Macrobenthic Invertebrate Diversity in Leyte's Mangrove Ecosystem | InformativeBD

Diversity of macrobenthic invertebrates in the mangrove ecosystem of Leyte, Philippines

Myra A. Abayon, Paolo Alburo, Mariel Diaz, Fettilyn Grace Cuartela, Angelo Rosales, Samuel Amid Jr, Camille Fortaliza, Maria Isidra Maringal, and Renz Nikko Orsal. from the different institute of Philippines. wrote a Research Article about, Macrobenthic Invertebrate Diversity in Leyte's Mangrove Ecosystem. Entitled, Diversity of macrobenthic invertebrates in the mangrove ecosystem of Leyte, Philippines. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES). an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

A study on benthic macroinvertebrates was conducted in the coastal areas of Barangay Old Kawayan in Tacloban City and Barangay Tangan in Carigara, Leyte, focusing on the species diversity within the sites’ mangrove ecosystems. The study employed quadrat and transect sampling methods, with two stations established at each site. Within each station, three transects were laid perpendicular to the shoreline to gather data. In Old Kawayan, 15 species and a total of 2,107 macrobenthic invertebrates were found, with the girdled horn snail (Cerithideosilla spp) being the most abundant species at 1,434 individuals. In contrast, Tangan Carigara recorded seven distinct species with a total count of 111 individuals, dominated by the telescope shell (Telescopium spp), which had 35 individuals. The study sites recorded members belonging to the Phylum Arthropoda (four different species) and Phylum Mollusca (eleven different species), with the latter showing a significantly high relative abundance of 93.73%. The community of Tangan Carigara exhibited higher species richness and evenness, making it a more diverse and balanced ecosystem, while the community of Old Kawayan showed higher species dominance. The contrasting factors between the two study sites include water salinity, the presence of a sandy substrate, and the specific mangrove species present. Understanding the population numbers of individuals in the study sites is crucial for gaining valuable insights into the conservation and management of mangrove ecosystems.

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Introduction

Benthic macroinvertebrates, also known as "bottom-dwelling" macroinvertebrates, are small aquatic animals that can be seen with the naked eye and are larger than 0.5 millimeters (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2022). These invertebrates include mostly insects as well as planarians, decapod crustaceans, mollusks, leeches, and oligochaetes (Jacobsen et al., 2008). Open intertidal areas have greater diversity, density, and species diversity than nearby mangrove forests (Rumisha et al., 2015). According to Kathiresan and Bingham (2001), mangrove forests are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, enriching coastal waters, producing commercial forest products, safeguarding coastlines, and supporting coastal fisheries. The mangrove ecosystem is home to an incredible variety of creatures, some of which are unique to these forests, including seagrasses, fish populations, barnacles, mollusks, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, jellyfish, tunicates, and gastropods (Wolf, 2012).

Understanding the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems requires knowledge of the species distribution, abundance, and diversity of mangrove benthic macroinvertebrate fauna, as well as their relationships to environmental conditions (Kumar and Khan, 2013). Macroinvertebrate metrics are useful tools for evaluating the health of the aquatic ecosystem and the quality of the water (Tampo et al., 2021). They are also essential for biomonitoring since macroinvertebrates live their entire lives in the ecosystem's bottom substrates, which include rocks, snags, sediment, and aquatic plants (Sengupta and Dalwani, 2008). Macroinvertebrates contribute to the structure and stability of ecosystem cycles such as productivity, natural organizations, nutrient and biogeochemical cycling, and stability (Bento et al., 2023). Factors other than geographic location are more significant in describing the distribution of macroinvertebrates within minimally disturbed watersheds. Significant variables include drainage area, water temperature, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, ammonia, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus for each macroinvertebrate stream class (Bellucci and Becker, 2011).

