Marte and Tirol 2006-ACDB4669

UPV J. Nat. Sci.
11: 11-42 (2006)
The Coral Communities of Mararison Island,

Culasi, Antique, Philippines
C l a r is s a L . M a r t e 1 a n d Y a s m in P. T ir o l 2
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center

Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
A bstract
An assessment of the extensive fringing reefs surrounding

Mararison Island, Culasi, Antique was undertaken in 1994 to 1996 and
in 1998 to provide scientific basis for management and enhancement
of the island’s resources as part of the Community Fisheries Resource
Management project launched in 1991. The fringing reefs on the
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northwest side of the island are characterized by high percent coral

cover (53-65%) consisting of very diverse coral species. The dominant
forms are branching non-Acropora, with numerous small colonies of
other coral forms. In contrast, the southeast side of the island fronting
the fishing village is depauperate (4.7-17.6% coral cover) with few small
colonies of encrusting and massive corals characteristic of stressed
reefs. However, highest coral cover consisting of dense stands of
branching Acropora interspersed with branching non-Acropora was
observed along the reef slope of Nablag station located at the western
end of the island. Coral cover in the offshore reef (Guiob) was relatively
fair (24%-46%). A total of 166 scleractinian corals were seen although
only few species occurred frequently or provided high percent coral
cover. Following the bleaching event of 1998, dramatic decreases
(30%-61%) in live coral cover, particularly along the reef slopes, were
observed in all stations.
I n t r o d u c t io n
Mararison Island, Culasi, Antique was selected as the site of a community-

based coastal resource management (CBRM) pilot project following a survey of
several potential sites in 1990 (Agbayani, 1995). Site selection was based on a
number of socio-economic and biophysical criteria (Agbayani and Siar, 1994). Bio
physical criteria considered the conditions of the coastal habitats and the suitability
1 Corresponding author. Present Address: Integrated Services for the Development of

Aquaculture and Fisheries (ISDA), McArthur Highway, Tabuk Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines
2 Present Address: Aklan State University, Aklan, Philippines
11
12
of the site for deploying artificial reefs. Of the five sites surveyed, Mararison island
garnered the highest rating particularly with regard to the biophysical criteria used.
With initial support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
the Community Fisheries Resource Management Project (CFRM) was launched in
Mararison Island in 1991 as a pilot site to address two main issues: the degradation
of coastal resources and poverty of fisherfolk (Lacanilao, 1989).
The evolution and accomplishments of the eight-year CFRM project at
Mararison Island have been described in a number of publications. Agbayani and
Babol (1999) described the Process Documentation Research (PDR), the socio
economic research method that focused on the participatory model of resource
management. The project goals and components, socio-econom ic ecological
profiles of the island community, interventions adopted, and accomplishments of
the project have also been described (Agbayani et al., 2000; Baticados and Agbayani
2000). The institutional arrangements and activities undertaken, including the
various barangay ordinances and resolutions such as the granting of territorial use
rights (TURF’s) to Mararison fishers that were adopted during the implementation
of the project have also been documented. Co-management arrangements at
Mararison was perceived by island residents to be successful based on equity,
efficiency and sustainability criteria (Baticados and Agbayani 2000), although

a num ber of problem s were encountered during the early phase of project
implementation (Siar, 1994; Agbayani and Siar, 1994).
Included among the objectives of the CFRM project is the implementation
of resource management strategies such as deployment of artificial reefs and sea
ranching to rehabilitate fish habitats and increase fish stocks. Information on short
and long-term changes in species composition and density of the various marine
com m unities is essential after introduction of enhancem ent and m anagem ent
activities. Resource assessm ent was undertaken to provide scientific data as
basis for the implementation of these activities, in order to determine appropriate
methods that may be adopted for stock management and enhancement of the
island’s coastal resources.
The resource assessment project aimed to 1) identify fish species, determine
their abundance and size structure; 2) determine changes in coral cover and
frequency throughout the term of the project; 3) determ ine com position and
population parameters of exploited fish stocks in Mararison Island: 4) determine
abundance and biomass of seaweeds and seagrasses; 5) determine abundance of
intertidal invertebrates associated with seaweeds and seagrasses.
The sm all-scale fisherie s on the coral reefs of M ararison Island was
described by Am ar et al., (1996). Coral reef fish recruitment on different types of
artificial reefs deployed in a patch reef (Guiob) and in a sandy stretch on the eastern
part of the island (Buganti) has been reported (Primavera, 1996). Hurtado-Ponce
et al. (1998) documented the seaweed and seagrass resources of Mararison while
a brief account of the coral reef fishes present in Mararison is included in Garcia et
al (1998; 2002).
This report presents the results of monitoring the coral communities of
Mararison Island for five years.
13
M a t e r ia l s a n d M ethods
Mararison Island is located at 11°25’N and 122°1’E off the northwest coast
of coast of Panay Island in central Philippines about 4 km west o f Culasi, Antique
(Figure 1). It is a low island composed mostly of limestone and carbonated rock.
It has a land area of 0.65 km2 with two prom inent grass-covered peaks and
surrounded by fringing and patch reefs with an approxim ate area of 2.33 km 2.
A community of fisher folk resides on the southeastern side of the island.
F ig u re 1. M ap o f M a ra ris o n Island, w e s t c e n tra l P h ilip p in e s s h o w in g sa m p le site s.
Seven monitoring sites along the fringing reefs of Mararison Island and one
offshore patch reef were established in March 1993 following an initial survey
employing a modified Manta tow method (Dartnall and Jones, 1986). Briefly,
snorkellers were positioned behind a motorized banca and towed for two minutes at
a slow speed following the reef slope contour. This allows the snorkeller to observe
the coral community. Using a standardized data sheet, the snorkellers note the
condition of the reef in terms of percentage cover of live and dead corals and other
significant features. Two minute tows were done from a designated starting point
and repeated until the entire reef around the island had been assessed. The manta
tow survey provided a rapid and qualitative assessment of the general reef structure,
extent of live hard (scleractinian) coral, dead coral and soft coral cover.
14
Stations were selected based on scores made by the survey team on extent
of live coral cover, a general assessment of the type of coral community present,
and location. Three stations were established on the northwest side of the island
(Station 1 - Layag-layag; Station 2 - Gatusan; Station 3 - Amihanan, three on the
southeast side (Station 4 - Kawit; Station 5 - Talisay; Station 6 - Punta Ayo) one on
the western tip of the island (Station 7 - Nablag), and one on an offshore patch reef
(Station 8 - Guiob) (Figure 1). The reef structure at the various stations of Mararison
Island is described in the Philippine Coral Reef Atlas (Garcia et al., 2002).
On each site of the fringing reefs, 50 m permanent transect stations were
established at the 3 and 10 m depth contour. A 50 m transect station was also laid
at 20 m depth on the offshore patch reef.
Coral species diversity and abundance at the 3 and 10 m depth contour at
each station of the fringing reef and on the patch reef (20 m depth) were determined
along 50 m line transects by the line-intercept method (English et al., 1994). Lifeform
categories (Table 1) of benthic organisms and species of live corals along the transect
line were recorded by a pair of scuba divers. Three replicate transects were
censused: along the permanent transect and about 5 meters on either side of the
perm anent tran sect. Coral species w ere identified follow ing Veron 1986.
Percentages of each lifeform category were calculated, and species diversity
(H’Shannon-Weaver Index) for each station was estimated (Bakus, 1990). Surveys
were conducted in February - May and November - December 1994, January - May
1995, May and October 1996 and October - 1998.
R esults and D is c u s s io n s
Percent Cover of Life Form Categories (1994-1995)
The reef flat on the northwest side of the island extends 400 m from the
shore to the reef crest. Spur and groove formation characterize the reef slope that
drops to about 20 m depth. High percent coral cover characterizes the reef flat of
Station 1-3 (Layag-layag - 54%; Gatusan - 63%; Amihan - 53%) (Table 2a, Figure 2).
The dominant coral life forms, however, differ among the three stations. Encrusting
and massive non -Acropora dominate in Layag-layag; branching and encrusting
non -Acropora are abundant in Gatusan; while Am ihanan had high percent cover
of branching Acropora and encrusting non -Acropora (Table 2a). Am ihanan,
however, had more dead corals (21%) compared to the two stations. Coral cover
on the reef slope of Stations 1-3 on the northwest side of the island was generally
high and range from 40.4% to 65.5% (Table 2b). Station 2 (Gatusan) had the
highest coral cover and lowest percent dead corals. Dominant corals in this station
are branching non -Acropora (30.7%) which distinguish this station from the other
two stations (Layag-layag and Amihanan) on the northwest side that had low percent
cover of branching corals (Table 2b). However, percent cover of the other coral life
forms were similar in the three stations.
15
Table 1. Lifeform Categories and corresponding code*
Category Code
Hard coral
Dead coral (recent) DC
Dead coral with algal cover DCA
Acropora Branching ACB
Encrusting ACE
Submassive (digitate) ACS
Tabulate ACT
Non Acropora coral Branching CB
Encrusting CE
Foliose CF
Massive CM
Submassive (digitate) CS
Mushroom CMR
M illepora (fire coral) CME
Heliopora (blue coral) CHL
Other fauna
Soft coral SC
Sponges SP
Zoanthids ZO
Others (Ascidians, Anemones, Gorgonians, Starfish etc) OT
Algae
Algal assemblage AA
Coralline algae CA
Halimeda HA
Macroalgae MA
T urf algae TA
Abiotic
Sand S
Rubble R
Rock RCK
Silt SI
W ater (fissures deeper than 50 cm) WA
* Adapted from Dartnall and Jones, 1986.

