1
xCHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
Background of the Study
Marine ecosystems worldwide are being altered by human disturbances
such as overfishing (Botsford et.al., 1997; Myers and Worm 2003) coastal
shoreline development and climate change (Howarth et al. 2005; Rabalais et
al., 2002). Achieving sustainability of resources, economics and coastal
communities requires conservation techniques that acknowledge ecological
interactions that drive marine ecosystem dynamics. (Scheffer et al. 2001);
Walker et al.2002). The destruction of marine ecosystem affects marine life
species including marine invertebrates (Ponder et al. 1997). The loss of
important group of invertebrates may affect populations of many other species,
including some commercially important and subsistence species (Fukuyama
and Oliver 1985; Bodkin et al. 2002; Den et al. 2002).
Likewise, Australian marine invertebrates contribute to the economy
and human welfare both directly and indirectly but their potential has hardly
generally recognised (Beattie 1994; Yen and Butcher 1997). Species such as
oyster, prawns and crayfish serve as a source of food. These invertebrates help
maintaining healthy marine environment is not only for the industries but for
the recreational and tourist industries. Despite of facts that marine invertebrates
comprise most of animal diversity and a significant proportion of
2
“biodiversity” as a whole, conservations have unfortunately given priority
(Ponder et al. 2002).
Philippines is an archipelagic state of more than 7,100 islands with a
vast coastline and rich coastal and marine areas noted as the world’s center of
marine biodiversity (Carpenter and Springer, 2005). The coastal and marine
areas are vital source of food, minerals and ray materials as well as natural
setting for sports, recreational and other social and cultural activities
(Malacanang, 2006). Beyond this bountiful marine ecosystem, it has been
observed nowadays that coastal ecosystem degraded (Gomez et al., 1994) and
has recognized as the hottest of the spots in marine biodiversity (Roberts et al.,
2002). This revealed by high levels of threats (overfishing, destructive fishing
practices, unsustainable coastal development, sedimentation and pollution on
marine species such as marine invertebrates specifically coral reefs (Burke et
al., 2002, 2011). This alarming state is due to climate change (McLeod et al.,
2010).
It has been observed in Barangay Aplaya, Digos City that the provision
of Code of Practice of Aquaculture was not merely implemented in this area
nowadays. Previous studies stated that its salinity, temperature, pH and
dissolved oxygen passed the water quality criteria for coastal and marine
waters based on DENR Administrative Order No. 34, Series of 1990. Current
surveys shows that its salinity inclining and garbage left unattended and some
fecal matter were seen littered in the coastline and in the estuary. With this, it
can affect the condition of some habitats of most diverse species of marine
3
invertebrates that causes extinction of some species including marine
invertebrates. Thus, this extinction of some marine invertebrates that serves as
source of livelihood degraded and the sustainability of marine ecosystem that
can affect economic and ecological balance.
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to investigate the marine invertebrate profile of Aplaya,
Digos City.
Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of marine invertebrates of Aplaya, Digos City in
terms of:
1.1 Species
1.1.1 Invertebrates
1.1.1.1 Phylum Porifera
1.1.1.2 Phylum Cnidaria
1.1.1.3 Phylum Mollusca
1.1.1.4 Phylum Annelida
1.1.1.5 Phylum Arthropoda
1.1.1.6 Phylum Echinodermata
1.2 Habitat Structure
1.2.1. Horizontal Habitat Zone
1.2.1.1 Splash
1.2.2.2 Intertidal
4
1.2.2.3 Shallow Subtidal
1.2.2.4Deep Subtidal
1.2.2 Vertical Habitat Zone
1.2.2.1Pelagic
1.2.2.2 Demersal
1.2.2.3 Infauna
2. What is the physico-chemical status of shallow near shore habitats of marine
invertebrates in terms of:
2.1 Temperature
2.2 Salinity
2.3 Dissolved Oxygen
2.4 pH
2.5 Turbidity
3. What is the condition of the settlers of Aplaya, DigosCityin terms of:
3.1 Economy
3.2 Practices
5
Review of Related Literature
This section contains a variety of literature and related studies from various
books, journals and published articles that is relevant on this study.
