Species Diversity of Segrass in Dapa, Surigao Del Norte

Nhezthanne Gel S. Estobo

Ramje Brent K. Polvorosa
Robert Anton G. Roculas

Keywords: Sea grass, Habitat, Diversity, Species

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A flowery plant called sea grass thrives in the ocean. It is a vascular plant with real roots, leaves, and
a stem. Moreover a quarter of all known sea grass species belong to the most diverse group of sea grasses. Sea
grasses can be found in shallow salty and brackish environments (Reynolds, 2018). Sea grass ecosystems
provide a significant portion of the protein consumed by coastal populations worldwide (Green and Short,
2003). Despite frequently being confused with seaweeds, sea grass is a different species of plant that is crucial
to the preservation and protection of ecosystems. Additionally, sea grasses offer many valuable benefits to
humans, but due to human activity, many sea grass meadows have been lost. Around the world, efforts are
being made to restore these significant ecosystems (Reynolds, 2018). Although many studies have examined
the diversity of sea grass, there is still a lack of knowledge of sea grasses in Dapa, Surigao del Norte. This
research gap limits our understanding on sea grasses about their differences and the types of sea grass.
Therefore conducting this study will help to compare and contrast to know the diversity of sea grass in Dapa
Surigao Del Norte.

The varieties of sea grass in Brgy, 6 and Don Paulino, Dapa, and Surigao del Norte will be identified
in this study, so that we won't be confused with the other species and can quickly understand their distinctions.
There is a way of identifying the types of sea grasses and this is to compare and contrast the species. Sea
grasses are an essential component of the marine environment because of how productive they are, and a
significant environmental issue is not understanding their distinctions. Sea grass is also a breeding ground for
commercially important prawn and fish species. In instance, there is a strong correlation between greater rates
of connected fisheries and sea grasses high primary production rates (Green and Short, 2003). Because it
supports many herbivores and detriretivophilic food chains, but not all of them, sea grass is regarded as a
particularly productive agricultural substrate of the sea. Although they are frequently mistaken for seaweed,
they are actually more closely linked to flowering land plants. Sea grasses produce flowers and seeds in
addition to having roots, stems, and leaves. Although they frequently go unnoticed, they are one of the world's
most productive ecosystems (Reynolds, 2018).

Sea grass species distribution is, first, a baseline for understanding these complex habitats and their
distinct bioregional characteristics. Additionally, knowledge of distribution allows comparisons of geography
and evolution and provides a foundation for evaluating past and present human impacts to the global sea grass
ecosystem. Sea grass has a lot of importance such as stabilizing the sea bottom, producing food, and it serve
as a habitat for some fishes.

A staggeringly wide range of creatures, including small invertebrates, huge fish, crabs, turtles, and
marine mammals find shelter and nourishment among sea grasses. Due to the wide range of species diversity
patterns, places where sea grasses are as of yet undocumented, as well as the fact that sea grass habitat is ever-
changing, e.g., sea grasses in Don Paulino, Dapa Surigao del Norte, have a way more abundant variety of sea
grass than barangay 6 in Dapa Surigao del Norte. Investigating the diversity of sea grass in Dapa Surigao Del
Norte is a challenging and confusing endeavor.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1) What are the different species of sea grass found:

a. Barangay 6, Dapa, Surigao del Norte?
b. Don Paulino, Dapa, Surigao del Norte?

2) Determine the different families of sea grass species?

3) What families of sea grass are the most abundant found in Brgy. 6, and Don Paulino, Dapa, Surigao
del Norte?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The Significance of the study is to identify the most abundant family of sea grass in Brgy. 6, and Don
Paulino, Dapa, Surigao del Norte. It will aid the people in recognizing and understanding the various kinds of
sea grass that may be found in Brgy. 6, as well as Don Paulino, Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and it may also be
helpful for future studies who wish to do comparable research to that of our study.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on identifying the types of sea grass in Brgy. 6, and Don Paulino, Dapa, Surigao
del Norte so we will not be confused with the other species and can easily know the differences between them.
Conducting this study could help us to know the types, differences, and gain new knowledge about sea grass
in Brgy. 6, and Don Paulino, Dapa, Surigao del Norte.
1. Scope of the Research:
1.1 Study Area: The research will focus on the seagrass beds located in Brgy. 6 Dapa, Surigao Del Norte,
Philippines and Don Paulino Dapa Surigao del Norte Philippines.
1.2 Species Inventory: The study aimed to conduct a comprehensive study on the diversity of seagrass
species in the study area.
1.3 Taxonomic Identification: The research will involve the identification and classification of seagrass
species based on morphological features and taxonomic keys.
1.4 Data Collection: Field surveys are conducted to collect relevant data, including ecological parameters
such as species richness, distribution, water quality and sediment type.
1.5 Data Analysis: The collected data will be analyzed to determine the species richness, diversity index and
community structure of the Dapa seagrass ecosystem.
1.6 Recommendations: Based on the results, this study can provide recommendations for seagrass
conservation and management strategies in the study area.

