DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF COASTAL BIRD ACROSS

HABITAT GRADIENTS IN SARANGANI BAY

An Undergraduate Thesis Proposal

Presented to
The Faculty, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mindanao State University
General Santos City

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Biology

by

MARY CELMAN P. GUAZA

September 2016
 Chapter 1
Introduction

It is tackled by some researches that maintaining biodiversity is

essential to the supply of services of ecosystem and is not less important to

support their health and resilience (Pereira et al., 2013). There has been an

effort of sustaining and protecting biodiversity, its loss does not seem to

slow down (Butchart et al., 2010). Although there has been an extension of

protected areas (Pimm et al., 2014), these still provide a low species

coverage and do not appear to optimally protect biodiversity (Pimm et al.,

2014). Overall, habitat change and their over-exploitation, pollution,

invasive species and in particular climate change are the major causes for

biodiversity loss. The combined effect of these anthropogenic pressures

may have already started a critical transition toward a tipping point

(Barnosky et al., 2012).

Conjoint species can contribute to the structure, biomass and energy

yield of an ecosystem and could determine the function of an ecosystem

with the decrease of their population that could potentially affect

ecosystem’s goods and services in substantial way (McIntyreet al., 2007;

Gaston and Fuller, 2008; Gaston, 2010). Birds has the capability of

indicating environmental sustainability as it fulfill most of the criteria needed

for a good indicator of monitoring habitats (Sekercioglu, 2006). Birds as a

whole is one of the most crucial components of both marine and terrestrial

in its function as a bioreserve in addition to recreation and ecotourism.

(Desgranges et al., 2006 and Pakistan National Wetlands Policy (PWP),

2012). Waterbirds provide early warning signals and assist in detecting

ecological changes in water bodies. (Sekercioglu, 2006).

During winter, many species of water birds escape the harsh weather

in temperate regions and fly in droves toward warmer, more hospitable

tropics in which they would go back in the same manner in order to ensure

the survivability of their species (Newton 2008). Feeding on marine

invertebrates and plants found along the shores, these animals are very

much an integral part of our coastal ecosystem. (Hunt et al., 1996; Polovina

et al., 2001, 2004; Davis et al., 2002; Hyrenbach et al., 2002;Croll et al.,

2005)

Sarangani bay area has coastal areas with varied features. Some

coastal beaches have clean and nice sandy beaches particularly at the

mouth of the sarangani bay area. Others have mangroves and coral reefs

with rocky shorelines. Some parts are oceanic, clear and warm (De Jesus

et al., 2001).

It is also the main producer of fish and products, particularly tuna.

The abundance of marine produce has sustained both human and faunal

needs in the area. A lot of migrating bird species flies over the area to have
a delicious meal of fresh marine species the area could give to the species.

(De Jesus et al., 2001)

The hotspot approach can be applied at any geographical scale and

both in terrestrial and marine environments. However, hotspots represent

conservation priorities in terrestrial ecosystems but remain largely

unexplored in marine habitats (Worm et al., 2003) where the amount of data

is still poor (Mittermeier et al., 2011). Despite this lack of homogeneity in

data between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the recent concerns over

loss of biodiversity have led to calls for the preservation of hotspots as a

priority.

The data recorded would decide what appropriate action must be

done regarding the relative importance in conservation priorities. Surveys

performed would be an asset in determining the levels of diversity in local

community. Data recovered may serve as baseline data that features the

regional features base on endemism and diversity. Patterns collected as

data can be used to compare the features of biological and physical

environment to what brings about biological diversity.

The study would focus on the biological importance of coastal birds

in the conservation of marine reserves in the area. The data collected would

also serve as a guide for the local people to conserve their area and be

ready to consult the any dilemma on hand.

1.1 Objectives of the study

The study is aimed to:

1. Determine the composition, relative abundance and diversity of

coastal birds in Sarangani Bay Area

2. Describe the potential and biological importance of the area to the

migrating and endemic bird species

3. Assess the conservation status and population trend of coastal birds

documented in the area based on the Philippine International

Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2013) Red List of Threatened

Species.