Physical Structure and Classification
Ponder et al., (2002) defines marine as an area encompassing all oceanic
and coastal environments, including estuaries, brackish or saltwater coastal
lagoons, mangrove and saltmarsh habitats. Also, they define invertebrates as
species without backbone that belong to kingdom Animalia. Thus,
invertebrates are not a natural grouping phylogenetically but consist of many
groups of vastly different organisms.
The sea has much greater high-order diversity (phyla, classes and
orders) than terrestrial or freshwater habitats. In terms of diversity, size and
numeric dominance, the major groups of macroinvertebratess are the
crusteceans, molluscs, and polycahaetes as stated by Ponder et al., (2002).
Thus, these invertebrates belong to various classifications.
Marine invertebrate’s classification is based on a collection of
morphological and life cycle characters that show degree of relatedness
between taxa. One of the most important morphological features of animals is
the presence (or absence) of primary body layers as stated by Campbell
(1990).Another morphological feature in classification is the basic body
asymmetry of marine invertebrates. The simplest body plan is asymmetrical;
that has no planes of symmetry. Body cavity type is yet another feature used to
6
evaluate the degree of evolutionary relatedness. Lastly, animals can also be
classified on the basis of their developmental origin of their mouth, as well as
development of other features. Thus, this various feature can be seen in phyla
namely; Phylum Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda and
Echinodermata as stated by Hatfield Marine Science Center.
The first and simplest group of organisms belong to Phylum Porifera
which means “pores bearer”. These organisms are unique in that they possess
cells that are totipotent,meaning they can transform into other cell types as
needed. Sponges are one of the examples in this phylum. Sponges do not have
nervous, digestive or circulatory system instead they rely on maintaining a
constant water flow through their bodies to obtain food, oxygen and to remove
wastes. The shape of their bodies is adapted to maximize the efficiency ofwater
flow. All sponges are sessile aquatic animals and, although there are freshwater
species, the vast majority are in marine ecosystem. Some species can be found
depths exceeding 5 miles.
The next phylum is Cnidaria. The name Cnidaria comes from the Greek
word “cnidos” which means stinging nettle.Cnidarians such as hydra, sea
anemones, corals and jellyfish are incredibly diverse in form in terms of
colonial, sessile (polyp form) or free swimming (medusa form). Regardless of
their shape, all cnidarians are radially symmetrical with tentacles surrounding a
centrally located mouth.The tentacles are armed with stinging cells called
nematocysts. The tentacles are armed with stinging cells called nematocysts.
When touched, nematocysts ejectbarbed threads tipped with poison which can
7
be used for protection and feeding. Thousands of cnidarian species likejellyfish
lived in the world's oceans, from the tropics to the poles, from the ocean
surface tothe bottom. A few species are even found in rivers and fresh water
lakes.
Furthermore, the phylum Mollusca is a Greek word for “soft-bodied”. It
is the second largest group with over 100,000 living species having been
described, in addition to 35,000 fossilized species. This diverse group
distinguished by having a muscular foot, a calcareous shell secreted by the
individual’s underlying mantle and a rasping tongue (radula). All types of
feeding are found within this group including predation, parasitism, grazing
and filter feeding such as snails, chitons, scallops and nudibranches. Molluscan
shells not only provideprotection for the animal living within, but they also
survive long after the animal insidehas died. Because of this, mollusks are well
represented in the fossil record.Their diversity is enormous; even after being
collected by amateur and professional malacologists for centuries, new species
are continually being described. Over 65,000 living species have been
described, as well as approximately 35,000 fossil species.
Annelida from Latin anellus, meaning "little ring" are a large phylum of
segmented worms.They are found in marine environments from tidal zones to
hydrothermal vents, in freshwater, as well as in moist terrestrial environments.
Annelids are coelomate animals (meaning they have a true coelom or body
cavity). They normally have elongated bodies made up of a series of identical
8
segments. Marine annelids may be burrowing, tube dwelling, or free swimming
and are generallypredators or scavengers.
Hence, phylum Arthropoda contains animals that have an exoskeleton
(external skeleton), a segmented body and jointed appendages. Arthropoda
(Greek translation means "jointed feet") is the largest phylum and includes
insects, arachnids, and crustaceans such as shrimp, lobsters and crabs. Because
these animals possess an exoskeleton that inhibits growth, they must shed and
replace it periodically in a process called molting.
