoration) Very Low N11° 30' 39.7" Assisted Transect 37 E119° 30' 39.7" Inadequate Cuttings Natural Reg. Dense High Presence Core Volume (Preservation) Very Low N 11º 20' 31" E 119º Strict Transect 38 30' 37.6" Adequate Cuttings Protection ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 46 Average Forest Stand Biodi Threaten Biodiversity Management Management Survey Coordinates Stocking Cover Volume Index Endemic Hotspots Strategy Measures Site/Transect Class Class Class Class Spp. Brgy Bagong Bayan Logged Low Presence Cuttings N 11° 59' 57.7" E over Volume Very Low Charcoal CBFMA- Transect 39 119° 24' 21.1" Open making Forestation Sparse Low Presence Core Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11° 00' 20.5" E Assisted Transect 40 119° 23' 34.4" Inadequate Cuttings Natural Reg. Logged Low Presence Restricted over Volume (Restoration) Very Low N 11° 60' 52" E 119° CBFMA- Transect 41 21' 23.3" Open Cuttings Forestation Brgy Bebeladan N 11° 3' 28.1"E 119° Logged Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 42 20' 16.9" Open over Volume Forestation N 11° 03' 29.2" E Logged Low Presence CBFMA- Very Low Transect 43 119° 20' 14.9" 0pen over Volume Forestation ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 47 6.0 Recommendations Scoring and ranking 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, stand and stock and mean regeneration formed the basis for recommendation on the effective scheme of rehabilitating and sustaining the mangrove ecosystem as a renewable resource. Heavily exploited and degraded mangrove areas should be immediately rehabilitated. Enrichment planting and assisted natural regeneration can be adapted to rehabilitate the area using species based on species distribution and zonation. In most mangrove reforestation in the country, R. apiculata, R. mucronata, and R. stylosa are the preferred species for forestation due to their economic and ecological values. The mangrove-dependent households should be organized to undertake the rehabilitation, management, and protection, of mangrove forest. 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 shall be more community focused than environmental centered. 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 to be 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 resource may be adopted to generate local participation and to ensure the sustainability of whatever interventions implemented. ______CHAPTER 1: IN-DEPTH MANGROVE SURVEY 48 CHAPTER 2 – IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 1.0 INTRODUCTION Following the extensive survey of submerged macrophyte habitats in El Nido during March 2004, high-priority and potential ECAN core zones were identified based on seagrass canopy cover, diversity, and habitat use. Four of these were proposed as high- priority core zones since lush parts of the meadows had discernibly good canopy cover, species richness values were typically high (and two relatively rare occurring species were present), and the areas were apparently foraged by dugongs (Table 14). The proposed potential (‘reserved’) core zones, in addition, were habitats with similarly diverse seagrasses that are plausible contributors to good canopy cover beds and may function as forage grounds to dugongs as well. This report presents the results of subsequent surveys conducted in areas proposed as high priority ECAN zones to obtain more detailed information on seagrass. Table 14. Seagrass Resource Location and Description E Meadow Cover Species Habitat Recommendation/ Location N Latitude Longitude Perpendicular category richness used by Remarks width 1. Villa Paz 11.2178333 119.5553333 Extensive 2 • 6 9 2. Sibaltan 11.2594444 119.5620278Extensive 3 • 8 a Dugongs 99 3. Sibaltan 11.2654722 119.5639167Moderate 3 • 6 9 4. Sibaltan 11.2993611 119.5630833Moderate 3 • 9Dugongs 99 5. San 11.3222500 119.5290833Extensive 2 • 6 a Dugongs 99 6. Teneguiban 11.3580833 119.5095000 Moderate 3 • 6 a 99 7. Bucana 11.3558611 119.4105278 Narrow 2 6 9 8. Buena 11.2130000 119.3741667Narrow 1 6 a 9 9. Maligaya 11.1699444 119.3900556 Narrow 2 • 6 9 10. Corong- Corong 11.1547778 119.3957500 Narrow 1 • 3 Dugongs 99 Site 1 11. Corong- Corong 11.1363889 119.3968333 Extensive 1 • 7 9 Site 2 12. Bebeladan 11.0353889 119.4001111 Extensive 2 • 7 Dugongs 99 Site 1 13. Bebeladan 11.0428611 119.3823889 Moderate 2 • 5 Dugongs 99 Site 2 14. Bebeladan 11.0999167 119.3335833 Extensive 1 7 9 Site 3 Legend: Seagrass in-depth survey meadow extent, canopy cover, diversity, and habitat use of proposed high-priority (99, also blocked) and potential (9) seagrass ECAN core zones. Cover categories 1, ≤10%; 2, ≤30%; 3, ≤50%; a, includes rarely occurring species; ●, with observations of ≥50% cover on plots. Source: Draft Baseline Survey Report on Seagrasses and Bed-Associated Seaweeds of El Nido, 2005 ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 49 2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS Areas chosen for further sampling included Bebeladan on inner Bacuit Bay, Corong- Corong Bay on the western coast of El Nido, and San Fernando and Sibaltan on the northeastern coast (Fig. 15). As local water conditions have been unexpectedly unfavorable for controlled sampling, the team opted to adjust field procedures. First, definitions of ‘strata’ within beds were set aside, in favor of locating the lush portions of meadows. In these areas, quadrats (size 50 x 50 cm, n=10) were allocated randomly within a 100-m length transect that stretched parallel to the shore. Where possible, total seagrass canopy cover was estimated in each quadrat and photographs taken. Thereafter, seagrass plugs (size 30 x 30 cm) were harvested, directed to individually labeled net-bags, tied, and then preliminarily washed to rid off fine sediments. (Harvesting the samples for later processing replaced in situ species counts under rough water (Corong-Corong), turbid (Bebladan and San Fernando; rough water as well), and/ or low tide conditions (Sibaltan), yet allowed for accurate measurements of seagrass attributes.) Substratum type, depth (and time), presence of biological disturbance, and local ambient conditions were noted. Samples were subsequently processed onshore: species composition and plant reproductive status were determined and shoots of each species were counted. Subsamples of 10 shoots from the numerically dominant species were randomly chosen then shoot heights, as lengths from the horizontal rhizome to the leaf tip, were measured. Shoot counts were standardized to represent abundances per 0.025 m2 for subsequent correlations with cover estimates. Shoot heights were roughly converted to canopy heights by subtracting rhizome burial depth, i.e., the thickness of sediments overlying the rhizomes of the dominant species. Seagrass biomass was estimated as the product of abundance and of published module weights (sensu Vermaat et al., 1995), then scaled to represent meadow values. ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 50 11.45 N, 119.55 E Tene- 6 guiban 6 Bucana 6 San o and Fern 9 Sibaltan 6 8 Villa Paz 6 6 5 New Ibahay 6 Corong-corong 7 B A C U I T 7 B A Y 5 11.05 N, 119.30 E 7 Bebeladan Figure 15. Locations of the Proposed ECAN Core Zones: high-priority (green curved lines) and potential (light green squares) based on qualities observed during the survey of March 2004. Legend: blue numbers, seagrass species richness N; red X symbols, locations of dugong graze marks; red circles, locations of rarely occurring seagrass species. (Source: Draft Baseline Survey Report on Seagrasses and Bed-Associated Seaweeds of El Nido, 2005) ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 51 3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The meadows were bordered onshore by mangroves followed by a narrow stretch of mudflats (Bebeladan, Sibaltan) and by narrow beachfronts (Corong-Corong, San Fernando) then delimited at the seaward edges by harder bottoms, which marked the beginning of the coral zone (Bebeladan, Corong-Corong), or drop-offs (Sibaltan, San Fernando). The lush areas of the meadows occurred on sandy sediments mixed with rubble and mud fractions within the subtidal shallows. During the baseline survey, observations of canopy cover ≥50% were apparent in these proposed sites but more so in the extensive meadows of Bebeladan and Sibaltan (Fig. 16). The present estimates, gauged from a smaller sampling unit, do not necessarily reflect previous values. Canopy cover yielded a range between 25 and 100% (55% modal) and pooled averages of 50 ± 4 (Sibaltan; Plates 1 and 2), 57 ± 7 (San Fernando), and 68 ± 9% (Corong-Corong; Plate 3) (Fig. 17 – pie charts). Overall, these estimates suggest beds with ‘good’ canopy. It is believed though, that the category ‘moderately covered to dense’ would be more illustrative for the present meadows, which were, to some extent, fragmented because of low tide events. The category also accounts for the huge variance associated with low cover read-outs of areas dominated by small pioneer seagrasses. 100 Sibaltan 100 Corong-Corong 80 E11_1 80 E52_1 E11_2 E52_2 60 E11A_1 60 E53_1 E11A_2 E53_2 40 E13_1 40 E13_2 20 20 seagrass canopy cover, % cover, canopy seagrass 0 0 0 200 400 600 800 0 200 400 600 800 100 San Fernando 100 Bebeladan 80 E17_1 80 E62_1 E17_2 E62_2 60 60 E63_1 E63_2 40 40 E67_1 E67_2 20 20 0 0 0 200 400 600 800 0 200 400 600 800 distance from shore incidence, m Figure 16. Estimates of bottom cover on swathe quadrats (size 5 x 2.5 m) across the extent of seagrasses, i.e., from shore incidence to seaward end, in the four areas proposed as high- priority seagrass core zones. The horizontal line marks the limit that distinguishes high (>50%) from low-cover beds. Data are from the rapid baseline survey (March 2004). ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 52 There were 9 species recorded in the four sites during the in-depth exercise, of which only 4 to 6 species were found assembled together within the quadrats (Table 15, Fig.17). The two rarely occurring species previously recorded did not occur within the shallow zones visited. In Bebeladan and Corong-Corong, seagrasses were dominated by Halodule uninervis and Syringodium isoetifolium (Table 15, Fig. 17– bar graphs), and accompanied by Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, and Cymodocea serrulata. Halophila ovalis and S. isoetifolium dominated the assemblage in the shallow zone of San Fernando. 1200 Halodule uninervis Syringodium isoetifolium 1000 Halophila ovalis Thalassia hemprichii 2 Cymodocea rotundata 800 C. serrulata Enhalus acoroides 600 400 density per 0.250 m density m 0.250 per 200 0 Bebeladan shallow 1200 substratum 1000 32% 800 600 seagrass 400 68% 200 0 Corong-Corong shallow 1200 1000 800 substratum 43% 600 seagrass 57% 400 200 0 Sn Fernando shallow 1200 1200 1000 1000 substratum seagrass 800 800 50% 50% 600 600 400 400 200 200 0 0 Sibaltan intertidal Sibaltan shallow Figure 17. Seagrass in-depth survey composition, shoot densities (mean ± SEM), and bottom cover (mean %) of seagrasses determined from the smaller quadrats (area=0.250 m2). No cover estimates were made in situ in Bebeladan due to unexpectedly rough and turbid waters. ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 53 In the reef flat of Sibaltan, the intertidal assemblage was largely occupied by H. uninervis; T. hemprichii was typical in the shallow zone. Enhalus acoroides appeared clumped in distribution and was encountered only in the quadrats of San Fernando (Table 15, Fig. 17). The observed densities of at least the dominant components confirmed the ‘lush’ condition of the beds examined. Species diversity, as the Shannon-Weiner index H’, followed the following sequence of sites: Bebeladan > Corong-Corong > San Fernando > Sibaltan (Table 15). The range for species diversity falls within moderate limits, still characteristic of the tropical Indo-West Pacific (Fortes, 1988; Hemminga and Duarte, 2000; Duarte Short et al., 2001). Table 15. Seagrass Description in the Proposed High Priority ECAN Zones, 2004 Sites Attributes / zones Bebeladan Corong-Corong San Fernando Sibaltan mean SEM n mean SEM n mean SEM n mean SEM n A. Bottom cover, % a Intertidal - - - 53 2 Shallow- na - 68 9 57 7 47 10 B. Densities, nos / 0.25 m2 Intertidal 1,418 354 10 Halodule uninervis - - - 897 393 Syringodium isoetifolium - - - Halophila ovalis - - - Thalassia hemprichii - - - 204 64 Cymodocea rotundata - - - 290 71 Cymodocea serrulata - - - 28 22 Enhalus acoroides - - - - Shallow 2,137 157 10 1,562 230 10 1,131 333 8 658 139 10 Halodule uninervis 738 190 658 285 - 50 48 Syringodium isoetifolium 812 175 407 109 409 108 - Halophila ovalis 94 151 32 531 338 - Thalassia hemprichii 79 12 17 31 91 22 418 156 Cymodocea rotundata 256 76 91 33 - 170 82 Cymodocea serrulata 158 60 238 53 66 29 20 4 Enhalus acoroides - - 34 9 - C. Canopy height, cm 10 1 60 12 1 80 17 4 60 16 1 120 D. Species richness, pooled 6 6 5 4 E. Species diversity, H' , pooled Intertidal - - - 0.64 0.07 Shallow 1.18 0.07 1.06 0.08 0.91 0.11 0.59 0.19 2 F. Biomass, g DW / 0.25 m (unit module weights from Vermaat et al., 1995) Intertidal 64 10 Halodule uninervis - - - 29 13 Syringodium isoetifolium - - - - Halophila ovalis - - - - Thalassia hemprichii - - - 18 6 Cymodocea rotundata - - - 14 3 Cymodocea serrulata - - - 2 1 Enhalus acoroides - - - - Shallow 96 10 57 6 70 12 49 12 Halodule uninervis 17 5 10 5 - 2 2 Syringodium isoetifolium 48 10 24 6 24 6 - Halophila ovalis 0.6 1 0.2 3 2 - Thalassia hemprichii 7 1 1 3 8 2 37 14 Cymodocea rotundata 12 4 4 2 - 8 4 Cymodocea serrulata 10 4 16 3 4 2 1 0.2 Enhalus acoroides - - 30 8 - ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 54 Biomass was contributed the most by S. isoetifolium (Bebeladan and Corong-Corong), T. hemprichii (Sibaltan), and E. acoroides (San Fernando) (Table 15); the input of the small species to biomass was commensurate to their respective densities. These estimates compared well with high ballpark values reported for pristine meadows influenced by the South China Sea (e.g., Bolinao - Vermaat et al., 1995; Salita, 2000; El Nido – PCSDS- TSD, 2002; Busuanga – see In-Depth Report, 2004). The canopy of the dominant species ranged between 10 and 20 cm (Fig. 18). In the case of San Fernando, the canopy heights of S. isoetifolium were measured instead of H. ovalis, as the former species determined the canopy in a practical sense. The presence of apparent flowering and fruiting was rather localized, i.e., observed incidences were limited to only C. rotundata in Corong-Corong. Grazed tracks of Dugon dugon were typical features of the meadows visited, along with small sand patches and volcanoes, which indicate turbative activity by burrowing shrimps. 