Biodiversity Assessment and Geospatial Mapping of Mangroves in

Alas Bay, Mandaon, Masbate, Philippines

Nathan Dave V. Estrella, Patrick F. Herrera

John Michael B. Libo-on, Carl Jayson A. Lachica

Jamela Kim Y. De Luna, Mareanne Joy B. Invento

Federico A. Estipona Memorial High School

Practical Research 2

Gerald Refil

August 2025
Rationale

Globally, mangrove ecosystems serve as essential natural buffers against wave action, as The World

Bank (2020) points out, “wave heights are demonstrably reduced from about 13% to 66% over 100 m, and

50% to 100 % over a range of 0 to 500 m” in countries all over the world, such as the Philippines. Over 14.8

million hectares of these ecosystems were, however, lost to development and retreat over a period of 40

years, as evidenced by statistics from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Yahya et al., 2020). Even

so, according to new research from Hahn et al., (2022), between 20 and 30% of these life-giving but

vanishing habitats have experienced loss. To top it all, this exceptionally low functional redundancy is

compounded by a decline in mangrove-associated invertebrate fauna, which has led to vulnerable

ecosystems in the event of local species losses that severely affect their general functionality as well as

resilience, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) from Cannicci et al., (2021). Since

only 15 countries hold about 75% of mangroves of the world, and only 6.9% are currently protected under

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Categories I-IV (Cutter et al., 2024; Adger, 2022;

Baptiste & Kinlocke, 2021), therefore, a dire and pressing need to bolster conservation efforts protecting

these irreplaceable natural resources from further degradation or loss.

In Asia, the dynamic mangrove forests to form irreplaceable hotspots of biodiversity in Southeast

Asia and the Indian subcontinent, reflecting a vast array of communities of plants, animals, and microbes

that render critical ecosystem services (Webber et al., 2021). They face increasing threats from rampant

activities by humans like aquaculture conversion, agricultural expansion, urban development, and pollution

as well as the effects brought about by climate change and sea-level rise (Basha et al., 2023). Governing

fragmentation and absence of integrated policies further aggravate the already multi-faceted degradation

because the conservation and management efforts are undermined (Yap & Al-Mutairi, 2025). Therefore,

understanding these intricate patterns and drivers of mangrove biodiversity loss and developing cohesive,
science-based conservation strategies are not just useful but vitally urgently imperative for safeguarding

these globally significant ecosystems and their unique biological heritage for future generations.

The Philippines, a worldwide hotspot of mangrove diversity, hosts at least 50% of the earth’s 65

mangrove species, thereby constituting an essential refuge for these ecologically important coastal

ecosystems (Serrano et al., 2022). Despite this vast natural endowment, Philippine mangroves are threatened

severely, and the main culprit has been anthropological in nature in the form of widespread conversion to

brackish water aquaculture ponds and widespread poor management practices that have caused drastic loss

(Cuenca-Ocay et al., 2023). This continuing deterioration not only threatens the extensive biodiversity but

also undermines the crucial ecosystem services mangroves offer, such as coastal defense, livelihoods, and

climate change mitigation, all essential to human well-being and sustainable development in a highly

exposed archipelago country (Agduma et al., 2024).

While trends at the national level are discouraging, effective conservation action is happening at the

local level. A major challenge to these actions is data gaps, especially in areas presumed to be resilient but

never scientifically researched. One such zone is Alas Bay in the municipality of Mandaon, Masbate.

Anecdotal information combined with random observations suggests this area has resilient mangrove

communities; however, it is a backyard for scientific minds, lacking any comprehensive biodiversity or

detailed geospatial studies. The absence of baseline information sets an inherent problem: without knowing

species composition, their abundance, distribution, and overall structure of the forest, no informed

conservation planning, sustainable resource management, or future monitoring of the ecosystem health can

proceed.

Through biodiversity assessments and high-resolution geospatial studies of the Alas Bay mangroves,

the proposed research seeks to fill this critical gap, which could lead to major societal benefits to the

Mandaon Local Government Unit (LGU) by providing an important scientific baseline in support of

effective conservation ordinances, priority protection zones, and sustainable resource management. The

ensuing data will then speak to enhancing community resilience through surveying the protection offered by

mangroves against storm conditions and sea-level rise, thereby anchoring mechanisms for local disaster risk
reduction. This study will further provide an important reference for long-term monitoring and become an

essential tool for community awareness and evidence-based advocacy, allowing communities to empower

themselves in stewardship of this irreplaceable asset and in preserving ecological and economic benefits for

future generations.

