Geospatial Biodiversity Assessment of Lagadlarin Mangrove Forest in Lobo, Batangas, Philippines for Sustainable Ecotourism

Abstract

Sustainable management of mangrove forests for ecotourism requires knowledge on geospatial biodiversity to ensure that the rehabilitation and conservation interventions are appropriate to its ecological condition. This study aims to assess the floristic diversity of the species in the Lagadlarin Mangrove Forest, Lobo, Batangas, Philippines, and integrate the geospatial analysis using a geographic information system as a basis for the sustainable conservation and management of mangroves for ecotourism. The assessment was conducted through a systematic nested quadrat sampling technique by establishing 20 quadrats measuring 10 x 10 m. The area has a very low species diversity based on Shannon-Weiner’s Index (1.82) and Margalef’s Richness Index (0.87). In terms of the species distribution and abundance, the area measured high on Pielou’s Evenness Index (0.61) and Simpson’s Dominance Index (0.78). There are 16 true mangrove species documented in the area, one vulnerable and two near-threatened species. The species that were found dominating the area based on the computed Importance Value are Avicennia marina ssp. rumphiana (89.20%), A. marina ssp. marina (32.85%), Excoecaria agallocha (23.92%), and Acacia farnesiana (21.86%), an invasive species. The enrichment and rehabilitation zones were determined based on the geospatial analysis of the distribution of species diversity for sustainable management of mangrove ecotourism.