40 min max average 35 30 25 20 15 10 canopy height, cm height, canopy 5 0 Bebeladan Corong- Sn Sibaltan Sibaltan shallow Corong Fernando intertidal shallow shallow shallow Stations/ zone Figure 18. Seagrass in-depth survey canopy heights of the numerically dominant seagrasses in the four areas surveyed ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 55 4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The bulk of information from this exercise included species densities and bottom cover judgments using a smaller sampling unit, which detailed the lush portions of the seagrass meadows in question and substantiated the established baseline from the recently conducted rapid surveys (see Draft Baseline Survey Report, this section), and from those previously reported (see Review of Secondary Information, Coastal/ Marine Component, El Nido). The four sites, hence, exhibited properties and features that are commendable as ECAN core zones. Seagrass abundances, based on bottom cover estimates and density counts, are within the moderate to dense/ lush category, and species diversity is also within the moderate range for seagrass communities of the Indo-West Pacific. These meadow maintenance strategies offer assurance to animal populations – marine mammals, turtles, resident and transient fish, crustaceans – that obtain nourishment from seagrass resources in these areas. The contention is hereby supported that, as self-replenishing, sustaining systems and as feeding grounds to the endangered dugongs, seagrass areas categorized as ECAN core zones deserve utmost protection. ______CHAPTER 2: IN-DEPTH SEAGRASS SURVEY 56 CHAPTER 3 - IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 1.0 INTRODUCTION The municipality of El Nido was identified as one of the priority sites of the ECAN Zoning Component Project wherein a detailed profile of its natural resources, both marine and terrestrial, is called for together with the socio-economic conditions and needs of the municipality. This final installment of the survey reports for Busuanga municipality by the Marine/Coastal Team details the in-depth surveys done in selected coral reef areas, particularly those identified previously that have high coral cover or unique reefal taxa. This report also proposes alternative delineation schemes to maintain or improve the ecology of core zone areas. 2.0 REVIEW OF LITERATURE Transect data for selected sites in El Nido municipality are available from the surveys of Alino et al. (1996) and Fortes et al. (1998). However, not all of these sites were re-surveyed in the present work. A listing of coral genera is also gathered for the entire municipality using the present data and those from CI (2003, Natural Resource DataBase). Contents of this work are also reviewed in a separate report (see Review of Literature on Marine/Coastal Ecosystems, Municipality of El Nido, Palawan, ECAN 2003). 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS Sites were selected based on the results of the baseline survey of the area. Coral reefs with more than 30% hard coral cover were identified from the manta tow surveys of the municipality (see Fig. 19). These were Pinasil Island, Cadlao Island, Daracotan Island, Tiniguiban Reef, Talawtawan Island and Cabugao Island. Tapiutan Island was chosen by virtue of the presence of an uncommon coral species, Acrhelia horrescens. After locations were re-established using a GPS (Garmin GPSMap 168), a pair of divers went down to lay transects at a shallow and deep station whenever possible (usually the deeper one first). The shallow depth was between 3m and 5m while the deep station was between 7m and 10m. The transects followed the depth contour of each depth station to ensure that the same zone of the reef community was being surveyed. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 57 11.45 Cagbuli Is Calitan (Bird) Is Nalbot Is Brother Is 11.40 El Nido, Palawan Tiniguiban Diapila (Vilma) Is Daracotan Is Lalutaya Is 11.35 Palakatan Is Buri Is Bucana San Fernando 11.30 Barotuan Bubog Is Caverna Is Sibaltan Caoayan Is ees) r Pasadena 11.25 Maapdet Is Miti Is Villa Paz Inambuyod Is Cadlao Is Labnog Is 11.20 Tapiutan Is Dilumacad Is Villa Libertad New Ibajay EL NIDO (deg th latitude r Talawtawan Is Matinloc Is Tres Marias Corong-corong No Imorigue Is 11.15 North Guntao Is Miniloc Is Depeldet Is Entalula Is Paglungaban Is Pinagbuyotan Is Cabugao Is Pangulasian Is Popolcan Is South Guntao Is Manlag Mabini Malapacao Is 11.10 Turtle Is Lagen Is Pinasil Is Diboluan Is Aberawan 11.05 Bebeladan 11.00 Bagong Bayan 119.25 119.30 119.35 119.40 119.45 119.50 119.55 East longitude (degrees) Figure 19. Map of the Coral Reef In-depth Survey Study Area, El Nido, Palawan. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 58 The transect length used was 100m although the actual survey was on 10m segments on it, spaced 10m apart. This is illustrated on the figure below (note that the actual line may meander along a depth contour). The entire length represents the 100m transect and the solid lines (segments 0-10, 20-30, 40-50, 60-70 and 80-90m) are the surveyed segments, each is 10m from each other (dotted line). 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 The optimum transect length for coral reef survey has been evaluated by Licuanan and Montebon (1991) and a standard transect length cannot be prescribed for the array of reefs surveyed in the study. However, using 10m transect segments is a manageable scheme that has been popular and effective in several programs (CARICOMP 1997, Hughes et al. 2000). An important consideration is replication (e.g., Montebon 1992). Having appropriately considered the actual survey stations, length of transect and replication, coding and measuring each benthic lifeform intercepted in each of the transect segment—the line intercept technique or LIT was undertaken (Loya 1978, English et al. 1997, see also Technical Manual). The variety of organisms and substrate type inherent on coral reefs has been reduced to 30 kinds of attributes (English et al. 1997). The importance of lifeforms is that it can represent particular ecological conditions that prevail over a reef. For example, reefs dominated by branching or fragile forms of corals suggest that the area is quite protected from battering waves. High wave energy areas, on the other hand, are characterized by massive to encrusting forms of corals (Veron 1986). Either the line intercept technique (LIT) or video transect (VT) method was used in the in-depth surveys of coral reefs. Whenever possible, the LIT was used but when constrained with time or manpower, the survey resorted to the video transect method. The same 10-m segments were used in the layout of the video transect method and frames at approximately 0.5m apart were captured. This was done by determining the total time used in the transect segment and dividing it by the necessary frames needed. In this case, 20 frames in each 10-m segment. In each frame, five points on the screen was marked and the benthos underlying those points were identified. In total, there were 100 points determined in each 10m segment of the transect line. Videography was done using a camcorder (SONY TRV350) housed in a submersible case (IkeliteTM) and picture frames were captured onto the memory stick (SONY Memory Stick Duo) of the camcorder itself. In most sites, a listing of coral genera was also made while swimming along the transect. This augmented the data since both methods have limitations in accounting for the diversity of organisms, corals in this case. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 59 The percentage classes used to qualify coral (genera) diversity are based on a global record of coral species diversity. These diversity categories put Philippines, Ryukyu (Japan), Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef at the very high category; Western Australia and the Marshall Islands at the high category; the Red Sea at the moderate category; Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the low category; and the Caribbean and Hawaii at the very low diversity category. Below are the categories used to derive genus diversity in a management unit. These percentages are relative to the total number of genera in a management unit. Very low <20% Low 20-35% Moderate 36-55% High 56-75% Very high >75% Coral genera per survey site and their proportion relative to the total number of genera found in the management unit were used to generate the diversity measure per survey site. This was resorted to since the in-depth survey method primarily looks at structural morphology of corals – lifeforms – instead of species. Identification of coral species will require more underwater time and collections have to be made to identify corals to the species level in the laboratory. A genus-level identification can easily be done underwater because finer (microscopic) details of the coral need not be observed. 4.0 RESULTS Pinasil Island harbors a protected reef that abounds with branching Acropora and foliose corals. The remaining growth is at the deeper section (7m) of the reef and much of the shallower portions have been apparently pulverized by blast fishing. Certain sections of the deeper area traversed by the transect were also comprised of rubble. Table 16 summarizes the reef benthic composition of the site. Results were generated from video transects. Acrhelia horrescens appears to be a coral species nowhere else found but in Tapiutan Island. The species is uncommon and restricted to reef areas with good water circulation and water clarity (Veron 1986). Apart from this, Tapiutan has a defined reef crest harboring corals of the encrusting type mostly. Coral cover is generally low (Table 17). At the reef flat where branching Acropora is found, the crown-of-thorns (COT) are systematically eating away the corals. The size of the COT population was not estimated at the time of the survey. Data were generated through line transects. A solid reef facie characterizes the site at Cadlao Island where a reef crest is not well defined. Massive to encrusting forms of corals dominate the reef suggesting that the site is a high wave energy area. The shallow portion (Table 18) almost has twice the cover of corals than the deeper station (Table 19) where the abiotic component, Rock, is high. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 60 Daracotan Island has a cove that is apparently sheltered from strong wave action. This is evident from the extensive bed of branching corals of the fragile genus Anacropora. The extensive bed stretches from the shallow and thickens into the deep areas (Table 20). Rubble that was observed to contribute significantly to the cover also came from the dead skeleton of Anacropora. Giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) poaching is also evident in the area. The section of reef surveyed in Tiniguiban is part of an elaborate fringing reef system in the embayment (see Figure 20). Perhaps due to heavy exploitation using destructive techniques, the reef is quite fragmented where tracts of rubble intersperse areas with coral growth. Table 21 summarizes the benthic lifeform attributes of the site. The reef is very shallow. Two very shallow reef areas were also surveyed at the south-south-east part of the municipality. These were Talawtawan Island and Cabugao Island. Massive and foliose corals predominate at Talawtawan Island (Table 22) with a frequency of sponges while Cabugao Island (Table 23) is characterized mainly by branching Acropora. No genus listing was acquired for the last two sites above but two other sites, Diapila Island and Bird Island, were quickly inspected. Table 24 shows the genera encountered in the sites listed which shows Cadlao Island and Tiniguiban Island to have the highest number of genera. Both islands, including Bird Island, have the highest number of species (not identified but indicative) recorded. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 61 Table 16. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Pinasil Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 7 March 2004 Reef/Island: Pinasil Data: VT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Crest Position: 11.071666oN, 119.384083oE Depth: 7 meters Collector: ARFMontebon Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA Subtotals 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Acropora Branching ACB 27.0% 61.0% 29.0% 13.0% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS Digitate ACD Tabulate ACT 3.0% 1.0% 1.0% 3.0% Subtotals 30.0% 61.0% 30.0% 14.0% 3.0% 27.6% 21.9% Non-Acropora Branching CB 7.0% 1.0% 1.0% Encrusting CE 9.0% 1.0% 4.0% 1.0% Foliose CF 26.0% 3.0% 2.0% Massive CM 2.0% 2.0% 5.0% 3.0% Submassive CS Mushroom CMR 4.0% 1.0% 3.0% 1.0% 5.0% Millepora CME Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 48.0% 6.0% 9.0% 10.0% 8.0% 16.2% 17.8% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC 2.0% Sponges SP 1.0% Zoanthids ZO Others OT Subtotals 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.0% 0.6% 1.3% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA Macroalgae MA 1.0% 2.0% 7.0% 11.0% 7.0% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 2.0% 3.0% 8.0% 12.0% 8.0% 6.6% 4.1% Abiotic Sand S 2.0% 3.0% Rubble R 17.0% 30.0% 39.0% 52.0% 66.0% Silt SI Water WA Rock RCK 3.0% 14.0% 10.0% 9.0% Subtotals 20.0% 30.0% 53.0% 64.0% 78.0% 49.0% 23.9% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 62 Table 17. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the shallow station at Tapiutan Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 3 March 2004 Reef/Island: Tapiutan Data: LIT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Crest Position: 11.203527oN, 119.270833oE Depth: 5 meters Collector: ARFMontebon, Draymundo Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC 16.4% 1.2% Dead Coral with Algae DCA 63.1% 52.6% 49.1% Subtotals 79.5% 52.6% 49.1% 0.0% 1.2% 36.5% 34.8% Acropora Branching ACB 2.0% 3.9% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS Digitate ACD 3.0% Tabulate ACT 1.0% Subtotals 2.0% 0.0% 6.9% 1.0% 0.0% 2.0% 2.9% Non-Acropora Branching CB 3.1% 2.7% Encrusting CE 16.5% 10.6% 15.0% 7.8% Foliose CF 0.7% 4.0% Massive CM 6.5% 0.5% 6.2% Submassive CS 5.0% 1.2% 3.5% Mushroom CMR 1.4% Millepora CME Heliopora CHL 2.2% 1.0% Tubipora CTU Subtotals 9.5% 18.4% 19.3% 19.5% 21.2% 17.6% 4.6% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC Sponges SP 0.8% 8.7% 1.5% Zoanthids ZO Others OT 1.0% Subtotals 0.0% 0.0% 0.8% 9.7% 1.5% 2.4% 4.1% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 19.5% 11.4% 8.0% Coralline Algae CA 16.0% 0.5% Halimeda HA 3.0% Macroalgae MA 7.5% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 0.0% 19.5% 11.4% 34.5% 0.5% 13.2% 14.4% Abiotic Sand S 6.7% Rubble R 9.0% 2.8% 12.5% Silt SI Water WA 1.0% 8.8% Rock RCK 34.3% 66.8% Subtotals 9.0% 9.5% 12.5% 35.3% 75.6% 28.4% 28.6% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 63 Table 18. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Deep Station at Tapiutan Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 3 March 2004 Reef/Island: Tapiutan Data: LIT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Slope Position: 11.203527oN, 119.270833oE Depth: 10 meters Collector: ARFMontebon, Draymundo Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA 2.5% 36.6% 26.1% 5.9% Subtotals 2.5% 0.0% 36.6% 26.1% 5.9% 14.2% 16.2% Acropora Branching ACB 8.5% 1.8% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS 1.7% Digitate ACD 0.8% 0.3% 1.1% Tabulate ACT Subtotals 8.5% 0.0% 2.6% 2.0% 1.1% 2.8% 3.3% Non-Acropora Branching CB 32.0% 10.8% 7.1% 0.8% Encrusting CE 1.0% 4.4% 5.0% Foliose CF 0.8% 9.1% 1.2% Massive CM 5.1% 1.0% Submassive CS Mushroom CMR Millepora CME Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 32.0% 12.6% 16.2% 10.3% 7.2% 15.7% 9.7% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC Sponges SP 1.5% 0.4% Zoanthids ZO Others OT Subtotals 0.0% 1.5% 0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.4% 0.6% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 6.7% 6.7% 1.8% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA 2.0% Macroalgae MA 2.0% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 2.0% 2.0% 6.7% 6.7% 1.8% 3.8% 2.6% Abiotic Sand S 9.0% 21.0% 15.1% 12.3% Rubble R 15.5% 18.5% 16.9% 39.4% 71.7% Silt SI Water WA 6.5% Rock RCK 24.0% 65.4% Subtotals 55.0% 83.9% 37.9% 54.5% 84.0% 63.1% 20.3% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 64 Table 19. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Shallow Station at Cadlao Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 3 March 2004 Reef/Island: Cadlao Data: LIT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Slope Position: 11.202904oN, 119.365421oE Depth: 5 meters Collector: ARFMontebon, Draymundo Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA 4.0% 3.9% 14.1% 6.0% Subtotals 0.0% 4.0% 3.9% 14.1% 6.0% 5.6% 5.2% Acropora Branching ACB 3.5% 5.0% 1.3% 0.7% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS 1.2% Digitate ACD 1.5% 7.8% 9.4% 5.5% Tabulate ACT 5.3% 9.0% Subtotals 8.8% 15.5% 9.0% 10.7% 6.2% 10.0% 3.5% Non-Acropora Branching CB 11.5% 8.9% 9.2% 8.8% 17.4% Encrusting CE 16.8% 22.9% 22.1% 12.1% 24.0% Foliose CF 0.6% 1.6% Massive CM 14.9% 10.9% 7.5% 12.6% 7.7% Submassive CS 2.2% 3.2% 8.3% 19.6% Mushroom CMR Millepora CME Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 45.4% 42.7% 42.6% 43.4% 68.7% 48.6% 11.3% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC 2.5% 1.1% Sponges SP 0.4% Zoanthids ZO Others OT 3.4% Subtotals 2.5%0.0%4.5%0.0%0.4% 1.5% 2.0% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 2.0% 34.0% 21.0% 0.6% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA 2.5% Macroalgae MA 5.6% 4.5% 2.9% 3.3% 5.6% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 8.1% 6.5% 36.9% 24.3% 6.2% 16.4% 13.7% Abiotic Sand S 2.5% 1.1% 1.1% 11.0% Rubble R 0.8% 1.0% 2.0% 6.4% 1.5% Silt SI Water WA Rock RCK 34.4% 27.8% Subtotals 35.2% 31.3% 3.1% 7.5% 12.5% 17.9% 14.4% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 65 Table 20. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Deep Station at Cadlao Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 7 March 2004 Reef/Island: Cadlao Data: VT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Slope Position: 11.202904oN, 119.365421oE Depth: 10 meters Collector: ARFMontebon Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA Subtotals 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Acropora Branching ACB 3.0% 7.0% 1.0% 3.0% 3.0% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS Digitate ACD Tabulate ACT 5.0% 1.0% Subtotals 8.0% 8.0% 1.0% 3.0% 3.0% 4.6% 3.2% Non-Acropora Branching CB 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% Encrusting CE 5.0% 4.0% 7.0% 13.0% 9.0% Foliose CF 8.0% Massive CM 16.0% 16.0% 17.0% 19.0% 6.0% Submassive CS Mushroom CMR 1.0% 1.0% Millepora CME 1.0% Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 31.0% 21.0% 26.0% 33.0% 15.0% 25.2% 7.4% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC 1.0% 3.0% 1.0% 1.0% Sponges SP 2.0% 2.0% Zoanthids ZO Others OT 1.0% 2.0% Subtotals 1.0% 3.0% 4.0% 2.0% 3.0% 2.6% 1.1% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 1.0% 4.0% 10.0% 17.0% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA 1.0% Macroalgae MA 1.0% 4.0% 3.0% 4.0% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 3.0% 8.0% 13.0% 0.0% 21.0% 9.0% 8.3% Abiotic Sand S 2.0% 5.0% 6.0% 2.0% Rubble R 8.0% 5.0% 6.0% 10.0% Silt SI Water WA Rock RCK 49.0% 53.0% 45.0% 56.0% 46.0% Subtotals 57.0% 60.0% 56.0% 62.0% 58.0% 58.6% 2.4% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 66 Table 21. Coral Reef Benthic Compositoin/Lifeform for the Shallow Station at Daracotan Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 6 March 2004 Reef/Island: Daracotan Data: VT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Crest Position: 11.363650oN, 119.529109oE Depth: 5 meters Collector: ARFMontebon Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA 21.0% Subtotals 0.0% 21.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4.2% 9.4% Acropora Branching ACB 11.0% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS Digitate ACD Tabulate ACT 4.0% 5.0% 15.0% Subtotals 4.0% 0.0% 11.0% 5.0% 15.0% 7.0% 6.0% Non-Acropora Branching CB 5.0% 68.0% 9.0% 29.0% Encrusting CE 3.0% 5.0% 2.0% Foliose CF 2.0% Massive CM 15.0% 21.0% 11.0% 14.0% Submassive CS Mushroom CMR 2.0% 2.0% Millepora CME Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 27.0% 70.0% 30.0% 16.0% 45.0% 37.6% 20.9% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC 1.0% Sponges SP 2.0% 8.0% 4.0% Zoanthids ZO Others OT 1.0% Subtotals 0.0%0.0%3.0%9.0%4.0% 3.2% 3.7% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 1.0% 2.0% 4.0% 1.0% 3.0% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA Macroalgae MA 5.0% 2.0% 2.0% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 6.0%2.0%6.0%1.0%5.0% 4.0% 2.3% Abiotic Sand S 11.0% 2.0% 6.0% 5.0% Rubble R 24.0% 1.0% 16.0% 22.0% 6.0% Silt SI Water WA Rock RCK 28.0% 6.0% 32.0% 41.0% 20.0% Subtotals 63.0% 7.0% 50.0% 69.0% 31.0% 44.0% 25.3% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 67 Table 22. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for the Deep Station at Daracotan Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 6 March 2004 Reef/Island: Daracotan Data:VT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Crest Position: 11.363650oN, 119.529109oE Depth: 7.5 meters Collector: ARFMontebon Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA 1.0% Subtotals 0.0%0.0%0.0%1.0%0.0% 0.2% 0.4% Acropora Branching ACB 1.0% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS Digitate ACD Tabulate ACT 1.0% Subtotals 0.0%0.0%0.0%2.0%0.0% 0.4% 0.9% Non-Acropora Branching CB 66.0% 65.0% 33.0% 33.0% 4.0% Encrusting CE 4.0% 1.0% Foliose CF 5.0% 4.0% Massive CM 1.0% 4.0% 1.0% 7.0% Submassive CS Mushroom CMR 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% Millepora CME Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 68.0% 70.0% 39.0% 45.0% 16.0% 47.6% 22.3% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC 1.0% Sponges SP 3.0% 3.0% 1.0% 15.0% Zoanthids ZO Others OT 1.0% Subtotals 4.0%0.0%4.0%1.0%15.0% 4.8% 6.0% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 2.0% 21.0% 4.0% 1.0% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA Macroalgae MA 6.0% 8.0% 16.0% 2.0% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 8.0% 29.0% 4.0% 17.0% 2.0% 12.0% 11.1% Abiotic Sand S 6.0% 2.0% Rubble R 19.0% 1.0% 23.0% 18.0% 19.0% Silt SI 3.0% Water WA Rock RCK 1.0% 24.0% 11.0% 48.0% Subtotals 20.0% 1.0% 53.0% 34.0% 67.0% 35.0% 26.1% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 68 11.45 11.40 Transect Stations 1 Pinasil Is 11.35 2 Tapiutan Is 4 3 Cadlao Is 4 Daracotan Is 5 Tiniguiban Reef 5 11.30 6 Talawtawan Is 7 Cabugao Is ees) r 11.25 11.20 2 3 th latitude (deg r No 11.15 6 7 11.10 11.05 1 11.00 119.25 119.30 119.35 119.40 119.45 119.50 119.55 East longitude (degrees) Figure 20. Coral Reef in-depth study survey stations where the line or video transect methods were employed ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 69 Table 23. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Tiniguiban Reef. Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 6 March 2004 Reef/Island: Tiniguiban Data: VT (10m x 4) Reef Zone: Crest Position: 11.350871oN, 119.517003oE Depth: 3 meters Collector: ARFMontebon Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 1234 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA Subtotals 0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Acropora Branching ACB 4.0% 2.0% 1.0% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS Digitate ACD 1.0% Tabulate ACT 2.0% 2.0% 5.0% Subtotals 4.0%3.0%4.0%6.0% 4.3% 1.3% Non-Acropora Branching CB 49.0% 2.0% 1.0% Encrusting CE 1.0% Foliose CF 2.0% Massive CM 4.0% 8.0% Submassive CS 1.0% Mushroom CMR 1.0% 2.0% Millepora CME Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 49.0% 9.0% 5.0% 8.0% 17.8% 20.9% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC Sponges SP 2.0% Zoanthids ZO Others OT 1.0% Subtotals 0.0%0.0%1.0%2.0% 0.8% 1.0% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 2.0% 1.0% 28.0% 6.0% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA Macroalgae MA 9.0% 5.0% 21.0% 2.0% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 11.0% 6.0% 49.0% 8.0% 18.5% 20.4% Abiotic Sand S 31.0% 11.0% 37.0% Rubble R 28.0% 27.0% 12.0% 32.0% Silt SI Water WA Rock RCK 8.0% 24.0% 18.0% 7.0% Subtotals 36.0% 82.0% 41.0% 76.0% 58.8% 23.6% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 70 Table 24. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Talawtawan Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 6 March 2004 Reef/Island: Talawtawan Is (Small Inamorigue) Data: LIT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Crest Position: 11.164888oN, 119.537972oE Depth: 5 meters Collector: D Raymundo Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA 21.5% 11.7% 10.3% 22.9% 24.4% Subtotals 21.5% 11.7% 10.3% 22.9% 24.4% 18.2% 6.6% Acropora Branching ACB 4.1% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS 8.1% 0.6% 3.3% 7.5% Digitate ACD Tabulate ACT 5.3% 14.5% Subtotals 13.4% 0.0% 0.6% 3.3% 26.1% 8.7% 11.1% Non-Acropora Branching CB 1.4% 4.4% 2.5% 5.9% Encrusting CE 14.4% 14.9% 8.4% Foliose CF 17.3% 8.1% 19.5% 21.4% 3.0% Massive CM 10.8% 10.4% 17.3% 11.8% 11.6% Submassive CS 0.9% Mushroom CMR Millepora CME Heliopora CHL 0.9% Tubipora CTU Subtotals 30.4% 32.9% 41.2% 50.6% 29.8% 37.0% 8.9% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC Sponges SP 3.6% 17.8% 12.8% 5.0% 3.3% Zoanthids ZO 3.7% Others OT 2.3% 0.8% Subtotals 5.9% 21.5% 13.6% 5.0% 3.3% 9.9% 7.6% Algae Algal Assemblage AA Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA Macroalgae MA 1.9% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.9% 0.0% 0.4% 0.8% Abiotic Sand S Rubble R 3.0% 9.4% 6.5% 2.8% Silt SI Water WA 25.8% 24.5% 27.8% 16.3% 13.6% Rock RCK Subtotals 28.8% 33.9% 34.3% 16.3% 16.4% 25.9% 9.0% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 71 Table 25. Coral Reef Benthic Composition/Lifeform for Cabugao Island Location: El Nido, Palawan Date: 6 March 2004 Reef/Island: Cabugao Is. (Mabini) Data: LIT (10m x 5) Reef Zone: Crest Position: 11.127527oN, 119.526638oE Depth: 3 meters Collector: D Raymundo Replicate Categories Code Mean S.D. 12345 Hard Coral: Dead Coral DC Dead Coral with Algae DCA 35.2% 18.7% 5.0% 32.2% 48.5% Subtotals 35.2% 18.7% 5.0% 32.2% 48.5% 27.9% 16.6% Acropora Branching ACB 13.6% 41.3% 36.8% 21.6% 20.0% Encrusting ACE Submassive ACS 6.7% 7.1% 1.6% Digitate ACD Tabulate ACT 2.9% 4.2% Subtotals 20.3% 41.3% 36.8% 31.6% 25.8% 31.2% 8.4% Non-Acropora Branching CB 8.8% 6.3% 9.0% Encrusting CE 0.7% 4.7% Foliose CF 6.7% 3.7% 1.9% 1.9% Massive CM 0.7% 0.4% 0.7% Submassive CS 0.9% 8.6% Mushroom CMR 1.8% 1.3% 0.8% Millepora CME Heliopora CHL Tubipora CTU Subtotals 17.3% 6.4% 11.9% 10.9% 12.4% 11.8% 3.9% Other Fauna: Soft Coral SC Sponges SP 3.4% 1.1% 7.7% 4.1% 3.8% Zoanthids ZO Others OT 0.3% Subtotals 3.4% 1.1% 7.7% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 2.4% Algae Algal Assemblage AA 1.4% 2.2% 6.5% Coralline Algae CA Halimeda HA Macroalgae MA 1.3% 2.3% 0.9% Turf Algae TA Subtotals 0.0% 1.4% 3.5% 8.8% 0.9% 2.9% 3.5% Abiotic Sand S 0.7% Rubble R 2.3% 8.4% 8.3% Silt SI Water WA 23.8% 30.4% 32.8% 4.0% Rock RCK Subtotals 23.8% 31.1% 35.1% 12.4% 8.3% 22.1% 11.6% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 72 Table 26. List of Coral-genera and Species, El Nido, Palawan Pinasil IsTapiutan 1 Tapiutan 2 Cadlao Is Diapila Is Bird Is Tiniguiban Daracotan Is Genus Deep Shallow Deep Deep Deep Shallow Shallow Shallow Shallow Deep Acanthastrea 1 Acrhelia 1 Acropora 12245 3 6 741 Anacropora 11 1 Astreopora 11 Caryophyllidae 2 Coeloseris 11 1 Cyphastrea 11 1 2 1 1 1 Diploastrea 11 1 Echinophyllia 1111 Echinopora 12211 1 11 Euphyllia 111 1 Favia 112311 Favites 11131 Fungia 13311 111 Galaxea 11112 1 1 111 Gardineroseris 1 Goniastrea 111 1 1 111 Goniopora 111111 Halomitra 11 1 Heliopora 1 Hydnophora 212 11 Leptoria 1111 Lobophyllia 11 1 1 1 1 Merulina 111 1 11 Millepora 1 Montastrea 1 Montipora 1111221 Mycedium 111 1 Oulophyllia 11111 1 Pachyseris 1111121 Pavona 11 3 Pectinia 111 1 2 1 Platygyra 1111 2 2 211 Plerogyra 11 Plesiastrea 111 Pocillopora 11122 3 2 121 Polyphyllia 1 Porites 1211233 Scolymia 1 Seriatopora 11112 2 122 Stylophora 11 11 Symphyllia 11111 Trachyphyllia 1 Turbinaria 122 1 1 1 # Genera 24 20 19 19 26 18 21 25 20 17 # Species 24 25 24 25 33 27 33 38 28 20 ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 73 The number of genera recorded in the present study is higher than those compiled by CI (2003, Natural Resource Database). Of the 45 genera listed in this survey, 30 were common to both studies and 15 were recorded in this study alone. The 36 genera compiled in the CI database showed that there were 6 genera named in the CI database that were not recorded in this study. See Table 26. Table 27 lists the diversity of coral genera at selected sites in the management unit (El Nido). Although 4 areas acquired a coral genus diversity of more than 50%, only three of these sites were classed under the high diversity category. These sites are Cadlao Island, Tiniguiban Reef and Daracotan Island. It is also worth mentioning here that Acrhelia horrescens is an uncommon species found only at Tapiutan Island. 