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Journals / Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 35 Issue: 1

Species Composition, Abundance, Distribution and Diversity of Seagrass at Provinces of Sulu and Basilan, Philippines

Albasir Abduhasad(Mindanao State University Sulu)0009-0005-0093-713X
Almukdir Nando(Mindanao State University Sulu)0009-0004-5467-1747
Enraıda Imbuk(Mindanao State University Sulu)0000-0001-7693-7797
Sayadi Paradji Jr.(Mindanao State University Sulu)0009-0009-0540-5254
Ladjahawan Arsad(Mindanao State University Sulu)0009-0008-3921-9217
Satra Sailadjan(Mindanao State University Sulu)0000-0002-5672-1291
Patin Marsuki(Mindanao State University Sulu)0009-0008-3959-3700
Jurmin Sarri(Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography)0000-0002-4798-0566
Amilbahar Julpatiri(Mindanao State University Sulu)0009-0001-7395-4089
Nurmaida Muktadir(Mindanao State University Sulu)0009-0000-4623-2059
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-03-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Diversity indices indicated low diversity with an overall Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H = 1.3367), Pielou’s evenness (e = 0.13566), and Margalef’s index (Sm = 0.4807).

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Seagrass plays a vital role in coastal ecosystems by supporting biodiversity, fisheries, and local economies.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This study assessed the seagrass status across 12 coastal municipalities in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan, Philippines, using the line transect-quadrat method, covering 580 transects and 5,600 plots.
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Conclusion & Impact:Diversity indices indicated low diversity with an overall Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H = 1.3367), Pielou’s evenness (e = 0.13566), and Margalef’s index (Sm = 0.4807).
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Basilan · Composition · Diversity

Abstract

Seagrass plays a vital role in coastal ecosystems by supporting biodiversity, fisheries, and local economies. However, security concerns have limited research on seagrass in Sulu and Basilan, Philippines. This study assessed the seagrass status across 12 coastal municipalities in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan, Philippines, using the line transect-quadrat method, covering 580 transects and 5,600 plots. Six seagrass species from the family Cymodoceaceae (Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule uninervis and Syringodium isoetifolium) and the family Hydrocharitaceae (Enhalus acoroides, Halophila ovalis and Thalassia hemprichii) were identified. Seagrass cover was fair in Omar (41.83%), Pangutaran (33.18%), Tabuan Lasa (31.96%), Luuk (29.73%), and Banguingui (28.89%), while it was poor in Sumisip (21.75%), Hadji Muhtamad (18.78%), Hadji Panglima Tahil (18.43%), Patikul (15.98%), Lantawan (15.10%), Maluso (14.25%) and Panamao (9.60%). T. hemprichii (45.97%) and C. rotundata (35.44%) dominated, collectively comprising 81% of the total cover. E. acoroides contributed 18.76%, while the remaining species had low coverage (7.85%–11.74%). Diversity indices indicated low diversity with an overall Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H = 1.3367), Pielou’s evenness (e = 0.13566), and Margalef’s index (Sm = 0.4807). Associated flora included Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Phaeophyta, while fauna was dominated by Asteroidea, Anthozoa, Gastropoda, and Echinodea. Thus, the degraded seagrass beds in the eastern part of the Sulu Sea highlight the need for immediate conservation efforts, monitoring, and management strategies. Protecting these habitats is crucial for biodiversity and sustaining local livelihoods dependent on the Sulu Sea’s resources.

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Cite This Article

Abduhasad, A., Nando, A., Imbuk, E., Jr., S. P., Arsad, L., Sailadjan, S., Marsuki, P., Sarri, J., Julpatiri, A., Muktadir, N. (2025). Species Composition, Abundance, Distribution and Diversity of Seagrass at Provinces of Sulu and Basilan, Philippines. Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi, Volume: 35 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1465474

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