Authors

Jenny M. Dela Cruz

Author

Wilfredo H. Uy

Co-author

College of Marine and Allied Sciences, Mindanao State University at Naawan, 9023 Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines - Panaon Campus, 7205 Punta, Panaon, Misamis Occidental, Philippines

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Seagrass ecosystems play a vital role in marine environments, yet localized studies in the Southern Philippines, such as Brgy. Cantaan and Katunggan Park on Camiguin Island, remain limited. This study aims to map seagrass habitats, collect baseline data on percent cover, canopy height, and shoot density, and assess physico-chemical parameters. A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) was used for mapping, and images were processed using ArcMap 10.8. Twelve 50 m transects with ten 0.5 m x 0.5 m quadrants each were laid parallel to the shoreline. A total of 19.07 ha of seagrass were mapped (9.17 ha in Brgy. Cantaan, 9.9 ha in Katunggan Park), with each species identified. Brgy. Cantaan exhibitied good seagrass condition (55.43% cover, 20.02±3.10 cm canopy height, dominated by Thalassia hemprichii (408.50±55.53 shoots m-2). Although Brgy. Cantaan had greater coverage and taller canopies, its lower shoot density reflects differences in meadow structure compared to Katunggan Park, which showed higher shoot density (2283.87±302.56 shoots m-2) but fair condition (47.21 cover, 11.14±0.40 cm canopy height, with Halodule uninervis (636.62±73.72 shoots m-2) dominating its sandy substrate. These findings highlight how substrate type and species composition influence seagrass structure, providing essential baseline data for targeted conservation and management.