scholarly journals MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SEAGRASSES SPECIES IN NEGROS ORIENTAL

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Billy Th Wagey
Keyword(s):  
Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Size Range ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Seagrass Species ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Morphological Variables ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata

MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SEAGRASSES SPECIES IN NEGROS ORIENTAL ABSTRAK Studi variasi morfometrik dari 5 spesies lamun di Negros Oriental Philippines dilaksanakan pada bulan Januari sampai Maret 2011. Pengukuran variable morfologi yang diambil adalah: panjang akar,  tinggi tegakkan lamun, panjang daun terpanjang  dalam cm.  Hasil studi menunjukkan: 1) Species Lamun yang diperoleh dari daerah Bais memiliki ukuran terkecil sedangkan lamun yang berasal dari Banilad yang tertinggi; 2) Diantara semua spesies yang teramati, Cymodocea rotundata tidak menunjukkan variasi morfometrik Kata Kunci: morfometrik, akar, daun terpanjang   ANALISIS MORFOMETRIK SPESIES LAMUN DI NEGROS ORIENTAL ABSTRACT A study of morphometric variations of five seagrass species in Negros Oriental, the Philippines was conducted from January to March 20011. Measurements of the following morphological variables were taken: length of rhizomes, length of upright shoot, length of longest leaf (cm). The study showed that: 1) Seagrass species from Bais had the lowest size range in morphometric measurements, whereas those from Banilad had the highest; 2) Among all the species observed, Cymodocea serrulata did not show morphometric variations. Keywords: morphometric, rhizome, longest leaf

scholarly journals The Inventory of Seagrasses in Marine Field Station of Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science in Subdistrict of East Likupang District North Minahasa

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Stevani Rawung ◽  
Ferdinand F Tilaar ◽  
Ari B Rondonuwu
Keyword(s):  
Seagrass Species ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Field Station ◽  
Enhalus Acoroides ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Halodule Uninervis ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Random Survey ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata

This study was conducted in Marine Field Station of Faculty of Fisheries and Science of Sam Ratulangi University, Sub-district of East Likupang, North Minahasa. This study aims to identified the seagrasses in the water of Marine Field Station. The benefits of this study are for the database of seagrasses ecosystem management and comparative for other studies. The Observation and data collection was using random survey technic by analyzed the areas to collecting all the seagrass species found. Furthermore, the seagrass samples were categorised into each species. The result showed the amount of seagrass species in Marine Field Station are 8 species from 6 genera and 2 families: Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii, Enhalus acoroides,  Halophila ovalis, dan Halophila minor.Keyword: Inventory, Seagrass, Marine Field Station ABSTRAKPenelitian dilakukan di perairan Marine Field Station Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan Unsrat Kecamatan Likupang Timur Kabupatan Minahasa  Utara. Tujuan penelitian  untuk mengidentifikasi lamun yang ada di Perairan Marine Field station. Manfaat penelitian dapat menjadi data pengelolaan ekosistem padang lamun dan dapat menjadi perbandingan untuk penelitian-penelitian selanjutnya. Pengamatan dan pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik survei jelajah, yaitu dengan menjelajahi wilayah pengamatan sambil mencari semua spesies lamun. Lamun yang diambil adalah semua jenis yang ditemui. Selanjutnya, sampel lamun dikelompokan berdasarkan spesies. Hasil pengamatan menunjukkan jumlah spesies lamun pada lokasi penelitian di Perairan Marine Field Station adalah 8 spesies dari 6 genera dan 2 famili yaitu, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii, Enhalus acoroides,  Halophila ovalis, dan Halophila minor. Kata kunci: Inventarisasi, Lamun, Marine Field Station

scholarly journals KEANEKARAGAMAN SPESIES LAMUN DI KABUPATEN BANGKA SELATAN PROVINSI KEPULAUAN BANGKA BELITUNG

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Dwi Rosalina ◽  
Endang Yuli Herawati ◽  
Yenny Risjani ◽  
Muhammad Musa
Keyword(s):  
Seagrass Beds ◽  
Seagrass Species ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Coverage Area ◽  
Seagrass Ecosystem ◽  
Halodule Uninervis ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata

Marine area which is planted by seagrass called as seagrass beds. Seagrass is one of the typical ecosystems in marine waters. Bangka Belitung Province is one of the areas in Indonesia that has seagrass ecosystem. This study aims to determine the diversity, density, and coverage area of seagrass beds in the waters of South Bangka Regency. The research was conducted in Tukak, Tanjung Kerasak, and Tanjung Kemirai. The data is collected using quadratic transect method and also data of physics-chemical parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH, depth, velocity and water substrate. The results of the research showed that 7 species of seagrasses in South Bangka Regency are Cymodocea serrulata, Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule uninervis, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium isoetifolium and Halophila minor. Seagrass in Lempeng waters which has the highest density is Cymodocea serrulata, about 58 ind/m2. The highest frequency of seagrass species in Tukak is Thalassia hemprichii about 1%. Seagrass species of Cymodocea serrulata has the highest cover percentage in Lempeng waters about 29.56%.

scholarly journals Struktur Lamun di Zona Intertidal Kecamatan Tabukan Selatan, Kabupaten Kepulauan Sangihe, Sulawesi Utara (Structure of Seagrass on Intertidal Zone of Southern Tabukan Sub-District, Sangihe Islands District, North Sulawesi)

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Stevi Tumadang ◽  
Ratna Siahaan ◽  
Pience Maabuat
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Seagrass Species ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Halodule Uninervis ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Thalassodendron Ciliatum ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata

Struktur Lamun di Zona Intertidal Kecamatan Tabukan Selatan, Kabupaten Kepulauan  Sangihe, Sulawesi Utara(Structure of Seagrass on Intertidal Zone of Southern Tabukan Sub-District, Sangihe Islands District, North Sulawesi) Stevi Tumadang1), Ratna Siahaan1*) , Pience V. Maabuat1*) 1) Jurusan Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Sam Ratulangi – Manado 95115*Email korespondensi:[email protected] Diterima 1 Juli  2019, diterima untuk dipublikasi 5  Agustus 2019 Abstrak  Lamun memiliki fungsi ekologis dan nilai ekonomi yang penting. Penelitian berujuan untuk menganalisis struktur lamun di tiga area intertidal yaitu Pantai Karurung (Desa Salurang), Pantai Palareng (Desa Palareng), dan Pantai Galogong (Desa Batuwingkung), Kecamatan Tabukan Selatan, Kabupaten Kepulauan Sangihe, Sulawesi Utara. Metode purposive sampling digunakan dalam penentuan tempat sampling dengan pengambilan sampel yang menggunakan metode line transect. Jenis-jenis lamun yang ditemukan sebanyak tujuh (7) jenis yaitu Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus  acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, dan Thalassodendron ciliatum. Lamun S. isoetifolium memiliki nilai Kepadatan Relatif tertinggi di ketiga stasiun berturut-turut, yaitu 48,60%, 43,31%, dan 44,08%. Secara berturut-turut, lamun S. isoetifolium juga memiliki Indeks Nilai Penting tertinggi di ketiga stasiun, yaitu 74,92%, 65,31%, dan 70,75%. Keanekaragaman jenis lamun pada ketiga stasiun tergolong sedang dengan Indeks Keanakeragaman Shannon-Wiener (H’) secara berturut-turut, yaitu 1,52; 1,61; dan 1,23. Secara keseluruhan, keanekaragaman jenis lamun di Kecamatan Tabukan Selatan tergolong sedang (H’:1,59). Kata kunci  :    struktur lamun, Tabukan Selatan, Pantai Karurung, Pantai Palareng, Pantai Galoghong, Kepulauan Sangihe Abstract Seagrasses have important ecological functions and economic values. The study was carried out to analyze structure and distribution of seagrass on three intertidal areas, i.e. Karurung Beach (Salurang Village), Palareng Beach (Palareng Village), and Galogong Beach (Batuwingkung Village), South Tabukan District, Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi. The purposive sampling method was applied in choosing sampling locations. The line transect method was used for sampling seagrass. Seagrass species found were seven (7) species, i.e. Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Thalassodendron ciliatum. Seagrass S. isoetifolium had the highest Relative Density Value in three locations, i.e. 48.60%, 43.31%, and 44.08% perspectively. The seagrass S. isoetifolium also had the highest Important Value Index i.e. 74.92%, 65.31%, and 70.75% perspectively. The diversity of seagrass species in three stations was classified into moderate with Shannon-Wiener Biodiversity Index (H ') i.e. 1.52; 1.61; and 1.23 perspectively. The overall H’ of seagrass of South Tabukan was classified into moderate (H ': 1.59). Key words:      seagrass structure, South Tabukan, Karurung Beach, Palareng Beach, Galoghong Beach, Sangihe Islands

scholarly journals The Inventory and Composition Studies of Seagrass in Ratatotok Waters, District of Ratatotok, Southeast Minahasa Regency

