A Phytoplankton assessment of Las Piñas – Parañaque critical habitat and ecotourism area (LPPCHEA)

Abstract

This study assessed the phytoplankton composition in the waters of Las Piñas – Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA). The trophic state and the water quality of LPPCHEA were determined based on assessing the physicochemical parameters, chlorophyll-a concentration and phytoplankton diversity of the water samples. Both the spatial and temporal variations were considered in the course of the assessment in LPPCHEA. Results of the study showed the presence of 77 phytoplankton species in LPPCHEA – 50 from Bacillariophyceae, 15 from Dinophyceae, 2 from Conjugatophyceae, 4 from Cyanophyceae, 5 from Chlorophyceae, and 1 from Euglenophyceae. Phytoplankton species which serve as bioindicators for pollution were also found in the study area, including species from the genera Navicula, Oscillatoria, Synedra, Scenedesmus, Nitzschia, Euglena, Hydrodictyon, Skeletonema, Pleurosigma, Protoperidinium, Closterium and Achnanthidium. No significant temporal and spatial variations in the phytoplankton community structure were evident. Continuous monitoring of the water and phytoplankton composition in LPPCHEA is needed.