World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF SEAGRASS IN BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI

*Fatima Zharifa B. Abubakar and Roldan T. Echem

ABSTRACT

Seagrass is one of the coastal ecosystems that is crucial to ecological and economical contribution in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. This study aimed to document the seagrass species diversity and abundance through its distribution and percent cover in three selected sites or barangay, namely Barangay Pahut, Barangay Simandagit, and Barangay Pasiagan. Fixed transect design by Mckenzie was used. Results showed that seven (7) seagrass species were found, lower than what FISH project in 2005 had recorded. Within the three sites the diversity index of 1.653 indicates unstable community, although in terms of total percentage cover it is in” good” condition because of dominating presence of Thalassia hemprichii. Thalassia hemprichii was the most abundant species (56.59%). This suggests that T. hemprichii is preventing growth of other species. The most extensive seagrass bed was found in Pasiagan where Thalassia hemprichii wasn’t found. Species on that area were evenly distributed, and Pasiagan has the most species diversity (61.32%) indicating that seagrass biodiversity found in that area is still healthy.

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