16
Table 2a. Percent cover of life form categories on the reef flat (10 -15 ft) of Stations 1,2
and 3 on the northwest side of Mararison Island, November- December 1994 and
January - March 1995 (Values are means ± SD of 3, 50 m transects).
LIFE FORM LA Y A G -LA Y A G GATUSAN A M IH ANAN

(Station 1) (Station 2) (Station 3)
Acropora
ACB 1.67 + 0.57 0.95 + 0.49 11.17 + 5.74
ACE 0.05 + 0.07
ACS
ACT 1.27 + 0.29 0.70 + 0.28 2.47 + 3.52
Total Acropora 2.93 + 0.85 1.65 + 0 78 14.03 + 9.13
Non-Acropora
CB 10.27 + 2.75 22.95 + 19.30 16.47 + 4.76
CE 22.6 + 12.96 18.95 + 14.07 13.63 + 10.69
CF 1.43 + 0.29 0.25 + 0.35 2.17 + 1.59
CHL 2.40 + 2.4 0.05 + 0.07 0.03 + 0.06
CM 11.60 + 2.04 11.15 + 7.42 4.47 + 2.70
CME 0.57 + 0.98
CMR 0.03 + 0.06 0.15 + 0.07 0.07 + 0.12

CS 2.40 + 0.35 8.10 + 10.61 2.30 + 2.21
Total Non -Acropora 51.27 + 10.93 6 1 .5 0 + 1.56 39.17 + 7.68
Dead Coral
DC 0.73 + 1.27
DCA 6.80 + 6.86 4.10 + 0.57 20.47 + 12.21
Total Dead Coral 6.80 + 6.86 4.10 + 0.57 21.20 + 12.96
Algae
AA 0.67 + 1.07 0 57 + 0.81
CA 1.736 + 1.53 1.95 + 1.91 3.33 + 2.89
HA 0.10 + 0.17 0.15 + 0.21 0.10 + 0.17
MA 0.07 + 0.12 1.10 + 085 0.87 + 1.42
TA 1 9 .4 7 + 14.19 8.25 + 2.47 6.53 + 4.10
Total algae 2 2 .0 0 + 14.01 11.45 + 3.32 9.93 + 7.20
Other Fauna
OT 0.13 + 0.15 0.25 + 0.07 0.23 + 0.32
SC 0.50 + 0.44 0.20 + 0.28 0.10 + 0.10
SP 0.40 + 0 0.75 + 0.07 0.37 + 0.32
ZO 0.80 + 0.78 0.70 + 0.42 0.30 + 0.36
Total Other Fauna 1.87 + 0.96 1.85 + 0.35 1.00 + 0.20
Abiotic
R 1.40 + 2.42 4.80 + 1.56 4.50 + 5.06
RCK 6.53 + 9.59 8.00 + 6.36 3.37 + 3.10
S 1.97 + 3.07 2.60 + 1.13 2.03 + 1.07
SI
WA 5.37 + 4.71 4 .0 5 + 1.34 4.83 + 5.01
Total Abiotic 1 5 .2 7 + 13.06 19.45 + 5.44 14.70 + 2.69
17
Table 2b. Percent cover of life form categories on the reef slope (30 -40 ft) of Stations
1,2 and 3 on the northwest side of Mararison Island, in February - May 1994 (Values
are means ± SD of 3, 50 m transects).
LIFE FORM LAYAG-LAYAG GATUSAN AMIHANAN

