Grazing pressure of small bodied herbivorous fishes in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

Date

6-2017

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Ecology Genetics

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Victoria S. Ticzon

Abstract

MALABANAN, ALLAN CHRISTOPHER Q. 2017. Grazing pressure of small bodied herbivorous fishes in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. University of the Philippines Los Banos, B.S. Biology major in Ecology. Adviser: Dr. Victor S. Ticzon (IBS) Herbivorous fishes play an important role in regulating algal growth than can prevent 'phase-shift'. Studies showed that MPAs increase reef fish abundance and biomass, including that of herbivorous fishes. In the present study, level of fish herbivory by small bodied reef fishes in a protected and a non-marine protected area was determined using caged experiments. Studies on herbivory and its importance in maintaining coral reef resilience has been documented in numerous studies. However, limited studies on grazing pressure by small bodied fishes has been conducted. To demonstrate the relative contribution to herbivory of small bodied fishes, caging experiments were conducted in a long established MPA and adjacent non-MPA reef in Mabini, Batangas. The goal was to determine difference in grazing pressure inside an established MPA, where higher abundance of grazers are present, and its adjacent reef. In estimating grazing, three set-ups were used for each site: partially caged (control), uncaged, and caged. After 24 hours of exposure to herbivory, no significant difference on grazed areas were observed on the grazing tiles between two sites. Study also looked at the utility of digital image analysis in estimating grazing. The goal is to find an efficient and unbiased method in estimating grazing pressure. The result yielded overestimation of algal cover using this method.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2017 B4 M35

Document Type

Thesis

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