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Frani Mare ◽  
Ferdinand F. Tilaar ◽  
Laurentius Th. X. Lalamentik
Keyword(s):  
Relative Density ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Relative Frequency ◽  
Seagrass Species ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Halodule Uninervis ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata

This research was carried out in the coastal waters of Ratatotok Village with the purpose of: 1. Knowing the condition of  aquatic environment at research location. 2. Identify seagrass species from Ratatotok waters. 3. To determine the composition of seagrass species which included: Species Density, Relative Density, Abundance, Relative Abundance, Domination, Relative Domination, Frequency, Relative Frequency and Important Values. 7 species from of 2 families  were found in this research  i.e. Cymodoceaceae (Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Halodule uninervis) and Hydrocharitaceae (Enhalus acoroides, Halophila ovalis and Thalassia hemprichii). The number of seagrass stands in the research were ranged from 26-2699 individuals. Species density were found to range from to 9.51 to 987.06 / m².  Relative density were varied from 0.72 to 75.08%. Frequency of occurence were also varied from to 0.69 to 8.46. Relative frequency were ranged  from to 2,68-33.04%. Abundance were found to range from to 10.08-1046.88. Relative abundance were varied  from 0.72-75.08%. The dominance were range from to 28.89-2998.89 and relative dominance from to 0.72-75.08%. The important value of seagrass in the Ratatotok waters showed that Syringodium isoetifolium had important value reaching to 183.20 %. important values of Cymodocea rotundata and Thalassia hemprichii were 41.93 % and 26.68 % respectively .In addition,  these two species were  consisted of  relatively large individual size compared to other species.Keywords : Ratatotok, Seagrass, Important ValuesABSTRAKPenelitian ini dilakukan di Perairan Pantai Desa Ratatotok dengan tujuan untuk: 1. Mengetahui kondisi lingkungan perairan pada lokasi penelitian. 2.  Mengidentifikasi spesies lamun di Desa Ratatotok. 3. Mengetahui komposisi spesies lamun yang meliputi: Kepadatan Spesies, Kepadatan Relatif, Kelimpahan, Kelimpahan Relatif, Dominasi, Dominasi Relatif, Frekuensi, Frekuensi Relatif dan Nilai Penting. Spesies lamun yang ditemukan di lokasi penelitian berjumlah 7 spesies dari 2  family: Cymodoceaceae (Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium, dan Halodule uninervis) dan Hydrocharitaceae (Enhalus acoroides, Halophila ovalis dan Thalassia hemprichii). Jumlah tegakan spesies lamun di lokasi penelitian berkisar antara 26-2699 individu, kepadatan spesies 9,51-987,06/m², kepadatan relatif 0,72-75,08 %, frekuensi kehadiran 0,69-8,46, frekuensi relatif 2,68-33,04 %, kelimpahan 10,08-1046,88, kelimpahan relatif 0,72-75,08 %, dominasi 28,89-2998,89 dan dominasi relatif 0,72-75,08 %. Nilai penting lamun di perairan Desa Ratatotok menunjukkan bahwa jenis Syringodium isoetifolium memiliki nilai penting yang mencapai 183,20 %. Untuk jenis Cymodocea rotundata dan jenis Thalassia hemprichii masing-masing memiliki nilai penting yakni  41,93 % dan 26,68 %. Selain itu jumlah indvidu kedua spesies ini banyak ditemui disertai dengan ukuran individu yang relatif besar dibandingkan spesies lainnya.Kata Kunci : Ratatotok, Lamun, Nilai Penting

PREFERENSI PENEMPELAN, PERTUMBUHAN, DAN SINTASAN LARVA TERIPANG PASIR, Holothuria scabra PADA SUBSTRAT LAMUN YANG BERBEDA

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Lisa Fajar Indriana ◽  
Yuli Afrianti ◽  
Sitti Hilyana ◽  
Muhammad Firdaus Firdaus
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Holothuria Scabra ◽  
Enhalus Acoroides ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Settlement Substrate ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata

Teripang pasir, Holothuria scabra merupakan komoditas hasil laut yang bernilai ekonomis tinggi. Penangkapan berlebihan stok di alam mendorong berkembangnya kegiatan budidaya. Penempelan merupakan fase kritis pada larva teripang karena terjadi peralihan sifat planktonis ke bentik yang memerlukan substrat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui preferensi penempelan, pertumbuhan, dan sintasan larva H. scabra fase penempelan pada substrat lamun yang berbeda. Penelitian menggunakan metode rancangan acak lengkap dengan perlakuan empat jenis daun lamun berbeda dan lima ulangan. Perlakuan terdiri atas Enhalus acoroides (L-1), Syringodium isoetifolium (L-2), Cymodocea serrulata (L-3), dan Cymodocea rotundata (L-4). Jumlah awal larva sebanyak 1.000 individu dan substrat dirangkai dengan luasan yang sama sebesar 12 cm x 17 cm untuk setiap unit penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan jenis lamun yang digunakan sebagai substrat berpengaruh secara nyata terhadap preferensi penempelan dan sintasan larva teripang pasir, namun tidak berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan. E. acoroides menunjukkan hasil terbaik dengan preferensi penempelan 0,26 ind. cm-2 dan sintasan 10,66%; sehingga layak digunakan sebagai substrat penempelan dalam pembenihan teripang pasir, H. scabra.Holothuria scabra larvae on different seagrass substrates. By: Lisa Fajar Indriana, Yuli Afrianti, Sitti Hilyana, and Muhammad FirdausSandfish Holothuria scabra is marine commodities with a high economic value. Overfishing of natural stocks has compelled an interest to begin aquaculture practice. Settlement is a critical phase for the planktonic larvae as they will transform to benthic form in the presence of substrate. This study aims to evaluate the settlement preferences, growth, and survival rate of H. scabra larvae settled on different seagrass leaves. The research was conducted using the Completely randomized design with four different species of seagrass leaves and five replications. The treatments consist of Enhalus acoroides (L-1), Syringodium isoetifolium (L-2), Cymodocea serrulata (L-3), and Cymodocea rotundata (L-4). Initial number of larvae was 1,000 individuals and the substrate was set with same widthof 12 cm x 17 cm for each unit. Results of the experiment indicated that settlement preference and survival rate of H. scabra larvae was significantly affected by seagrass used as substrate while no significantly differences was observed for growth of larvae. E. acoroides showed the best result with 0.26 ind. cm-2 settelement preference and 10.66% survival rate, so that suitable to be used as settlement substrate in H. scabra hatchery.

Kestabilan Habitat Lamun Ditinjau Dari Komposisi dan Kepadatan Jenis

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paskalina Th. Lefaan
Keyword(s):  
Line Transect ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Pioneer Species ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Climax Species ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata ◽  
Stable Habitat

<em>Seagrasses habitats have both physical and ecological functions that support adjacent waters qualities and its dwelling organisms. There are varies of pressure on seagrass environmental, especially due to people activities that could decrease its function and habitat stabilities. The study aimed to determine about seagrass habitat stabilities from its species composition and/or densities. Line transect-plots and exploration methods were used in five locations of Manokwari coastal waters, that were, Andai, Rendani, Wosi, Briosi, and Tanjung Manggewa. There are five pioneer species (Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule pinifolia, H. uninervis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halophila ovalis) and 3 climax species (Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii). The pioneer only found in Andai and Wosi, however both pioneer and climax encountered in three other locations. In Rendani and Tanjung Manggewa higher density of climax species (T. hemprichii) were 617.7 and 828.0 stands m-2, respectively, although in Briosi the higher pioneer (C. rotundata) of 570.7 stands m-2. These conditions showed that seagrass habitat in Rendani and Tanjung Manggewa are more stable compared to Briosi, as well as Andai and Wosi. It concluded that pioneer species found in newly formed habitat or disturbed, on the other hand, climax in more stable habitat.</em>