2. Limitations of the Research:

2.1 Time Constraints: Research is limited by the time available for fieldwork, data collection and analysis.
This may limit the completeness and scope of the study.
2.2 Budgetary Limitations: The research may be constrained by financial resources available for
transportation, equipment, and laboratory analyses, potentially limiting the scale and depth of data collection.
2.3 Seasonal Variability: The study's results may be influenced by seasonal fluctuations in seagrass species
diversity, which could impact the representativeness of the findings.
2.4 Taxonomic Challenges: Accurate species identification and classification may be limited by taxonomic
difficulties, particularly with cryptic or morphologically similar seagrass species.
2.5 Spatial Extent: The research will focus solely on seagrass beds within the Dapa area, and the findings
may not be applicable to other regions or larger-scale patterns of seagrass diversity.
2.6 Human Activities: The research may not explicitly address the impacts of human activities on seagrass
ecosystems, such as fishing, tourism, or coastal development, although they could indirectly affect species
diversity.

It is essential to acknowledge and consider these scope and limitations while conducting the research
on the species diversity of seagrass in Dapa, Surigao Del Norte. Adhering to these boundaries will help ensure
a realistic and manageable study, providing valuable insights into the local seagrass ecosystem while
acknowledging the inherent constraints.
 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

One varied habitat that supports a variety of flora and fauna is seagrass.a marine environment. It is the
sole species of angiosperms, or flowering plants, that live in the temperate and tropical region's coastal and
marine ecology. (Phang,2000). Seagrasses are referred to as the "lungs of the sea" because they can produce
10 liters of oxygen per day through photosynthesis in just one square meter of seagrass. In addition to
absorbing nutrients, seagrass leaves restrict the flow of water and collect sand, grit, and silt particles. Their
roots hold the silt in place, which helps to improve water quality and clarity while also preventing erosion and
protecting coasts from storms. By absorbing nutrients from runoff from the land, seagrasses can further
enhance the quality of the water. By drawing nutrients from the soil and pumping them via their leaves into
the water in nutrient-deficient areas, seagrass plants themselves contribute to the cycling of nutrients. ( Pamela
L Reynolds, 2018)

A huge variety of marine species, including fish, crustaceans, turtles, dugongs, sea cucumbers, and
sea urchins, depend on seagrass beds. Despite the fact that some of these species depend on seagrass for food,
refuge, breeding grounds, nursery regions, or habitat corridors between other ecosystems like reefs and
mangroves, all of them are dependent on it.(Sarah Markes et al.,2021)

Through fisheries, marine tourism, and coastal storm protection, seagrass directly supports the
livelihoods and well-being of millions of people. Seagrasses are in trouble, tragically, an all too often story.
Over the past century, more than 25 percent of the world's seagrass has disappeared. Drag-net fishing,
industrial water pollution from sewage, fertilizers, and household waste, habitat degradation from coastal
expansion, dredging, and ecosystem imbalance brought on by overfishing are a few threats. Seagrass is more
resistant to warming waters than other marine ecosystems, but research reveals that it still affects its growth
and susceptibility to disease. As the effects of climate change worsen, seagrass will be more crucial to many
locations' fisheries.(Sarah Markes et al.,2021)

Seagrasses offer a variety of ecosystem services, such as a habitat for young animals, better water
quality, a barrier against erosion, and carbon sequestration. However, the global coverage of seagrasses is
rapidly reducing, creating a crisis. Ecological restoration is receiving more attention as a conservation tactic,
hence techniques to improve restoration success must be investigated.(SR Valdez et al.,2020)

Additionally, seagrass is an essential component of the marine ecosystem because it cleans the water
and supports thousands of marine species by acting as a habitat and a source of food. However, according to
some researchers, industrial water pollution from sewage, fertilizers, household waste, and other sources is
rapidly reducing seagrass coverage worldwide. In some regions, seagrass diversity may also be declining.
 Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

This study aims to compare and contrast the diversity of sea grass in Dapa, Surigao Del Norte to conduct
this study the following materials are needed and the following procedures are need to be followed.

A. Materials
 Goggles
 Swim Fin
 Zip bag
 Gloves
B. Procedure
 Collecting types of sea grass from Barangay 6 and Don Paulino
 Segregate the types of sea grass that have been collected
 Identify the sea grasses that have been collected from the process
 Gathering Data
 Analysis of Data

Researchers can contrast and compare the diversity of sea grass in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, by adhering
to these methodological principles. It can also help in knowing the types of sea grasses in Dapa, Suirgao del
Norte when you follow this methodological principles. In the long run, such study can aid in the optimization
of comparing and to contrast the diversity of sea grass in Dapa, Surigao del Norte.
 REFERENCES

“Global sea grass distribution and diversity: A bioregional model”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002209810700305X#preview-section-introduction

“Identifying knowledge gaps in seagrass research and management: An Australian perspective”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141113616301039

“SEAGRASS AND SEAGRASS BEDS”

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/plants-algae/seagrass-and-seagrass-beds

“The Importance of Seagrass”

https://blog.wcs.org/photo/2021/11/01/the-importance-of-seagrass/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtO-
kBhDIARIsAL6LorfiDZLS75ySfJFSkJT9IFvVfq6n7jm3qzBBYVQbGdaS7jzwXL11QNoaAspwEALw_wcB