The
phylum
Echinodermata
also
called
as
“spiny
skinned”.
Echinoderms begin as bilaterally symmetrical larva. As they continue to
develop into their adult from they become radially symmetrical with five-part
symmetry (pentamerous).Echinoderms move, feed and breathe with a unique
water-vacular system that composed of a radial canal terminating in tube feet.
The echinoderms are all marine organisms include brittle stars, sea tars, sea
urchins, sand dollar, sea cucumbers, sea lilies and many extinct forms. They are
generally characterized by having secondary radial symmetry, an endoskeleton
of caccareous ossicles, an extensive coelom, complete digestive tract and a
poorly developed nervous system. Two unique characters set them apart from
all other phyla, namely the water vascular system and generally five parted
body plan. Echinoderms larvae closely resemble those Saccoglossus, character
that suggests a close relationship between the echinoderms and the chordates.
9
Similarly, Ponder et al., (2002) reported that there are tens of thousands
of Australian marine invertebrates have already been described, more than
thousands awaiting to discover. Thus, number of marine invertebrate’s species
cannot be accurately estimated because of large groups, particularly that are
very small and those species are difficult to distinguish based on morphological
characteristics added by Knowlton.
Furthermore, most people have limited awareness of the wild world and
are concerned chiefly with the organisms that influence their lives. For that,
marine invertebrate’s distribution was not given importance. With this, the
science of classification changes the knowledge about living things expansion,
especially concerning marine invertebrates species for declining of marine
invertebrates affects the abundance of spatial distribution as stated by Grimaldi
and Engel, (2005) ; Prokop et al., (2011).
Spatial distribution
Marine invertebrates are found in all marine habitats ranging from
shorelines and estuaries down to the barely exploded habitats of the abyssal sea
depths up to 11,000 m in some of the deepest ocean trenches. In addition, to
well-known habitats such as rocky shores and rock pools, coral reefs and
seagrass beds, marine invertebrates can be found in the interstitial spaces
between sand, around hydrothermal vents, on floating debris such as algal mats
The habitat structure of marine invertebrates associated with each of the
life cycle stages were based on the biophysical habitat features, specifically
10
vertical and horizontal habitat zones as reported by Christian et al., (2010).
Thus, vertical habitat zone consists of pelagic, demersal , benthic and infauna
while horizontal habitat zone includes splash, intertidal, shallow subtidal and
deep subtidal.
In addition, Christian et al., (2010) also defined the pelagic vertical
habitat zone as an open ocean waters, either middle or surface water levels,
which are not direct influenced by the shore or bottom. Demersal zone bounded
near the bottom of the ocean. Benthic zone are those species living on the
bottom of the ocean. Infauna zone involves species living in the substrate,
especially in a soft sea bottom.
Furthermore, they defined also the four characterization of horizontal
habitat zone which are splash, intertidal, shallow subtidal and deep subtidal.
Splash horizontal zone all land above high tide area. Intertidal zone includes
the area between high and low water marks. Shallow subtidal is the shallow
water zone from the extreme low tide level to depth of around 30 meters. Deep
subtidal zone defines as the water zone extending from 30 m to a depth of
approximately 200 m.
Hence, patterns of species richness and distribution depend on the
interactions between individual species’ ranges of tolerance and competition as
reported by Brown et al., (2007). The abundance of spatial distribution varies
by biophysical and physico-chemical factors. Thus, the interface between the
11
land and the sea is vulnerable to various physical, natural physico-chemical
factors such as temperature and pH as stated by Ponder et al., (2002).
.Factors affecting Marine Life Invertebrates
Temperature
Tekinay ve Guroy (2007) stated that water temperature is the most
important environmental parameter that affects the life cycle, physiological and
behaviours of aquatic living beings. Thus, oceans and seas are mostly affected
by the process of change caused by global warming. A temperature increase of
only a few degrees does not only cause an increase in the temperature of large
water masses such as oceans, sea, lakes and ponds but it also causes
hydrological events that cause a change in the physical and chemical
characteristics of water.
