00000ctm a22000004a 4500 UP-8027390931312570051 Buklod 20240311100943.0 o--- | || || ta 240311s2022 xx d r |||| u| (iLib)UPCEB-00012909722 UPC eng LG 993 2022 B4 B38 Bate, Alyssa Catherine author. Local factors influencing benthic assemblage in the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines Alyssa Catherine Bate.; Thesis adviser, Hazel O. Arceo. 2022. Cebu City, Cebu Department of Biology and Environmental Science, College of Science, University of the Philippines Cebu c2022. x, 75 leaves some col. illustrations Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Biology). University of the Philippines Cebu. June 2022 Not available to the general public. Available only after consultation with author/ research adviser. Available only to those bound by confidentiality agreement. Coral reefs are important ecosystems because they provide shelter and food to various marine organisms. This ecosystem is threatened by climate change, ocean acidification, and anthropogenic stressors such as overfishing. Disturbance in the reef benthos can cause detrimental changes to other marine organisms. Hence, there is a need to understand the factors that may influence benthic assemblage at various spatial and temporal scales. This study characterized the reef benthic assemblage in the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park (TRNP), Palawan, and examined how different local factors affect the benthic assemblage. It was observed that there was an increase in algal cover across the years. Most Acropora corals varied in percentage cover across years because of their high vulnerability to any environmental changes such as temperature changes and typhoon. The percentage cover of some coral families also differed between atolls, implying the difference in environmental conditions that allow different benthic components to thrive. The influence of wave exposure on benthic assemblage was observed in the higher percentage cover of branching coral inside the lagoon where it is protected from strong waves compared to outside the lagoon. The reef fish community was also positively correlated with specific benthic components implying the mutualistic effect of the reef fish community and the benthic assemblage. The observed benthic assemblage pattern can also be attributed to the nitrate and phosphate levels. Essentially, this study can aid in improving the conservation and management of coral reefs, especially in the TRNP, although, there is still a need for further studies on the interaction of these local factors and their influence on the benthic assemblage. Corals. Water quality. Nutrients. Wave exposure. Arceo, Hazel O. Thesis adviser. UP UPCEB CEBU-LAHUG LG 993 2022 B4 B38 Thesis