5.0 DISCUSSION The coral reef baseline survey of El Nido, Palawan showed that over 60% of the visited reefs have a coral cover of less than 30%. Of the areas visited, only 7 sites merited an in-depth survey and 1 site (Tiniguiban Shoal) was considered to be an outright core zone (see also the Baseline Survey Report for El Nido). The present 50% rule for coral cover will qualify only one site as a core zone and that is Cadlao Island (shallow station). Pinasil Island, Daracotan Island, Talawtawan Island and Cabugao Island all have coral cover that is close to 50% and should also be protected. Tiniguiban Reef has a low coral cover on the average only because the reef is fragmented. Certain sections of the transect did have high coral cover. Tapiutan Island, on the other hand, does have a low cover but harbors a not so common coral species that is worth protecting. In all, there are 8 sites proposed as coral reef core zones. The rest of the reefs in El Nido may fall under Multiple Use Zone, which is disconcerting. It is understood that this is just the first layer. When other data (reef fish, seagrass-seaweed, marine mammals and sea turtles, mangroves, socio-economic factors, etc.) are superimposed on this layer, the entire zoning scheme will take another picture. Physical factors and potential threats to the system should likewise be superimposed. For example, the site at Pinasil Island and Tiniguiban Reef are prone to pollution effects and sediment loading if land-based activities are not properly regulated (e.g. Arcamo 1994). The Sibaltan and Villa Paz areas, for example, suffer poor coastal zone conditions due to the kaingin in the immediate terrestrial slopes. Thus, mangroves and nearby river system including upland vegetation should be managed so that garbage, sewage, sediment, chemicals, etc. (Van-Katwijk et al. 1993) will not find their way into the reefs. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 74 Table 27. List of genera recorded in the present and previous surveys showing the unique and common genera in the respective studies. ECAN 2004 NRDB 2003 Only in ECAN Only in NRDB Common ECAN 2004 NRDB 2003 Only in ECAN Only in NRDB Common Acanthastrea Acanthastrea x Acrhelia x Acropora x Lobophyllia Lobophyllia x Anacropora x Merulina Merulina x Astreopora Astreopora x Millepora x Caryophyllidae x Montastrea Montastrea x Caulastrea x Montipora Montipora x Coeloseris Coeloseris x Mycedium x Coscinarea x Oulophyllia Oulophyllia x Cyphastrea Cyphastrea x Oxypora x Diploastrea x Pachyseris Pachyseris x Echinophyllia Echinophyllia x Pavona Pavona x Echinopora Echinopora x Pectinia Pectinia x Euphyllia x Physogyra x Favia Favia x Platygyra Platygyra x Favites Favites x Plerogyra x Fungia Fungia x Plesiastrea x Galaxea Galaxea x Pocillopora Pocillopora x Gardineroseris x Polyphyllia x Goniastrea Goniastrea x Porites Porites x Goniopora Goniopora x Scolymia x Halomitra Halomitra x Seriatopora Seriatopora x Heliopora Heliofungia x Stylophora Stylophora x Hydnophora Hydnophora x Symphyllia Symphyllia x Leptastrea x Trachyphyllia x Leptoria Leptoria x Turbinaria x Leptoseris x Total Genera 45 36 15 6 30 ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 75 Table 28. Diversity (generic) of reef corals at selected sites in El Nido, Palawan Site Name N-Latitude E-Longitude # Genera Diversity Class Remarks Pinasil Is 11.071660 119.384083 24 53% (moderate) Tapiutan Is 11.203527 119.270833 20 44% (moderate) Acrhelia horrescens Tapiutan Is1 11.195842 119.270672 19 42% (moderate) Acrhelia horrescens Cadlao Is1 11.202904 119.365421 26 58% (high) Diapila Is 11.391058 119.455883 18 40% (moderate) Bird Is 11.423342 119.466644 21 47% (moderate) Tiniguiban 11.350871 119.517003 25 56% (high) Daracotan Is 11.363650 119.529109 25 56% (high) 1Stations also surveyed in Fortes et al. (1998) ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 76 Table 29. Proposed coral reef core zones in El Nido, Palawan Site Name N-Latitude E-Longitude Criteria Pinasil Island 11.071660 119.384083 Diversity >50%, Hard corals >40% Tapiutan Island 11.203527 119.270833 Acrhelia horrescens which is uncommon Cadlao Island 11.202904 119.365421 Diversity >50%, Hard corals >50% Tiniguiban Reef 11.350871 119.517003 Diversity >50% Tiniguiban Shoal 11.357009 119.530203 Hard corals >50%, recovering Daracotan Island 11.363650 119.529109 Diversity >50%, Hard corals >40% Talawtawan Island 11.164889 119.537972 Hard corals >40% Cabugao Island 11.127528 119.526639 Hard corals >40% ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 77 100% 90% 80% 70% Abiotic 60% Algae Others 50% Dead Coral Cover Non-Acropora 40% Acropora 30% 20% 10% 0% Pinasil 7m Pinasil Cadlao 5m Cadlao Cadlao 10m Cadlao Tapiutan 5m Tapiutan Cabugao 3m Cabugao Tapiutan 10m Tapiutan Tiniguiban 3m Tiniguiban Daracotan 5m Talawtawan 5m Daracotan 7.5m Figure 21. Benthic lifeform summary for the sites and stations assessed in the in-depth surveys of El Nido, Palawan. Hard corals (Acropora and Non-Acropora) that have more than 50% cover (dotted horizontal line) were observed at Cadlao Island at 5m depth. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 78 11.45 11.40 6 5 11.35 4 11.30 ees) r 11.25 11.20 2 3 th latitude (deg r 7 No 11.15 8 11.10 1 11.05 11.00 119.25 119.30 119.35 119.40 119.45 119.50 119.55 East longitude (degrees) Figure 22. Proposed coral reef core zones in El Nido, Palawan. These are in Pinasil Island (1), Tapiutan Island (2), Cadlao Island (3), Tiniguiban Reef (4), Tiniguiban Shoal (5), Daracotan Island (6), Talawtawan Island (7) and Cabugao Island (8). See also Table 11. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 79 Establishing coral reef core zones based on their present status may not be enough to sustain productive reef fisheries in nearby areas, as assumed by the spill-over effect. The available core zones may simply be not enough. A system of protected coral reefs, regardless of coral cover, should be located at several sites (per barangay for example). Current and tidal systems usually ensure connectivity of (nearby) marine systems so that the dynamics of spawning and recruitment is almost always assured (Stoddart 1986). This system of protected areas or core zones will further promote this dynamics and spill-over effects may be more pronounced. A recent review advocates this strategy (Hughes et al. 2003). An example of this initiative was also promoted in Negros Oriental, central Visayas by the Centre for the Establishment of Marine Reserves in Negros Oriental (Vogt 1998). The increase in reef fish abundance and sizes were noticeable in a period of 1 year (personal observation). Identification of core zones should, therefore, not be based solely on high coral cover or the status of wildlife within but also on strategic locations that will maintain or improve ecosystem dynamics. Depauperate reefs strategically identified as protected areas will definitely recover in terms of coral cover, which, in time should meet the criterion for coral cover of a core zone area. It should also be noted, however, that the notion of a good and healthy reef as having high coral cover may not be true for all cases. Coral reefs fronting high energy areas are constantly battered by waves and therefore cannot attain high coral cover (a similar notion is the karst topography of area wherein only a small percentage of the surface is favorable for plant life). In its condition of low or moderate coral cover, it could already be in perfect reef health. Thus, reef health is not simply the percentage coral cover of the area, and categorizing coral cover from poor to excellent can easily lead to misjudgments and therefore, unsound management plans. An alternative to protecting areas where unique or endangered coral species are encountered is to transplant them to appropriate protected areas. Coral transplantation is also a viable means of rehabilitating damaged reefs (Harriot & Fisk 1988). Corals may either be reared as small pieces first in an aquarium setup (e.g. Montebon & Yap 1995) or whole colonies may be transplanted directly to the management site (Clark & Edwards 1995). Strategically located reefs identified to become core zones but have few corals may be candidate transplantation sites. However, the prevailing physical conditions of the source reef must at least be determined and these parameters should be similar in the transplantation site. For example, the coral Acrhelia horrescens may not thrive in protected lagoons or sheltered embayments because it requires good water circulation and light penetration (Veron 1986). 6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS • Coral reefs of El Nido are generally depauperate confirming the observation during the baseline survey of the municipality. • The status of coral reefs of El Nido is affected by illegal fishing practices. Crown of Thorns (COT) has been verified to still exist in one area (Tapiutan Island). • The proposed eight (8) coral reef zones in El Nido are in Pinasil Island, Tapiutan Island, Cadlao Island, Tiniguiban Reef, Tiniguiban Shoal, Daracotan Island, Talawtawan Island and Cabugao Island. ______CHAPTER 3: IN-DEPTH CORAL REEF SURVEY 80 CHAPTER 4 - REEF FISHES SURVEY 1.0 INTRODUCTION The coral reef and reef-associated fishes of the Municipality of El Nido, Northern Palawan were surveyed for the Marine and Coastal Resources Survey and Research Component of the SEMP-ECAN Zoning Project. Data and information generated by these surveys are essential in assessing the current status and condition of reef fishes in the area and will be integral in formulating protective and management strategies. Baseline surveys of the coral reefs and reef fishes in El Nido were conducted prior to in-depths surveys. Baseline surveys are rapid and qualitative in nature, the results of which provide a broad perspective of the status of coral reefs and reef fishes in the area and are useful in selecting sampling stations for the in-depth surveys. This report present the results of the in-depth survey of coral reef fishes in selected sites in El Nido. The survey aims to identify sites of high species richness as potential core zones, and to describe the fish communities in terms of their abundance and biomass estimates. 2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS The in-depth reef fish survey was conducted following a modification of the underwater fish visual census technique described by English et al. (1994). Four 20- meter transects were deployed on the reef following its contour and maintaining a constant depth. Where appropriate, transects were deployed at the deep and shallow portions of the reef. Shallow transects were situated at about 3 to 5 m depth while the deep transects were situated at 7 to 10 m depths. All fish observed within 5 meters in front and above, and 2.5 meters on each side of the transect were recorded on an underwater slate. A total survey of area of 400m2 (and 800m2 for stations with deep and shallow transects) was effectively censused (20m length X 5m width X 4 replicates transects). Geo-references of the fish survey stations were determined and recorded with a Garmin Summit GPS and Garmin GPS Map168. Whenever possible, fish were identified to species level. Fishes were identified based on visual appearance and comparing these with photographic references (Allen, 1991; Randall et al., 1997; Lieske and Myers, 2001; and FishBase, 2000). The total size of each fish were estimated to the nearest centimeter and abundances determined by actual counts. Fish were later categorized as target, indicator or major fish species based on the “importance” data of individual species compiled in FishBase 2000 (Froese and Pauly, 2000). Biomass of each species was calculated using the formula W = aLb, where W is the weight (g), a the multiplicative factor, L the estimated total length of the fish (cm), and b the exponent. Values used for the constants a and b are listed in Kulbicki et al. (1993), Letourneur (1998), Letourneur et al. (1998), Gonzales et al. (2000) and ______CHAPTER 4: REEF FISHES 81 Froese and Pauly (Fish Base 2000). For species with no a and b values, the constants of its closest relative with the most similar body shape were used. 3.0 RESULTS Coral reef and reef-associated fishes were censused at seven sampling stations in El Nido (Figure 23). Sampling stations were pre-selected based on observations of coral cover during the baseline survey. In general, the sampling stations were those observed to have the best coral cover among the baseline survey sampling stations. Geo-references of the sampling stations and their localities are presented in Table 30. Deep and shallow transects were deployed in only three of the seven sampling stations, namely: Station 2 - Cadlao Island, Station 3 – Daracotan, and Station 6 – Tapiutan Island (Table 30). Figure 23. Reef fish Sampling Stations, El