A cropora
ACB 4.67 + 1.42 6.17 ± 2 .3 9 4.05 ± 2.88
ACE 0.07 ± 0 .1 2
ACS
ACT 1.93 + 0.84 0.55 ± 0 .6 0 1.52 ± 0 .6 4
Total A cropora 6.6 + 2.21 6.72 ± 1.90 5.64 ± 2.42
Non- A cropora
CB 6.08 ± 1.94 30.73 ±1 2 .9 1 9.55 ± 3.63
CE 15.66 + 2.97 15.29 ± 2.18 12.98 ± 1.97
CF 0.92 ± 0.55 2.52 ± 1.33 1.86 ± 1.60
CHL 1 .9 3 ± 1.98 0.19 ± 0 .2 5 0.4 ± 0 .4 5
CM 6.84 .82 7.58 ± 4.28 5.9 ± 2.56
CME 0.36 + 0.56 0.14 ± 0.12
CMR 1 .0 1 ± 0.48 2.09 ± 0.22 2.37 ± 3 .80

CS 0.98 ± 1.32 0.33 ± 0.29
Total Non -Acropora 33.78 ± 6.37 58.88 ± 11.45 33.06 + 7.53
Dead Coral
DC 0.28 + 0.3 0.19 ± 0.23
DCA 23.89 ± 8 .3 14.25 ± 7 .7 5 21.12 ± 7.13
Total Dead Coral 24.17 + 8.01 14.43 + 7.58 21.12 ± 7.13
Algae
AA 0.06 + 0.1 0.91 ± 1.57
CA 0.75 ± 0.46 1.16 ± 0 .7 0 1.02 ± 0 .7 6
HA 0.05 + 0.08 0.86 ± 0 .4 5 0.21 ± 0 .3 7
MA
TA 2.59 + 1.63 2.75 ± 2 .0 9 2.69 ± 3.22
Total algae 3.44 + 1.93 4.77 ± 3.04 4.84 ± 3.47
Other Fauna
OT 0.34 + 0.48 0.01 ± 0.01 0.22 ± 0.26
SC 0.99 + 1.03 0.31 ± 0.54 3.02 ± 1.38
SP 2.12 + 1.08 0.81 ± 0.7 0.27 ± 0.47
ZO 0.11 ± 0 .1 9
Abiotic
R 11.91 ± 7.29 5.07 ± 7 .8 5 5.7 ± 7 .3 2
RCK 1.37 + 2.09 3.51 ± 5.28 3.42 ± 5 .2 7
S 10.35 ± 4 .3 7 4.55 ± 4.62 14.04 ± 13.45
SI
WA 4.91 ± 4.05 0.95 ± 0 .8 3 8.57 ± 7 .6 8
Total Abiotic 28.55 ± 15.18 14.08 + 6.19 31.73 + 3.5
18
Table 3a. Percent cover of life form categories on the reef flat (10 - 15 ft) of Stations 4,
5, and 6 on the southeast side of Mararison Island, November- December 1994;
January- March 1995 (Values are means ± SD of 3, 50 m transects)
Life form KAWIT TALISAY PUNTA-AYO

Acropora
ACB 0 0 0.03 + 0.06
ACE 0 0
ACS 0 0
ACT 0 0
Total Acropora 0 0 0.03 + 0.06
0
Non -Acropora
CB 1.10 + 0.36 1 .6 0 + 1.27 4.93 + 2.76
CE 2.63 + 1.63 1.75 + 0.92 2.57 + 0.84
CF 0.03 + 0.06
CHL 0.07 + 0.12 1.80 + 0.14 0.03 + 0.06
CM 1.03 + 0.58 0.80 + 1.13 1.77 + 1.77
CME 0.50 + 0.71
CMR 0.03 + 0.06 0.17 + 0.15

CS 0.17 + 0.06 0.65 + 0.92 0.90 + 1.15
Total Non-Acropora 5.03 + 2.05 7.10 + 0.99 10.40 + 4.85
Dead Coral
DC 0.13 + 0.06 0.30 + 0.42 0.03 + 0.06
DCA 1.10 + 1.05 0.90 + 0.28 2.73 + 2.50
Total Dead Coral 1.23 + 1.11 1.20 + 0.71 2.77 + 2.50
Algae
AA 0.53 + 0.92 1 .4 3 + 1.76
CA 0.23 + 0.15 0.05 + 0.07 0 .8 3 + 1.19
HA
MA 0.05 + 0.07
TA 17.40 + 9.25 1.85 + 1.06 9.07 + 12.27
Total algae 18.17 + 9.90 1.95 + 1.20 11.33 + 13.68
Other Fauna
OT 0.53 + 0.47 0.95 + 0.35 0.13 + 0.06
SC 0.70 + 0.61 0.70 + 0.99 0.77 + 1.24
SP 1.03 + 0.25 7.50 + 2.83 1.77 + 1.55
ZO 0.03 + 0.06 0.40 + 0.57 0.03 + 0.06
Abiotic
R 21.73 + 4.98 39.10 + 24.89 30.60 + 5.00
RCK 45.73 + 17.12 3 4 .6 5 + 16.90 38.97 + 26.25
S 4 .5 0 + 17.12 4.35 + 0.35 6.83 + 8.17
SI
WA 1.33 + 0.15 2.15 + 3.04 0.23 + 0.40
Total A biotic 7 3 .3 0 + 13.07 80.20 + 5.23 69.43 + 18.24
19
Table 3b. Percent cover of life form categories on the reef slope (30 -40 ft) of Stations
4,5 and 6 on the southeast side of Mararison Island, February - May 1994. (Values are
means ± SD of 3, 50 m transects)
LIFE FORM KAWIT TALISAY PUNTA-AYO

Acropora
ACB 0.31 ± 0.28 0.01 ± 0.02 0.44 ± 0.59
ACE
ACS
ACT 0.57 + 0.52
Total Acropora 0.88 ± 0.43 0.01 ± 0.02 0.44 ± 0.59
Non -Acropora
CB 1.89 + 1.0 1.95 ± 1.53 3.16 ± 0 .7 6
CE 8.14 + 0.49 2 ± 1 .4 9 7.31 ± 1.44
CF 0.07 ± 0.12 0.18 ± 0.23
CHL 0.01 ± 0.02 0.06 ± 0.11
CM 4.61 ± 2.02 0.64 ± 0.33 6.24 ± 1.62
CME
CMR 0.09 ± 0.1 0.07 ± 0 .1 2 0.1 ± 0.09