Barangay 102 Old Kawayan in Tacloban City and Barangay Tangnan in Carigara are coastal areas in Leyte, rich in mangrove ecosystems. These intertidal regions are valuable natural resources, offering numerous benefits to the environment, the community, and the economy through sustainable livelihood and ecological research. The unique ecosystems and abundant biodiversity of these barangays attract researchers interested in marine and coastal ecosystems. The high biodiversity in these areas supports various plant and animal species, contributing to environmental health, resilience, and the sustainability of local fisheries and tourism. This study focuses on the macroinvertebrates of Barangay Old Kawayan and Barangay Tangnan. To address potential degradation from human activities or climate change, these barangays can actively engage in the conservation and restoration of mangroves, thereby enhancing the resilience of these vital habitats.

This study aims to identify and analyze the diversity of macrobenthic invertebrate species in the mangrove ecosystems of Barangay Old Kawayan in Tacloban City and Barangay Tangnan in Carigara, Leyte. By conducting a comparative analysis of the study sites, we will identify the factors influencing the presence of different species. The primary focus will be on examining various ecological strategies, local habitat structures, scientific classifications, orders, and conservation efforts within the mangrove ecosystems at both locations. This research will serve as a preliminary assessment of macroinvertebrate species diversity in these local sites, highlighting the importance of understanding and preserving these valuable biological systems. Benthic macroinvertebrates, also known as "bottom-dwelling" macroinvertebrates, are small aquatic animals that can be seen with the naked eye and are larger than 0.5 millimeters (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2022). These invertebrates include mostly insects as well as planarians, decapod crustaceans, mollusks, leeches, and oligochaetes (Jacobsen et al., 2008). Open intertidal areas have greater diversity, density, and species diversity than nearby mangrove forests (Rumisha et al., 2015). According to Kathiresan and Bingham (2001), mangrove forests are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, enriching coastal waters, producing commercial forest products, safeguarding coastlines, and supporting coastal fisheries. The mangrove ecosystem is home to an incredible variety of creatures, some of which are unique to these forests, including seagrasses, fish populations, barnacles, mollusks, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, jellyfish, tunicates, and gastropods (Wolf, 2012). Understanding the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems requires knowledge of the species distribution, abundance, and diversity of mangrove benthic macroinvertebrate fauna, as well as their relationships to environmental conditions (Kumar and Khan, 2013). Macroinvertebrate metrics are useful tools for evaluating the health of the aquatic ecosystem and the quality of the water (Tampo et al., 2021). They are also essential for biomonitoring since macroinvertebrates live their entire lives in the ecosystem's bottom substrates, which include rocks, snags, sediment, and aquatic plants (Sengupta and Dalwani, 2008). Macroinvertebrates contribute to the structure and stability of ecosystem cycles such as productivity, natural organizations, nutrient and biogeochemical cycling, and stability (Bento et al., 2023). Factors other than geographic location are more significant in describing the distribution of macroinvertebrates within minimally disturbed watersheds. Significant variables include drainage area, water temperature, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, ammonia, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus for each macroinvertebrate stream class (Bellucci and Becker, 2011). Barangay 102 Old Kawayan in Tacloban City and Barangay Tangnan in Carigara are coastal areas in Leyte, rich in mangrove ecosystems. These intertidal regions are valuable natural resources, offering numerous benefits to the environment, the community, and the economy through sustainable livelihood and ecological research. The unique ecosystems and abundant biodiversity of these barangays attract researchers interested in marine and coastal ecosystems. The high biodiversity in these areas supports various plant and animal species, contributing to environmental health, resilience, and the sustainability of local fisheries and tourism. This study focuses on the macroinvertebrates of Barangay Old Kawayan and Barangay Tangnan. To address potential degradation from human activities or climate change, these barangays can actively engage in the conservation and restoration of mangroves, thereby enhancing the resilience of these vital habitats. This study aims to identify and analyze the diversity of macrobenthic invertebrate species in the mangrove ecosystems of Barangay Old Kawayan in Tacloban City and Barangay Tangnan in Carigara, Leyte. By conducting a comparative analysis of the study sites, we will identify the factors influencing the presence of different species. The primary focus will be on examining various ecological strategies, local habitat structures, scientific classifications, orders, and conservation efforts within the mangrove ecosystems at both locations. This research will serve as a preliminary assessment of macroinvertebrate species diversity in these local sites, highlighting the importance of understanding and preserving these valuable biological systems.

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