Nido, Palawan, March 2004. Stations in red are the proposed core zones. ______CHAPTER 4: REEF FISHES 82 Table 30. Geo-coordinates of the 7 Sampling Stations in El Nido, Palawan GPS Locality Depth North East Bebeledan 6.4 m 11.071667 119.384083 Cadlao Island deep and shallow 11.202904 119.365421 Daracotan deep and shallow 11.363650 119.529110 Mabini 6.7 m 11.127778 119.525667 Small Imorigue 5 m 11.164889 119.537972 Tapiutan Island deep and shallow 11.203528 119.270833 Tiniguiban 3 m 11.350871 119.517004 A combined total of 277 species from 41 fish families were recorded from the 7 sampling stations (Table 31). Total abundance was estimated at 22,385 individuals and biomass was 251.21 kg (Table 31). Table 31. Total species richness (species), abundance (individuals) and biomass (kg) of fishes from 7 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, March 2004. Sampling Station Locality Family Species Abundance Biomass Area 1 Bebeledan 24 107 2,695 55.89 400 sqm 2 Cadlao Island 19 100 1,359 18.04 800 sqm 3 Daracotan 21 106 5,476 76.34 800 sqm 4 Mabini 16 50 1,352 16.33 400 sqm Small 5 Imorigue 18 58 5,261 19.24 400 sqm Tapiutan 6 Island 31 107 5,769 56.49 800 sqm 7 Tiniguiban 14 71 473 8.86 400 sqm Total family 41 Total species 277 Total abundance 22,385 Total biomass 251.21 Mean species richness ranged from 13 species/100m2 (Stations 2, 3, 4 and 6) to 27 species/100m2 in Station 1 – Bebeledan (Table 32). The actual total species recorded at Station 1 was 107 species (Table 31) and the wrasses Labridae and damselfishes Pomacentridae were the dominant groups with 28 and 25 species, respectively (Appendix 1). Mean abundance estimates from the seven sampling stations ranged from 118 individuals/100m2 at Station 7 – Tiniguiban to 1,315 individuals/100m2 at Station 5 – Small Imorigue (Table 32). The total estimated abundance in Station 5 was 5,261 individuals (Table 31) and nearly 80% (4,182 ______CHAPTER 4: REEF FISHES 83 individuals) of this was contributed by the silver demoiselle Neopomacentrus anabatoides (Appendix 1). The mean estimated biomass ranged from 2.2 kg/100m2 at Station - Tiniguiban to 13.97 kg/100m2 at Station 1 - Bebeledan (Table 32). The total estimated biomass in Station 1 was 55.89 kg (Table 31) with the fusiliers Caesio caerulaurea, C. teres, Pterocaesio marri and P. tile contributing 25.76 kg (46 %) of the total biomass (Appendix 2). Table 32. Mean species richness (species/100sqm), abundance (individuals/100 sqm) and biomass (kg/100 sqm) of fishes from 7 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, March 2004. Station Locality Species Abundance Biomass 1 Bebeledan 27 674 13.97 2 Cadlao Island 13 170 2.26 3 Daracotan 13 685 9.54 4 Mabini 13 338 4.08 Small 5 Imorigue 15 1,315 4.81 Tapiutan 6 Island 13 721 7.06 7 Tiniguiban 18 118 2.22 Total species 277 Total abundance 22,385 Total biomass 251.21 Table 33 and 34 present the mean and total abundances of indicator, target and major fish species. It is shown that Station 6 – Tapiutan Island recorded the highest total and mean abundance of target species with 2,267 and 283 individuals/100m2, respectively (Table 33 and 34). However, the vast majority of the individuals recorded at this station were silversides (Spratelloides sp.), which contributed 1,925 individuals (Appendix 1). These are small to medium sized fishes that commonly form large schools of hundreds of individuals (Allen, 1991; Randall et al., 1997; and Lieske and Myers, 2001). They are considered important commercial species especially for processed food, oil or fishmeal (FishBase, 2000). If we subtract Spratelloides sp. from the calculations of abundance estimates at Station 6, the resulting total abundance would be only 342 individuals with a mean of 43 individuals/100m2 (Table 33 and 34). As such, Station 1 – Bebeledan and Station 5 – Small Imorigue were considered to have to the highest mean abundance of target species (Table 34). ______CHAPTER 4: REEF FISHES 84 Table 33. Total abundance (individuals) of indicator, Major and Target species from 7 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, March 2004 Sampling Station Locality Indicator Major Target Total Area 1 Bebeledan 120 2,128 447 2,695 400 sqm 2 Cadlao Island 63 1,038 258 1,359 800 sqm 3 Daracotan 156 4,923 397 5,476 800 sqm 4 Mabini 76 1,050 226 1,352 400 sqm 5 Small Imorigue 64 4,787 410 5,261 400 sqm 2,267 6 Tapiutan Island 125 3,377 (342) 5,769 800 sqm 7 Tiniguiban 14 393 66 473 400 sqm 22,385 Total indicator 618 Total major 17,696 Total target 4,071 * value in ( ) is the total abundance of target species in Station 6 when Spratelloides sp. are not included Table 34. Mean abundance (individuals/100sqm) of indicator, Major and Target species from 7 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan, March 2004 Station Locality Indicator Major Target 1 Bebeledan 30 532 112 2 Cadlao Island 8 130 32 3 Daracotan 20 615 50 4 Mabini 19 263 57 5 Small Imorigue 16 1,197 103 6* Tapiutan Island 16 844 283 (43) 7 Tiniguiban 4 98 17 * value in ( ) is the mean abundance of target species in Station 6 when Spratelloides sp. are not included 4.0 DISCUSSION The reef fish communities in the seven sampling stations in El Nido were in relatively good condition, with high species richness, abundance and biomass estimates. Major fish families accordingly dominated the species recorded, but target and indicator species were also well represented with 95 and 27 species, respectively (Appendix 1). Despite the relatively high number of target species recorded, very few high-value species were observed in the sampling stations. Only 2 individuals of Plectropomus leopardus were recorded throughout the survey, 1 in Station 4 – Mabini and another in Station 5 – Small Imorigue (Appendix 1). It is possible that this group of fishes has not yet recovered from past fishing pressure, or that this species is still ______CHAPTER 4: REEF FISHES 85 exposed to high fishing, especially from the live fish industry, despite the established protective strategies in the area (i.e. marine reserves). The result of the in-depth survey was consistent with the baseline survey as well as the survey of the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. (1993). Six of the stations surveyed by MERF are presented in Figure 24. Species richness was highest in Station 1 – Inambuyod and Station 3 – Tres Marias (Appendix 3). Overall species richness was 277 in the present study, while 268 species were recorded in the baseline survey, and 269 species were reported by MERF (1993). The proximity of the species richness values of the recent baseline and in-depth surveys to that of the MERF surveys in 1993 suggests that the fish communities in El Nido have remained stable at least in terms of species richness. Figure 24. Fish sampling stations in El Nido from the survey of MERF, 1993. ______CHAPTER 4: REEF FISHES 86 The highest total species richness values were recorded at Stations 1, 2, 3 and 6 (albeit the last three stations had higher total survey areas). This suggests that the coral reefs in these areas still function as healthy habitats and are still able to support a highly diverse assemblage of reef fishes. Thus, it will be prudent to take necessary steps to ensure the effective protection of these sites. 5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Based on the results of the in-depth fish surveys conducted at seven sampling stations, the fish communities are in relatively good condition especially in terms of species richness. The highest values of species richness were recorded from Station 1 - Bebeledan, Station 2 - Cadlao, Station 3 - Daracotan and Station 6 – Tapiutan (Figure 25). These stations also had some of the highest abundances of indicator and target species. From the study of MERF (1993), at least two sites had similarly high species richness, namely: Station 1 – Inambuyod and Station 3 – Tres Marias (Figure 25. Therefore, based on species richness alone, it is recommended that these 6 stations from the two studies be considered as potential core zones. Figure 25. Proposed core zones based on the reef fish in-depth survey, El Nido, Palawan, March 2004, and the survey of MERF, 1993. ______CHAPTER 4: REEF FISHES 87 Appendix 1. Estimated fish abundance (individuals / 400sqm) per species from 7 sampling stations, El Nido, Palawan, February to March 2004. (T - target species; I - indicator species; M - major fish families) Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Acanthuridae Acanthurus auranticavus T 2 * * * * * * * * * 2 Acanthuridae Acanthurus leucocheilus T * 1 * * * * * * * * 1 Acanthuridae Acanthurus mata T * 30 * * * * * * * * 30 Acanthuridae Acanthurus sp. 1 T * * * * * * * * 2 * 2 Acanthuridae Acanthurus sp. 2 (white bar on C) T * * * 3 1 * * * * * 4 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus binotatus T * * 24 3 3 * * 7 * * 37 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus sp. 1 T * * * * * * * * 5 * 5 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus striatus T * 7 3 1 1 * * 19 11 1 43 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus strigosus T * 22 48 * * * * 3 6 * 79 Acanthuridae Naso lituratus T * * * * * * * 1 3 * 4 Acanthuridae Zebrasoma scopas M 8 * 8 * 1 * * * 1 1 19 Acanthuridae Zebrasoma veliferum T * * * * * * * * * 1 1 Apogonidae Apogon apogonides M 10 * * * * * * * * * 10 Apogonidae Apogon aureus M * * * * * * 3 * * * 3 Apogonidae Apogon bandanensis M 1 * * * 2 24 * * * * 27 Apogonidae Apogon compressus M 9 * * 34 25 2 * 5 3 2 80 Apogonidae Apogon griffini M 20 * * 1 * * * * * 3 24 Apogonidae Apogon nigrofasciatus M * * * * * * * * 2 * 2 Apogonidae Apogon sealei M 680 * * * * 1 * * * * 681 Apogonidae Apogon sp. 1 M * * * * * * * 12 * * 12 Apogonidae Apogon trimaculatus M 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Apogonidae Archamia zosterophora M 87 * * 134 100 * * 6 * * 327 Apogonidae Cheilodipterus macrodon M 21 * * * * 4 5 16 * * 46 Apogonidae Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus M 99 7 * 95 87 288 137 79 * 15 807 Apogonidae Rhabdamia gracilis M * * * * * * 200 * * * 200 Apogonidae Sphaeramia nematoptera M * * * 125 * * * * * * 125 ______APPENDICES 88 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Aulostomidae Aulostomus chinensis M * * * 1 1 * * * * * 2 Balistidae Balistapus sp. 1 T * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Balistidae Balistapus undulatus T * * * * * * * 2 * * 2 Balistidae Sufflamen chrysopterus T 1 5 5 * * * * 1 1 * 13 Belonidae Tylosurus crocodilus crocodilus T * * * * * * * * 4 * 4 Blenniidae Atrosalarias fuscus M * * * * * * 1 * * * 1 Blenniidae Ecsenius sp. M * 1 3 * * * * * * * 4 Blenniidae Meiacanthus grammistes M * * * * * * 1 * * * 1 Blenniidae Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos M 2 * 1 * * * * 1 3 * 7 Blenniidae Plagiotremus tapeinosoma M * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Caesionidae Caesio caerulaurea T 103 * * * * 7 3 8 25 * 146 Caesionidae Caesio teres T 86 * * 62 97 100 85 5 6 * 441 Caesionidae Pterocaesio marri T 111 * * * * * 42 10 * * 163 Caesionidae Pterocaesio tile T 9 * * 25 * * * * 30 * 64 Carangidae Atule mate T * * * * * * 1 2 10 * 13 Carangidae Elagatis bipinnulata T * * * * * * * 2 * * 2 Centriscidae Aeoliscus strigatus I 85 * * * * 45 25 * * * 155 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon auriga I * * * * * * * * 2 1 3 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon baronessa I * 1 * * * * * * 8 3 12 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon kleinii I * 12 29 * * * * 2 3 * 46 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon lineolatus I * * * 1 2 * 4 * * * 7 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon lunula I * * * * * * * * 1 * 1 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon melannotus I * * * * 2 * 3 * * * 5 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon mertensii I * 2 * * * * * * * * 2 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon octofasciatus I 11 2 * 2 2 12 11 * * * 40 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon rafflesii I * * * * * * * 2 4 * 6 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon selene I * * * 1 * * * * * * 1 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon speculum I * * * * * * * * * 1 1 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon trifascialis I * 1 1 1 4 * * * * 1 8 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon trifasciatus I * * * 1 2 * * 2 1 * 6 ______APPENDICES 89 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Chaetodontidae Chaetodon ulietensis I * * * * * * 1 * * * 1 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon unimaculatus I * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon vagabundus I 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Chaetodontidae Chelmon rostratus I * 1 * 3 * 8 6 2 * 1 21 Chaetodontidae Coradion altivelis I 2 * * 4 * * 3 * * * 9 Chaetodontidae Coradion melanopus M 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Chaetodontidae Heniochus acuminatus M 1 * * * * * 4 * * * 5 Chaetodontidae Heniochus chrysostomus I * * 1 2 9 * * * * 6 18 Chaetodontidae Heniochus singularis I * * * 1 * * * * * * 1 Chaetodontidae Heniochus varius I * * * 6 2 * * 1 * 1 10 Cirrhitidae Cirrhitichthys falco M * 1 1 * * * * * * * 2 Dasyatidae Taeniura lymma T * * * * * 1 * * * * 1 Engraulidae Spratelloides sp. 1 T * * * * * * 150 800 1125 * 2,075 Ephippidae Platax pinnatus T * * * * * * 1 1 * * 2 Gobiidae Amblygobius hectori M * * * * * * 1 * * * 1 Gobiidae Goby sp. 1 M * * * * * * * * 5 * 5 Haemulidae Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides T 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Haemulidae Plectorhinchus sp. (Lieske and Myers) T * * * * * * 2 * * * 2 Holocentridae Myripristis amaena T * * * * * * * 2 2 1 5 Holocentridae Myripristis murdjan T * * * * * * * 5 14 * 19 Holocentridae Neoniphon sammara T * * * 1 * * * 4 8 * 13 Holocentridae Sargocentron cornutum T * * * 1 * * * * * * 1 Holocentridae Sargocentron rubrum T 2 * * * * * * * * * 2 Labridae Anampses caeruleopunctatus M * * 2 * * * * * * * 2 Labridae Anampses geographicus M * * * * * * * 3 * * 3 Labridae Anampses meleagrides M * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Labridae Anampses sp. 1 M * * * * * * * 