CS 0.18 ± 0.31
Total Non-Acropora 14.79 + 3.49 4.67 ± 3.44 17.22 + 3.27
Dead Coral
DC 0.14 + 0.15 0.19 ± 0.33
DCA 1 6 .2 9 ± 14.49 1.93 ± 0 .6 2 16.66 ± 2 .4 8
Total Dead Coral 16.42 + 14.42 2.12 + 0.94 16.66 + 2.48
Algae
AA 0.16 + 0.28 0.12 ± 0.11
CA 0.33 ± 0.37 1.49 ± 1.02
HA
MA
TA 1.17 + 2.03 3.68 ± 2 .7 2 0.15 ± 0.13
Total algae 1.67 + 1.69 3.8 + 2.63 1 .7 ± 0.8
Other Fauna
OT 0.2 + 0.29 0.37 ± 0 .1 3
SC 1.21 ± 0.93 0.04 ± 0.06 1.04 ± 0.7
SP 0.3 + 0.27 0.11 ± 0 .1 8 0.29 ± 0.21
ZO
Total Other Fauna 1.71 ± 0.91 0.14 + 0.16 1.7 + 1.01
Abiotic
R 3 0 .9 7 ± 13.44 68.6 ± 30.57 52.97 ± 2 .2 4
RCK 23.73 ± 4 .0 4 2.02 ± 2.33 4.66 ± 3.54
S 2.46 ± 2 .1 4 18.64 ± 2 1 .5 4 0.66 ± 1.14
SI
WA 7.37 ± 7 .3 2 3.98 ± 1.5
T o ta l a b io tic 64.53 ± 12.75 89.25 + 6.72 62.27 ±1.41
20
Table 4. Percent cover of lifeforms on the reef flat and reef slope of Station 7 and on
the offshore reef, Station 8, November- December 1994; January- March 1995.
Values are means ± SD of 3, 50m transects.
LIFE FORM NABLAG NABLAG GUIOB

R eef Flat Reef slope
A c ro p o ra
ACB 1.43 + 0.51 2 1 .8 ± 4.58 0.94 ± 0.29
ACE
ACS
ACT 1.43 + 0.81 2.73 ± 3.76
Total A c ro p o ra 2.87 + 0.38 24.53 ± 8.29 0.94 ± 0.29
Non -A c ro p o ra
CB 3.20 + 2.00 20.46 ± 1.87 2.56 ± 0.94
CE 5.50 + 0.70 19.7 ± 1.86 13.23 + 4.54
CF 0.07 + 0.12 1.46 ± 0.59 0.58 ± 0.17
CHL 0.17 + 0.30 0.1 ± 0.17
CM 3.87 + 2.28 5.96 ± 5.27 6.43 ± 4.03
CME 1 93 ± 2 14
CMR 0.08 + 0 07 0.46 + 0.21

CS 1.77 + 1.01 2 99 ± 5 05
Total Non-A c ro p o ra 14.43 + 4.31 52.75 ± 7.91 23.36 ± 1.53
Dead Coral
DC 0.42 ± 0.49 0.27 ± 0.47
DCA 0.87 + 1.03 6.63 ± 2.47 15.28 ± 10.06
Total Dead Coral 7.05 + 2.96 15.55 + 10.45
Algae
AA 1.92 ± 3.08
CA 0.07 + 0.06 0.67 ± 0.60 1.52 ± 1.94
HA 0.54 ± 0.21
MA
TA 2.07 + 3.49 0.5 + 0.22 2.82 ± 2.51
Total Algae 2.13 + 3.52 1.18 + 0.79 6.81 ± 7.04
Other Fauna
OT 1.03 + 0.84 0.14 ± 0.24 1.12 ± 0.92
SC 0.47 + 0.42 0.31 ± 0.43 1.01 ± 1.15
SP 1.03 + 0.96 0.13 + 0.16 0.15 ± 0.26
ZO 0.73 + 0.64 0.09 + 0.15 0 .1 8 ± 0.31
Total Other Fauna 3.30 + 1.01 0.66 ± 0.38 2.46 ± 0.83
Abiotic
R 3.87 + 5.29 7.99 ± 5.81 37.31 ± 15.31
RCK 56.00 + 10.18 1.19 + 1.36 11.23 ± 7.65
S 16.53 + 3.21 1.71 ± 2.54
SI
WA 4.65 ± 2.58 0.63 ± 0.69
Total Abiotic 76.47 + 8.26 13.84 + 2.64 50.88 ± 5.40
21
Figure 2. Percent cover of major life form categories in Stations 1,2 and 3 on the
northwest side of Mararison Island (February - May; November-December 1994;
January - March 1995).
22
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Figure 3. Percent cover of major life form categories in Stations 4,5 and 6 on the southeast side of Mararison Island
(February - May; November - December,1994; January - March 1995).
23
Figure 4. Percent cover of major life form categories in Station 7 at the western end
and in the offshore patch reef, Station 8 of Mararison Island (February-May, and
November, 1994; March, 1995).
The southeast side of the island is generally fla t with sandy bottom
interspersed with rock and rubble except in Station 4 (Kawit) where barren rock
with numerous small coral heads are present. Station 5 (Talisay) and Station 6
(Punta-ayo) front the local community. Coral cover on the three reef stations
(Stations 4-6) was very low (4.7%-17.6%) consisting mostly of small colonies of
encrusting and massive corals (Tables 3a and 3b, Figure 3). Few Acropora spp.
were found in both reef flat and reef slope of the three stations.
Highest coral cover was found on the reef slope of Station 7 (Nablag - 78%)
(Table 4, Figure 4) located at the western end of the island, although the reef flat
was depauperate with only 15% coral cover. Nablag is characterized by dense
stands of branching Acropora interspersed with colonies of branching non -Acropora.
Live hard coral cover in the offshore reef (Guiob) was 24% (Table 4, Figure
4) with encrusting and massive non -Acropora constituting the bulk of coral life forms
in this reef. Large colonies of foliose and tabulate corals, however, were seen
outside the transect lines.
24
Algal cover on the reef flat of all stations except Talisay was relatively higher
(10-22% ) than on the reef slopes (2-5%) and the offshore reef. Vegetation
consisted mostly turf algae with few macroalgae and coralline algae. Low cover of
other fauna consisting mostly of sponges and soft corals characterize all stations
(0 .1 4 -9 .6 % ).
Changes in coral cover after the bleaching event in 1998

