Assessment of coral reefs, butterflyfishes, and benthic macroinvertebrates in Lobo, Batangas using citizen science method

Abstract

Coral reef assessments were conducted in Lobo, Batangas, using citizen science methods that implement a short training lecture and do not require the use of SCUBA. In the municipality of Malabrigo, the hard coral cover (HCC) was 30.9 ± 1.5% (Category C). Butterflyfish abundance was 7.2, while the species richness was 5.0 (Category D and B, respectively). The average feather star abundance was 10.8 (Category C), while the average abundance of Linckia was 1.5 (Category D). For Malabrigo, a comparison with past data showed a decrease in HCC and butterflyfish abundance. The abundance of giant clams also decreasedindicating the possibility of poaching in the area. The abundances of all other surveyed invertebrates (e.g. crown-ofthorns starfish, feather star, Linckia) remained the same. In the municipality of Soloc, the hard coral cover was 55.2 ± 5.2% (Category A). Butterflyfish abundance was 20.5 while species richness was 5.0 (Category C and B, respectively). The average feather star abundance was 1.0 (Category C), while the average abundance of Linckia was 0 (Category D). No COTS (Category A) nor giant clams (Category D) was observed. For Soloc, a comparison with past data showed an increase in HCC (although still at Category A). The abundance of butterflyfishes decreased, but the species richness increased. The abundances of all surveyed invertebrates (e.g. COTS, giant clams, feather stars, Linckia) remained the same. Both Malabrigo and Soloc possess wide HCC, resulting to the high abundance and diversity of butterflyfishes. The absence of biotic threats such as COTS indicates the resilience of there reefs. These two stations may supply coral recruits to nearby reefs, making these reefs potentially valuable in ecosystem services. Future directions should identify other reefs and establish more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to create a network of protected coral reefs in Lobo, Batangas.

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*Corresponding author

Email address: miguel.azcuna@g.batstate-u.edu.ph