TITLE:
Macrobenthic Invertebrates in the Seagrass Bed of Matarinao Bay, Southeast Samar, Central Philippines
AUTHORS:
Ma. Natalia A. Ciasico, Florence Edna A. Ciasico
KEYWORDS:
Macrobenthic Invertebrates, Matarinao Bay, Species Diversity, Seagrass Bed
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.15 No.12,
December
17,
2025
ABSTRACT: The area has been known as the major source of macrobenthic invertebrates in the southeastern most region of Eastern Samar. Gleaning has been the source of alternative livelihood for the locals. However, no regulation on the harvest of these resources is observed which could degrade its status. Survey was conducted using a 50 sqm belt transect method. The 7011 total samples were composed of 42 observed species distributed to echinoderms (81.46), sponges (11.27), mollusks (7.07), and arthropods (0.2) based on relative abundance. Species with higher economic value, i.e. mollusks and crustaceans were least abundant. Margalef index revealed species richness of 5.3, while Shannon diversity index was low (H’ = 1.26). The low status of macrobenthic invertebrates in the area can be attributed to severe or moderate exploitation/harvest pressure or environmental pollution due to active gleaning activities coupled with non-existing regulations specifically on harvesting, zoning and resource management in general.