Ex-situ propagation and transplantation of Enhalus acoroides in coastal waters of Maragondon, Cavite, Philippines

Abstract

The newly discovered seagrass meadow in Cavite was the initial site of rehabilitation efforts of Cavite State University. This study determined the physicochemical characteristics of potential sites for seagrass transplantation, donor site, and ex-situ setup; determined the germination rate of the seagrass (Enhalus acoroides) seeds planted in different substrates; determined the growth rate of seagrass seeds planted in different substrates; and monitored the survival rate of the transplanted cultured seagrass. The physicochemical parameters were assessed and monitored using a multiparameter water probe, while the substrate was analyzed using the hydrological soil group. The physicochemical parameters of the transplantation site were mimicked in the ex-situ setup, where the germination and growth rate of the seeds were observed for two months. Thereafter, the harvested seagrass seedlings from the ex-situ setup were transplanted in Patungan Cove, Maragondon, Cavite, and monitored once a month. The germination rate of seagrass grown in the substrate obtained from the transplantation site was 100% and 96.8% for the artificial substrate. The growth rate of seagrass planted in the substrate obtained from the transplantation site is 18.26%, while the seagrass planted in the artificial substrate was 16.94%. Overall, 80 seagrass seedlings were transplanted in Patungan Cove, Maragondon, Cavite, and the survival rate of seagrass after one month of transplantation resulted in 50 out of 80 (62.5%) seagrass seedlings survived. And after two months, 47 out of 80 seagrass (58.75%) of seagrass seedlings survived.