Effect of siltation on coral reef health in Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape, Davao de Oro, Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64612/ijecsdv.v1i1.178Keywords:
Coral reef health, Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape (MPLS), sedimentation, siltation, turbidityAbstract
Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems characterized by high biodiversity and significant ecological roles; however, increasing siltation threatens their stability. In Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape (MPLS), Mabini, Davao de Oro, Philippines, recent monitoring recorded declining coral cover, with siltation identified as a major stressor. This study assessed the seasonal effects of siltation on coral reef health by comparing indicators between low- and high-siltation sites. Coral reefs were surveyed using photo-transect method, fish visual census for indicator reef fish, and frequency of occurrence for coral disease. Siltation was measured using sediment traps and multiparameter water-quality device. Results showed higher mean live hard coral cover in low-siltation site (58.65% HCC) compared to high-siltation site (36.07% HCC). Coral genera diversity and butterflyfish abundance were also higher in low-siltation site (34 TAUs; 41.2 ind. 100m-2) than in high-siltation site (21 TAUs; 12.8 ind. 100m-2). Higher frequency of disease-affected coral colonies in high-siltation site (56 colonies) compared to low-siltation site (33 colonies). Whereas mean coral mortality did not differ significantly between low-siltation (0.25 CMI) and high-siltation (0.18 CMI) sites. Mean turbidity and sediment deposition rates were markedly higher in high-siltation site during both the dry (31.97 NTU; 150.95 g m⁻² day⁻¹) and wet (76.66 NTU; 278.52 g m⁻² day⁻¹) seasons, compared to low-siltation site during the dry (4.04 NTU; 16.29 g m⁻² day⁻¹) and wet (15.17 NTU; 73.66 g m⁻² day⁻¹) seasons. These findings indicate that siltation is a primary driver of reef degradation in MPLS and support ridge-to-reef management strategies for coral reef conservation.
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