CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

Echinoderms are a major group of marine animals that play a vital role in our
environment. These species are characterized by a hard internal calcite skeleton, a
water-vascular system, adhesive “tube feet”, and five-rayed radial symmetry.
Echinoderms represent one of the most conspicuous, successful, and ancient phyla of
invertebrates in the Animal Kingdom (Souto et al. 2014). In every marine habitat, 7,000
species are found on the seafloor from intertidal zone to the ocean depths. Each type of
echinoderm has an ecological importance; Echinoderms also play an important role in
the economy by being a source for food commodities, medical benefits, and sources for
livelihood. Their place in the food webs also impacts the world economically, as they
feed on other organisms that humans consume. More so, aesthetically, the diversity and
sometimes colourful exteriors of Echinoderms provide a source of wonder and joy to
humans.
Recently, more near-shore habitats are close to being completely washed away.
Each year, an astounding amount of coastal developments destroy coastal areas by
building seawalls, high-rises, and other establishments. Moreover, most natural sand
beaches are disappearing, due partly to rising sea levels and increased storm action,
but also to massive erosion caused by the human development of the shore (Cooper
2014). Coastlines have also been recently become home to tourism and trade with
more and more infrastructures being built. These human developments paired with
natural coastal degradation has brought on serious threats to various marine animals,
most especially on coastal-thriving species like Echinoderms. With more than half the
world’s population now living within 100 kilometers of the coast, it’s not surprising that
our activities are taking their toll. Echinoderms have been greatly affected as their
natural habitats are demolished thus decreasing their population on the shores and
affecting various human entities.
These facts have provided significance on why the loss of Echinoderms and its
effects must be emphasized. This study will primarily focus on the presence of

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Echinoderms on the intertidal zone of Birhen Beach which could be the basis to identify
how human development on sea shores has affected coastal habitats. From these
results, this study will provide details on the importance of Echinoderms to natural
processes and human means. Moreover, the researchers will formulate theories that will
generalize marine diversity. The end goal of this study will be to find effects, possible
reasons, and feasible solutions to the decreasing population of Echinoderms.

Statement of the Research Questions

This paper specifically aims to address the following research questions:
1. How frequent do Echinoderms appear on intertidal zones?
2. What period of time are Echinoderms most frequent on intertidal zones?
3. What kind of Echinoderm is most prominent on intertidal zones?

Research Hypothesis
The following hypotheses were formulated to guide this study:
Null hypothesis : There is no relationship between the presence of echinoderms
and intertidal zones of Birhen Beach on Laguindingan.

Alternative Hypothesis : There is a relationship between the presence of

echinoderms and intertidal zones of Birhen Beach on Laguindingan.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this research will prove useful to the following entities:
Beneficiary 1: Locale

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 Residents near Birhen Beach. The objective of this study is to address how
local livelihood affects Echinoderms. This study will provide insights to local commerce
who will develop on this location about how to appropriately and correctly handle
livelihood there as well as provide information on what livelihood projects are best to be
done in Laguindingan.
Local Peer Organizations. Organizations that focus on coastal cleaning or any
specific marine aid, can be provided information from this study. Providing them with
useful insights can assist them in bringing awareness to the public on the effects of
human development to Echinoderms.

Beneficiary 2: Academe
Students. This study can benefit students as future references to studies that
they might conduct on Echinoderms or as instructional material.
Teachers. For faculty members in departments that cover biology, this study
provides useful information and insights that can be used as instructional aids to
students. Moreover, this paper also discusses ideas that come from an academic
relationship of student and teacher, maximizing learning potential.
Marine Biologists. They can informed and given more information on
Echinoderms and its behavioral patterns specific to Birhen Beach, Laguindingan. And it
can serve as guides in the field of marine biology as future references.

Beneficiary 1: Government
Department of Energy and Natural Resources. This study can bring
awareness to the effects of human development in the specific location where this study
took place. Moreover, this study can place Birhen Beach, Laguindingan as a location on
probation for possible resolutions to natural problems.
Local Government Units. This study provides information and useful insights
on marine diversity in Laguindingan that can be of use of LGUs. The information
collected can address local problems, resulting to more specific resolutions, bills or acts
from its local legislation.

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Scope and Delimitations of the Study
This study focuses on determining the presence of Echinoderms in the intertidal
zone of Birhen Beach, Barangay Punta, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. In relation to
the presence of Echinoderms in the said intertidal zone, the researchers can identify the
effects of human development on coastal habitat. With this, the researchers can provide
details on the importance of echinoderms to natural processes and human means. The
researchers can also formulate theories that will generalize marine diversity.
This study only includes Echinoderms, (Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea,
Crinoidea, and Holothuroidea) in the four quadrats assigned which have a distance of
five meters each due to the vastness of the sea. The division of quadrats allows the
study to have a constant scope in both areas where it was conducted. To minimize the
threat to validity, the duration of the study was observed by a consultant faculty to
ensure processes on how the study is done are appropriate and correct.

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References used:

Souto V, Escolar M, Genzano G, Bremec C. 2014. Species richness and

distribution patterns of Echinoderms in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
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Ubaldo J.P, Uy F, Dy D. 2007. Temperature tolerance of some species of
Philippine intertidal chinoderms. Philipp. Sci. 44:105–119.
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http://www.untamedscience.com/phylum/echinodermata/
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