1.2 Significance of the Study

Data collected from the sampling would provide vital information on

the species of coastal birds found in Sarangani Bay Area (Alabel,

Malapatan, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba and General Santos City).

Identification of the ecological status of coastal birds in the area

provides baseline information for the local government to help promote

local awareness and; construct and implement programs that will

ensure protection and conservation practices for the endangered and

endemic species.

1.3 Scope and Limitation

This study is limited on the survey of avifaunal diversity in Sarangani

Bay Area (Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba and General

Santos City). Species of birds present in the area would be identified

and surveyed using the transect survey method and point count transect

survey method. Consequently, relative abundance and species diversity

would also be determined and described.

 Review of related literature

2.1 Geographic topography of Philippines Islands

Philippines is a Southeast Asian country with over 7,100 islands

stretching from the Malayan-Indonesian complex in the south to close in

Taiwan in the north, sandwiched between the South China Sea and Pacific

Ocean. Its collective land area is about 300,000 sq. km. This archipelago is

announced as one of the top five most mega-diverse countries aligned with

the richest countries in the world based on natural resources. The

processes of geography and evolution have left one of the highest degrees

of endemism known in the world owing 7,620 total plant species and

majority of which, 5,832 species, are endemic in the country (Sodhi et al.,

2004). An estimated 10,000 to 11,000 species of plants are believed to

occur in the Philippines and likely many more if the tropical forests were

fully explored and documented. This high level of endemism is also present

in the animals. Forty-five percent of its vertebrate species and almost 70

percent of its insects are also found nowhere else in the world (Catibog-

Sinha and Heaney 2006)

The country is composed of many endemic wildlife species, the

amphibians, mammals, reptiles and birds. 78 or 79 percent out of 101

species of amphibians found in the country were endemic and 24 endemic

species were already threatened, for reptiles 170 out of 258 species were

endemic and 84 were already threatened, for mammals, 555 out of1139

species were endemic in the country (Myers, 1998)

There are over 530 bird species found in the Philippine hotspots and

about 185 or 33% of these are endemic. Bird Life International has identified

seven Endemic Bird Areas in Philippine Islands namely Mindoro, Luzon,

Negros and Panay, Cebu, Mindanao and the Eastern Visayas, the Sulu

archipelago, and Palawan. Like other taxa, birds exhibit a strong pattern of

regional endemism. Each EBA supports a selection of birds not found

elsewhere near the hotspot or in the actual hotspot.

The Philippines has a coastline that exceeds 36,000 km in length,

has an abundant marine environment, which is considered to be one of the

richest concentrations of marine life in the world (Roberts, et al., 2002).

Because of this, the species-rich niche is also an important aggregation of

booby, terns and frigatebird species, all of which have unfortunately

declined as a result of fighting and human encroachment.

Despite this predicament, over 197 migratory birds visit our country

during winter season and 226 are endemic to our country. Our country has

over 28 seabirds and 124 water birds. We have a total of 10 considered

EBAs in the country and a total of 106 IBAs. Though six of them are

considered endangered due to human doing, the environment needed to

breed both endemic and migratory birds are preserved with the help of our

local government.

The appearance of Australian Pelican suggests the rise of

ecosystem over the years of preservation and increasing rate of excellent

yield in both fauna and flora. Alcala et al. (1999) suggests that new species

are found in the country every year and because of the sudden rise of

marine community, it is possible that certain marine migratory birds would

be appealed to stay for longer months than the usual stay of this bird

species. It is also possible that due to this good marine environment that

this migratory birds would be lured to breed and take shelter in the country

for the whole duration of the year, suggesting that our country has a

booming success in maintaining and rising the endangered ecosystem

caused by our misused over the past years.