2 * * 2 Labridae Bodianus diana M * 1 * * * * * * * * 1 Labridae Bodianus mesothorax M 4 * * 1 * * * 2 3 * 10 Labridae Cheilinus chlorourus T 4 * * * * 11 * 8 2 4 29 ______APPENDICES 90 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Labridae Cheilinus fasciatus T 13 * 1 * 1 20 8 * * 1 44 Labridae Cheilinus trilobatus T * 1 1 * * * * 1 * * 3 Labridae Choerodon anchorago T 2 * * 2 * * * * 1 5 10 Labridae Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura M 81 5 12 391 249 * * 34 * * 772 Labridae Coris batuensis M * 4 1 * * * * * * * 5 Labridae Coris sp. 1 M * * 3 * * * * 1 3 * 7 Labridae Coris sp. 2 M 3 * * * * * * 1 8 1 13 Labridae Diproctacanthus xanthurus I 18 6 3 19 17 11 11 7 2 * 94 Labridae Epibulus insidiator T 9 1 * 5 * 3 4 4 2 1 29 Labridae Gomphosus caeruleus M * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Labridae Gomphosus varius M * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Labridae Halichoeres biocellatus M 1 * * 1 * * * * * 2 4 Labridae Halichoeres chloropterus M 2 * 3 * * 1 * * * * 6 Labridae Halichoeres hortulanus M 1 1 * 2 * * * * 4 3 11 Labridae Halichoeres leucurus M 7 * * 36 3 9 10 1 * 1 67 Labridae Halichoeres margaritaceus M * * * * 3 * * * * * 3 Labridae Halichoeres marginatus M * * * * * * * * 1 * 1 Labridae Halichoeres melanochir M * 1 * * * * * * * * 1 Labridae Halichoeres melanurus M 11 3 8 4 41 * 5 9 9 5 95 Labridae Halichoeres nebulosus M * 18 49 * * * * * * * 67 Labridae Halichoeres scapularis M * * * * 1 * * * * 3 4 Labridae Halichoeres sp. 1 (org stripes) M 7 6 2 * * 14 33 10 * * 72 Labridae Halichoeres sp. 2 M * * 2 * * * * * * * 2 Labridae Hemigymnus fasciatus T * * * 1 * * * * * * 1 Labridae Hemigymnus melapterus T 2 * 8 4 9 * 1 * * 4 28 Labridae Labrichthys unilineatus I 3 * 1 * * * * 2 5 * 11 Labridae Labrid sp. 1 M * 40 * * * * * 3 * * 43 Labridae Labroides dimidiatus M 13 9 11 8 22 1 2 11 13 9 99 Labridae Labroides pectoralis M 3 2 1 11 * * * * 1 1 19 Labridae Labropsis australis I * * 2 * * * * * * * 2 ______APPENDICES 91 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Labridae Labropsis xantonota M 2 * * * * * * * * * 2 Labridae Macropharyngodon meleagris M 1 5 3 * * * * * * * 9 Labridae Novaculichthys sp. 1 (white juv) M * 1 * * * * * * * * 1 Labridae Novaculichthys taeniourus M * 2 2 * * * * * * * 4 Labridae Oxycheilinus celebicus T 11 1 9 4 5 15 10 3 1 5 64 Labridae Oxycheilinus digrammus T 6 * * * * * * 4 1 * 11 Labridae Oxycheilinus orientalis T 1 * * 1 2 * * * * * 4 Labridae Oxycheilinus orientalis T * * * 3 * * * * * * 3 Labridae Oxycheilinus unifasciatus T * * 1 * * * * 3 * * 4 Labridae Pseudocheilinus evanidus M * * * * * * * * 13 * 13 Labridae Pseudocheilinus hexataenia M * * * * * 1 * * * * 1 Labridae Pseudocheilinus octotaenia M * * * * * * * 11 * * 11 Labridae Pseudocheilinus sp. 1 M * 3 * 15 39 * * * * 2 59 Labridae Pteragogus flagellifer M 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Labridae Stethojulis bandanensis M 2 * 3 1 * * * * * * 6 Labridae Stethojulis strigiventer M 2 * 7 * * * * 2 2 * 13 Labridae Stethojulis trilineata M * * 1 * * * * * * 2 3 Labridae Thalassoma hardwicke M 1 * * * * * * 2 2 * 5 Labridae Thalassoma lunare M 11 16 79 4 8 * 3 14 18 5 158 Labridae Xyrichthys tetrazona T * * * * * * 1 * * * 1 Lethrinidae Lethrinus erythropterus T 2 * * 1 * 16 * * * * 19 Lethrinidae Monotaxis grandoculis T * * * * * * * 3 * * 3 Lutjanidae Lutjanus biguttatus T 23 * * * * * * 1 1 * 25 Lutjanidae Lutjanus carpanotatus T 1 * * 5 12 3 7 * * 3 31 Lutjanidae Lutjanus decussatus T * * * 1 2 * 2 3 4 2 14 Lutjanidae Lutjanus fulviflamma T * * * * 5 * * * * 8 13 Lutjanidae Lutjanus fulvus T 2 * * * * * * * * * 2 Lutjanidae Lutjanus monostigma T * * * * * * 23 * * * 23 Lutjanidae Lutjanus quinquelineatus T 2 * * 2 9 * * * * 1 14 Lutjanidae Symphorichthys spilurus T * * * * 1 * * * * * 1 ______APPENDICES 92 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Microdesmidae Ptereleotris evides M * * 6 * 2 * * * * * 8 Monacanthidae Amanses scopas M * * 2 * * * * * 1 * 3 Monacanthidae Paraluteres prionurus M * * * * * * * 2 * * 2 Monacanthidae Pervagor janthinosoma M 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Monacanthidae Pervagor melanocephalus M * * * * * * * 1 2 1 4 Mullidae Parupeneus barberinoides T 4 * * * * * * * * * 4 Mullidae Parupeneus barberinus T 4 4 8 25 1 1 * * * * 43 Mullidae Parupeneus cyclostomus T * * 20 * * * * * * * 20 Mullidae Parupeneus multifasciatus T 2 4 23 * * * * 1 * * 30 Muraeniade Gymnothorax javanicus T * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Nemipteridae Pentapodus bifasciatus T * * * * * * * * * 1 1 Nemipteridae Pentapodus caninus T * * * * * 2 * * * * 2 Nemipteridae Pentapodus emeryii T * 1 * * * * * * * * 1 Nemipteridae Pentapodus sp. 1 T * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Nemipteridae Pentapodus sp. 2 T * * * * 1 * * * * * 1 Nemipteridae Scolopsis bilineata T 2 1 6 * * * * * 1 1 11 Nemipteridae Scolopsis ciliatus T * * * * * 1 4 * * * 5 Nemipteridae Scolopsis margaritifer T 5 * * 3 3 8 14 9 1 * 43 Nemipteridae Scolopsis trilineatus T 1 * * 1 2 * * * * * 4 Ostraciidae Ostracion cubicus M * * * 1 * * * * * * 1 Pempheridae Pempheris oualensis M 34 * * * * * * * * * 34 Pempheridae Pempheris vanicolensis M * * * * * * * * 12 * 12 Pinguipedidae Parapercis clathrata M * 1 1 * * * * * * * 2 Pinguipedidae Parapercis hexophtalma M * 1 1 * * * * * * 1 3 Plotosidae Plotosus lineatus M * * * 45 100 * * 22 * * 167 Pomacanthidae Centropyge tibicen M * * * * * * * 4 * * 4 Pomacanthidae Centropyge vrolikii M * * * * * * * * 3 * 3 Pomacanthidae Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus M 12 1 * 9 9 20 15 3 3 * 72 Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus semicirculatus M * * * 1 1 * * * * * 2 Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus sp. 1 M * * * * * * * 5 * * 5 ______APPENDICES 93 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Pomacanthidae Pygoplites diacanthus M * * * * * * * 3 * * 3 Pomacentridae Abudefduf bengalensis M 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Pomacentridae Abudefduf lorenzi M * * * * * * * * 1 * 1 Pomacentridae Abudefduf sexfasciatus M * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Pomacentridae Acanthochromis polyacanthus M 191 * * 125 210 122 52 395 696 34 1,825 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon aureus M * * * * * * 1 * * * 1 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon curacao M 32 * * 50 123 41 4 34 34 109 412 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster M 20 * * 39 28 1 4 10 6 * 108 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis M * * * * * 6 6 * * * 12 Pomacentridae Amphiprion clarkii M 12 3 4 1 6 * * 4 7 * 37 Pomacentridae Amphiprion perideraion M * * 1 * * * * 12 * * 13 Pomacentridae Cheiloprion labiatus M * * * * * * * * 1 * 1 Pomacentridae Chromis amboinensis M 51 * * 98 139 * * * * 20 308 Pomacentridae Chromis analis M * * * 1 9 * * * * 3 13 Pomacentridae Chromis atripes M * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Pomacentridae Chromis caudalis M 12 4 15 * 4 * * 8 * 1 44 Pomacentridae Chromis caudalis M 3 * * * * * * * * * 3 Pomacentridae Chromis nitida M * 1 * * * * * * * * 1 Pomacentridae Chromis retrofasciata M * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Pomacentridae Chromis ternatensis I * * * 50 25 * * 80 * * 155 Pomacentridae Chromis viridis M * * * * 50 * * 118 405 * 573 Pomacentridae Chromis weberi M * 1 * * * * * 6 * * 7 Pomacentridae Chromis xanthura M * 1 * * * * * 6 15 * 22 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera cyanea M * * * * * * * 45 * * 45 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera parasema M 32 29 136 172 228 74 20 12 3 14 720 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera rex M * 1 7 * * * * * * * 8 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera rollandi M 2 * * * 88 * * 99 33 * 222 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera sp. 1 M * * * * * * * * * 2 2 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera springeri M 84 * * 51 15 * * 56 11 * 217 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera unimaculata M * 6 * * * * * * * * 6 ______APPENDICES 94 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Pomacentridae Dascyllus aruanus M * * * * * * * * * 1 1 Pomacentridae Dascyllus reticulatus M 16 5 * * * * * 63 20 * 104 Pomacentridae Dascyllus trimaculatus M * * 2 1 2 * * * 4 * 9 Pomacentridae Dischistodus chrysopoecilus M * * * * 4 * * * * 11 15 Pomacentridae Dischistodus melanotus M * * * * * * * * * 2 2 Pomacentridae Dischistodus perspicillatus M * * * * * * * * * 7 7 Pomacentridae Dischistodus prosopotaenia M 21 * * * 1 3 * 11 * 5 41 Pomacentridae Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon M 10 * * * * 15 7 70 19 2 123 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon melas M 8 3 23 8 * 2 * 3 * 11 58 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon nigroris M 13 1 * 170 100 3 * 20 63 24 394 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon sp. 1 M * * * * * * * * * 4 4 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus M * * * * * * * 1 1 * 2 Pomacentridae Neopomacentrus anabatoides M 8 * * * * 305 4182 * * * 4,495 Pomacentridae Neopomacentrus violascens M * 6 * * * * * * * * 6 Pomacentridae Plectroglyphidodon dickii M * * * * * * * * * 1 1 Pomacentridae Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus M * 3 16 * 15 * * 8 43 28 113 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus adelus M * 2 * 1 * * * 1 2 * 6 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus alexanderae M 210 * * 324 435 56 33 275 85 * 1,418 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus amboinensis M 1 2 * * * 9 8 * 13 * 33 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus burroughi M 118 * * 139 160 47 50 54 7 8 583 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus chrysurus M * * 46 * * * * 2 * * 48 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus coelestis M 14 34 104 9 54 * * * * 11 226 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus lepidogenys M * * * * * * * * 25 * 25 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus moluccensis M * * 2 * 78 * * * 11 3 94 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus nagasakiensis M 8 25 179 70 100 * * 32 31 * 445 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus nigromanus M 1 * * * * * * * * * 1 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus philippinus M * * * * 19 * * * 22 * 41 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus simsiang M * * * * * * * * * 2 2 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 1 M * * * * * * * 2 * * 2 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 2 M * * * * * * * 2 * * 2 ______APPENDICES 95 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 3 M * * * * * * * * * 1 1 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 4 M * * * * * * * * * 18 18 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus stigma M 55 * * 81 * * * * 15 * 151 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus vaiuli M 45 21 * 30 62 * * 9 10 12 189 Pomacentridae Stegastes fasciolatus M 4 * * * * * * * * 3 7 Pseudochromidae Labracinus cyclophthalmus M * * * * * 1 * 1 * * 2 Scaridae Cetoscarus bicolor T * * * 1 1 * * * * * 2 Scaridae Chlorurus bleekeri T 10 * 2 13 1 3 * * * * 29 Scaridae Hipposcarus longiceps T 6 * * 7 30 18 17 * 3 * 81 Scaridae Scarus chameleon T * * * 1 1 * * 3 * 2 7 Scaridae Scarus dimidiatus T * * * * * * * 14 * * 14 Scaridae Scarus forsteni T * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Scaridae Scarus ghobban T 3 * 2 * * * 3 13 2 * 23 Scaridae Scarus niger T 4 * 1 * * * * * * * 5 Scaridae Scarus quoyi T 1 * * * * 7 8 1 * * 17 Scaridae Scarus rivulatus T * * * * 3 * * * * * 3 Scaridae Scarus sordidus T * * 10 1 15 3 3 * 21 10 63 Scaridae Scarus sp. 1 ((j) 2 w-stripes) T * 1 * * * * * * * * 1 Scaridae Scarus sp. 2 T * * * * * 1 4 * * * 5 Scombridae Euthynnus affinis T * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Scorpaenidae Dendrochirus sp.1 M * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Serranidae Cephalopholis argus T * * * 1 3 * * 1 1 * 6 Serranidae Cephalopholis boenak T * * * * * * 8 * 1 * 9 Serranidae Cephalopholis cyanostigma T 4 * * * * 1 * 6 6 * 17 Serranidae Cephalopholis microprion T * * 1 1 * * * 1 1 * 4 Serranidae Cephalopholis miniata T * * 1 * * * * * * * 1 Serranidae Diploprion bifasciatum M 6 3 3 2 1 * * 17 * * 32 Serranidae Epinephelus fasciatus T 1 * 4 * * * * * * * 5 Serranidae Epinephelus ongus T * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 Serranidae Plectropomus leopardus T * * * * * 1 1 * * * 2 ______APPENDICES 96 Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Tapiutan Island Tiniguiban TOTAL FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m Serranidae Pseudanthias huchtii M * * * * * * * * 4 * 4 Serranidae Pseudanthias tuka M * * * * * * * 18 * * 18 Siganidae Siganus puellus T * * * * 1 * * * * * 1 Siganidae Siganus virgatus T 1 * * * 2 4 8 1 * 8 24 Siganidae Siganus vulpinus T 2 * * 3 3 * * 2 2 5 17 Sphyraenidae Sphyraena flavicauda T 4 * * * * * * * * * 4 Synodontidae Synodus variegatus T * * * * * * * 2 3 * 5 Tetraodontidae Arothron nigropunctatus M * 1 * 1 * * * * * * 2 Tetraodontidae Canthigaster solandri M 2 * * 1 * * * 2 * * 5 Tetraodontidae Canthigaster valentini M 4 * * 1 * * * * * * 5 Zanclidae Zanclus cornutus M 4 1 1 * 3 * * 5 10 1 25 TOTAL 2,695 386 973 2,568 2,908 1,352 5,261 2,728 3,041 473 22,385 ______APPENDICES 97 Appendix 2. Estimated fish biomass (kg/400sqm) per species from 7 sampling stations, El Nido, Palawan, February to March 2004. Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Acanthuridae Acanthurus auranticavus 0.88 * * * * * * * * * 0.88 Acanthuridae Acanthurus leucocheilus * 0.03 * * * * * * * * 0.03 Acanthuridae Acanthurus mata * 7.25 * * * * * * * * 7.25 Acanthuridae Acanthurus sp. 1 * * * * * * * * 0.45 * 0.45 Acanthuridae Acanthurus sp. 2 (white bar on C) * * * 0.28 0.09 * * * * * 0.38 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus binotatus * * 0.08 0.27 0.27 * * 0.49 * * 1.11 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus sp. 1 * * * * * * * * 0.25 * 0.25 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus striatus * 0.10 0.01 0.00 0.01 * * 0.51 0.41 0.07 1.11 Acanthuridae Ctenochaetus strigosus * 0.06 0.07 * * * * 0.00 0.00 * 0.13 Acanthuridae Naso lituratus * * * * * * * 0.03 0.33 * 0.36 Acanthuridae Zebrasoma scopas 0.46 * 0.08 * 0.02 * * * 0.02 0.05 0.63 Acanthuridae Zebrasoma veliferum * * * * * * * * * 0.04 0.04 Apogonidae Apogon apogonides 0.01 * * * * * * * * * 0.01 Apogonidae Apogon aureus * * * * * * 0.01 * * * 0.01 Apogonidae Apogon bandanensis 0.00 * * * 0.02 0.05 * * * * 0.07 Apogonidae Apogon compressus 0.03 * * 0.45 0.00 0.01 * 0.04 0.00 0.03 0.56 Apogonidae Apogon griffini 0.43 * * 0.01 * * * * * 0.04 0.49 Apogonidae Apogon nigrofasciatus * * * * * * * * 0.02 * 0.02 Apogonidae Apogon sealei 0.95 * * * * 0.00 * * * * 0.95 Apogonidae Apogon sp. 1 * * * * * * * 0.01 * * 0.01 Apogonidae Apogon trimaculatus 0.00 * * * * * * * * * 0.00 Apogonidae Archamia zosterophora 0.08 * * 0.18 0.06 * * 0.01 * * 0.32 Apogonidae Cheilodipterus macrodon 0.10 * * * * 0.03 0.06 0.04 * * 0.23 Apogonidae Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus 0.08 0.00 * 0.33 0.08 0.51 0.08 0.13 * 0.04 1.25 Apogonidae Rhabdamia gracilis * * * * * * 0.04 * * * 0.04 Apogonidae Sphaeramia nematoptera * * * 0.27 * * * * * * 0.27 Aulostomidae Aulostomus chinensis * * * 0.31 0.40 * * * * * 0.70 Balistidae Balistapus sp. 1 * * 0.09 * * * * * * * 0.09 ______APPENDICES 98 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Balistidae Balistapus undulatus * * * * * * * 0.22 * * 0.22 Balistidae Sufflamen chrysopterus 0.02 0.49 0.28 * * * * 0.04 0.02 * 0.85 Belonidae Tylosurus crocodilus crocodilus * * * * * * * * 3.02 * 3.02 Blenniidae Atrosalarias fuscus * * * * * * 0.04 * * * 0.04 Blenniidae Ecsenius sp. * 0.00 0.00 * * * * * * * 0.00 Blenniidae Meiacanthus grammistes * * * * * * 0.00 * * * 0.00 Blenniidae Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos 0.00 * 0.00 * * * * 0.00 0.00 * 0.01 Blenniidae Plagiotremus tapeinosoma * * 0.00 * * * * * * * 0.00 Caesionidae Caesio caerulaurea 12.69 * * * * 0.03 0.02 0.52 0.04 * 13.29 Caesionidae Caesio teres 11.27 * * 8.51 10.89 1.24 0.95 0.14 0.03 * 33.02 Caesionidae Pterocaesio marri 1.57 * * * * * 0.11 0.57 * * 2.24 Caesionidae Pterocaesio tile 0.24 * * 0.15 * * * * 4.18 * 4.57 Carangidae Atule mate * * * * * * 0.21 0.23 3.13 * 3.57 Carangidae Elagatis bipinnulata * * * * * * * 0.87 * * 0.87 Centriscidae Aeoliscus strigatus 0.53 * * * * 0.01 0.02 * * * 0.56 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon auriga * * * * * * * * 0.08 0.01 0.08 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon baronessa * 0.03 * * * * * * 0.32 0.09 0.44 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon kleinii * 0.28 0.87 * * * * 0.06 0.05 * 1.26 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon lineolatus * * * 0.10 0.06 * 0.09 * * * 0.26 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon lunula * * * * * * * * 0.03 * 0.03 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon melannotus * * * * 0.04 * 0.08 * * * 0.12 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon mertensii * 0.00 * * * * * * * * 0.00 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon octofasciatus 0.18 0.00 * 0.03 0.01 0.10 0.10 * * * 0.43 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon rafflesii * * * * * * * 0.04 0.04 * 0.08 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon selene * * * 0.00 * * * * * * 0.00 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon speculum * * * * * * * * * 0.03 0.03 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon trifascialis * 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.10 * * * * 0.03 0.17 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon trifasciatus * * * 0.06 0.06 * * 0.01 0.00 * 0.13 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon ulietensis * * * * * * 0.03 * * * 0.03 Chaetodontidae Chaetodon unimaculatus * * 0.10 * * * * * * * 0.10 ______APPENDICES 99 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Chaetodontidae Chaetodon vagabundus 0.08 * * * * * * * * * 0.08 Chaetodontidae Chelmon rostratus * 0.03 * 0.01 * 0.03 0.02 0.01 * 0.01 0.10 Chaetodontidae Coradion altivelis 0.10 * * 0.27 * * 0.14 * * * 0.51 Chaetodontidae Coradion melanopus 0.01 * * * * * * * * * 0.01 Chaetodontidae Heniochus acuminatus 0.05 * * * * * 0.11 * * * 0.16 Chaetodontidae Heniochus chrysostomus * * 0.03 0.18 0.53 * * * * 0.34 1.08 Chaetodontidae Heniochus singularis * * * 0.24 * * * * * * 0.24 Chaetodontidae Heniochus varius * * * 0.81 0.17 * * 0.02 * 0.10 1.10 Cirrhitidae Cirrhitichthys falco * 0.00 0.00 * * * * * * * 0.00 Dasyatidae Taeniura lymma * * * * * 4.07 * * * * 4.07 Engraulidae Spratelloides sp. 1 * * * * * * 0.22 0.88 1.22 * 2.32 Ephippidae Platax pinnatus * * * * * * 0.11 0.07 * * 0.18 Gobiidae Amblygobius hectori * * * * * * 0.00 * * * 0.00 Gobiidae Goby sp. 1 * * * * * * * * 0.00 * 0.00 Haemulidae Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides 0.06 * * * * * * * * * 0.06 Plectorhinchus sp. (Lieske and Haemulidae Myers) * * * * * * 0.61 * * * 0.61 Holocentridae Myripristis amaena * * * * * * * 0.13 0.04 0.08 0.26 Holocentridae Myripristis murdjan * * * * * * * 0.63 0.93 * 1.56 Holocentridae Neoniphon sammara * * * 0.04 * * * 0.22 0.29 * 0.55 Holocentridae Sargocentron cornutum * * * 0.08 * * * * * * 0.08 Holocentridae Sargocentron rubrum 0.11 * * * * * * * * * 0.11 Labridae Anampses caeruleopunctatus * * 0.03 * * * * * * * 0.03 Labridae Anampses geographicus * * * * * * * 0.04 * * 0.04 Labridae Anampses meleagrides * * * * * * * 0.03 * * 0.03 Labridae Anampses sp. 1 * * * * * * * 0.02 * * 0.02 Labridae Bodianus diana * 0.07 * * * * * * * * 0.07 Labridae Bodianus mesothorax 0.21 * * 0.02 * * * 0.18 0.08 * 0.49 Labridae Cheilinus chlorourus 0.19 * * * * 0.20 * 0.07 0.02 0.18 0.66 Labridae Cheilinus fasciatus 1.02 * 0.03 * 0.03 1.58 0.36 * * 0.05 3.08 ______APPENDICES 100 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Labridae Cheilinus trilobatus * 0.08 0.08 * * * * 0.05 * * 0.21 Labridae Choerodon anchorago 0.33 * * 0.52 * * * * 0.07 0.24 1.17 Labridae Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura 0.27 0.02 0.02 0.94 0.62 * * 0.07 * * 1.94 Labridae Coris batuensis * 0.01 0.01 * * * * * * * 0.02 Labridae Coris sp. 1 * * 0.09 * * * * 0.00 0.01 * 0.10 Labridae Coris sp. 2 0.01 * * * * * * 0.01 0.03 0.00 0.05 Labridae Diproctacanthus xanthurus 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 * 0.06 Labridae Epibulus insidiator 0.41 0.02 * 0.47 * 0.05 0.13 0.09 0.03 0.05 1.23 Labridae Gomphosus caeruleus * * 0.02 * * * * * * * 0.02 Labridae Gomphosus varius * * 0.01 * * * * * * * 0.01 Labridae Halichoeres biocellatus 0.01 * * 0.02 * * * * * 0.03 0.06 Labridae Halichoeres chloropterus 0.02 * 0.01 * * 0.02 * * * * 0.06 Labridae Halichoeres hortulanus 0.02 0.49 * 0.10 * * * * 0.71 0.11 1.43 Labridae Halichoeres leucurus 0.18 * * 0.64 0.12 0.15 0.27 0.01 * 0.04 1.40 Labridae Halichoeres margaritaceus * * * * 0.15 * * * * * 0.15 Labridae Halichoeres marginatus * * * * * * * * 0.04 * 0.04 Labridae Halichoeres melanochir * 0.01 * * * * * * * * 0.01 Labridae Halichoeres melanurus 0.20 0.01 0.06 0.09 0.56 * 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.12 1.18 Labridae Halichoeres nebulosus * 0.03 0.11 * * * * * * * 0.15 Labridae Halichoeres scapularis * * * * 0.01 * * * * 0.04 0.06 Labridae Halichoeres sp. 1 (org stripes) 0.01 0.01 0.00 * * 0.05 0.13 0.01 * * 0.22 Labridae Halichoeres sp. 2 * * 0.09 * * * * * * * 0.09 Labridae Hemigymnus fasciatus * * * 0.10 * * * * * * 0.10 Labridae Hemigymnus melapterus 0.10 * 0.47 1.37 0.60 * 0.03 * * 0.30 2.87 Labridae Labrichthys unilineatus 0.14 * 0.01 * * * * 0.10 0.11 * 0.36 Labridae Labrid sp. 1 * 0.22 * * * * * 0.14 * * 0.35 Labridae Labroides dimidiatus 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.05 0.01 0.18 Labridae Labroides pectoralis 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.09 * * * * 0.00 0.00 0.12 Labridae Labropsis australis * * 0.01 * * * * * * * 0.01 Labridae Labropsis xantonota 0.05 * * * * * * * * * 0.05 ______APPENDICES 101 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Labridae Macropharyngodon meleagris 0.09 0.10 0.02 * * * * * * * 0.21 Labridae Novaculichthys sp. 1 (white juv) * 0.00 * * * * * * * * 0.00 Labridae Novaculichthys taeniourus * 0.00 0.00 * * * * * * * 0.00 Labridae Oxycheilinus celebicus 0.42 0.02 0.09 0.27 0.29 0.41 0.17 0.09 0.07 0.16 2.00 Labridae Oxycheilinus digrammus 0.10 * * * * * * 0.15 0.02 * 0.26 Labridae Oxycheilinus orientalis 0.03 * * 0.00 0.17 * * * * * 0.20 Labridae Oxycheilinus orientalis * * * 0.01 * * * * * * 0.01 Labridae Oxycheilinus unifasciatus * * 0.15 * * * * 0.87 * * 1.02 Labridae Pseudocheilinus evanidus * * * * * * * * 0.00 * 0.00 Labridae Pseudocheilinus hexataenia * * * * * 0.00 * * * * 0.00 Labridae Pseudocheilinus octotaenia * * * * * * * 0.02 * * 0.02 Labridae Pseudocheilinus sp. 1 * 0.00 * 0.04 0.06 * * * * 0.00 0.11 Labridae Pteragogus flagellifer 0.02 * * * * * * * * * 0.02 Labridae Stethojulis bandanensis 0.08 * 0.02 0.01 * * * * * * 0.11 Labridae Stethojulis strigiventer 0.00 * 0.03 * * * * 0.02 0.01 * 0.07 Labridae Stethojulis trilineata * * 0.05 * * * * * * 0.03 0.08 Labridae Thalassoma hardwicke 0.01 * * * * * * 0.11 0.10 * 0.21 Labridae Thalassoma lunare 0.23 0.07 1.43 0.14 0.17 * 0.03 0.22 0.29 0.08 2.66 Labridae Xyrichthys tetrazona * * * * * * 0.38 * * * 0.38 Lethrinidae Lethrinus erythropterus 0.27 * * 0.07 * 0.27 * * * * 0.60 Lethrinidae Monotaxis grandoculis * * * * * * * 0.09 * * 0.09 Lutjanidae Lutjanus biguttatus 2.46 * * * * * * 0.05 0.03 * 2.54 Lutjanidae Lutjanus carpanotatus 0.14 * * 0.98 2.20 0.09 0.18 * * 0.19 3.78 Lutjanidae Lutjanus decussatus * * * 0.22 0.34 * 0.25 0.15 0.14 0.13 1.22 Lutjanidae Lutjanus fulviflamma * * * * 0.72 * * * * 0.63 1.35 Lutjanidae Lutjanus fulvus 0.19 * * * * * * * * * 0.19 Lutjanidae Lutjanus monostigma * * * * * * 1.17 * * * 1.17 Lutjanidae Lutjanus quinquelineatus 0.19 * * 0.09 0.77 * * * * 0.04 1.08 Lutjanidae Symphorichthys spilurus * * * * 0.28 * * * * * 0.28 Microdesmidae Ptereleotris evides * * 0.04 * 0.00 * * * * * 0.04 ______APPENDICES 102 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Monacanthidae Amanses scopas * * 0.01 * * * * * 0.11 * 0.12 Monacanthidae Paraluteres prionurus * * * * * * * 0.01 * * 0.01 Monacanthidae Pervagor janthinosoma 0.01 * * * * * * * * * 0.01 Monacanthidae Pervagor melanocephalus * * * * * * * 0.00 0.03 0.03 0.06 Mullidae Parupeneus barberinoides 0.13 * * * * * * * * * 0.13 Mullidae Parupeneus barberinus 0.35 0.09 0.06 0.09 0.01 0.03 * * * * 0.63 Mullidae Parupeneus cyclostomus * * 0.13 * * * * * * * 0.13 Mullidae Parupeneus multifasciatus 0.07 0.12 0.23 * * * * 0.01 * * 0.42 Muraeniade Gymnothorax javanicus * * * * * * * 1.79 * * 1.79 Nemipteridae Pentapodus bifasciatus * * * * * * * * * 0.02 0.02 Nemipteridae Pentapodus caninus * * * * * 0.04 * * * * 0.04 Nemipteridae Pentapodus emeryii * 0.18 * * * * * * * * 0.18 Nemipteridae Pentapodus sp. 1 * * * * * * * 0.00 * * 0.00 Nemipteridae Pentapodus sp. 2 * * * * 0.00 * * * * * 0.00 Nemipteridae Scolopsis bilineata 0.12 0.18 0.24 * * * * * 0.00 0.02 0.56 Nemipteridae Scolopsis ciliatus * * * * * 0.03 0.12 * * * 0.15 Nemipteridae Scolopsis margaritifer 5.74 * * 2.42 9.42 1.26 2.68 2.90 0.01 * 24.42 Nemipteridae Scolopsis trilineatus 0.37 * * 0.18 1.75 * * * * * 2.30 Ostraciidae Ostracion cubicus * * * 0.18 * * * * * * 0.18 Pempheridae Pempheris oualensis 0.91 * * * * * * * * * 0.91 Pempheridae Pempheris vanicolensis * * * * * * * * 0.33 * 0.33 Pinguipedidae Parapercis clathrata * 0.02 0.01 * * * * * * * 0.03 Pinguipedidae Parapercis hexophtalma * 0.03 0.01 * * * * * * 0.04 0.08 Plotosidae Plotosus lineatus * * * 0.01 0.01 * * 0.34 * * 0.36 Pomacanthidae Centropyge tibicen * * * * * * * 0.09 * * 0.09 Pomacanthidae Centropyge vrolikii * * * * * * * * 0.03 * 0.03 Pomacanthidae Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus 0.54 0.06 * 0.41 0.29 0.73 0.42 0.09 0.26 * 2.80 Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus semicirculatus * * * 0.30 0.77 * * * * * 1.08 Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus sp. 1 * * * * * * * 0.03 * * 0.03 Pomacanthidae Pygoplites diacanthus * * * * * * * 0.10 * * 0.10 ______APPENDICES 103 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Pomacentridae Abudefduf bengalensis 0.01 * * * * * * * * * 0.01 Pomacentridae Abudefduf lorenzi * * * * * * * * 0.00 * 0.00 Pomacentridae Abudefduf sexfasciatus * * * * * * * 0.01 * * 0.01 Pomacentridae Acanthochromis polyacanthus 0.92 * * 0.46 1.36 0.15 0.10 2.01 2.89 0.34 8.22 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon aureus * * * * * * 0.02 * * * 0.02 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon curacao 0.26 * * 0.29 0.76 0.08 0.02 0.52 0.31 0.78 2.95 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster 0.04 * * 0.17 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.06 * 0.51 Pomacentridae Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis * * * * * 0.01 0.01 * * * 0.01 Pomacentridae Amphiprion clarkii 0.03 0.01 0.04 0.00 0.03 * * 0.01 0.05 * 0.19 Pomacentridae Amphiprion perideraion * * 0.00 * * * * 0.04 * * 0.04 Pomacentridae Cheiloprion labiatus * * * * * * * * 0.00 * 0.00 Pomacentridae Chromis amboinensis 0.16 * * 0.30 0.45 * * * * 0.06 0.98 Pomacentridae Chromis analis * * * 0.01 0.02 * * * * 0.01 0.04 Pomacentridae Chromis atripes * * * * * * * 0.00 * * 0.00 Pomacentridae Chromis caudalis 0.16 0.02 0.04 * 0.05 * * 0.05 * 0.01 0.34 Pomacentridae Chromis caudalis 0.04 * * * * * * * * * 0.04 Pomacentridae Chromis nitida * 0.00 * * * * * * * * 0.00 Pomacentridae Chromis retrofasciata * * 0.00 * * * * * * * 0.00 Pomacentridae Chromis ternatensis * * * 0.22 0.19 * * 0.50 * * 0.92 Pomacentridae Chromis viridis * * * * 0.18 * * 0.64 0.36 * 1.18 Pomacentridae Chromis weberi * 0.02 * * * * * 0.02 * * 0.04 Pomacentridae Chromis xanthura * 0.01 * * * * * 0.13 0.06 * 0.19 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera cyanea * * * * * * * 0.03 * * 0.03 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera parasema 0.02 0.02 0.10 0.22 0.32 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.06 0.81 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera rex * 0.00 0.01 * * * * * * * 0.01 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera rollandi 0.02 * * * 0.06 * * 0.06 0.02 * 0.17 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera sp. 1 * * * * * * * * * 0.02 0.02 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera springeri 0.02 * * 0.04 0.01 * * 0.04 0.01 * 0.11 Pomacentridae Chrysiptera unimaculata * 0.01 * * * * * * * * 0.01 Pomacentridae Dascyllus aruanus * * * * * * * * * 0.00 0.00 ______APPENDICES 104 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Pomacentridae Dascyllus reticulatus 0.21 0.01 * * * * * 0.54 0.06 * 0.81 Pomacentridae Dascyllus trimaculatus * * 0.03 0.00 0.03 * * * 0.07 * 0.14 Pomacentridae Dischistodus chrysopoecilus * * * * 0.09 * * * * 0.49 0.58 Pomacentridae Dischistodus melanotus * * * * * * * * * 0.15 0.15 Pomacentridae Dischistodus perspicillatus * * * * * * * * * 0.49 0.49 Pomacentridae Dischistodus prosopotaenia 1.25 * * * 0.01 0.18 * 0.68 * 0.22 2.34 Pomacentridae Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon 0.87 * * * * 0.77 0.30 2.82 0.59 0.17 5.51 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon melas 0.11 0.06 0.05 0.08 * 0.05 * 0.03 * 0.05 0.43 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon nigroris 0.12 0.01 * 0.98 0.52 0.02 * 0.19 0.63 0.22 2.69 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon sp. 1 * * * * * * * * * 0.12 0.12 Pomacentridae Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus * * * * * * * 0.01 0.00 * 0.01 Pomacentridae Neopomacentrus anabatoides 0.01 * * * * 0.11 5.72 * * * 5.84 Pomacentridae Neopomacentrus violascens * 0.04 * * * * * * * * 0.04 Pomacentridae Plectroglyphidodon dickii * * * * * * * * * 0.01 0.01 Pomacentridae Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus * 0.01 0.02 * 0.10 * * 0.04 0.35 0.23 0.74 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus adelus * 0.01 * 0.01 * * * 0.00 0.03 * 0.06 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus alexanderae 1.25 * * 1.34 2.45 0.14 0.10 1.65 0.44 * 7.36 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus amboinensis 0.00 0.00 * * * 0.00 0.00 * 0.00 * 0.01 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus burroughi 0.09 * * 0.09 0.11 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.00 0.01 0.39 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus chrysurus * * 0.05 * * * * 0.00 * * 0.06 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus coelestis 0.04 0.00 0.13 0.14 0.10 * * * * 0.03 0.43 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus lepidogenys * * * * * * * * 0.13 * 0.13 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus moluccensis * * 0.00 * 0.22 * * * 0.02 0.00 0.25 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus nagasakiensis 0.00 0.02 0.14 0.03 0.08 * * 0.04 0.04 * 0.35 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus nigromanus 0.01 * * * * * * * * * 0.01 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus philippinus * * * * 0.12 * * * 0.20 * 0.32 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus simsiang * * * * * * * * * 0.01 0.01 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 1 * * * * * * * 0.01 * * 0.01 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 2 * * * * * * * 0.00 * * 0.00 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 3 * * * * * * * * * 0.00 0.00 ______APPENDICES 105 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Pomacentridae Pomacentrus sp. 4 * * * * * * * * * 0.16 0.16 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus stigma 0.05 * * 0.05 * * * * 0.01 * 0.11 Pomacentridae Pomacentrus vaiuli 0.19 0.09 * 0.07 0.15 * * 0.06 0.08 0.03 0.67 Pomacentridae Stegastes fasciolatus 0.19 * * * * * * * * 0.22 0.41 Pseudochromidae Labracinus cyclophthalmus * * * * * 0.01 * 0.04 * * 0.05 Scaridae Cetoscarus bicolor * * * 0.38 0.38 * * * * * 0.75 Scaridae Chlorurus bleekeri 0.65 * 0.04 0.94 0.01 0.54 * * * * 2.19 Scaridae Hipposcarus longiceps 1.13 * * 0.58 3.11 2.21 0.88 * 0.25 * 8.16 Scaridae Scarus chameleon * * * 0.31 0.03 * * 0.20 * 0.13 0.67 Scaridae Scarus dimidiatus * * * * * * * 0.73 * * 0.73 Scaridae Scarus forsteni * * * * * * * 0.27 * * 0.27 Scaridae Scarus ghobban 0.47 * 0.02 * * * 0.08 2.04 0.07 * 2.68 Scaridae Scarus niger 0.52 * 0.00 * * * * * * * 0.52 Scaridae Scarus quoyi 0.05 * * * * 0.62 0.83 0.05 * * 1.56 Scaridae Scarus rivulatus * * * * 0.13 * * * * * 0.13 Scaridae Scarus sordidus * * 0.65 0.54 2.35 0.20 0.29 * 1.34 0.65 6.02 Scaridae Scarus sp. 1 ((j) 2 w-stripes) * 0.00 * * * * * * * * 0.00 Scaridae Scarus sp. 2 * * * * * 0.10 0.84 * * * 0.93 Scombridae Euthynnus affinis * * * * * * * 0.49 * * 0.49 Scorpaenidae Dendrochirus sp.1 * * 0.13 * * * * * * * 0.13 Serranidae Cephalopholis argus * * * 0.01 0.10 * * 0.05 0.01 * 0.18 Serranidae Cephalopholis boenak * * * * * * 0.13 * 0.11 * 0.24 Serranidae Cephalopholis cyanostigma 0.34 * * * * 0.01 * 0.47 0.13 * 0.94 Serranidae Cephalopholis microprion * * 0.03 0.04 * * * 0.02 0.02 * 0.10 Serranidae Cephalopholis miniata * * 0.02 * * * * * * * 0.02 Serranidae Diploprion bifasciatum 0.31 0.12 0.25 0.17 0.02 * * 0.41 * * 1.28 Serranidae Epinephelus fasciatus 0.07 * 0.36 * * * * * * * 0.43 Serranidae Epinephelus ongus * * * * * * * 0.01 * * 0.01 Serranidae Plectropomus leopardus * * * * * 0.01 0.35 * * * 0.37 Serranidae Pseudanthias huchtii * * * * * * * * 0.02 * 0.02 ______APPENDICES 106 Tapiutan Bebeledan Cadlao Island Daracotan Mabini Small Imorigue Island Tiniguiban FAMILY SPECIES 6.4 m Deep Shallow Deep Shallow 6.7m 5m Deep Shallow 3m TOTAL Serranidae Pseudanthias tuka * * * * * * * 0.12 * * 0.12 Siganidae Siganus puellus * * * * 0.02 * * * * * 0.02 Siganidae Siganus virgatus 0.02 * * * 0.04 0.05 0.13 0.00 * 0.41 0.66 Siganidae Siganus vulpinus 0.24 * * 0.09 0.01 * * 0.19 0.19 0.21 0.93 Sphyraenidae Sphyraena flavicauda 0.06 * * * * * * * * * 0.06 Synodontidae Synodus variegatus * * * * * * * 0.01 0.14 * 0.15 Tetraodontidae Arothron nigropunctatus * 0.05 * 0.06 * * * * * * 0.10 Tetraodontidae Canthigaster solandri 0.04 * * 0.04 * * * 0.02 * * 0.10 Tetraodontidae Canthigaster valentini 0.06 * * 0.01 * * * * * * 0.08 Zanclidae Zanclus cornutus 0.23 0.03 0.09 * 0.21 * * 0.15 0.86 0.05 1.61 TOTAL 55.89 10.65 7.39 30.08 46.26 16.33 19.24 29.43 27.06 8.86 251.21 ______APPENDICES 107 Appendix 3. Fish species richness from 6 sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan. Data summarized from MERF, 1993. Station Island Locality Coordinates Family Species 1 * Inambuyod 749349.21, 1237137.56 22 114 2 Matinloc * 749377.69, 1233449.33 19 94 3 * Tres Marias 751198.88, 1233463.43 21 112 4 * Shimizu 753034.50, 1231633.47 21 96 5 * Bacuit Bay 757416.35, 1232620.90 16 35 6 * Libro Point 769163.09, 1263119.69 13 57 Total families 38 Total species 269 ______APPENDICES 108 LIST OF REFERENCES MANGROVE Lugo, A.E. and Snedaker, S.C. 1974. The ecology of mangroves. Ann Rev. Ecol. Sys. 5: 39-64. Macintosh, D.J. 1984. Ecology and productivity of Malaysia mangrove crab populations. 345-377. In: Proceedings of the Asian Symposium on mangrove Environment-Research and Management. Soepadmo, E. Rao. A.N. and Macintosh, D.J. (Edus.). University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Odum, W.E. and Heald, E.J. 1975. Mangrove forests and aquatic productivity. 129- 136. In: Coupling of Land and Water System. Hasler, P.D. (Ed.). Springer- Verlag, Berlin. Ong, J.E., Gong, W.K., Wong, C.H. and Dhanarajan, G. 1984. Contribution of aquatic productivity in managed mangrove ecosystem in Malaysia. 209-215. In: Proceedings of the Asian Symposium on Mangrove Environment-Research and Management. Soepadmo, E., Rao, A.N. and Macintosh, D.J. (Eds.). University of Malaysia. Ong, T.L. and Sasekumar, A. 1984. The trophic relationship of fishes in the shallow waters adjoining a mangrove shore. 453-469. In: Proceeding of the Asian Symposium on Mangrove Environment-research and Management. Soepadmo, E., Rao, A.N. and Macintosh, D.J. (Eds.). University of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Snedaker, S.C. 1978. Mangroves: Their value and perpetuation. Nature and Resources 14: 6-13. Snedaker, S.C. 1984. The mangroves of Asia and Oceanic: Status and research planning. 5-15. In: Proceedings of the Asian Symposium on Mangrove Environmental-Research and Management. Soepadmo, E., Rao, A.N. and Macintosh, D.J. (Eds.). University of Malaysia, Kula Lumpur, Malaysia. Soegiarto, A. 1984. The mangrove ecosystem in Indonesia, its problems and mgt. 69- 78. In: Physiology and Mgt. of Mangroves. Teas, H.J. (Ed.) Dr. W. Junk Publishers. The Hague. Thong, K.L. and Sasekumar, A. 1984. The trophic relationships of the fish community of the Angsa bank, Selangor, Malaysia. 385-399. In: Proceedings of the Asian Symposium on Mangrove Environment- Research and Mgt. Soepadmo E., Rao, A.N. and Macintosh, D.J. (Eds.) . University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ______LIST OF REFERENCES 109 SEAGRASS Fortes MD, 1988. Indo-West Pacific affinities of Philippine seagrasses. Bot Mar 31: 237-242 Hemminga MA, Duarte CM, 2000. Seagrass ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 298 p Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff – Technical Services Division (PCSDS-TSD), 2002. Seagrass and seaweed assessment report - El Nido, Palawan (Draft Technical Report) Salita JT, 2000. The influence of spatial arrangement of seagrasses on fish abundance in Bolinao, northern Philippines. ZMT Bremen Contrib 10, 85 p, 8 appendices Short FT, Coles RG, Pergent-Martini C, 2001. Global seagrass distribution. In Short FT, Coles RG (eds) Global seagrass research methods, pp 5-30. Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Vermaat JE, Fortes MD, Agawin NSR, Duarte CM, Marba N, Uri JS, 1995. Meadow maintenance, growth, and productivity in a mixed Philippine seagrass bed. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 124: 215-225 CORAL REEF Arcamo, S.V. 1994. Managing coastal resources in Ormoc Bay, Philippines. Coastal Zone Canada ’94, Cooperation in the Coastal Zone: Conference Proceedings 1:345-359. CARICOMP. 1997. CARICOMP monitoring of coral reefs. Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama 1:651-657. Clark, S. and A.J. Edwards. 1995. Coral transplantation as an aid to reef rehabilitation: Evaluation of a case study in the Maldive Islands. Coral Reefs 14:201-213. English, S., C. Wilkinson and V. Baker (eds.). 1997. Survey manual for tropical marine resources. Second Edition. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville. 390 pp. Harriot, V.J. and D.A. Fisk. 1988. Coral transplantation as a reef management option. Proceedings of the 6th International Coral Reef Symposium, Townsville 2:375-379. Hughes, T.P., A.H. Baird, D.R. Bellwood, M. Card, S.R. Connolly, C. Folke, R. Grosberg, O. Hoegh-Guldberg, J.B.C. Jackson, J. Kleypas, J.M. Lough, P. Marshall, M. Nystrom, S.R. Palumbi, J.M. Pandolfi, B. Rosen and J. ______LIST OF REFERENCES 110 Roughgarden. 2003. Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs. Science 301:929-933. Hughes, T.P., H.V. Cornell, M.J. Caley, R.H. Karlson, C.C. Wallace and J. Wolstenholme. 2000. Local and Regional patterns in the community structure of corals. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali (Abstract). Licuanan, W.Y. and A.R.F. Montebon. 1991. An evaluation of minimum life-form transect lengths for classification studies. Proceedings of the First Regional Symposium on Living Resources in Coastal Areas. Manila, Philippines. pp. 75-79. Loya. Y. 1978. Plotless and transect methods. In: Coral Reefs: research methods. UNESCO, Paris. Montebon, A.R.F. 1992. Use of the Line Intercept Technique (LIT) to determine trends in benthic cover. Proceedings of the 7th International Coral Reef Symposium, Guam. Vol. 1:151-155. Montebon, A.R.F. and H.T. Yap. 1995. Metabolic responses of the scleractinian coral Porites cylindrica Dana to water motion. I. Oxygen flux studies. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 186:33-52. Stoddart, J.A. 1986. Coral populations fringing islands: larval connections. Fringing Reef Workshop. Science, Industry and Management. Proceedings of a Workshop held at Arcadia Resort, Magnetic Island, Australia, 23-25 October 1986. C.L. Baldwin (ed.). Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Australia 1987, No. 9, pp. 39-40. Van-Katwijk, M.M., N.F. Meier, R. Van-Loon, E.M. Van-Hove, W.B. Giesen, G. Van-der-Velde and C. Den-Hartog. 1993. Sabaki River sediment load and coral stress: correlation between sediments and condition of the Malindi-Watamu Reefs in Kenya (Indian Ocean). Marine Biology 117:675-683. Veron, J.E.N. 1986. Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Angus & Robertson Publishers, North Ryde, NSW, Australia. 644p. Vogt, H.P. (ed.). 1998. Establishment of Marine Reserves in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Collected Reprints. ZMT, Bremen. REEF FISH Allen, G.R. 1991. Damselfishes of the World. Mergus Publishers Han A. Baensch, Melle, Germany. 271 p. Conservation International. 2003. Palawan Corridor Strategy Development Project Database. Natural Resources Database, CD format. ______LIST OF REFERENCES 111 English, S., C. Wilkinson and V. Baker. 1994. Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources. ASEAN-Australian Marine Science Project: Living Coastal Resources, Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville Mail Centre, Australia 4810, 368 p. Froese, R. and D. Pauly, Editors. 2000. FishBase 2000: concepts, design and data sources. ICLARM, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. 344 p. Lieske, E and R. Myers. 2001. Coral Reef Fishes, Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 400 p. Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. (MERF) & Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. 1993. Study of environmentally sensitive resources in the northwestern Palawan area. Final report submitted to Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R. Steene. 1997. The Complete Divers’ and Fishermen’s Guide to Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea (revised and expanded edition). Crawford House Publishing Pty. Ltd.. 557 pp. Samaniego, B.R. 2004. Baseline survey of reef fishes in El Nido, Palawan. In: Baseline Survey of the Marine and Coastal Resources of El Nido, Palawan. A report prepared for the ECAN Zoning Project – SEMP for Northern Palawan. ______LIST OF REFERENCES 112