Mindanao Action Points Advocacy Coordinating Group
Mining Research Databanking Template
Title of Research Study:
Lead Research Institute :
Principal Investigators:
Source of Funding Support:
Period Covered for the Study:
Over-all Objective/s of the Study:
Research Methodologies Employed:
Unit and Local of the Study:
Impacts of Mining to the Marine Ecosystems of Rapu-Rapu, Albay
Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research, Ateneo de Naga University
Dr. Emelina G. Regis
July 2008 - May 2009
To establish baseline information on the economically important major marine habitats in the northeastern coast of the island of Rapu-Rapu that supports the fishery resources of the island.
Survey
/ In-depth Interview
/ Focus Group Discussion
Others________________
 Inventory of seaweed species
 Inventory of seagrass species
 Qualitative/quantitative assessment of indicator species
 Qualitative interview of local residents concerning benefits they derived from marine habitats
(resource utilization).
 Site 1 – Barangay Linao, Rapu-Rapu
 Site 2 – Barangay Tinopan, Rapu-Rapu
 Site 3 – Barangay Buenavista, Rapu-Rapu
Findings and Recommendations
Significant Findings
Recommendations or Implications
Species richness in the study sites comprise of about 27 species of As follow-up for this study, the following activities are recommended:
seaweeds during the July-August 2008 assessment and 46 species in
 Research on the following topics: a) interaction among the 3
March 2009. Community similarity among the 3 sites is lowest
habitats, especially on the impacts of coastal land use to these
(38.89%) during the July-August 2008 assessment compared with
sites; b) chemical analyses for the levels of copper, cadmium
March 2009 assessment with a higher value of 50.53%. In comparing 2
and other heavy metals that affect marine plants; c) indicator
sites, the observations during the Northeast monsoon show higher
species that could be used to monitor the health of the marine
similarity when the sites are adjacent to each other than when they
habitats; d) seasonal effects on the marine habitats, coral
are farther apart. This is not however the case during the Southwest
growth/or regeneration rates with related rate of distruction
monsoon assessment.
and/or death, and e) predators that feed and destroy corals
Among the species in July-August sampling, Sargassum polycystum is
such as crown of thorns starfishes.
the most dominant while the least dominants comprise of several
The impacts of global warming and climate change on the
species. These are Bornetella oligospora, Chlorodesmis fastigiata,
marine habitats are also important studies at the ecosystem
Acanthopora spicifera and Amphiroa foliacea in Linao. Bornetella
level for maintaining carbon sinks that could reduce
oligospora, Bornetella sphaerica and Ulva reticulata in Tinopan; and
greenhouse gases. In addition, biodiversity studies on the
Caulerpa lentillifera, Ulva reticulate, Sargassum binderi, Turbinaria
Mindanao Action Points Advocacy Coordinating Group
Mining Research Databanking Template
conoides, Turbinaria ornata, Acanthophora spicifera, and Actinotrichia
fragilis in Buenavista.
marine organisms in the whole island must be done especially
on species that may be lost due to climate change.
With regards to the seagrasses, there are only 4 species observed in
the 3 study sites during the 2 sampling activities. Low diversity here
may be due to 3 possibilities such as a) lack of sufficient nutrients
available from the substrates, b) physical structure of the tidal flat, and
c) the physic-chemical conditions of the habitats. Linao and Buenavista
face the open sea whereas Tinopan is partly protected by a small cove
which possible prevented mud and decomposing organic materials
from being washed away by strong waves.
 Feasibility studies for possible alternative livelihood are also
needed for the local communities to augment their income
which have been depleted due to degraded resources.
The modified manta tow survey shows that Bgy. Buenavista has the
healthiest coral reef among the 3 sampling sites. Assuming other
conditions being closely similar. The results of the assessment show
that distance from the mining area is a significant factor that most
likely affected the health of the coral reef in the study sites. Buenavista
which is farthest from the mine site has the healthiest reef whereas
those areas in barangays nearer the mining site have the poorest
health. These findings are in agreement with the results of the FGDs in
the 3 sites – that it was only when mining operated in the nearby
barangays of Binosauan, Pagcolbon and Malobago that fishing in the
coral reefs and other habitats became a problem.
The bioindicator phytoplankton showed definite pattern of
disturbance from human activities. The assessment shows that the
highest number of toxic phytoplankton cells/colonies was observed at
the river mouth during the Southwest monsoon in 2008. The highest
value was counted in Linao(nearest the mining site) while the lowest
was in Buenavista(farthest from the mining site). Moreover, toxic
phytoplankton in human settlement as well as in seagrass and
seaweed beds are also lowest in Buenavista. This is probably one of
the reasons why it is in this barangay that the healthiest coral reefs
among the 3 sites are found.
 It is likewise important for the people to fully understand the
underlying principles of interrelationships between and among
component habitats of an ecosystem. Such knowledge must be
instilled into the community’s consciousness to enable
resource conservation and protection. Thus, education of
human communities on this matter is a priority.
 Similarly, education regarding domestic usage and livelihood
potentials of the marine resources may help in alleviating
poverty through a scheme that will encourage the local
communities to conserve and protect the resources. Examples
are the establishment of fish sanctuaries and the creation of
local livelihood that is sustained by healthy reefs and seaweed
and seagrass beds.
Mindanao Action Points Advocacy Coordinating Group
Mining Research Databanking Template
The qualitative interview was able to surface the benefits derived by
the local communities in the marine resources. However, these
resources are now endangered and the most significant causes are
those involving the effects of mining to the resources and destructive
fishing practices. Inspite of the concern of the people for the resources
where they obtain their food and livelihood, it is sad to realize the
helplessness among the local communities in responding to the
problems of the current resources.
Submitted by:
Date Submitted:
Contact Details of the Research Institute:
INECAR, Ateneo de Naga University
April 22, 2015
Inecar.adnu@gmail.com / (054) 473-8447 loc. 2217