Abstract
Marinduque Island is characterized as having a karst landscape with caves having underground streams harboring a variety of freshwater organisms including freshwater shrimps which are dependent on the quality of the forest and watershed. This study aimed to characterize the forest cover overlying the cave, siltation/sedimentation rate in the surface and cave streams, nutrient contents (ammonium, phosphate. and sulfate) of the sediment and water, and freshwater shrimps and phytoplanktons present in both streams. Results of the assessment indicate that the surface stream and the cave stream in the Torrijos Watershed Forest Reserve are interconnected as shown by both streams having similar freshwater shrimps and phytoplankton species. Phytoplanktons to develop will need sunlight which is devoid in the cave, and therefore have to be transported to the caves to be present. The freshwater shrimps found in the cave are not troglobitic and therefore has found its way to the cave stream. Further, there seemed to be a similar trend on the total suspended solids, sedimentation rates and amount of nutrients (phosphates) between the two streams. Although organic matter and nutrients from the aboveground landscape are needed for the sustenance of organisms in the cave ecosystem (the abundance of which are dependent on the connectivity of the two water systems), siltation/sedimentation can ultimately threaten the water quality of cave stream. With the forest in the watershed area characterized as denuded, the threat is evident. The protection of the watersheds and its landscape is imperative.
Highlights
Marinduque is characterized as having a karst landscape with caves having underground streams harboring a variety of freshwater shrimps adding to its ecotourism potential [1].these potential resources can be lost if the water quality of the streams are not maintained, which are dependent on the quality of the forest and watershed.The importance of forests to the cave stream ecosystems has been recognized, highlighting the need to proceed with development in forested karst area with extreme care [2]
Based on the Resource Basic Inventory Summary Report, the forest above the Pahu-an Cave covers an area of about 104 hectares and part of the Torrijos Watershed Forest Reserve located at Barangay Bonliw, Torrijos, Marinduque, Philippines [9]
There are reasons to believe that the surfacestream and the cave stream in the Torrijos
Summary
Marinduque is characterized as having a karst landscape with caves having underground streams harboring a variety of freshwater shrimps adding to its ecotourism potential [1].these potential resources can be lost if the water quality of the streams are not maintained, which are dependent on the quality of the forest and watershed.The importance of forests to the cave stream ecosystems has been recognized, highlighting the need to proceed with development in forested karst area with extreme care [2]. Marinduque is characterized as having a karst landscape with caves having underground streams harboring a variety of freshwater shrimps adding to its ecotourism potential [1]. These potential resources can be lost if the water quality of the streams are not maintained, which are dependent on the quality of the forest and watershed. Protection of the soil and its ability to transmit water, protection of water quality and the natural drainage pattern (if streams become silted it could lead to caves being blocked or underground water supplies being damaged), protection of the natural vegetation around caves entrances and vicinity is an imperative as cave dwelling organisms maybe dependent upon quality of streams for their food supply.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
