Diversity and morphometry of mangrove species and it’s relation to environmental factors in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines

Abstract. Punong A, Pentason J, Amores A. 2025. Diversity and morphometry of mangrove species and it’s relation to environmental factors in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 15: 20-27. Mangroves are a vital component of sustainable marine ecosystems, providing numerous ecosystem services that promote coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and water quality improvement. This study focuses on the mangrove species found in Sitio Cabugan, Barangay Busaon, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines. Result shows that there were seven species in the studied area namely, Avicennia marina, Nypa fruticans, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba, and Avicennia rumphiana. Avicennia marina had the highest population, with a total of 567, a relative abundance of 70.79% and a cumulative distribution of 74.51, while A. rumphiana had the lowest number with only two individuals and a relative abundance of 0.25% with a cumulative distribution of 74.77. Moreover, it revealed poor species diversity and uneven distribution across the sampling stations. Environmental factors such as water temperature, salinity, and pH were within the normal range for growth and development, with station-specific variations influencing species distribution. Trunk size plays a significant role in structuring site-species interactions, indicating favorable environmental conditions to particular species. Sonneratia alba, R. mucronata, and A. marina showed a preference for stable environments, while B. gymnorhiza and N. fruticans demonstrate adaptability to contrasting conditions. This research underscores the need for conservation strategies and ongoing monitoring to ensure mangrove ecosystem stability and biodiversity preservation.