Chapter 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter contains summary of the study which includes the statement of the problem

and the findings of the study it also the states the conclusion as based on the findings and the

recommendations of the study.

Summary:

The study focused on the Ecological status and diversity of Corals along the intertidal zone

of Tilod, Baras, Catanduanes. Specifically it sought answers to the following questions:

1. What are the different species of coral found in Tilod, Baras, Catanduanes?

2. What is the pattern of distribution and diversity of coral species in the study site?

3. What is the ecological status and characteristics of each coral species?

Findings of the study:

The following are the findings of the study:

1. Coral diversity

There were 13 genera belonging to seven families of corals present in the study area

Stylophora pistillata were dominant species and display the highest number of occurrences.

Asteopora myriophthalma encrusting along with Acropora microphthalmia were also common in

other parts of the reef. Other corals such as Montipora capricorns, Porites furcata, Acropora

aculeus, Turbirina reniformis, Millepora dichotomy, Platygyra daedalea, Montastraea cavernosa,

Acropora samoensis, Acropora corymbose and Pocillopora were relatively minimal in abundance.

Overall the genera found in the study site is considered "minimum" and the total number

ranged from 11 to 13. The minimum richness is congruent with the low coral cover which could be

influenced by geographical locations of the study site. Shannon diversity index (H') value ranged

from 2.2 to 2.4 which suggests that the range value in the study site is wider.

The coral system in the the area is a generally fringing reef system. The predominant

inhabitants of the reefs and other sessile benthic invertebrates. Corals grew mostly in enermous

and submassive structures, which were high energy.

2. Reef Condition

a. Hard Coral (HC). The hard coral composition in Tilod is relatively high with 13.5% percentage

cover.

b. Dead coral (DC). The the dead coral’s skeletons are covered turf or filamentous algae indicating

the absence or inadequacy of herbivorous fishes.

c. Physio-chemical components. Physical characteristics of Tilod in terms of temperature is within

the standard set by the DENR (2016). The chemical characteristics of Tilod in terms of pH is within

the standard set by the DENR, however in chlorine, ammonia and dissolve oxygen yielded different

result, Tilod is with in the standard, chlorine does not have a standard set by DENR.

d. Halimeda (HA). The Halimeda is one of the the dominant components of the benthic ecosystem

with a ___
3. Abundance, Diversity and Biomass of Fishes

a. Abundance. The reef fishes in Tilod appeared to be in “good” category. Non-target fishes

were high in most of the sites accounting to 30% of the total population. Target fishes rank second

on the highest fish densities in the study site. Indicator species were in very low population which is

probably was a consequence of habitat condition. The carnivorous species were rare or absent

which is a possible sign of ecosystem overfishing.

b. Diversity. The fish diversity index of fishes in Tilod was relatively similar which is classified

under “good” category. Target fishes in transect 1 had moderate estimated biomass. Despite in

second in the overall abundance, the size of target fishes was by far the largest recorded in the

assessed sites.

c. Biomass. The indicator fishes were high in transect 2 in comparison to transect 1. The

area had “moderate” fish biomass.

Conclusions

From the foregoing, findings, the following conclusions were derived.

1. Coral diversity has a "minimum" diversity index value of 2.2 to 2.4. The diversity index

between the two transects did not significantly differ from one another. There were no other

species present with various structural forms. Fringe reef was the name of the coral reef formation.

Common coral growth forms included huge and sub-massive. The geographic setting of the area has

an impact on the diversity of coral.

2. There were "good" coral conditions in the vicinity. The benthic ecology included a lot of

dead coral skeletons. The temperature was within the range DENR (2016) has established for its

physical parameters. High levels in the two parameters, conductivity and turbidity, indicate

disturbances caused by humans. Despite the dissolved oxygen level slightly above the standard by

0.75, Tilod, Baras chemical features did not show anything concerning that could endanger the

health of people or other species. Macro, halimeda, and other coralline algae are included in the

main benthic category.

3. All reef fish abundance at Tilod, Baras, fell into the "good" category. The reef fish fish

diversity index fell into the "good" category. Fish biomass was "moderate" in the area. The

condition of reef fishes suggests that the area is being over fished.
Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are offered:

1. For a more accurate assessment of the coral reefs' overall variety, collect more transect

data, even from different areas of the Tilod coral reef. A thorough bathymetric survey employing

high-tech tools like digital conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen meters is necessary to

ascertain the overall complexity, integrity, and morphological traits of the complete coral reef

ecosystems.

2. To determine other stressors affecting coral reefs, do a thorough assessment of the

resources for coral reefs at the study site. Investigate the feasibility of establishing marine protected

areas to safeguard and control fishing practices that directly affect the coral reef resources. Create

permanent monitoring stations to track long-term changes in the coral environment. Even while

Tilod, Baras existing condition complies with some of the DENR standards in some areas, the quality

of the area will be negatively impacted if the signs of human stressors are not appropriately

controlled.

3. To lower total fishing morality, use an ecosystem-based management strategy for

fisheries. By reducing bycatch and discard, reducing known and yet unidentified environmental

consequences, and rebuilding reduced population , the aforementioned method will contribute in

creating the will to manage conservatively. The long-term result of this strategy will be sustainable

yields in the future, despite the fact that it initially appears to be challenging.