Species Composition of Seagrasses in Selected Barangays of Victoria, Northern Samar

Abstract

Very limited studies have been conducted on species composition of seagrasses in the coastal waters of Northern Samar. This study was conducted to determine the species composition and percent cover of seagrasses in the coastal waters of the selected barangays of the Municipality of Victoria, Northern Samar such as Barangays Erenas, Lazaro, and Libertad.

To achieve the objectives, descriptive research design was used to identify and classify the different kinds of seagrasses that are present in the study areas. A line-plot method was used to cover as many species as possible on each site. Sampling was done in the littoral and sub-littoral zones during low tide at daytime.

Results revealed that six seagrass species were identified in the selected coastal barangays, belonging to two (2) families and five (5) genera. The species are Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Thalassia hemprichii. The highest total number of species (5) was found in Barangay Erenas and San Lazaro, while the least number of species (3) was collected in Barangay Libertad.

Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index revealed that the seagrasses of Victoria, Northern Samar are diverse. The environmental parameters are within the tolerance range, but lower salinity did not favor the growth of the other seagrass species.