Figures 5-7 show results of monitoring done on selected stations in 1996 and
following the 1998 bleaching event relative to the 1994-1995 data on coral and other
life-forms on the fringing and offshore reefs of the island. Percent cover of life-form
categories in 1998 in selected stations is given in Table 5. Live coral cover in 1996
increased or remained steady on the reef flat of all monitored stations (Figures 5-7).
Live coral cover also increased on the reef slope of Layag-layag and Punta-ayo in
1996 (Figure 6) but decreases (4.5 - 7.3%) were noted in other stations. The greatest
increase in live coral cover was found in Guiob (from 24% in 1994 to 46% in 1996)
(Figure 7). Following the bleaching event of 1998, dramatic decreases in live coral
cover (30% - 61%) with corresponding increases in percentage of bleached and
recently dead corals recorded in all stations except on the reef flat of Nablag. In this
station, although an increase in live coral cover was recorded along the reef flat, a
high percentage of recently dead corals (15.8%) was also noted (Figure 7). On the
reef slope of this station however, the highest percent dead corals (41%) and the
greatest decrease in live coral cover (61 %) were recorded. The Coral Mortality Index
(CMI) (ratio of dead coral cover to the sum of dead and hard coral cover) calculated
for the stations from 1994-1998 provides a clearer assessment of the state of the
reefs during the period (Table 6). The CMI in all stations in 1996 decreased (0.06-
0.18) except in the reef slope of Station 7 (Nablag) where a slight increase occurred
indicating that while live coral cover in 1996 decreased in some stations, the reefs
had a lower percentage of dead corals with respect to percent live coral cover.
However, after the 1998 bleaching event, CMI considerably increased in all stations
(0.31 - 0.72) reflecting the devastating effect of the El Nino phenomenon on the reef.
Most affected was Station 1 (Layag-layag) where percent mortality of coral colonies
increased from 15% to 72% (CMI: 0.15 - 0.72).
Coral species of Mararison Island

A total of 166 species of scleractinian corals belonging to 14 families and 54
genera, and three non-scleractinian corals were seen in the fringing and patch
reefs of Mararison Island (Table 7). A total of 146 species were recorded along the
transects with about one third (47 species) found in all stations and sites. Twenty
species were seen outside the transects. Layag-layag, Amihanan and Gatusan,
(stations along the northwest) and Guiob patch reef had diverse coral fauna with
38-52 species found in the 50 m transects (Table 8). Few species (14-21) and low
species diversity characterize the reef flat in stations along the southeast side of
the island (Kawit, Talisay and Punta-Ayo). The reef slope of Kawit and Punta-Ayo,
however, had relatively high species diversity indices with higher number of coral
species (32-33) found along the transects. Although coral cover was highest in
Nablag, species diversity was low with few coral species (24) recorded.
25
Table 5. Percent cover of life form categories at selected stations of Mararison Island,
Culasi, Antique, Philippines after the 1998 bleaching event (October, 1998).
REEF FLAT REEF SLOPE OFFSHORE

(10-15 FT) (30-40 FT) REEF (60 ft)
LAYAG-
A M IHANAN NABLAG LAYAG AMIHANAN NABLAG GUIOB
LIFE FORM
(Station 3) (Station 7) (Station (Station 3) (Station 7) (Station 8)
1)
A cropora
ACB (branching) 16.1 4.94 0.6 1.6
AC T (tabulate) 1.6 4.6
Total Acropora 17.7 9.54 0.6 1.6 0 0
N on-A cropora
CB (branching) 16 9.22 1.2 1.3 16.98 9.9
CE (encrusting) 2.7 9.74 5.14 7.06 3.4 8
CF (foliose) 5 1.8 4.5 1.16
CM (m assive) 4.1 6.2 4.7 6.4 4.6 5.94
CMR (m ushroom ) 0.6 0.3 1.7 0.5 1.3
CHL (heliopora) 0.46 0.4 0.64
Total N on-Acropora 28.4 25.16 13.6 21.36 26.64 25.78
Algae
A A (algal assem blage) 0.4
CA (coralline algae) 3.5 1.2 6.4 7.6 1.8
HA (halim eda) 0.1 0.8 0.9
TA (turf algae) 6.4 4.2 5.4 10 7.2 1.68
Total Algae 9.9 4.2 6.7 17.2 14.8 4.38
Dead Coral
DC (dead coral) 9.5 3.6 12.58 12 4.42 21.4
DCA (dead coral with
algae) 23.6 12.22 24.42 11.18 36.5 7.86
DSC (dead soft coral) 0.06
Total dead coral 33.1 15.82 37 23.18 40.92 29.32
O ther Fauna
OT (other fauna) 0.8 0.4 1.1 0.94 0.2 0.4
SP (sponge) 0.6 0.6 2.54 0.9 0.2
SC (soft coral 0.3 0.3 0.2
Total Dead Coral 1.4 1.0 3.64 2.14 0.5 0.8
Abiotic
R 0.2 1.5 17.86 19.8 14.64 11.46
RCK 5.7 34.44 4.1 9.66 2.5 25.66
S (Sand) 8.34 16.5 3.86 1.9
WA 3.6 1.2 0.3
Total Abiotic 9.5 44.28 38.46 34.52 17.14 39.32
26
Table 6. Summary of coral cover and Coral Mortality Index (CMI) of stations 1-8 in
Mararison Island, 1994-1998.
Coral cover and

mortality index (CMI)
Station Reef Flat Reef Slope
1995 1996 1998 1994 1996 1998
% live coral 54.13 63.77 39.06 46.7 14.74

Station 1- Layag-layag NC*
% dead coral 6.8 4.03 21.9 7.97 37
CMI 0.11 0.06 0.36 0.15 0.72
% live coral 63.15 64.2

Station 2- Gatusan 4.1 NC NC 12.85 NC NC
% dead coral
CMI 0.06 0.17
% live coral 53.2 65.53 46.1 37.74 36.03 22.56

Station 3- Amihanan 21.2 7.27 33.1 19.02 13.5 23.18
% dead coral
CMI 0.28 0.1 0.42 0.34 0.27 0.51
Station 4- Kawit 5.07 8.85 15.67 12

% live coral
% dead coral 1.23 0.6 16.42 2

NC NC
CMI 0.2 0.06 0.51 0.14
% live coral 7.1 3.84

Station 5- Talisay 1.2 1.84
% dead coral
NC NC NC NC
CMI 0.14 0.32
% live coral 10.73 31.2 18.13 20.95

Station 6 Punta-Ayo 2.77 6.75 16.39 3.7
% dead coral
NC NC
CMI 0.21 0.18 0.48 0.15
% live coral 17.3 29.63 34.7 74.26 68.83 26.64

Station 7- Nablag 0.87 1.9 15.82 7.7 13.27 40.92
% dead coral
CMI 0.05 0.06 0.313 0.09 0.16 0.61
Offshore patch reef
1994 1996 1998
% live coral 24.26 46.07 25.14

Station 8 - Guiob 13.06 3.63 28.52
% dead coral
CMI 0.35 0.07 0.53
27
Table 7. Coral species of Mararison Island, Culasi, Antique, 1994-1998
Phylum Coelenterata
Class Anthozoa
Subclass Zoantharia
Order Scleractinia (Bourne 1890)
Occurrence
(F-reef flat; S-reef
FAMILY GENUS SPECIES slope; P-patch reef) *
Pocilloporidae Seriatopora S. hystrix F-6: S-7 P
S. caliendrum S-2
Stylophora S. pistillata F-2 S-2
Pocillopora P. damicornis F-7 S-6 P

