Resilience of hard coral communities of Apo reef natural park to high intensity typhoons

Date

12-2025

Abstract

Apo Reef Natural Park is a critical refuge for diverse assemblages of benthic invertebrates, fish, and large vertebrates. In the last 20 years, the reef complex has been consistently exposed to high-intensity natural disturbances, prompting the need for stronger,_ science-based management strategies. The study examined spatio-temporal changes in hard coral community structure after consecutive disturbance events and illuminated important drivers of recovery. Benthic and fish community data collected from five years of programmed monitoring were analyzed to determine important ecological factors. Statistical tools that model relationships between factors influencing hard coral assemblages were used in this process. Overall, the results showed the resilience of ARNP's hard coral community to the current disturbance regime, despite exhibiting variable spatio-temporal response. Simulations showed different recovery patterns that were highly influenced by the initial hard coral cover and dominant growth forms with reefs dominated by robust corals showing higher resilience despite the faster recovery rates of fragile forms. In predicted future scenarios characterized by increasing storm frequency, hard coral recovery will be compromised by the loss of fast-growing corals. The study provides important ecological insights supporting the implementation of area-based management strategies that can mitigate future risks to coral growth and development of ARNP.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Environmental Science

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Victor S. Ticzon

Committee Member

Eduardo C. Calzeta, Jomar F. Rabajante, Badi R. Samaniego

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

CORAL REEFS; HURRICANES; NATURAL DISASTERS; ECOSYSTEM DISTURBANCE; RESILIENCE; MARINE PROTECTED AREAS; SPATIO-TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION

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