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ABSTRACT BALICAO, ROMELYNE A., and BALLESTEROS, ROLLY BOY. 2021. Macrofaunal Diversity Assessment in the Mangrove Areas of Gabu Sur, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Undergraduate Thesis Department of Environmental Science. College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, Mariano Marcos State University, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte. 38 pp. Adviser: Ms. Resureccion Bernadette C. Imbat The study was conducted to assess the diversity of macro faunal species that thrives in the mangrove areas in Gabu Sur, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Specifically, it identified the physico-chemical characteristics of the different sampling stations in the area. The determination of the species composition of macro fauna that is present in the mangrove areas were also done. Moreover, it sought to relate the physico- chemical factors of the water on the level diversity in the study area. The physico-chemical characteristics of the mangrove areas in Gabu Sur, Ilocos Norte includes the depth, width, temperature, turbidity, flow rate, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, total dissolved solid (TDS), PH and conductivity in four sampling period from March to April. It was recorded that station 2 was the deepest area of the river, followed by station 3 and station 1. Among the stations, the widest is station 2, followed by station 3, and station 1. The warmest area among the stations was station 1, followed by station 2, and the coldest was station 3. The temperature in the mangrove areas passed the standard set by DAO for fresh water. In terms of turbidity, the most turbid during the sampling was station 1, followed by station 2 and station 3. In terms of flowrate, station 2 had the fastest flowrate, followed by station 1, and station 3. As regards to the pH, station 3 has the highest pH, followed by station 1, and station 2. The highest recorded DO is observed in station 3, followed by station 1, and station 2. The data shows that the pH and DO of the three stations passed the standard of the DAO 2016-08. With respect to its total dissolved solids, it was observed that station 2 had the highest TDS, followed by station 1 and station 3 In terms of salinity, station I is most saline, followed by station 3, and station 2. As regards to the conductivity, it was observed that station I had the highest conductivity, followed by station 2 and station 3. The overall identified macro fauna in the mangrove areas of Gabu Sur, Ilocos Norte are six species namely: Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus spp.); Shrimp (Metapeneaus spp.); Prawn (Macrobruchium spp.); Bukto (Valencienna Longipinni waite spp.): Crab (Scylla serata spp.); and Birut (Bunaka grinoides spp.). The highest species diversity (H') was observed in station 1, followed by station 3, and station 2. However, the macro faunal diversity in the mangrove areas has a low diversity. The most common species observed in the community are prawn, crab, shrimp, tilapia, bukto and birut. Results also reveals that there is a highly significant positive relationship between the physico-chemical characteristic such as depth, pH and salinity, and significant positive relationship between turbidity and diversity of macrofauna in the mangrove areas of Gabu Sur. Conversely, the width and TDS had a highly significant inverse relationship to the species diversity in the area while temperature and flowrate had significant inverse relationship with species diversity. This implies that macrofaunal species that thrive in the river prefers to thrive in a deep, narrow, and saline water with less TDS. With the findings of the study, it is recommended that the results of this study be used for information dissemination among the residents and to the Local Government of Gabu Sur. Management of mangrove areas should be of high concem to protect a huge variety of wildlife in the area. Lastly, further study on other sampling site, particularly with those areas with mangrove communities is recommended. |
