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MAPPING, INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT OF MANGROVE

AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES


Rijaldia N. Santos1, Marlo M. Baetiong2, Federico D. Macaraeg3, Saldivar B. Asprit4
Place of Study - Province of Masbate
Abstract
Mangrove forest is major coastal resource that contributes to the country’s economy and in
maintenance of ecological balance, especially on the areas immediately adjoining them. Because of their
rapid depletion, the government has taken initiatives to address problems and issues involving mangrove
protection, development and use. One such initiative is the implementation of DENR’s Coastal
Environment Program (CEP) in April 1993. This study is being undertaken by the National Mapping and
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in support of this flagship project.

The study was carried out for Masbate province from 2002-2003, covering the coastal towns of
Placer, Cawayan, Milagros, and Mandaon in mainland Masbate; the districts of Claveria and San Pascual
in Burias Island; and Monreal, San Jacinto and Batuan in the island municipality of Ticao. Remote sensing
and GIS technologies were used complemented by ground survey to map and assess the remaining
mangrove areas in the province.

Based on image interpretation of Landsat data taken in 2002 and 1994, the aerial extent of
remaining mangroves in Masbate totals to approximately 1,800 hectares. These are of typically of residual
type, except in the island of Ticao. Adjoining the mangrove forests are agricultural areas – mostly coconut
plantations, and in some cases residential sites.

The inventory results indicate that 15 mangrove species can be found in Masbate. The
predominant ones being Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba), Bakauan-lalaki (Rhizophora apiculata), Pi-api
(Avicennia lanata), and Bakauan-babae (Rhizophora mucronata). The computed average number of trees
per hectare is 837, with Pagatpat as the most dominant comprising about 30% of all trees inventoried.
The regeneration per hectare is 223, mostly comprising of the following dominant species:
Bakauan Lalaki (40%), Bakauan Babae (21%), and Pagatpat (20%). A little more than half (55%) of the
regeneration is <1m in height, 38% within 1-3m, and only 7% belong to the higher category of 3-<4m.

In mainland Masbate, only patches and/or strips of mangroves along rivers and shoreline remain,
serving as buffer zones to adjoining fishpond areas. There are still extensive thick mangroves in Claveria,
Burias island and in the mangrove reservation of Batuan, Ticao island.

The results generated in the form of mangrove forest map, statistics, and technical report will be
useful inputs in the formulation of mangrove development plans and issuance of government policies.
Moreover, such information will be valuable addition to the limited database presently available on
mangroves and other coastal resources.

KEY WORDS: mangrove forest, aerial photographs, satellite images, base map, transect lines, sample
plot, diameter at breast height (DBH), regeneration

1
Chief Remote Sensing Technologist, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)
Lawton Ave., Fort Bonifacio, Makati City
2
Senior Remote Sensing Technologist, NAMRIA
3
Senior Remote Sensing Technologist, NAMRIA
4
Remote Sensing Technologist, NAMRIA

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INTRODUCTION

MANGROVE
FORESTS are vegetation
found on tidal flats along
seacoasts and are usually
associated with thick
stands of medium-sized
and even-aged trees, nipa
palms and other
herbaceous plants. They
are considered as a major
Philippine coastal
resource and play an
important role in the
country’s economic Figure 1. Mangrove Forest( Placer, Masbate).
development, especially on
communities adjoining them (Figure 1).

In addition to providing support systems to fisheries in the form of nursery and


breeding grounds for marine life, mangroves are a rich source of poles, firewood, tannin
and other forest products. They help maintain ecological balance in coastal areas by
protecting the shoreline from erosion, wind and wave damage, trap coastal pollutants, and
serve as wildlife sanctuary. As such, immense economic and environmental values are
associated with mangrove development, protection, and use.

During the past decades, mangroves have been subjected to tremendous pressures
due to migration, or expansion of coastal communities, unregulated firewood gathering
and charcoal production, and conversion to fishponds. From original estimates of some
500,000 hectares in 1918 (Brown and Fisher), only about 112,400 hectares remains
(FMB Statistics, 1997). The sharp decline is primarily attributed to fishpond conversion
which averaged about 5,000 hectares per year during the seventies and early eighties. It
is estimated that 95 percent of fishpond areas are ascribed to converted mangrove forests.
The nationwide distribution of remaining mangrove areas are shown in Figure 2.

