Macalelon, Quezon ΜΆ Technical personnel of CENRO Catanauan, Quezon provided technical assistance to the LGU of Macalelon, Quezon for the assessment of the 15-hectare mangrove areas near Macalelon Fish Sanctuary located at Brgy. Luctob, Macalelon, Quezon on April 4-5, 2023. The activity was conducted to provide baseline information of mangroves in the area under the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) target.

A total of 21 quadrats with a dimension of 10 meters by 10 meters were established from which tree species were observed and assessed. Results revealed that there were eight (8) species identified belonging to three (3) families based on Primavera checklist of true mangroves observed in the sample area. The most number of species belongs to the family Rhizophoracae having five (5) species and three (3) genera. Both genera were common in the mid-landward of the sampling sites. The Bruguiera parviflora of Rhizophoraceae family was the least in a number of individuals with only one (1) that was present only in plot no. 9 and will not occur in the rest of the sampling plots. There were three (3) species observed outside all the quadrants and these were N. fruticans, Excoecaria agallocha and Ceriops decandra. The species of Avicennia officinalis was the most abundant with 158 individuals followed by Rhizophora apiculata with 107 individuals. Only one (1) species of Sonneratiaceae, Sonneratia alba occurred in some of the sampling plots with a total individual of 8.

Mangrove vegetation was analyzed based on BMB Technical Bulletin No. 2017-05. Results revealed that A. officinalis was the species with the highest relative density, relative frequency, relative dominance and importance value. The species can be categorized as the most influential in the sampling area followed by R. apiculata, however, the dominance of R. apiculata was just ranked as third among the 8 species. The species which got the lowest ranked value of parameters were S. alba and B. parviflora followed by C. tangal with only 0.278% and 1.389%, respectively.

The regeneration of seedlings was in excellent condition (A. marina and A. officinalis). The sapling regeneration gave excellent conditions to three species (A. officinalis, R. apiculata and R. mucronate). The vegetation analysis revealed that A. officinalis was the species with highest relative density, frequency, dominance and importance value. The species can also be categorized as the most influential in the sampling area followed by R. apiculata. The species which got the lowest ranked value of parameters were S. alba and B. parviflora followed by C. tangal with only 0.278% and 1.389%, respectively.

Mangroves are trees with special characteristics to thrive in salt and brakish water environment. They vary in size from shrubs to tall trees and are found along sheltered tropical mudflats or wetlands or in association with estuaries and lagoons (Primavera et. al 2004). They may also extend inland along rivers, streams, and their tributaries (Becira, 2005). Mangroves or mangrove forest alone can be a source of raw materials and food, serves as coastal protection and natural erosion control, and maintain fishery production.

DAO 2016-26 or the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) is the newest program of the DENR on coastal and marine management. It aims to comprehensively manage, address and effectively reduce the drivers and threats of degradation of the coastal and marine ecosystems in order to achieve and promote sustainability of ecosystem services, food security, and climate change resiliency for the benefit of the present and future generations. One of its components is the Technical Assistance to LGU related to Coastal and Marine Concerns which includes the assessment of coastal and marine habitats.###

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Published: 27 April 2023