Life Beneath the Tides: Seagrass Meadows in Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Authors

Giselle B. Ramos, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Tandag Campus, Rosario, 8300 Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, PhilippinesFollow
Roxan E. Caray, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Tandag Campus, Rosario, 8300 Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Abstract

Seagrasses are a valuable component of global blue carbon ecosystems yet are also endangered due to natural and man-made pressures. This study assessed the seagrass resources regarding species community structure and diversity using a transect-quadrat design along the intertidal coastlines of selected towns of Surigao del Sur. Of the 19 recorded species in the Philippines, seven common species were observed: Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule pinifolia, Halodule uninervis, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Halophila ovalis. Across study sites, the most evident species are T. hemprichii, C. rotundata, and S. isoetifolium; the existence of these dominant species reduces this blue carbon ecosystem diversity. The highest diversity was noted at Tandag (1.43), while Cortes and Bayabas have H' = 1.08 and H' = 1.10 respectively; nevertheless, these low diversity indices (

First Page

26

Last Page

36

Recommended Citation

Ramos, Giselle B. and Caray, Roxan E. (2025) "Life Beneath the Tides: Seagrass Meadows in Surigao del Sur, Philippines," Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science: Vol. 35: No. 1, Article 4.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.