Research Questions

1. Since there is no data at hand regarding species composition and abundance, what are the population

density and species richness of mangroves among different sampling stations in Alas Bay, Mandaon,

Masbate?

In terms of:

a. Population density

b. Species richness

2. Since there is no information available on mangrove community diversity, what is the diversity of

mangrove communities among different sampling sites within Alas Bay

In terms of:

a. Diversity index

b. Evenness of distribution

3. here is no baseline on the structural attributes of mangroves, what are the structural attributes of

mangrove stands in Alas Bay, more specifically on tree height and diameter?

In terms of:

a. Height

b. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)

4. Given that mangrove extent and location mapping data are not available, how extensive is mangrove

forest cover in Alas Bay, and where is it distributed spatially based on geospatial mapping?
 In terms of:

a. Forest cover area

b. Spatial distribution

Goals

1. Determine the population density and richness of mangrove species in various stations in Alas Bay,

Mandaon, Masbate.

2. Evaluate the diversity of mangrove communities across different sampling stations in the study area.

3. Assess the structural properties of mangrove stands in Alas Bay, such as tree height and diameter.

4. Create a geospatial map illustrating the area and spatial pattern of mangrove forest cover in Alas

Bay.

Procedure

The examination of the Alas Bay in Mandaon, Masbate, is incomplete unless the mangroves in the

unreplenished areas are uploaded to the Web to see. First, sampling stations are to be set up across Alas Bay

to capture the variability among mangrove communities with respect to location. At each station, population

density and species richness of mangroves are carried out using quadrate sampling methods. Appropriate

diversity indices are used to assess the diversity of mangroves and compared across communities in different

sampling stations. Basic structural parameters such as tree height and diameter will be measured to describe

the overall stand structure. Lastly, setting up remote sensing data and ground truthing will produce a geo-

spatial map to describe the area and spatial distribution of mangrove forest cover in Alas Bay. This

integrated approach will enable the mangrove ecosystem to be fully understood in the area.

Risk and safety

Any risk and danger may arise during the fieldwork for biodiversity assessment and geospatial

mapping of mangroves in Alas, Mandaon, Masbate. There is a basic necessity for ensuring that sampling

activities like laying out of transects and quadrats are done according to the prescribed safe working

procedures. The mangrove ecosystem holds its unique hazards, including muddy and slippery ground, as

well as ambient tides with sharp roots and sharp shell fragments. Another important thing about the
mangrove ecosystem is that it is home to organisms that might pose a threat to researchers If not handled

properly, like crabs, snakes, and insects. Risk minimization for the researches may be resorted to by wearing

protective gear, working in the field at low tide, and strictly following the non-destructive techniques.

After data collection, all temporary field markers (ropes, tags, etc.) should be removed with care so

as not to damage the environment. With that said, there aren’t any chemicals pertaining to this study;

however, minor injuries like cuts and scrapes could be exposed to brackish water and mud, which carry the

risk of infection without immediate care. One other safety concern to look out for during biological surveys

is the risk of dehydration or developing any heat-influenced illness, especially when fieldwork lasts long in

the sun. However, with the help of first-aid kits, adequate hydration, sun protection, and insect repellents,

these risks are quite manageable, thus offering feasibility to the research.

Given that geospatial tools are low-risk, it can still be said that they will face technical glitches or

hardware/software breakdowns from time to time. But the accuracy of data is largely dependent on their

proper use, as inaccurate inputs will certainly make maps and biodiversity records less reliable. These

hazards are far outweighed by the advantages of geospatial mapping in terms of high-level accuracy and low

costs; the ability to provide real-time spatial data for conservation planning weighs heavily in favor of using

geospatial mapping. This accentuates that great emphasis should be put on their handling, regular

maintenance, and proper recording of data.

There is no exclusive risk associated with fieldwork in the mangrove ecosystems, provided it is done

in care, which falls within those already identified. Protective clothing, boots, gloves, and hats help reduce

exposure to insect bites, cuts, and sunburn. In the event of an emergency, there are teams ready to spring

into action as communication devices serve to provide extra safety measures. So overall, the biodiversity

assessment and geospatial mapping of mangroves in Alas Bay will prove both safe and advantageous if

sessions will be undertaken responsibly and according to environmental protection and safety standards in

the said project.

