Status of mangrove forest in Timaco Mangrove Swamp, Cotabato City, Philippines

Abstract

Mangrove forests are important coastal ecosystem considering its various ecosystem services.  This study was conducted to generate an updated list and the current abundance of mangrove species in Timaco Mangrove Swamp located in Cotabato City, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).  Three sampling plots measuring 5 x 40 m were established in three identified sampling sites.  Based on the result of the study, 15 species of mangroves were identified in Timaco Mangrove swamp.  This number of species is higher compared to the previous study wherein 12 species were identified.  With this number of species, seven species were considered new in the area, and five species were not recorded which were identified in the previous study.  A total of 115 individuals were recorded in the present study which indicates a decrease of 79% compared to the previous study.  Furthermore, the present study recorded two threatened species, namely, Aegiceras floridum (Near Threatened) and Avicennia rumphiana (Vulnerable).  Continuous anthropogenic activities were observed in the sampling sites which can be attributed to population decrease.  Thus, the need for immediate local conservation is recommended.