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<p>Mangrove forests are vital ecosystems supporting critical ecological and socio-economic functions, yet numerous regions in the Philippines lack baseline information needed to guide effective conservation and restoration. This study evaluated the composition, structure, and health of mangroves in Torrijos, Marinduque. We documented 14 true mangrove species distributed across four vegetation assemblages (VA) identified through Jaccard similarity analysis: 1) <i>Sonneratia-Rhizophora</i>, 2) <i>Rhizophora</i>, 3) <i>Ceriops tagal</i>, and 4) <i>Avicennia officinalis</i>, each characterized by the species with the highest importance values. The Shannon-Wiener (<i>H</i>’) and Simpson’s diversity indices (1–D) were low to moderate across all VAs (<i>H</i>’ = 1.222–1.764, 1–D = 0.641–0.781), with moderately even distributions based on Pielou’s evenness (<i>J’</i> = 0.602–0.857), patterns influenced by the dominance of <i>Rhizophora</i> spp., which were widely used in restoration efforts. At the site level, the mangrove community exhibits relatively high and moderately even diversity (<i>H</i>’ = 2.111, 1–D = 0.8339, <i>J’</i> = 0.775). All VAs and the entire site exhibit pristine health based on the mangrove health index (MHI &gt; 80%), indicating overall ecosystem integrity, although basin-fringe mangroves display higher susceptibility to disturbance. These findings emphasize the importance of localized ecological baselines for science-based conservation. Protecting old-growth stands, prioritizing natural regeneration, restoring abandoned fishponds, and avoiding monoculture planting are key strategies for maintaining ecological function and long-term resilience. Our results provide a practical foundation for zone-specific rehabilitation and demonstrate how locally derived science can inform broader mangrove management at regional and international scales while supporting global conservation frameworks.</p>

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Science for wetland conservation: diversity, vegetation structure, and health assessments of mangrove forests in eastern Marinduque, Philippines

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月20日

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  • Bernard John Prodenciado,
  • Charles Joseph O. Nicolas,
  • Paolo Miguel I. Alpay,
  • Eiana Joshier A. Odulio,
  • Cecilia B. Moran,
  • Jorge Anton D. Ordas,
  • Genea Nichole G. Cortez

摘要

Mangrove forests are vital ecosystems supporting critical ecological and socio-economic functions, yet numerous regions in the Philippines lack baseline information needed to guide effective conservation and restoration. This study evaluated the composition, structure, and health of mangroves in Torrijos, Marinduque. We documented 14 true mangrove species distributed across four vegetation assemblages (VA) identified through Jaccard similarity analysis: 1) Sonneratia-Rhizophora, 2) Rhizophora, 3) Ceriops tagal, and 4) Avicennia officinalis, each characterized by the species with the highest importance values. The Shannon-Wiener (H’) and Simpson’s diversity indices (1–D) were low to moderate across all VAs (H’ = 1.222–1.764, 1–D = 0.641–0.781), with moderately even distributions based on Pielou’s evenness (J’ = 0.602–0.857), patterns influenced by the dominance of Rhizophora spp., which were widely used in restoration efforts. At the site level, the mangrove community exhibits relatively high and moderately even diversity (H’ = 2.111, 1–D = 0.8339, J’ = 0.775). All VAs and the entire site exhibit pristine health based on the mangrove health index (MHI > 80%), indicating overall ecosystem integrity, although basin-fringe mangroves display higher susceptibility to disturbance. These findings emphasize the importance of localized ecological baselines for science-based conservation. Protecting old-growth stands, prioritizing natural regeneration, restoring abandoned fishponds, and avoiding monoculture planting are key strategies for maintaining ecological function and long-term resilience. Our results provide a practical foundation for zone-specific rehabilitation and demonstrate how locally derived science can inform broader mangrove management at regional and international scales while supporting global conservation frameworks.