Cognizant of the fast depletion of our mangrove forests and other coastal
resources, the government has taken steps to address the problem. The implementation
of the Coastal Environment Program (CEP) in 1993 under the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is one such initiative. The issuance of
DENR Administrative Order No. 19 on April 22, 1993 established the CEP and laid the
framework for effective protection and proper management of the coastal environment.

2
Figure 2. Mangrove distribution map of the Philippines.

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In support to the CEP, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
(NAMRIA) is implementing the project entitled, “Mapping, Inventory and Assessment
of Mangrove Areas in the Philippines”. Remote sensing techniques and data from
different sources, complemented by field survey are utilized to map and assess the
remaining mangrove areas in the country. The results will be useful inputs in the
formulation of mangrove development plans and issuance of government policies.
The general objective of the project is to study and determine the extent,
distribution, and status of remaining mangrove forests in the country. More specifically,
the project aims to:
a. undertake inventory, assessment, and mapping of mangrove areas, through
the application of remote sensing and related technologies in combination
with ground survey;
b. delineate land cover classification of mangrove forests and surrounding areas;
c. study and identify typical distribution and zonation patterns of mangrove
vegetation, including stand structure; and
d. provide maps, statistics and other related information.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

Current project study


site is the Province of
Masbate in the Bicol Region.
It consists of Masbate
mainland, the island
municipalities of Ticao and
Burias, and several other
smaller islands (Figure 3).
Geographically, the province
lies south of the Bicol
Peninsula, at coordinates
11°45’00’’ to 13°00’00’’
north latitude, and
122°40’00” to 124°20’00”
east longitude. It serves as
direct link to Leyte, Cebu,
Panay, and Luzon. The
islands of Burias and Ticao
are separated from the
Masbate proper by the waters
of Masbate Pass. The total
provincial land area is 04,769
hectares (BSWM, 1995)
with a population of
Figure 3. The Province of Masbate.

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738,936 that is increasing at an average annual growth rate of 1.77 % (1995 – 2002). The
province is comprised of 548 barangays, 282 of which or 51.45 % are located along the
coasts. In terms of population, some 64% are living in coastal communities, thus
exacerbating the problems of mangrove deforestation.

Topography of Masbate ranges from slightly undulating to rolling and hilly to


mountainous, with the latter concentrated in northeastern and northern quarter of the
mainland. Level to undulating terrain (0-18% slope) covers some 162,734 hectares or
40.42% of the total land area. The island of Ticao appears to be the summit of high
submarine mountains giving it a generally rugged topography. The eastern coast of
Burias Island is composed of broad promontories and sea cliffs.

Northwest and southeast portions of Masbate island are composed of Pliocene to


Upper Miocene rocks made predominantly of marine clastics. While the central part is
composed of undifferentiated rocks (as to age) composed largely of graywacke and
metamorphosed shale. Burias and Ticao islands are made predominantly of Oligocene to
Miocene wackes, shales, and reef limestone.

Masbate has three (3) general soil types, namely: soils of the plain, soils of the
upland, and miscellaneous land type. The first type which is found in the northwestern,
northern, and northeastern section of mainland Masbate, is suited to production of annual
crops and. The second covers all undulating, rolling, and hilly to mountainous areas and
is good for cattle raising. The miscellaneous land type are generally underwater almost
throughout the year, affected by changes in sea level and are under the halophytic type.
They are commonly found in the municipalities of Uson, Placer, Cawayan, Milagros,
Tagpo, Aroroy, and in Mobo proper. No particular economic value is attributed to this
type of soil except for its dense vegetation of halophytic trees and nipa. Beach sand also
occur along the coastlines of Ticao island, Milagros, and mainland Masbate.

A total of 70,003 hectares or 93% of the total prime pastureland for the entire
Bicol region are in Masbate. The main agricultural products are rice and coconut while
the major industries are copra-making, hemp-making, and fishing. The major land use
categories are presented in Table 1.

Table 1

Major Land Use Categories of Masbate

Category Area (in hectares)


Agricultural 274,725
Grasslands/Shrub 116,699
Woodlands 1,447
Wetlands (including mangroves) 17,225
Others 4,673

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data acquisition, compilation and research


This activity involved acquisition of satellite images, maps and other ancillary
data. In particular, Landsat TM imagery taken in Feb. 2002, existing land use/land cover
maps (JAFTA Land Use and Forest Type), topographic maps (1:50,000 scale), fishpond
lease agreements (FLAs), land classification maps, related DENR policies and issues, and
others materials that were deemed relevant to the study.

