Coral Reef Assessment of the Submarine Garden Located in Laiya Ibabao, San Juan, Batangas (2007)

Abstract

Establishing and monitoring marine protected areas are strategies in preserving threatened coral reef ecosystems. In San Juan, Batangas, baseline studies by Hayuma Foundation Inc. last January 2006 served as the basis for the establishment of a marine protected area, known as the Submarine Garden. This research conducted a follow up assessment of the current status of the corals on the said protected area. A modified version of the Line Intercept Transect technique involving two 50-meter transect lines was used to determine the substrate composition of the coral reef along the 25 feet depth contour. Results show that there was an increase in silt cover from 0.00% to 15.30%. A decrease in hard coral cover from 50.31% to 42.71% was also observed. Decline of coral reef condition from good to fair and reduction in development index from 1.01 (very good) to 0.37 (good) indicate an overall decrease in the current status of the Submarine Garden. While there was an observed decline in the status of the coral reef, the current good development index indicates that the Submarine Garden is more likely to recover.