There are many distinct and less-known bird species scattered in the

Philippine archipelago, which still remains to be unknown. For example,

there are four endemic subspecies in Tablas and Romblon that are

considered to be restricted to either of those places or both of those places,

but no recent studies suggest latest updates on either of these islands

discussed (Allen, 2006)

2.2 Coastal Sites

 The coast is considered to be the land interface zones around

continents and islands (Firn Crichton Roberts Ltd and University of

Strathclyde 2000). With over 7,100 islands and 18,000 km of shoreline, the

Philippines is considered to be a maritime nation, dependent to a

"crossroads of human activity and the sea (Weber, 1993). Indeed, the

Philippine coastal areas and seas have served the lifeblood of communities

near and far for hundreds of families and has supplied over thousands of

year’s coastal resources provide much of what supports daily life: food,

livelihood, economic development, clean water, and even the air that we

breath. It is considered that some healthy coral reefs mean an abundant

harvest (Alcala, 1981,1988; White and Salvina, 1987; Alcala and Russ,

1990; Christi and White, 1994). Mangrove areas also supplies a wide range

of benefits including clean water, food, medicines, and shoreline protection.

These coastal habitats along with the seagrass beds supports both human

and fauna yet coastal resources are still continuously depleted by human

failures. (White and Cruz-Trinidad, 1998)

The coastal zone is legally defined to extend 1 km inland from the

shoreline at high tide and to seaweed areas covered within the 200-m

isobath. Of the areas, seaward of the low water mark, the marine waters out

to 15 km are under local government jurisdiction, while the national

jurisdiction extends from 15 km from the shore up to 200 nautical miles.

There are over 832 municipalities in the Philippines which is considered

coastal. Also, every major city is coastal and 62 percent of the population

lives in the coastal zone. There are about 27,000 km2 of coral reef yet 5

percent is the only percentage left that is considered in excellent conditions.

120,000 hectares of mangrove only remain, which is over 25 percent of the

area in 1920 and more than 50 percent of the animal protein intake,

avifaunal, fauna and humans, is derived from marine fisheries.

Over the last 20 years, coastal areas in the Philippines have come

under increasingly severe threats due to human activities (Chou et al., 1994;

Gomez et al., 1994). Mangrove forests are declining at a rate of 2,000

ha/year with only 120,000 ha of mangrove forests remaining today from the

160,000 ha 20 years ago, and 450,000 at the turn of the century (DENR,

1995; White and de Leon, 1996). At the same time, coasts play an important

role in the development of local and regional economies. A study carried

out by the University of the Aegean (2001), showed that the most important

sectors in economic terms in the coastal zones were mostly tourism and

leisure, agriculture and food, sea fisheries, ports and shipping, and

residential housing.

2.3 Coastal Birds

All avian species are good choices for biological indicators (Caro and

O’Doherty, 1999) because of their participation in the food web, their

rankings in the food web and their abilities in response to adversity and

opportunity and their nature to be perceptible and easy to fathom via space

and time. Amidst this favorable potentials, the usage of birds as indicators

have diverse results which is considered as a success, there’s little tone

when it comes to criticisms (e.g. Morrison, 1986; Temple and Wiens, 1989;

Niemi et al., 1997). It is speculated that this is because of the poor

knowledge about correct definition of terms and actual protocols or results,

and it is also because of the lack of data linking to avian parameter and their

ecological attributes. Yet there would always be an important asset that

could be use in collecting and taking data about bird populations. It is

important to know the differences between monitoring birds to understand

how avian populations work and using them as indicators for the usage of

ecosystem. The first one is estimable but if it’s not going to be used for

attributes in a specific ecosystem then it cannot be used as an indicator of

the environment (Temple and Wiens, 1989; Stolen et al., 2005). Another

explanation is that the actual correlation between indicator species must be

explained in detail-explanation of the population, in respect with the

changes it affects the ecosystem is too common and vague, and its fixed

linkage between the responses of the population (e.g., population size,

reproductive success, movement behavior) and the ecological guidelines

must be well developed. Lastly, the links must be appropriate at the

biological level and must be validated correctly. A lot of examples that came
from studying species of birds have demonstrated successful links between

consumption and reproduction. Also, there are certain time lags between

bird responses that are important, especial in the population level and the

cause and effect of that certain situation must be properly recorded

(Newton,1998; Nagelkerke et al., 2002). For those birds that are considered

to live-long, the response for the population level could be assumed to be

mismatched to the annual environmental changes, but it’s also good to note

that the reproductive and behavioral patterns of birds may be the same

(Montevecchi, 1993; Erwin and Custer, 2000). There’s a link to be

considered between bird responses and the variable for environment may

not suitable as a good variable if there’s no actual species to be considered.