Data Analysis
 After assessing the mangrove diversity and mapping the mangrove forests in alas bay in Mandaon,

Masbate, Philippines we will proceed in gathering data. This research aims to address the lack of data of

mangrove diversity in alas bay. The study conducted by student of Federico A. Estipona Memorial High

school, exploring mangrove species, diversity, abundance and spatial distribution, using QGIS software we

will mapped the selected area, after mapping the selected area by sampling method, then we will gather data

by investigating the different mangrove species in alas bay, we will also gather the (Girth at breast height

(GBH) and Diameter at breast height (DBH) data on mangroves. The research seeks to contribute to the

local environment management and the locals that live in that area, this data will help in providing

information on mangrove diversity and the factors that greatly effect it threats like human activities and

climate change. The hypothesis focuses on the on the impact of environmental factors that effect mangrove

diversity and mangrove distribution also the dominant mangrove species in alas bay.
Bibliography

Agduma, A. R., & Cao, K. (2023). Species richness, extent and potential threats to mangroves of Sarangani

Bay Protected Seascape, Philippines. Biodiversity Data Journal, 11.

https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.11.e100050

Corte, G. N., Checon, H. H., Esmaeili, Y. S., Lefcheck, J. S., & Amaral, A. C. Z. (2021). Mangrove

fragments as key coastal reservoirs of taxonomic and functional biodiversity. Biodiversity and

Conservation, 30(5), 1573–1593. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02158-y

Gerona-Daga, M. E. B., & Salmo, S. G. (2022). A systematic review of mangrove restoration studies in

Southeast Asia: Challenges and opportunities for the United Nation’s Decade on Ecosystem

Restoration. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.987737

Rahman, M. M., Zimmer, M., Ahmed, I., Donato, D., Kanzaki, M., & Xu, M. (2021). Co-benefits of

protecting mangroves for biodiversity conservation and carbon storage. Nature Communications,

12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24207-4

Rahman, N., Lokollo, F. F., Manuputty, G. D., Hukubun, R. D., Krisye, N., Maryono, N., Wawo, M., &

Wardiatno, Y. (2024). A review on the biodiversity and conservation of mangrove ecosystems in

Indonesia. Biodiversity and Conservation, 33(3), 875–903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-

02767-9

Razvy, M. A. (2025, April 14). Advancements in remote sensing and GIS for assessing mangrove

vulnerability: A comprehensive review. International Network for Natural Sciences | INNSpub.

https://innspub.net/advancements-in-remote-sensing-and-gis-for-assessing-mangrove-vulnerability-

a-comprehensive-review/

Rondon, M., Ewane, E. B., Abdullah, M. M., Watt, M. S., Blanton, A., Abulibdeh, A., Burt, J. A., Rogers,

K., Ali, T., Reef, R., Mohtar, R., Sidik, F., Fahrenberg, M., De-Miguel, S., Galgamuwa, G. a. P.,

Charabi, Y. a. R., Arachchige, P. S. P., Velasquez-Camacho, L. F., Al-Awadhi, T., . . . Mohan, M.

(2023). Remote sensing-based assessment of mangrove ecosystems in the Gulf Cooperation Council
 countries: a systematic review. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1241928

Sahraei, R., Ghorbanian, A., Kanani-Sadat, Y., Jamali, S., & Homayouni, S. (2023). Mangrove plantation

suitability mapping by integrating multi criteria decision making geospatial approach and remote

sensing data. Geo-spatial Information Science, 27(4), 1290–1308.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10095020.2023.2167615

Schill, S., McNulty, V., Perez, D., The Nature Conservancy, Shono, K., Friedman, K., & Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2024). Remote sensing techniques for mapping and

monitoring mangroves at fine scales. In Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/MangroveGuide_web.pdf

Sunkur, R., Kantamaneni, K., Bokhoree, C., Rathnayake, U., & Fernando, M. (2024a). Mangrove mapping

and monitoring using remote sensing techniques towards climate change resilience. Scientific

Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57563-4

Sunkur, R., Kantamaneni, K., Bokhoree, C., Rathnayake, U., & Fernando, M. (2024b). Mangrove mapping

and monitoring using remote sensing techniques towards climate change resilience. Scientific

Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57563-4