Image interpretation
Digital classification and visual interpretation of the satellite image was
undertaken to determine the extent of mangrove forests and to delineate preliminary
boundaries of land use categories of surrounding areas. Based on the interpretation
results, initial locations of transect lines and sample plots were indicated. The 1:50,000
scale topographic maps were used to geo-reference the images and to provide additional
spatial reference.

Base mapping
Base mapping activity involved the delineation of extent and relative location of
the study area including its physical features – shorelines, rivers, creeks, roads, shallow
reefs, political boundaries – and other essential data. The main reference used for this
procedure is the topographic map at 1:50,000 scale. Results of preliminary image
interpretation were overlaid to update the base map information. For sites occupying
relatively smaller area, base maps at 1:25,000 or 1:10,000 scale are usually prepared.

Survey / Inventory
a. Reconnaissance
survey of the area was
undertaken prior to actual survey
to facilitate site familiarization.
This will expedite establishment
of transect lines and selection of
sample plots.
b. The transect survey
(Figure 4) is a standard
component of mangrove forest
inventory work. The purpose is
to identify species distribution
patterns and examine the
correlation between mangrove

Figure 4. Establishing the transect line.


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association and natural conditions.

Sites for the survey should ideally be within the primary forests but since these
areas were already difficult to find, only those least affected by human activities were
selected. Since the tidal levels have impact on mangrove species distribution, the lines
selected were from the farthest point seaward
traversing the mangroves towards the inland
direction. The transect lines were made as straight
as possible. The procedure included tree stand
measurements.
Tree stand measurements were undertaken
to gather mangrove stand data. All trees with
diameter at breast height (DBH) of 3 centimeters
and above were measured in a belt 2 meters wide on
both sides of the transect line (Figure 5). The data
recorded include the species, height, DBH, and
location of trees.

c. Sample Plot Survey was carried out to:


(i) identify stand structure of mangrove forest under
different natural conditions; and, (ii) verify on field
the general land cover as interpreted on the image.
Figure 5. The transect belt.
Sample plots were selected according to the
different patterns based on vegetative features,
crown density, and land use conditions. These patterns were identified on interpretation
of the satellite image, as applicable. The location of the center plot is determined using
handheld global positioning system (GPS) instrument.

The procedure for establishing


sample plots is depicted in Figure 6. The
size of the plot used in this study is a
square having a diagonal length of 20
meters with approximate dimensions of
14 x 14 meters (200 sq. m.). A sample
plot survey form was used to record tree
inventory data such as: species, height,
DBH and regeneration. Regeneration
refers to all the mangrove vegetation
with less than 3 centimeters DBH. Trees
with height of 3 meters or less were
recorded for regeneration from two sub-
plot, each 1m x 1m set at two opposite
corners of the sample plot (Figure 7).

Figure 6. Establishing the sample plot.


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Data processing, analysis and
plotting

Processing was carried


out by encoding the field data
into a customized software using
a Microsoft Excel format. The
computer program included a
sort routine, and automatically
generates the stand tables, and
the corresponding bar and pie
charts.
Figure 7. Regeneration measurement.

Preliminary image interpretation and base maps were updated based on the results
of field verification. The updated base map was scanned, digitized and edited on screen
using ARCVIEW GIS software. The GPS readings indicating the geographic positions
of the center plots were then encoded and became an added feature of the base map. A
map layout was designed to generate the final map – Mangrove Forest Map.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

LAND COVER/LANDUSE
Based on image interpretation of Landsat data taken in February 2002 and April
1994, the areal extent of remaining mangroves in Masbate totals to approximately 1,800
hectares. These are of residual type, with the exception of Batuan, Ticao Is. Adjoining
the mangrove forests are agricultural areas – mostly coconut plantations. Some
residential areas are also located near the mangroves. Shown in Figure 8 is the classified
Landsat image of Masbate mainland.
The ground survey/inventory covered an aggregate of some 1,200 hectares of
mangroves within the coastal towns of Placer, Cawayan, Milagros and Mandaon in
mainland Masbate; the districts of San Pascual and Claveria in Burias island; and
Monreal, San Fernando and Batuan in the island municipality of Ticao. A total of 21
transect lines and 75 sample plots were established on these sites.