The ability to speculate an extensive effect from the actual response of a

population depends on how wide and concentrated the ecological

framework of the subject correlates with the other species involve. It is a

clear statement that there are some good decisions as to why coastal birds

are good examples of environmental indicators but should be approached

with caution. There are studies that uses the connection between the status

of the birds in the area and the changes in the environment and is

demonstrated and applied in the field (Erwin and Custer,2000) and their

relationship between the contaminants in the area is a great evidence as to

how the marine species in the area is affected by the contaminants. Herons,

egrets, ibises and storks shows great respond towards the hydrological
patterns (Ogden, 1994), via the availability of food in the area (Frederick

and Spalding, 1994; Gawlik,2002; Herring et al., 2010). Also, the

reproductive framework is an excellent tool in the availability of fish produce

in the area as they are highly sensitive to changes in the its availability

(Wanless et al., 2007) and this could be used in advantage for monitoring

different businesses that deals with fish produce. (Montevecchi, 1993;

Frederiksen et al., 2007; Einoder,2009). Coastal birds, in general, shares a

great dependence on the availability of marine produce and specific

conditions of the marine environment as their nesting habitat. Some of the

examples are Pelecaniformes (wading birds, pelicans, cormorants, frigate

birds), Charidriformes (shorebirds, gulls and terns), Anseniformes

(waterfowl), and some falconiformes (osprey and eagles). A lot of good

examples of coastal birds has stayed in Sarangani bay for its good sources

of food and the habitat it possesses. The coastal birds of Sarangani bay

area are sensitive to environmental change. Because they have specific

needs towards feeding and they have specific nesting characters, coastal

birds of Sarangani Bay area are highly affected by the constant dump of

contaminants from the land and water waste management, human

disturbance, predation or introduction of foreign species and marine debris.

Because of their high position in the food marine, coastal birds are

vulnerable to certain bioaccumulate (Bernanke and Köhler, 2009). Also,

coastal birds tread the water surface for hunting prey and therefore
susceptible to oil spillage and chemicals from spills in the marine

environment (Kajigaya and Oka, 1999).

2.4 Biodiversity Assessment

Biodiversity comprises all species of both fauna and flora,

including microorganisms and the ecosystem and processes they are part

of (Mc Neely et al., 1990). It is a term used to group all fauna and flora for

the degree of nature's diversity, where the frequency and number of

ecosystems be it species or genes in a given assemblages. all organisms

contribute a large proportion to the overall diversity when there are many

organisms that would group together than species in a same population

(McNeely et al., 1990). biodiversity has remained one of the main themes

of ecology for many years. It is an important them not only for ecologists,

but also, the whole biological community, the environmentalist and

administrators of biological conservation. Many countries have sworn to

gain knowledge and information by taking various experimentations and

surveys that would record the species of plants and animals that is residing

in their country. The earliest recorded explorations in Mindanao was done

by Sonnerat in the 1770s (Dickinson et al., 1991). Many new species in

Mindanao was recorded on these explorations. The ornithological

exploration was started by Everett in Northern Mindanao during 1870s and

next is Zimmer's expedition to Mailag and Sumilao (Peterson, 2008).

Avifaunal surveys have been conducted throughout the archipelago. Out of

all this avifaunal surveys are Zambales and Batanes island. It is a good idea

to use waterbids as an indicator of ecological changes. Amidst this

favorable potentials, the usage of birds as indicators have diverse results

but although considered as a successful testament, there’s little tone when

it comes to criticisms (e.g.,Morrison, 1986; Temple and Wiens, 1989; Niemi

et al., 1997).
 Methods

3.1 Study Site

The Sarangani bay area is composed of seven municipalities

and is identified to be a rolling to steep slope due to the mountain ranges

that is located on the borders of the area. There are 7 municipalities in

Sarangani Bay Area, namely, Alabel, Glan, Kiamba, Maasim, Maitum,

Malapatan and Malungon. Malungon is considered to be a mountainous

municipality with its protected reserves for forest, leaving six coastal areas.