As cited by Calver et al., that there are three ways in which temperature
influences the physical and biological properties of marine habitats: its broader
influence on the distribution of organisms, its effects on physiology and its
influence on seawater density and salinity. Temperature influences seawater
density directly by heating or cooling and indirectly by evaporation. Warmer
water is less dense, whereas colder water is denser and sinks. In enclosed water
such as estuaries or coastal bays, the sun heats the surface layer. That surface
layer floats on the denser underlying water, promoting water-column stability.
In coastal areas with high evaporation and low rainfall, sea water in narrow
inlets or estuaries evaporates causes the inclining of salinity and producing
12
dense water that encourages mixing. Thus, temperature also affects the growth
and respiration by influencing oxygen availability of the marine species..
Salinity
One of the most important characteristics of sea water is its salinity.
Salinity defines as the concentration of dissolved salts. As Calver et al., (2009)
stated that its characteristic is to control the variations in seawater density to
help mixing. Salinity influences water movemnets through its effect on the
physiology of organisms and water density. Density increases with water.
Denser water is heavier and sinks. We can see the effects of density on mixing
by examining cases where fresher water meets sea water.
Finally, density effects can cause environmental ‘catastrophes’. In
Western Australia, corals spawn on an outgoing tide, eight nights after March
full moon. The bouyant, fertilised coral eggs float on the surface. If it rained on
one of these nights, the fresher water would sit above the denser sea water and
it is likely that the eggs, adapted to 35 ppt sea water, would be killed by the
osmotic shock of coping with freshwater.
Dissolved Oxygen
The availability of oxygen, required by all aerobic organisms for
respiration, is therefore critial. The amount of oxygen in the water depends on
the atmospheric pressure at the air-water interface. This is because the amout of
oxygen held in water depends on the atmospheric pressured exerted. If this
increases, more oxygen dissolves. However , the total pressure of gases in the
13
waters is the sum of all partial pressures exerted by each gas, so if there are
many gases or solutes in the water, proportionally less oxygen dissolves.
Furthermore, as Calver et al., (2009) stated that increasing temperature
decreases the pressure within the water and so, as temperature increases,
dissolved oxygen concentration decreases. As salinity increases, the dissolved
oxygen concentration decreases.
Finally, a case study conducted Juico (2010) revealed that there were no
sinificant relationship between the number of sea star species and the physicochemical parameters except for the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) which
recorded a much lower value compared to the criteria set by the government.
Literature readings cites the possibility that the temperature might be the cause
of the sudden change of BOD since temperature affects the rate of
photosynthesis of plants, the metabolic rate of sea stars ,and the sensitivity of
organisms to toxins.
pH
The pH of water is the potential of hydrogen, a measure of its acidity or
alkalinity on a scale from 0 to 14. Specifically, it describes the logarithm of the
reciprocal of hydrogen ion concentartion in use the wagram atoms per litre.
High concentrations of hydrogen ion concentration cause the water to be acidic
and have pH values less than 7. A low concentration of hydrogen ions causes
the water to be alkaline or basic and have pH greater than 7. Organisms are
14
usually adapted to the natural pH range within their environment. Extremes of
pH (whether acid or base) limit the productivity of most plants and animals.
In addition, marine fish and invertebrates are especially sensitive to
rapid changes in their pH, so keeping pH fluctuations within 0.2 each day is
very critical. pH of water affects vital biological chemical processes. In marine
ecosystem the adequate pH value would be 8.0 to 8.3. If the pH decreases,
biological chemical process cannot occur and marine life cannot be sustained
as coined by Marine Fish Net (2014).it was further stated that pH should never
dropped below 8.
Turbidity
Calver et al., (2009) defines turbidity as a measure of suspended solids
in the water column. Suspended material reduces light penetration as light is
absorbed, reflected or deflected by the particles. The higher the turbidity the
less light is available for photosynthesis, and hence the productivity of the
aquatic ecosystem decreases. The more particles in the water, the less light
continues downwards through the water column.
It was further stated that turbidity increases result from increased
sediment loads caused primarily by land-clearing that results erosion. Apart
from reducing light levels,abiotic sediment can sevrely affect invertebrates that
filter water for food or oxygen. The silt also provides no sustenance and clogs
filtering mechanisms and gills, potentially causing death. Thus, increase of
turbidity may also be caused by biotic particles such as algal cells
15
(phytoplankton). With this, it reduces light in the water column and can kill
benthic vegetation. This in turn can increase abiotic turbidity because
sediments is no longer bound by a root mass on plants and is readily suspended
by wind and currents.
