The simulated and actual impacts of the 2010 mass coral bleaching on the abundance, size structure, and recruitment of Porites (Cnidaria, scleractinia) in Lian, Batangas

Date of Publication

2012

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Subject Categories

Biology

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Biology

Thesis Adviser

Wilfredo Y. Licuanan

Defense Panel Member

Wilfredo Roehl Y. Licuanan

Abstract/Summary

Colony size, cover, and coral recruitment of Porites sp. in May 2010 and April 2011 in Clubhouse site in Lian, Batangas were studied using the resources and research methodology provided by Project MIRROR. The purpose of this study was to detect and identify changes in temporal pattern through recruitment, coral cover and size structure observations of Porites and to assess the effects of the 2010 bleaching through matrix model projections. Four size classes were set in classifying Porites colonies: size class 1 (≤30 cm2), 2 (31 to 150 cm2), 3 (151 to 750 cm2) and 4 (≥751 cm2). From the quadrat and transect data, the Porites population did not significantly change from May 2010 to April 2011 in size structure and number. The average coral recruit density in May to September 2010 was lower than that in April to August 2011. However, analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) using the Bray-Curtis measurement has shown that coral recruit composition among the monitoring periods is not statistically different (May-Sept 2010 and Sept-Dec 2010 p= 0.3338; Sept-Dec 2010 and April-August 2011 p=0.336; May-Sept 2010 and April-August 2011 p=0.3322). A size-based transition matrix model was used to evaluate the further effects of periodic bleaching on the size structure of Porites especially in the next fifty years. Simulation of annual bleaching, which meant interrupted recruitment, resulted in a decreasing population. Simulation of periodic bleaching of five-year and ten-year terms over the next fifty years suggest that Porites will increase in abundance, despite the occurrence of bleaching. The simulation also projects the dominance of SC1 Porites colonies.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTU019047

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in.

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