P. verrucosa F-5 S-6
P. eydouxi F-1 S-3
Acroporidae Montipora M. aequituberculata F-3

M. digitata F-3 S-2
M. danae F-4 S-7 P
M. foliosa F-3 S-2 P
M. grisea F-5
M. hispida F-3
M. incrassata F-1
M. monasteriata F-6
M.spongodes F-1
M. spumosa S-7
M. stellata F-4 S-1
M. undata F-4
M. verrucosa F-1 S-6 P
M. tuberculosa F-6 S-6 P
Anacropora A. forbesi S-1 P

A. matthai S-2 P
Acropora A. aculeus S-2

A. acuminata S-1 P
A. anthoceris
A. austera S-1
A brueggermanni F-1
A. carduus S-2
A. caroliniana S-1
A. cerealis F-3 S-4 P
A. cytherea F-3 S-7 P
A. clathrata F-1
A. digitifera
A. divaricata S-1
A. echinata S-2 P
A. florida F-2 S-1 P
A. formosa F-4 S-3
A. gemmifera F-1 S-1
A. grandis S-2 P
A. granulosa F-1 P
A. humilis F-1 S-4
A. hyacinthus F-4 S-4
A. listen S-2
A. latistella S-2 P
A. longicyathus F-1 S-1 P
A. lutkeni S-1
A. microclados S-1
A. microphthalma F-1 S-4
A. millepora
A. multiacuta S-1 P
A. nana F-2 S-2
A. nasuta F-4 S-5 P
28
Table 7. Cont...
Occurrence
(F-reef flat; S- reef
FAMILY GENUS SPECIES slope; P-patch reef *
A. nobilis F-3 S-3
A. palifera
A. selago
A. subglabra
A. tenuis F-1 S-4
A. tortuosa S-1
A. valenciennesi S-2
A. valida
Astreopora A. myriophthalma F-3 S-5 P
Poritidae Porites P. cylindrica F-7 S-7

P. lobata S-1 P
P. lutea F-7 S-7 P
P. nigrescens F-6 S-1
P. rus F-7 S-7 P
P. vaughani S-1
Goniopora G. tenuidens F-1 S-3
Siderastereidae Psammocora P. digitata F-3 P

P. profundacella
P. samoensis
Agariciidae Pavona P. cactus F-1 S-4

P. clavus
P. decussate F-4
P. explanulata F-2 S-1
P. varians F-5 S-7 P
P. venosa F-7 S-7 P
Leptoseris L. explanata? S-3 P

L. papyracea S-2 P
L. scabra F-1 S-2 P
L. mycetoseroides F-1 P
Gardineroseris G. planulata F-7 S-5 P
Coeloseris C. mayeri F-5 S-6 P
Pachyseris P. decussata S-1 P

P. speciosa F-3 S-6
P. rugosa? F-1 S-1 P
F. concinna F-1 S-1

Fungiidae Fungia F. danai
F. echinata F-2 S-1
F. fungites S-8 P
F. horrida S-2 P
F. moluccensis F-1
F. repanda F-4 S-6 P
F. simplex S-1
F. scutaria S-1 P
Halomitra H. pileus S-1 P
Herpolitha H. Umax S-3 P

H. weberii S-1
Sandalolitha S. robusta S-1
Lithophyllon L. edwardsi
29
Table 7. Cont...
Occurrence
(F-reef flat; S-reef
Podobacia P. Crustacea S-4
Diaseris D. sp.
Cycloseris C. cyclolites?
Oculinidae Galaxea G. fascicularis F-5 S-6 P

G. astreata F-2 S-4
Acrhelia A. horrescens S-1
Pectinidae Echinophyllia E. aspera F-1

Oxypora O. glabra S-2 P
O. lacera
Mycedium M. elephantotus F-1 S-3 P
Pectinia P. alcicornis S-2
P. lactuca F-1 S-1
P. paeonia S-4
Mussidae Acanthastrea A. lordhowensis F-1

Lobophyllia L. hemprichii S-6 P
Symphyllia S. radians F-1 S-3 P
Merulinidae Merulina M. ampliata F-5 S-6 P

M. scrabicula S-5 P
Hydnophora H. exesa F-1 S-1 P

H. horrescens S-1
H. microconos F-6 S-2
H. rigida F-3 S-3
Scapophyllia S. cylindrica?
Faviidae Favia F. favus F-5 S-7 P

F. laxa F-2 P
F. matthai F-3 S-4 P
F. pallida F-4 S-7 P
F. speciosa F-5 S-7 P
F. stelligera F-3
Barabattoia B. amicorum F S-6
Favites F. abdita F-5 S-5 P

F. halicora F-6 S-6 P
F. pentagona F-5 S-2 P
F. russelli F-6 S-4 P
Goniastrea G. retiformis F-5 S-6 P

G. aspera F-6 S-7 P
Platygyra P. daedalea F-5 S-4 P

P. pini F-6 S-5 P
P. sinensis F-5 S-6 P
Leptoria L. Phrygia F-2 S-4
Montastrea M. curta F-6 S-4 P

M. valenciennesi F-3 S-4 P
Diploastrea D. heliopora F-2 S-4 P

30
Table 7. Cont...
Occurrence
(F-reef flat; S- reef
Leptastrea L. hexagona? S-1
L. purpurea? F-2 S-3
L. transversa F-6 S-5
Cyphastrea C. chalcidicum F-6 S-4 P

C. inequalis S-4 P
C. japonica
C. microphthalma F-6 S-7 P
Echinopora E. gemmacea S-2 P

E. hirsutussima S-3
E. horrida F-3 S-2
E. lamellose F-2 S-4 P
E. mammiformis S-1
Trachyphyllidae Trachyphyllia T. geoffroyi
Caryophyllidae Physogyra P. lichtehsteini S-1 P
Euphyllia E. glabrescens
Dendrophyllidae Turbinaria T. frondens P

T. reniformis S-1 P
Tubastrea T. sp. S-1 P
Dendrophyllia D. micranthus?
Subclass Octocorallia (Alcyonaria)

Order Stolonifera (Hickson, 1833)
Tubipora T. musica F-3 S-1 P
Order Coenothecalia (Bourne, 1895)
Helioporidae Heliopora H. coerulea F-6 S-2 P
Class Hydrozoa
Order Milleporina
Milleporidae Millepora M. tenella F-2 S-3
* Numbers refer to number of reef flat, reef slope or patch reef stations where species were noted. Species
not followed by notes on occurrence were seen outside transect lines.
31
Table 8. Number of species and Shannon-Weaver species diversity index (H’) of coral
communities of Mararison Island (H’ values are averages calculated from data of three
transects in each station)
Station Reef Flat Reef Slope
Number of species H' (species Number of species H' (species

