Productivity and Distribution of Seagrass Communities in Davao Gulf

Abstract

The status of seagrass communities in Davao Gulf in terms of composition, seagrass cover and distribution were assessed. Maps of the distribution of seagrass species were generated. Species composition and seagrass cover as a measure of abundance were determined using the line transect quadrat method. Fourteen species of seagrasses were found. Among them, the most dominant species were Halophila, Thalassia, and Cymodocea. In general, higher mean percentage cover of Halophila species (31.67%) along New Argao, Thalassia species (20.87%) along Talicud Island and Cymodocea species (12.95%) in Governor Generoso were observed. Thirteen species of fish belonging to five families and twenty species of macroinvertebrates were identified along the seagrass beds in the sampling areas. The family with the most number of species caught was Pomacentridae (6 species), followed by Tetraodontidae (3 species), Lutjanidae (2 species) and Siganidae and Labridae both with one species identified. A total of twenty seagrass associated macroinvertebrate species were identified in Davao Gulf.