Development of novel microsatellite markers for Cymodocea rotundata Ehrenberg (Cymodoceaceae), a pioneer seagrass species widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan M. Arriesgado ◽  
Yuichi Nakajima ◽  
Yu Matsuki ◽  
Chunlan Lian ◽  
Satoshi Nagai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Seagrass Species ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata

scholarly journals Pemetaan Kondisi Lamun di Perairan Sekitar Pulau Lepar Kabupaten Bangka Selatan

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-86
Author(s):  
Suci Puspita Sari
Keyword(s):  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Enhalus Acoroides ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Halodule Uninervis ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Cymodocea Serrulata

Status mengenai kondisi ekosistem lamun di perairan Bangka Selatan diperlukan untuk menentukan terjadinya indikasi kerusakan lamun sebagai akibat dari aktifitas penambangan timah di wilayah pesisir. Kondisi kesehatan lamun dianalisis melalui kerapatan dan tutupan lamun sehingga dapat diketahui kondisinya.  Metode yang digunakan untuk memantau kondisi lamun pada penelitian ini adalah pemanfaatan teknologi Penginderaan Jauh dan Sistem Informasi Geografis (SIG), menggunakan algoritma Depth Invariant Index (DII). Distribusi lamun berdasarkan hasil pengolahan data citra Landsat tahun 2017 menunjukkan bahwa padang lamun di perairan Bangka Selatan seluas 4066,7 Ha. Spesies yang ditemukan dari 7 titik sampling, yaitu Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila ovalis, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis, dan Cymodocea rotundata. Kondisi padang lamunnya secara umum termasuk dalam kategori “Miskin”.  

scholarly journals Kondisi dan Keanekaragaman Jenis Lamun di Perairan Pulau Serangan, Provinsi Bali

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Luh Gede Manik Radzena Martha ◽  
Pande Gde Sasmita Julyantoro ◽  
Alfi Hermawati Waskita Sari
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Seagrass Species ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Index Value ◽  
Seagrass Coverage

Serangan Island is one of the tourism destinations in Bali which is administratively belong to the municipality of Denpasar. Tourism development near with the segrass habitat cause the segrass ecosystem being degraded in the waters of Serangan Island. This study was aimed to determine the diversity and conditions of seagrass species which were observed from the density and percentage of seagrass coverage and to examine the effect of water quality on the percentage of seagrass coverage. This research was conducted from February to March 2017 on Serangan Island using quantitative descriptive method. Sampling was conducted at three stations by taking data and samples of seagrass, measuring water quality (temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, substrate observation) and analyze of nitrates and phosphates content. Seven types of seagrass species were found i.e. Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Halophila ovalis, Halodule pinifolia, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Thalassodendron ciliatum. The study showed that the diversity index value was in the medium category. The density of seagrass was classified as very tight (condition scale of 5). The highest density was found on Cymodocea rotundata spesies at station I about 777 ind/m2. The highest percentage of seagrass coverage (79,55%) was found in station I which classified as good condition, while station II and station III were classified as damaged condition with value 13.65% and 20,79% respectively. Finally, the water quality parameters have relatively low effect to seagrass coverage percentage.

Observations on dugongs at Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan, Phillipines

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
LV Aragones
Keyword(s):  
The Philippines ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Seagrass Biomass ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Vantage Points

A simultaneous monitoring system that used a team of local observers to count dugongs around Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines, from eight vantage points was employed from March 1989 to May 1990 to identify important dugong habitats around the island. On average, five dugongs were seen per survey day. More dugongs were observed during March and July 1989 than in other months. These periods coincided with the bimodal peaking of seagrass biomass in the region and the lull between monsoons for that year. The site where dugongs were most often sighted was about 1.5 m deep, had the largest area of seagrass on the island (approximately 50 ha) and supported a seagrass (above-ground) biomass averaging 1060 g m-2 (wet weight). The dugongs were shy, making observations difficult. They were observed to graze at the study sites once per day, usually starting in the late afternoon or at night. Animals usually stayed on the seaward side of the spur-and-groove sections of the reefs. Short seagrasses such as Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervis, Cymodocea rotundata, C. serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium and Thalassia hemprichii showed more evidence of being grazed than the taller Enhalus acoroides. By direct observations of the area grazed by a single dugong, an average consumption rate of 30.5 kg (wet weight) of seagrass (above ground only) per day was estimated. The methodology developed in this study may be used to identify reserve areas for the protection of dugong habitats in the Philippines. The dugong populations of Palawan require further attention and implementation of conservation measures.

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