(range) diversity index) (range) diversity index)
Layag-layag 4 8 -5 9 4.961 5 1 -5 2 5.052
Gatusan 4 2 -5 0 4.405 4 6 -5 3 4.712
Amihanan 4 2 -4 8 5.030 4 3 -5 9 5.038
Talisay 1 2 -17 3.385 9 -1 9 3.277
Kawit 1 6 -2 7 3.941 3 1 -3 5 4.591

Punta-ayo 1 6 -26 3.570 3 2 -3 5 4.641
Nablag 16 -28 3.989 2 0 -2 8 3.852
Offshore patch reef
Gui-ob 2 8 -4 6 4.749
32
Figure 5. Percent cover of major life form categories in 1994 (February - March; November-
December); 1995 (January - March), 1996 (May and October) and 1998 (October) in Stations 1
and 3 on the northwest side of Mararison Island.
Figure 6. Percent cover of major life form categories in 1994 (February - March, November-
December); 1995 (January - March); and 1996 (May and October) in Stations 4 and 6 on the
southeast side of Mararison Island.
33
Figure 7. Percent cover of major life form categories in Station 7 on the western end
and in the offshore patch reef (Station 8) of Mararison Island in 1994 (February-March,
November - December); 1995 (January - March); 1996 (May and October) and 1998
(October).
Dominant species in terms of percent cover and frequency of occurrence

varied among stations. In Layag-layag, Porites lutea, Pavona varians, Heliopora
coerulea and Pocillopora damicornis made up about 14% of total cover (Figure 8a)
and were the most frequently occurring (Figure 8b). Porites rus is the dominant
species in terms of cover and frequency in Gatusan making up 30% of total coral
cover in this station. Favia matthai, P. lutea and Seriatopora hystix constituted
about 16% of total coral cover in Am ihanan but the most frequently occurring
species in this station were P. lutea, P. damicornis and Montipora danae. In stations
along the southeast side of the island, massive and encrusting corals dominate. In
Kawit and Punta-Ayo, the massive coral Diploastrea heliopora was the dominant
species in terms of percent cover whereas in Talisay, Porites cylindrica, P. rus and
P. lutea dominate (Figure 9a). Frequently occurring species in these stations were
P. rus, P. cylindrica, P. lutea, P. varians and Favia favus (Figure 9b). Dominant
species in Nablag was P. rus making up nearly 40% of total coral cover (Figure
10a). Extensive stands of the branching corals, Acropora formosa, A. nobilis and
Hydnophora rigida constitute over 30% of total cover in this station. However,
frequently occurring species were small colonies of P. rus, P. cylindrica and S.
hystrix (Figure 10b). In the offshore reef (Guiob), P. lutea was dominant in terms of
cover and frequency (Figures 10a and 10b). A notable species found frequently in
this station was Anacropora forbesi.
34
percent cover.
Figure 8a. Dominant coral species in Stations 1, 2 and 3 ranked according to
frequency.
Figure 8b. Dominant coral species in Stations 1, 2 and 3 ranked according to
35
36
percent cover.
Figure 9a. Dominant coral species in Stations 4, 5 and 6 ranked according to
frequency.
Figure 9b. Dominant coral species in Stations 4, 5 and 6 ranked according to
37
38
percent cover.
Figure 10a. Dominant coral species in Stations 7 and 8 ranked according to
frequency.
Figure 10b. Dominant coral species in Stations 7 and 8 ranked according to
39
40
O f the 166 species occurring in the coral reefs of Mararison Island, only a
few species provide the greatest percent cover or were found in high numbers in
the various stations. These include P. lutea, P. cylindrica, P. rus, P. varians, P.
damicormis, S. hystix, Montipora tuberculosa, F. favus and D. heliopora. Reefs on
the northwest side of the island have high coral cover and diverse coral fauna
composed of relatively small colonies of encrusting and massive corals with few
branching, foliose and tabulate corals. Along the southeast side, the reef flats are
depauperate although the reef slope has relatively good coral cover made up mostly
of small encrusting and massive coral heads. Nablag station on the western end of
the island, however, has dense stands of branching Acropora interspersed with
branching H. rigida and P. cylindrica. Many species of corymbose and caespitose
Acropora, as well as tabulate Acropora, platelike Montipora, fungiids, and massive
faviids occur in the reefs but colonies of these species were few. These species,
however, contributed to the high diversity of coral species of the island.
Using the four categories of living coral cover proposed by Gomez et al.
(1981), the fringing reefs on the northwest side and western tip of the island can be
categorized as good reefs (50 - 74%), the offshore reef as fair (25 - 49.9%) while
those on the southeast side of the island as poor (0 - 24.9%). In the coral reef
survey done in the 1970’s by Gomez et al. (1981), 16.7% of reefs surveyed in
Antique were in excellent condition, 83% were considered good reefs with no reefs
found to be depauperate. Our 1994-1995 data show that only 33% (5/15) of sampling
stations around Mararison Island are good reefs, 20% are in fair condition, while
47% are degraded indicating that the reefs, particularly on the southeastern front of
the island, have been subjected to considerable stress.
Using data from various sources on the condition of Philippine reefs cited in
Gomez et al., 1994 and Jacinto et al., 2000, assessments made during the 1980’s
showed that about 3% of Philippine reefs were in excellent condition, 33.4% were good
reefs, 41.8% were fair, while 21.6% were in poor condition. Mean live coral cover in the
reefs around Mararison Island during the 1994-1995 survey is generally fair (32.54%)
and comparable to reefs in Ragay Gulf in southern Luzon; Maribujoc Bay, Panglao
Island, and southwestern Cebu in Central Visayas; and Macajalar Bay in northern
Mindanao (Alino et al. 2002). However, reefs in areas declared as marine reserves or
fish sanctuaries such as Sumilon Island, Apo Island, Sagay Marine Reserve, Bais Bay,
and Basay in Central Visayas; or in remote areas such as reefs in Aurora and Isabela
in Northern Luzon; Cuatro Islas in Leyte; Baliangao in northern Mindanao; and Turtle
Island in southern Mindanao, have good coral cover with means ranging from 44% to
53% (Alino et al. 2002). Reefs with less than 30% live coral cover include those in
Bolinao, Pangasinan, Puerto Galera, Or. Mindoro; Kalayaan Islands; Olango,
Dumaguete and Cang-alwang, Siquijor in central Visayas; Camiguin, lligan Bay, Jasaan,
Misamis Oriental, and Panguil Bay in Northern Mindanao (Alino et al., 2002). These
reefs are either areas that are heavily fished where fishermen resort to illegal fishing
methods such as muro-ami, and cyanide fishing, or are favorite tourist destinations.
The Coral Mortality Index (CMI) has been suggested as a more reliable index
of coral reef health since large parts of a reef may not be available to corals even in
unspoiled reefs (Gomez e t al., 1994). Using the CMI, 87% (13/15) of Mararison reefs in
1994-1995 had greater than 50% of corals alive even in poor reefs such as those in the
southeast side of the island (Stations 4, 5 and 6) (Table 6). In 1996, all reefs had more
41
than 70% of corals alive (CMI: 0.06-0.27), but after the El Nino of 1998, 66% (4/6) of the
surveyed stations had less than 30% of living corals, and only 2 of 6 stations had more
than 50% of corals still alive. The state of Mararison reefs in 1994-1996 is comparable
to other Philippine reefs when CMI is used as a measure of coral health. Data in the
1990’s from 85 reef sites in 14 localities reviewed by Alino et al. (1994) indicate that
about 84% of the surveyed reefs had at least 50% of corals still living.
Fishing pressure and other anthropogenic stresses, sedimentation and other
factors including unfavorable weather (e.g. the El Nino phenomenon) affect coral
reefs adversely with consequent negative effect on populations of fish and other
organisms that inhabit the reefs. Conversely, changes in live coral cover as little as 2
to <5% have been shown to produce significant increases in the total number o f fish
species and individuals (Bell and Galzin, 1984). Massive coral bleaching following
the El Nino phenomenon in 1998 affected coral reefs worldwide (Strong et al., 1998)
and exerted tremendous negative impact on reefs around Mararison island. However,
coral reefs also appear to be able to recover within a short period as indicated by the
increase in percent live coral cover recorded in some stations in 1996.
The five-year coral reef survey done in Mararison was of relatively short
duration and only gave a bird’s eye view of short-term changes in coral reef health,
particularly as it is affected by adverse natural events such as the El Nino.

