Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Locale of the Study

Northern Samar is a province in the Philippines located

in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catarman and

is located at the northern portion of Samar. Bordering the

province to the south are the provinces of Samar and Eastern

Samar. To the northwest, across the San Bernardino Strait is

Sorsogon; to the east is the Philippine Sea and to the west

is Samar Sea (Figure 1).

 29

Figure 1. Map of Northern Samar Highlight the Biri, Northern

Samar
 30

The island of Biri is located on the northern most tip

of the province of Northern Samar, facing the blue sea

Pacific Ocean on the east side, and San Bernardino Strait on

the west side. The municipality comprises eight barangays;

four are within the island while four others are island

barangays. The island municipality is visited by local and

foreign tourists for its beautiful and enchanted rock

formation found in Barangay Progress (Kauswagan). It takes

60-90 minutes to reach the island coming from the docking

ports of the coastal municipality of either Lavezares, San

Jose, or Allen.

San Antonio is a barangay in the municipality of Biri.

Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 1,798.

This represented 15.95% of the total population of Biri.

San Antonio is situated at approximately longitude: 12.6112

and latitude: 124.4388. Elevation at these coordinates is

estimated at 4.2 meters or 13.8 feet above mean sea level.

 31

Figure 2. Map of Biri, highlighting the Study Area of

Barangay San Antonio
Legend:

San Antonio
 32

Research Design

This study utilized the descriptive method through

observation, collection in actual field activity, survey

method and identification of the species of seaweeds that

were present in the study area specifically in Barangay San

Antonio, Biri, Northern Samar.

Sampling Technique

This study was specifically conducted in the intertidal

zone, coastal area of Barangay San Antonio during low tide

at daytime only in the selected coastal area. Each transect

line was laid from the edge until the end of the 50 meters,

and the quadrat measure were 1x1 meter. There were at least

3 quadrats in every transect line.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data was gathered through identification and

collection of samples of seaweeds species that are present

in the study area.

Specifically, from each sampling sites, the 50 meters

transect line was laid in perpendicular to the shore three

 33

parallel transect were laid out from seaward to landward.

The sample is taken at regular interval to 10 meters, and

1x1 meter quadrat were established at each transect. Species

found in every subplot were identified, counted and samples

collected. Next is the cleaning of every seaweed species

found.

Measurement of Environmental Parameters

The measurement of environmental parameters was done

simultaneously during the collection of specimens.

a.) pH, used in expressing the acidity and alkalinity

of the water in the study site was determined

with the use of a pH meter.

b.) Depth was measured using a meter stick. Depth

is a dimension taken through an object or body

of material, usually downward from an upper

surface, horizontally inward from an outer

surface, or from top to bottom of something

regarded as one of several layers.

c.) Temperature was measured using a mercury

thermometer. The thermometer was submerged just

below the water at about five (5) minutes before

 34

reading was done. Sampling was done at 30-minute

intervals to get the average for each sampling

visit.

d.) Salinity was measured using a refractometer,

the water sample was placed in the

refractometer to determine whether the amount

of salt dissolve in water is saline or salty

and measured in part per thousand (ppt).

e.) Current was measured using a ping-pong ball and

timer to determine the movement force of the

water. The ping-pong ball was placed from the

starting point and timed until it reached the end

of a transect.

f.) Substrate was described through ocular

observation, whether it is sandy, muddy or rocky.

Identification of Seaweed Species

A sample of every species was collected and brought to

the College of Science Laboratory room for further

identification using different kinds of manuals/guides,

references, online resources and for experts further

 35

verification. Photos were taken to aid in the identification

and presentation of species identified.

Samples were collected not only of species encountered

inside the plots, but also those outside, to completely

enumerate the species composition of seaweeds in the study

sites.

Preservation of Specimens

To prepare the specimens, they were subjected to the

following procedure: Drying the specimens, preparing the

specimens, preparation of herbarium, mounting of specimens

and labeling the procedure of dry preservation from

http://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herbarium/voucher.htm

a. Drying of Plant Specimen. The specimen was inserted

in a folded newspaper. It was pressed by a plant

press which consisted of corrugated cardboard and

blotter paper. The press was tightened using a

string. The plant press was then be dried under the

sun. The cardboard and paper helped the specimens to

keep dry. Regular changing of newspaper was done to

ensure that no moisture is retainded on the

specimen.
 36

b. Mounting of the Specimen on the Herbarium Plates.

Dried specimen was glued in a leaf-like arrangement

on the card board. Once fixated, a wet cotton bud wa

used to remove excess glue. The mounted specimen was

then placed on the cardboard to dry to maintain the

quality of the appearances.

c. Labeling. Labeling was done once the specimens are

fully dried and properly identified. Labels were

printed in a pattern adapted from the University of

Florida Herbarium with some minor revisions. The

data collected from the field observation and

interview were used in labeling. The specimens

labels were placed at the bottom part of the

mounting plates.

Statistical Treatment of Data

All data gathered in this study were tabulated and

tallied; the researcher use a descriptive statistic

treatment by calculating a percentage using the formula.

The following formulas below were used to determine the

abundance of seaweed in the study area:

∑ (Mi x fi)
Percent cover = ------------
∑ f
 37

Table 1. Timetable of the Research Activities

DATE TIME ACTIVITIES

Thesis proposal wring

Thesis proposal Pre-Oral

examination

Revisions an Approval of
the revised thesis proposal

Ocular observation of the

study sites

Preparation of the research

materials and/or another
instrument

Collection of specimens and

other data in the study
areas

Tabulation, computation,
interpretation and analysis
of the data collected

Final oral defense for

thesis manuscript

Final revisions and final

approval of the thesis
manuscript
38