The effects of tropical storms on the coral cover, density, and size structure of acropora and porites coral colonies in Talim Bay, Lian, Batangas

Date of Publication

8-2017

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 Roehl Y. Licuanan

Defense Panel Member

Zeba F. Alam
Glenn G. Oyong
Ellenita De Castro

Abstract/Summary

The coral reefs of the world provide effective shoreline protection. However, these organisms constantly experience natural and anthropogenic disturbances, causing a rapid decline in their abundance and biodiversity. This study involves data gathered by the research team of Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan during April 2014 (representing the pre- typhoon data) and October 2014 (representing the post-typhoon). Two data sets were used in this study to recognize the effect of the occurrence of a certain number of typhoons in the area. From the data, coral cover, density and size structure distribution of two selected coral genera, Acropora and Porites were assessed. The comparisons between the two stations showed that the small-scale difference in the decline of all parameters assessed were a sufficient basis to recognize the occurrence of tropical storms to be the major reason for the degeneration of the selected coral colonies. Analyses showed that Acropora corals were more severely affected by the occurrence of tropical storms due to its fragile branching framework. Moreover, the coral size distribution of both species was the most severely affected by the typhoon which was discovered to be attributed to fragmentation for Acropora and partial mortality for Porites.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTU021779

Shelf Location

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

Keywords

Coral colonies--Philippines--Talim Bay; Acropora; Porites; Storms--Philippines

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Embargo Period

5-26-2025

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