Composition and diversity of Mangrove species in Camotes Island, Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

Mangrove forests are one of the world’s most threatened tropical ecosystems. The study aimed of assessing the composition and diversity of Mangrove species in Camotes Island, Philippines, as basis for its conservation and protection. A Belt in line transect method was used, with a minimum length of 1000m and maximum of 2000m along landward, middle, and seaward at an interval of 100m. Quadrat of 10 x 10m were established within the transect line at an interval of 250m. All the plant species within the quadrats were identified and measured. A total of 42 mangrove species were recorded in the island, representing 31 true mangrove species, and 11 mangrove associates. Two species were identified as Endangered Pemphis acidula J.R.Forst. & G.Forst and Camptostemon philippinense (S.Vidal) Becc, with a relative value of high species diversity (H’ = 3.0107). Camotes Island were dominated by the species of Sonneratia alba Sm, Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh Avicennia rumphiana Hallier f, Rhizophora apiculata Blume, and Rhizophora stylosa Griff. Jaccard’s and Sorensen dissimilarity matrix prove that the mangrove species of Camotes Island were forming three cluster. Conservation effort and Information Education Campaign were needed by the Local Government Units, to protect the high mangrove species diversity of Camotes Island.