Temporal Variation and Comparison of the Status of Coral Reefs in Selected Sites in the Philippines

Abstract

This study investigates the temporal changes on the condition of coral reefs based on baseline surveys conducted as early as 1995 in two sites from each of three regions in the Philippines (V-Masbate), VII-Negros Oriental, and XI-Davao Oriental). Results showed a significant increase in coral cover in the southern side of Baladingan, Masbate from poor (14+4%) in 2009 to fair (33+3%) in 2013 . Comparatively, coral cover in Guang-guang, Davao Oriental showed no significant difference despite the seeming increase from 27+10% in 2010 to 42+3% in 2013 while the northern side of Pujada I. experienced a decline from 75+3% to 40+6%. In Negros Oriental, a long-term study of Apo Chapel revealed a significantly increasing trend over a 15-year period from 19+8% in 1999 to 60+19% in 2005 and since then, has remained in good condition. This site also has the highest species diversity. No change was observed in Bantayan marine sanctuary, Dumaguete for over 19 years with only 18+15% in 1995 to 20+10% in 2013. A comparison of current data between sites in each region showed statistically similar coral cover in Masbate and Davao Oriental. In Negros Oriental, Apo Chapel has significantly higher coral cover than Bantayan marine sanctuary. All sites exhibited good condition
indices despite the low coral cover in some. Reef development was good in Apo Chapel and the sites in Davao Oriental. The high cover of abioticrelated components compared to coral-related components indicated poor reef development in Masbate and Bantayan. Mortality indices were highest and species diversities lowest in Davao sites and Bantayan. Factors such as level of protection, exposure to natural and anthropogenic disturbances and species composition that influence these changes are discussed.