Abstract:
Seagrass communities are among the most ecosystems due to the predominance
of seagrass and attached algal species that invariably support a wide array of
animals. Despite assuming important ecological roles as natural filtering systems
and as conduits for nutrient cycling, seagrass beds are highly threatened. In the
Philippines, while seagrass have high seagrass species richness, seagrass
ecosystems are also highly threatened attributed basically to anthropogenic
activities. For this study, the ecological status of the seagrass beds in Barangay
Subukin, San Juan, Batangas was determined. Three 50 meter transect lines were
established perpendicular to shore, with the 0 m mark at the shoreline and the 50
m mark seaward. Transects were established 5 m apart from each other. Data on
physico-chemical properties of water and substrate and vegetative population
indices were taken at the 0 m, 25 m and 50 m marks of each transect line. Enhalus
acoroides, Halodule uninervis and Halophila ovalis were identified. Enhalus was
had the highest dominance, frequency, importance value. Halodule had the
highest density. The study area was found to have moderate species diversity and
low number of species. Associated fauna identified showed the seagrass beds
were not in a pioneer stage. Physico-chemical analysis of the water and substrate
in the study site showed values close to the standards for tropical seagrass
ecosystems. Seagrass beds in Barangay Subukin, San Juan, Batangas are
generally healthy and had undergone succession.