This study would be conducted in certain parts of Sarangani Bay

Area, Philippines. Sarangani Bay area has a total land area of over 4,035.10

km2 and has a coastline of over 226.4 km from Pinopol point in Maitum and

to Tinaca point in Glan. Areas with lowlands or flat areas with a slope

ranging from 0 to 8 percent clump near the coastal area. All the widest areas

are mostly found in GSC (50 percent of TLA), Alabel (24 percent), and

Maitum (23 percent). Kiamba has over 17 percent and Maasim with 18

percent which is accompanied by rows of narrow flat areas. Two

municipalities, namely Glan with its 6 percent and Malapatan with only 5

percent, is considered to have the narrowest flat areas. From the total land

area of 4,081 km2, Sarangani Bay Area has over 1,522 km2 (37 percent)

that's classified alienable and disposable land while 2,558 km2 (63 percent)

are classified as forestland. There is a distinct dry and wet season observed
in the proximity. Rainful seems to be evenly distributed. The annual average

rainfall is 1,184 mm. The low annual average rainfall was noticed during the

El Nino phenomenon. The geographic coordinates of Sarangani Bay Area

are 05°58′N 125°11′E.

3.2 Bird Survey

The survey would be established within 2 hours of the

standardized timing and ensuring that birds to be observed are close on the
sampling site. A mid-tide is acceptable situation when considering the

steepness and considering the height of the tide. It would be synchronized

counts that would be the most crucial part for large areas.

3.2.1 Transect sites

Five transect sites would be established on out of the six

coastal municipalities in Sarangani Bay Area and would be permanently

chose to be the survey sites. The sampling sites would cover the coastal

shore, the mangroves, water swamps and the wetlands. It would be placed

strategically in the eastern western and middle boundaries of the project

sites.

The first transect would be the coastal shoreline. The site would be

characterized from the shoreline up to the entrance of mangrove trees. The

second site would be the mangroves, a potential breeding and nesting area

of certain endemic and migratory coastal birds in general. Characterized by

their salt tolerant trees and adaptation to life in harsh coastal conditions.

The site would be from the mangroves to the mudflats, where there is an

abundant resource of foo, luring migratory birds to stay like the Australian

pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus).

3.2.2 Conditions
 Certain factors like weather conditions affect the

visibility of waterbirds.

3.3. Species Richness

The species richness (R) would be to measure the total

number of species within the assigned sample. The more species present

in a study, the richer the profile is.

R= S

Where;

S= number of species

3.4 Ecological Measurements

The measurement of species composition and distribution is

determined by calculating the species abundance and relative abundance.

Values is taken using the following formulas:

Abundance= Total no. of individuals of species A

𝐴𝑏𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝐴
Relative Abundance=𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠 x 100

3.5. Simpson's Index of Diversity

The Simpon's Index (D) takes the probability of two individuals

randomly selected will belong to the same species. Simpson's values near

zero correspondence to highly diverse or heterogenous ecosystems and

values near one that could influence a more homogenous ecosystem. The

value a=only ranges from one to zero, but the greater the value, the greater

the sample diversity. In this case, the index shows a probability that two

individual, random species is selected from a sample would belong to a

different species. The Simpson's measure both the richness and proportion

of each species. It is a useful tool for terrestrial ecologists and aquatic

ecologists for many years to help understand the profile of biodiversity

across our zones (REWHC, 2000). Diversity of catchment sites would be

evaluated with the use of Simpson’s diversity index as measure of richness

and evenness of the community.

The Simpson’s diversity would be calculated using the following

equation:

Where n= Total no. of organisms of a particular species

N= Total no. of all species

Species Evenness would be taken using the following equation:

E= 1/D/S

Where:

E=species evenness

1/D= Simpson's reciprocal index

S= Species Richness