Assessment of macrofouling faunal communities across three sites in Sta. Clara, Batangas City

Abstract

This study examined macrofouling organisms across three aquatic ecosystems, an aquaculture pond, a mangrove area and a marina in Sta. Clara, Batangas City which is nearby Batangas International Port. Nine plastic fouling collectors were deployed per site and retrieved after 60 days. A total of 1044 organisms belonging to 6 phyla and 8 classes were collected. Seven gastropod species belonging to 4 families were identified in the aquaculture pond, thirteen species from 9 families in the mangrove area and 27 species from 26 families were observed in the marina. Low diversity values in the aquaculture pond (H=0.7514; ?=0.6505; E= 0.3861; 1D=2.135; 2D=1.537) was due to the dominance of the gastropod, Clithon oualaniensis. On the other hand, low diversities in both the mangrove area (H=1.3; ?=0.4137; E=0.5067; 1D=3.695; 2D=2.417) and marina (H=1.947; ?=0.2524; E=0.5908; 1D=7.071; 2D=3.962) were caused by the dominance of gammarid amphipods. Results from Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant differences between diversity values which may suggest hydrological connectivity across the three sites. The profile obtained in this study can be useful for future monitoring of possible invasive species that can bring about negative effects in these ecosystems.