Human Impacts
Beyond physico-chemical factors that can affect marine species’
diversity, another factor causes species’ extinction is human disturbances.
Species richness generally increases with increasing water quality, habitat
diversity and or habitat suitability and is expected to decreases with human
induced disturbance. In shallow waters, over-harvesting for ornamental trade is
possible as well as the damaging effects of tourism coined by Muller (2008).
Thus, as reported by Ponder et al., (2002) that increasing threat to the coastal
environment due to human development, pollution and over-hasting has created
a need for information on the health of coastal habitats
Practices of coastal settlers of Barangay Aplaya, Digos City
In 16,561 population rate of Barangay Aplaya in 2014 as estimated by
Planning and Housing Office of Digos City, 2,331residets lived on coastal
settlers including informal settlers according to Barangay Profile of Brgy.
Aplaya as of 2014. These coastal settlers belong to Purok I, II and III. Some of
the residents were common fishermans living in coastline area of Barangay
Aplaya depend on the natural resources coming from marine ecosystem in their
living. It’s their daily practice to struggle on the sea to supply their daily needs
16
and to have higher rate of economical livelihood. Some of the residents also
depend on the commercial establishment and informal implementation of
business such as renting places of tourist nearby the shoreline of the beach.
Coastal areas were develop for coastal tourism but it is the main source of
garbage. With this practices and lack of awareness, there’s an imbalance
ecosystem of marine species including marine invertebrates that might cause
harm not only the life of marine species be endangered but in the livelihood of
residents as well.It is a must to take action for the preservation of marine
ecosystem for a sustainable and ecological balance in the area to sustain its
marine diversity for further genrations.
Furthermore, beyond the implementation of Executive No. 533, Section
4 that the implementation of Integrated Coastal Managemnet (ICM) Policy that
there must be public awareness programmers to increase the level of
understanding of coastal and marine resources of the area, and to promote a
shared responsibilty among stakeholders in the planning and implementing,
environmental monitoring and investment oppurtunities and sustainable
financing mechanism for environmental protection and improvemnet and
resource evaluation are some of the policies that were not rarely implemented
in Barangay Aplaya, Digos City Davao del Sur.
Related Studies
A study conducted by Juico, Melodie(2014) in Davao Gulf to provide
biological information on the species distribution and abundance of sea star
17
under phylum Echinodermata as well as the physico-chemical status of the
seawater of selected intertidal zones of Davao Gulf. Results showed a total of
2357 individuals recognized. These species belong to 8 genera and 4 families
of sea stars. Of these 1842 species belong to family Astropectindae, 484 are
under the families of Ophidiasteridae, 30 species for family Oreasteridae, and 1
species in the family of Acanthasteridae. Species richness generally increases
with increasing water quality, habitat diversity and habitat suitability and is
expected to decrease with human induced disturbances. Furthermore, statistics
revealed there were no significant relationship between the number of sea star
species and the physico-chemical parameters except for BOD. A sudden
change of BOD increases temperature that affects the metabolic rate of aquatic
animals, timing and success of reproduction, mobility, migration patterns and
the sensitivity of organisms to toxins.
Finally, in 1999, Mindanao State University conducted physical,
chemical and biological studies of the coastal waters of Davao del Sur which
covered ten coastal municipalities including the municipality of Sta. Cuz,
Padada, Hagonoy, Malita, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino and Digos wherein
Aplaya Beach located. The physical, chemical and biological on coastal areas
of Davao del Sur indicated some coastal areas having low DO concentration
due to the sediment discharges of the rivers draining to the sea and the
decomposition of organic matter fish landing activities, animal wastes and
garbage littering the coastlines.
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
18
This study has been anchored to the theory of Niche theory. This theory
stated that the geographical location of the environment dictates the species
found on it. Also pointed in this theory is that, potential nature- the idealized
distribution of an individual in the absence of interactions with the other
species. As what theory stated, the distribution of marine invertebrates depend
on its geographical location that is well suited to them.
Another principle that is anchored by this study is the principle of
sustainability. It is the ability of the earth’s various natural system and human
cultural systems and economies to survive and adapt to changing
environmental conditions indefinitely. As what this principle stated, the
distribution of marine invertebrates depends on how they survive in human
impacts and how they adapt on the environmental conditions.
