Assessment of marine macro fouling communities in Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Cavite City

Abstract

This study assessed the macro fouling communities in the pier inside the Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Cavite City, Cavite. Macro fouler collectors, based on the North Pacific Marine Sciences Organization (PICES) design, were deployed on 4 sampling points on November 2015 and January 2016 having submersion periods of 39 days and 86 days respectively. Retrieval of collectors was on February 2016. A total of 6,203 organisms belonging to 8 phyla and 9 classes were collected. Common macro fouling organisms were bivalves, polychaetes, decapods, amphipods, and barnacles. No significant differences on the diversity, evenness and dominance index were obtained on the different sites (P > 0.05). Balanus sp. was the dominant species observed in the pier. The macro fouling community included 7 introduced species namely, Mytella charruana, Brachidontes sp., Mytilopsis sallei, Hydroides sp., Stylochus sp., Sabella sp., and Membranipora membranacea. This study generates a list of macro fouling organisms in the area which may be used for future evaluation of the Naval Base. Continuous monitoring of these introduced species is necessary as they may have consequent effects on the marine ecosystem in the area.