ABSTRACT

C O R A L C O M M U N I T Y STRUCTURE O F T H E BOLINAO R E E F SYSTEM,

NORTHWESTERN PHILIPPINES

M a r k Windell B. Vergara
University of the Philippines, 2009

Adviser: Dr. Porfirio M . Alino

Co-Adviser: Dr. Wilfredo Y. Licuanan

Current studies show that there is an increasing threat to the health coral reefs worldwide.
As such, coral reef monitoring is essential to detect changes in coral cover and species
composition. Since monitoring programs are relatively expensive - a simple, efficient,
and low-cost method of surveying coral communities (digital phototransect) was
introduced in this study.

The advantages and disadvantages of the new method is

discussed and then power analysis was performed to determine the optimal sampling
scheme of the new method in representative areas in western Philippines.

Results

showed that to achieve a 90% statistical power to detect a 10% absolute change in coral
cover a mmimum of 4 x 50m transects, employing 10-point sampling and 50 frames per
transect, is needed for both a low cover, low diversity area like Bolinao, Pangasinan and a
high cover, high diversity area like Lian, Batangas. While only a minimum of 3 x 50m
transects is needed for a high cover, low diversity area like Tubbataha, Palawan.

In the next main chapter of this study, the phototransect method was slightly modified
and then applied to coral community structure studies in the Bolinao Reef System,
northwestern Philippines. Resuhs showed that the average coral cover of Bolinao reefs is

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22% with the blue coral, Heliopora coerulea^ accounting for 35% of all corals
encountered in the survey. Multivariate analysis revealed that the Bolinao Reef System is
dommated by the octocoral Heliopora coerulea and algal assemblage (62%). The study
posits that the ability of blue corals to occupy a wide range of habitats, survive warmwater episodes, avoid Crown-Of-Thorns-Starfish and Drupella infestation, and tolerate
low salinity environments may afford Bolinao reefs some resistance from fUture impacts.
This characteristic of Bolinao reefs may be an advantage to maintain reef framework and
prevent algal overgrowth on its reefs during times of reef degradation.

This study also showed that the reefs found southeast of Santiago Island (Victory)
harbors unique coral communities. These coral communities are characterized by having
monospecific species/species assemblages (i.e., Pavona cactus, P. decussata^ P.
frondifera, Acropora muricata, Monti p a r a aequituherculata) and marginal conditions for
coral reef development (high siltation, non-reefal substrate and subaerial exposure during
extreme low tides).

A reef profile for every site having at least three depth zones (24 sites) is also included in
this study.

Reef descriptions, geographic coordinates, benthic composition, abundant

species and lifeforms, notable features and photographs are included in each profile.
These set of information form the framework for the "Guide to the coral reefs of Bolinao,
northwest Pangasinan".

The species list of Bolinao was also revised in this study, incorporating 38 new records.
The total scleractinian coral species count for Bolinao now stands at 297 species.
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