This diagram shows that marine profile of Aplaya, Digos City can be
help to the sustainability of the economy or practices of the settlers of the said
barangay as mentioned above.
19
Aplaya, Digos
City
Marine Invertebrates
Profile
 Species
 Habitat Structure
 Physicochemical Status
 Economy
 Practices
Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Study
20
Significance of the Study
The results of the study will be beneficial to the following:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The
research study will help the agency to formulate interventions of the citizens of
Barangay Aplaya, Digos City Davao del Sur about conserving and protecting
the marine life invertebrates in shallow water of the said site. Also the research
study will give them the awareness in monitoring activities happening along
inside the site to be preserved and protected.
Legislators.This study will serve as a reference for the Provincial,
Municipal and Barangay level legislators in the enactment of local policies that
will help to improve strict surveillanceand to support conservation of marine
invertebrates in the said site.
Municipality of Digos City.The outcome of this research will help
them to have knowledge about the status of marine life invertebrates of
Barangay Aplaya, Digos City, Davao del Sur. The municipality will benefit
the outcome of the study by improving tourism on the said site as well as
providing shelter for the marine creatures. With this, they will have new
perceptions on how to protect and maintain a balance marine ecosystem for
further generations.
Community Extension Office of UMDC.
The
University
of
Mindanao Digos Campus was one of the organizations conducting outreach
programs in maintaining a conducive community in Barangay Aplaya. This
21
study will serve as a reference of the campus on what programs or activities to
be held in order for the citizens of Barangay Aplaya to be aware on the marine
life species specializing marine invertebrates. Creations of new techniques of
coastal clean ups and appropriate allocation of programs regarding the marine
ecosystem will be possible actions launched with the help of this study.
Citizens.The study will help the citizens ofAplaya, Digos City, Davao
del Sur, especially to our common fishermen in Barangay Aplaya to gain more
income by having an abundant marine ecosystem. Due to this study, awareness
on how to conserve marine invertebrates for an abundance income
implemented.As a result, they will preserve the marine protected areas and
coastal management for the sake of the marine life invertebrates throughout
further next generations.
Future Researcher: The study will serve as a guide for the future
researchers of the next generations through the previous research study
conducted by the researchers.
The outcome of this study will lift-up the
courage of the future researcher to conduct the same study to advocate
protection of marine ecosystem. They can also use this study to influence the
perceptions of Coastal Resource Management Plan and conservation of marine
life species in the future.
Furthermore, in order to maintain this long-term sustainability, several
efforts have been done in addressing the need for the sustainable management
22
of Philippines Nation’s coastal and marine ecosystem for the benefits for the
present ecological marine species further generations.
Upon this conservation, the Department of Environment ad natural
resources Administrative No.25, Series of 1992 (Implementing Rules and
Regulations) and to facilitate the implementation of the Community based
Program in protected areas, DAO 200-02 (Guidelines on the Establishment and
Management of Community-Based Protected Areas) wherein its basic policy
based on Republic Act No. 7586, Section 1 is to promote the conservation of
biodiversity and sustainable development in protected and buffer zones
tomaintain essential ecological process and life support systems enhances
capacity to sustain human life and development as well as plants and animals.
Scope and Limitation
This study focused on profiling marine invertebrates of Barangay
Aplaya, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Every marine invertebrates found in the
study site will be identified according to their classification. The pH,
temperature, turbidity, location, and salinity will be the measurement of the
presence or absence of marine invertebrates on the said study sites. Moreover,
few where selected upon determining the physico-chemical and biophysical
properties of water because of lack of financial support, allocated time and
equipment for determining its exact measurement. Also, the range of the said
area is too crucial to dictate the exact parameter that will serve as a sampling
site due to a wide range of the boundary.
23
On the limitation, profile of marine invertebrates of Barangay Aplaya,
Davao del Sur are only be identified and classified inside the parameter of the
study site. Due to a wide range of parameters in this area and limited allotted
time, the important and basic selected phyla namely; Phylum Porifera,
Cnidaria, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda and Echinodermata will be tallied.
There is only one year frequency allotted time to finish the said research study.
