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Abstract. The composition, abundance and distribution of mangrove species in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte were analyzed. Majority of the sampling areas were dominated by Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora mucronata. The top three sampling stations which had the highest total density were Liangan East, Poblacion and Rupagan. These areas have also higher regeneration potential of mangroves including Demologan. Consequently, the mangrove area in Bacolod is relatively stable with less human disturbance.
Key Words: mangrove, seedling, sapling, distribution, abundance, S. alba, R. apiculata, R. mucronata.
Introduction. Mangrove is a type of forest growing along tidal mudflats and along shallow coastal water extending inland along rivers, streams and their tributaries where the water is generally brackish (Melana et al 2000). Mangrove forests have important ecological and socio-economic values to man (Bennet & Reynolds 1993). Mangrove trees provide timber for construction, firewood and charcoal, fishing poles, pulp and tannin (Hamilton & Snedaker 1984). Many parts of the mangrove can also be used for medicines (Bandaranayake 1998). Mangrove leaves support the marine food web through the production of detritus, which provides an important food source for shrimp and fish (Leh & Sasekumar 1984), molluscs, crabs, birds and many other animals (Macintosh 1984); this in turn supports the coastal fisheries (Chong et al 1990). Mangroves provide protection and a habitat that is suitable as breeding and nursery areas for many shrimp, crabs and marine fish (Sasekumar et al 1992; Barbier & Strand 1998). Mangroves also provide important regulatory functions. They reduce coastal erosion and flooding, buffer salinity changes and intrusion, supply and regenerate nutrients and retard run-off (Lugo & Snedaker 1974; Othman 1994; Tri et al 1998). The diverse plant and animal life associated with mangrove ecosystems can also provide opportunities for nature education, tourism and scientific study, thereby providing further social and economic values.
The Philippines is an archipelago of around 7,100 islands bordered by 36,300 km of coastline along mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs. An estimated total mangrove area of 500,000 ha was found within the Philippine coastlines in 1918 (Brown & Fischer 1920). But studies showed that 70% of the original mangrove forest was lost from 500,000 ha in 1918 to 120,500 ha in 1994 with depletion rate of 3,700 ha per year...