Billones, Feje Amor R., Malbas, Diana Marie M., Nabiong, Dana Joanie F. (January 2003)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study compared the community structure of the pioneering mangrove community (Phase 1), and the reforested mangrove community (Phase 2) in New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. The number of tress, saplings, and seedlings were counted in 10m x 10m quadrat. Three quadrats were constructed for each site. The diameter at breast height (DBH) of each tree was measured and was used to compute for the basal area and dominance of the species. Different parameters such as: species diversity, stand basal area, relative frequency, relative density, and relative dominance were determined and compared to provide qualitative and quantitative descriptions about these two mangrove communities.
Four mangrove species were identified in the pioneering mangrove site (Phase 1) : Avicennia marina, Rhiziphora apiculata, Rhizophora stylosa, and Rhizophora mucronata. In the regenerating mangrove site or Phase 2, three species were identified: Sonneratia alba, Avicennia marina, and Rhizophora apiculata.
Result showed that the pioneering mangrove community has higher species diversity, (H=0.53) that phase 2 (H=0.43). Stand basal area in Phase 1 is 64.5 m2 / ha2 and in Phase 2 was 11.7 m2 / ha2. Sonneratia alba and Avicennia marina in Phase 2 has the highest frequency of 37.45%. Rhizophora apiculata in Phase 1 has the highest relative density of 40.71%. Sonneratia alba located in Phase 2 has the highest relative dominance of 81.56%.
The lower species diversity and stand basal area of mangroves in Phase 2 or the reforested site can be attributed to some extent, to moth larvae infestation observed at the study site.