Robert Joshua M. Casten, Mark Carlo A. Maglayon, Ivo Laurence R. Monterde (March 2008)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The Philippines has been blessed with great coastal scenery making fishing a major occupation among rural folk. Echinoderms play a major role in this fishing community, scavenging decaying matter on the floor and being prey for the fish themselves. Sipaway Island is an island abundant with echinoderms. This study would aim to give basic information of the echinoderms in the island to its inhabitants. Although studies similar to this one have been made in the past, no such study was conducted in the said site.
The study aims to specifically identify the following. Species Composition, Population Abundance, Population Density, Relative Frequency Species Diversity and Distribution patterns. Systematic sampling was used with three sites. There were eleven different species of echinoderm species found. Site 3 was the most populated among the three sites due to the presence of sea grasses which are suitable habitat for echinoderms. (Schoppe 2000) Protoreaster nodosus was the most diverse among the three sites.
The water of Sipaway Island have been affected with human activity making some of the echinoderm species scarce like the Mespilia globulus which are probably being harvested for food. The researchers recommend that further research be done on the island focusing on the many threats to the echinoderms and its habitats.