In mainland Masbate, only patches and/or strips of mangroves along rivers


and shoreline remain, serving as buffer zones to adjoining fishpond areas. There are still
extensive thick mangrove areas in Claveria, Burias island and in the mangrove
reservation of Batuan, Ticao island. The Mangrove Forest Map of Masbate is shown in
Figure 9.

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Mandaon
Milagros

Cawayan

Placer

Figure 8. Classified Landsat image of mainland Masbate.

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Figure 9. Mangrove forest map of Masbate.
Table 2

SPECIES COMPOSITION
Identification of mangrove species is a fundamental component of the inventory
and is also one of the more difficult tasks. This is mainly because species identification
is highly dependent on familiarity with the shape, color, size, and surface characteristics
of plant parts likely flower, roots and tree barks. The Philippine mangrove flora consists
of some 47 “true mangrove” and “associated” species belonging to 26 families. TRUE
MANGROVE SPECIES are those that strictly grow in mangrove environment while
ASSOCIATED SPECIES may thrive on other habitat types such as beach forest, and
lowland areas. There are about 28 common species which are mostly of the “true
mangrove” type (ERDB Publication, 2000)

The consolidated inventory results for the entire Masbate Province, including
Ticao and Burias islands, is presented in Tables 2 and 3 and their accompanying bar
charts. The data indicate that 15 mangrove species can be found in Masbate. The
predominant ones being Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba), Bakauan-lalaki (Rhizophora

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apiculata), Pi-api (Avicennia lanata), and Bakauan-babae (Rhizophora mucronata),
representing the Avecenniaceae, Sonneratiaceace, and Rhizophoraceae families. The
computed average number of trees per hectare is 837, with Pagatpat as the most dominant
at 247 trees/ha or 30%. The four dominant species mentioned above comprise about
eighty-three percent (83%) of all the trees inventoried.

STAND CHARACTERISTICS
It is apparent that a great majority of the trees (87%) are “low” in height (4-8 m),
mostly falling within the 4 - 6m range. The remaining 13% belong to the other height
Table 3

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categories, namely: 7% for “medium”, 5% for “tall”, and only 1% to the “very tall” (15m
& up). In terms of diameter size, a little more than half of all the trees at 53% were
observed to be “small” (4-8cm DBH), 16% for “middle”, 12% for “large”, and 19% for
“very large” (22cm & up). Large (16-20cm) to very large (22cm & up) trees were
observed mainly for Pagatpat specifically in Claveria, Burias Is., and in the mangrove
reservation in Batuan, Ticao Is. There are also a number of bigger diameter Api-api
trees in these areas. It has to be mentioned that about half the plots in Burias and a few in
Ticao were observed to be coppice. This partly explains why there is a significant
discrepancy between the number of trees that are ‘low’ in height (87%) vis a vis those
that are ‘small’ in DBH (52%).
Table 4

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REGENERATION

The regeneration results were based on 55 sub-plots measuring 1m x 1m located


at opposite corners of the plot. Statistics are presented in Table 4 and accompanying
charts. The computed number of regeneration per hectare is 223, mostly comprising of
the following dominant species: Bakauan Lalaki (40%), Bakauan Babae (21%), and
Pagatpat (20%). A little more than half (55%) of the regeneration are <1m in height,
38% within 1-3m, and only 7% belong to the higher category of 3-<4m.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Any endeavor is incomplete without thanking people and organizations


instrumental for its realization. For this paper presentation, we are grateful for the
valuable contributions on conceptualization, research and data gathering, methodology
and other materials needed in this presentation made by our colleagues specially the
technical staff of the Physiography and Aquatics Division under the Remote Sensing and
Resource Data Analysis Department of NAMRIA. Special mention also to the DENR
field offices PENRO and CENRO’s of Masbate and the local government units (LGU’s)
for extending assistance in the field inventory/survey. International support through the
cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the project The
Study on Mapping of Land Cover Assessment of Mangrove Areas in the Philippines is
likewise of great importance since most of the materials and methods presented were
derived thereof.

REFERENCES
JICA, NAMRIA, and DENR, 1999. Final Report of the Study on Mapping and Land
Cover Assessment of Mangrove areas in the Republic of the Philippines
DENR, ERDS, 2000. Field Guide to the Identification of Some Mangrove Plant Species
in the Philippines
JICA, JOFCA, NAMRIA, and DENR, 1999. Technical Manual on Field Survey for
Mangrove Forest
DENR, FMB,1997. Philippine Forestry Statistics

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