Long-term m onitoring is needed to assess the rate of recovery of the
affected reefs and changes in population structure of the reefs that may follow.
The annual Mararison forum provided a venue for informing Mararison
fisherfolk on the status of reefs in the island. The information gave the community
scientific basis for decisions that resulted in the passage of ordinances declaring
Guiob reef as a fish sanctuary. W hile the CFRM project implemented in Mararison
Island has made the fisherfolk aware of the importance of coral reefs in sustaining
fishing as their source of livelihood, continuous long term monitoring will provide a
better gauge of the impact of the project and will tell whether management policies
that have been instituted are consistently being implemented by the community.
A cknow ledgem ent
W e thank Virgilio Futulan, Ephraim Doroteo and Dr. Luis Ma. Garcia for
assisting us during the coral reef assessment and the International Development
Research Centre of Canada for initial funds to start the project.
L it e r a t u r e C it e d
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Agbayani, R.F. and Babol, A.S. 2001. Community-based fishery resources management
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UPV J. Nat. Sci.

11: 11-42 (2006)

The Coral Communities of Mararison Island,

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center

An assessment of the extensive fringing reefs surrounding

northwest side of the island are characterized by high percent coral

Mararison Island, Culasi, Antique was selected as the site of a community-

1 Corresponding author. Present Address: Integrated Services for the Development of

efficiency and sustainability criteria (Baticados and Agbayani 2000), although

F ig u re 1. M ap o f M a ra ris o n Island, w e s t c e n tra l P h ilip p in e s s h o w in g sa m p le site s.

Percent Cover of Life Form Categories (1994-1995)

Table 1. Lifeform Categories and corresponding code*

* Adapted from Dartnall and Jones, 1986.

LIFE FORM LA Y A G -LA Y A G GATUSAN A M IH ANAN

CMR 0.03 + 0.06 0.15 + 0.07 0.07 + 0.12

LIFE FORM LAYAG-LAYAG GATUSAN AMIHANAN

CMR 1 .0 1 ± 0.48 2.09 ± 0.22 2.37 ± 3 .80

Life form KAWIT TALISAY PUNTA-AYO

CMR 0.03 + 0.06 0.17 + 0.15

LIFE FORM KAWIT TALISAY PUNTA-AYO

CMR 0.09 ± 0.1 0.07 ± 0 .1 2 0.1 ± 0.09

LIFE FORM NABLAG NABLAG GUIOB

CMR 0.08 + 0 07 0.46 + 0.21

Changes in coral cover after the bleaching event in 1998

Coral species of Mararison Island

REEF FLAT REEF SLOPE OFFSHORE

Coral cover and

1995 1996 1998 1994 1996 1998

% live coral 54.13 63.77 39.06 46.7 14.74

% live coral 63.15 64.2

% live coral 53.2 65.53 46.1 37.74 36.03 22.56

Station 4- Kawit 5.07 8.85 15.67 12

% dead coral 1.23 0.6 16.42 2

% live coral 7.1 3.84

% live coral 10.73 31.2 18.13 20.95

% live coral 17.3 29.63 34.7 74.26 68.83 26.64

Offshore patch reef

1994 1996 1998

% live coral 24.26 46.07 25.14

Table 7. Coral species of Mararison Island, Culasi, Antique, 1994-1998

Stylophora S. pistillata F-2 S-2

Pocillopora P. damicornis F-7 S-6 P

Acroporidae Montipora M. aequituberculata F-3

Anacropora A. forbesi S-1 P

Acropora A. aculeus S-2

Astreopora A. myriophthalma F-3 S-5 P

Poritidae Porites P. cylindrica F-7 S-7

Goniopora G. tenuidens F-1 S-3

Siderastereidae Psammocora P. digitata F-3 P

Agariciidae Pavona P. cactus F-1 S-4

Leptoseris L. explanata? S-3 P

Gardineroseris G. planulata F-7 S-5 P

Coeloseris C. mayeri F-5 S-6 P

Pachyseris P. decussata S-1 P

F. concinna F-1 S-1

Halomitra H. pileus S-1 P

Herpolitha H. Umax S-3 P

Sandalolitha S. robusta S-1

Oculinidae Galaxea G. fascicularis F-5 S-6 P

Acrhelia A. horrescens S-1

Pectinidae Echinophyllia E. aspera F-1

Mussidae Acanthastrea A. lordhowensis F-1

Symphyllia S. radians F-1 S-3 P

Merulinidae Merulina M. ampliata F-5 S-6 P