Definition of Terms
This section presents the important technical terms that are use in the
study. They are both defined conceptually and operationally for better
understanding of the study.
Marine Invertebrates. Invertebrates belong to Kingdom Animalia these
species without backbone are encompassing all oceanic and coastal
environments including estuaries, brackish or saltwater coastal lagoons,
mangrove and salt marsh habitats which promotes livelihood, food source and
tourism.
Profile. Defined by Meriam dictionary as a representation of something in
outline; a graph representing the extent to which an individual exhibits traits or
abilities as determined by tests or ratings.
Barangay Aplaya.Is a placed along seashore of Davao Gulf with a total
estimated population of 16,561 as of 2014. From this rate, only 2,331residents
living in the coastline of Aplaya Beach. Some of the uncounted residents were
considered as informal settlers.
24
CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents research design, method and procedures being
used in conducting the study. The researchers used quantitative and descriptive
methods of research to describe the status of diverse marine invertebrate’s
species in Barangay Aplaya, Digos City.
Research Design
The researchers used quantitative methods of research to describe and
analyze the current condition accurately and accordingly. This study design
was created to describe the profile and status of marine invertebrates It also
describes the physicochemical of the sea water in terms of pH and temperature.
Generally, descriptive research methods used to efficiently describe and
analyze the current conditions of marine invertebrates with its physic-chemical
properties. In collaboration with this method, a survey method also will be
implemented to examine the economics and practices of residents in Barangay
Aplaya that affects marine ecosystem.
Research Subject
The study focuses on the marine invertebrates of Aplaya using the Line
Intercept Transect (LIT) method (English et al., 1997) for estimating the
percentage of marine invertebrates and other taxa. Three sampling sites will be
25
transected with a 50 m perpendicular transect line from the seashore in the said
area.
Also, the respondents of the study are the residents of Barangay Aplaya,
Digos City, Davao del Sur with an estimated population rate of 16, 561
individual as of 2014. Upon this estimated population rate, two thousand three
hundred thirty-one (2,331) residents residing in the coastline area. These
residents are to be identified using purposive sampling method.
Materials and Equipments
The study, “Marine Invertebrates Profile of Barangay Aplaya, Digos
Cit” can be measured using a variety of measuring instrument namely; 2 pencil
use for writing, 2 metal ruler for underwater measuring tools, notebooks as
another writing pad, ballpen for writing, Styrofoam as floating pad for the GPS,
underwater camera for species documentation, GPS for the exact location,
parameter and positioning of the species.
Data Gathering Procedure
Upon collecting data for the research the researchers followed step by
step procedure to make it formal and valid.
1.Formal letter asking permission to conduct the study. In gathering data
for the study, the researchers made a formal letter to ask permission from Brgy.
Aplaya as well as from the municipality of Digos City, Davao Del Sur to allow
the said sampling visit and data gathering.
26
2. Preparation of research instrument. Validation of the letters through the
help of an adviser for acquiring the data where the passed for the desired
institutions. Before the confirmation is given, the data were first gathered.
3. Validation of the data gathered. Data validation was conducted. Individual
verification of each data gathered when possible through calls, house visits and
other means of communication to the research subject to ensure any trace of
missing subjects or data.
4. Assembling and analysis of the gathered data. The researchers assemble
the validated and gathered data, analyzing the encoded information in
spreadsheet summarized and treated statistically. After which results were
drawn for which discussion, conclusion and recommendation were made.
Computation of Gathered Data
As the data of the study will be all collected, it would be then calculated
and analyzed by the researchers through the following computerize
computation instruments to have its exact results.
PAST (Paleontological Statistics) a software for data analysis that can
compute Shannon index, Simpson index, Evenness, Richness and plotting the
graph of the species diversity distribution by just encoding the sampling data
on the software.
27
Statistical Treatment of Data
To obtain valid and reliable results, the following statistical treatment
tools were used. All the computations used the Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences (SPSS). The Statistical tools employed in this study were the
following:
Frequency- to describe the profile of the marine invertebrates in terms
of their habitat structure namely horizontal and vertical
Mean- used to describe the physico-chemical properties f marine
invertebrates.
28
REFERENCES
\
29
APPENDIX A
30
MAP OF BARANGAY APLAYA, DIGOS, CITY