Phytoplankton Abundance and Diversity in an
Aquaculture Farm in Carigara Bay,
Carigara, Leyte
Valerie Sol T. Bengzon1 and Leni G. Yap-Dejeto
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Visayas-Tacloban College
[email protected] Background of the study Significance of the study
In the Philippines, aquaculture uses the cultivation of
Phytoplankton are photosynthetic several species and varied farming practices in diverse
microorganisms, which are major contributors of ecosystems (FAO 2018). The growing aquaculture in coastal
areas promotes interests and raises concern of the
the marine ecosystem’s primary production operational impacts on the ecosystem (Sidik et al. 2008). In
(Duarte and Cebrián 1996). As primary producers understanding the relationship of cultivated species and
of the aquatic ecosystem, they create the base of phytoplankton in the food web, aquaculture ponds are
excellent study sites because they often undergo intensive
the marine food web serving as energy source to eutrophication
trophic levels above them (Reid et al. 1990). They Despite the extensive monitoring of BFAR on the
coastal areas of Carigara Bay, it focuses on the Harmful Algal
contribute to the biomass production, which is Bloom (HABs). There are no recorded studies on the
crucial for coastal productivity maintenance (Aziz phytoplankton community of the aquaculture pens in the bay.
et al.2012). An assessment study on the phytoplankton abundance and
diversity would provide information on the bay’s trophic
Philippines, an aquatic resource-rich status and productivity of fishing grounds along the coasts
of Carigara Bay.
archipelago, is one of the top producers and a
consumer of milkfish (Agbayani 1990). Milkfish
(Chanos chanos) aquaculture is the oldest known OBJECTIVES
aquaculture in the country and encompasses 90% This study aims to achieve the following objectives:
of the 200,000 hectares of brackish water 1. To identify phytoplankton genera present in the fish
aquaculture ponds (FAO 2018). Several ponds and adjacent the coasts of Carigara Bay;
2. To determine the diversity and abundance of the
phytoplankton growth are supported by phytoplankton present; and
aquaculture ponds due to the desirable conditions 3. To determine the physico-chemical parameters that
may contribute to the difference in phytoplankton
they offer (Boyd 2009). diversity and abundance in each sampling station.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Physico-chemical Sample Sample Preservation
Parameters Collection & Settling
LEGEND:
SAMPLING STATIONS
1 STATION 1
2 STATION 2
3 STATION 3
4 STATION 4
Statistical Data Sample
Analyses Analyses Analyses Figure 1. Map of the Sampling Stations in Carigara Bay for November - January
REFERENCES:
Agbayani RF. 1990. Economics of milkfish culture in the Philippines. In Proceedings of the Regional FAO. 2018. National Aquaculture Sector Overview: Philippines. Food and Agriculture Organization of
Workshop on Milkfish Culture Development in the South Pacific, 21-25 November 1988, Tarawa, Kiribati the United Nations [Internet]. [cited 19 Sept 2018]. Available from:
(pp. 101-108). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, South Pacific Aquaculture http://www.fao.org/fishery/countrysector/naso_philippines/en#tcN700B1.
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