Mangrove Species Diversity and On-site Impact Assessment of Mangal Coastal Areas

 Mangrove Species Diversity and On-site Impact Assessment of Mangal Coastal Areas

Mangrove forests, one of the most biologically important ecosystems in the coastal areas, are common and wide-spread, yet highly threatened. The species diversity and the degree of impact of natural and anthropogenic activities on mangroves in nine coastal barangays of Mulanay, Quezon, Philippines were assessed. Results revealed that all nine barangays had low species diversity index. Taxonomic identification revealed eleven mangrove species - Avicennia marina, Avicennia rumphiana, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops decandra, Ceriops tagal, Excoecaria agallocha, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum, and Xylocarpus moluccensis belonging to five families. Impact analysis revealed that Patabog registered moderate impact, San Isidro and Canuyep with high impact, and Sta. Rosa, Sto. Niño, Buntayog, Amuguis and Ibabang Yuni were greatly affected by combined natural disturbances and anthropogenic activities. Based on our knowledge, this is the first documented impact assessment study of the coastal communities of Mulanay and a baseline study on the existence of at least 11 mangrove species present in the area..