BioConSeqWPS

Introduction

The Integrated Research for Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Sequestration in the West Philippine Sea or BioConSeq-WPS is a DENR-BMB-funded project implemented by the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation. Its primary objective is to contribute to baseline biodiversity data on the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

This project is divided into two components. Component 1 involves the expedition to Rizal Reef and Recto Bank and modelling efforts to update reef connectivity in the whole KIG. Component 2 involves biodiversity and monitoring surveys, as well as carbon sequestration studies in the seagrass beds of Pag-asa Island.

POOL Principal Investigator Dr Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo leads Component 1, together with Dr Cesar L Villanoy as study leader of the Physical Oceanography component.

Project objectives

To conduct reef-scale oceanographic surveys in Rizal (Commodore Reef) and Recto (Reed) Bank to explore the dynamics shaping local and regional oceanographic processes, biodiversity, and ecosystem health within island and reef environments.
Update reef connectivity information in the KIG using more recent higher-resolution hydrodynamic models.
To conduct seismic and acoustic surveys of the Reed Bank and Rizal Reef to gather detailed information about the underwater terrain and features of these areas
To conduct coral reef benthic habitat assessments and reef fish surveys to characterize spatial patterns of diversity and abundance
Assess the diversity and community structure of seaweeds in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) focusing on Pag-asa Island.
Assess the diversity of mollusks and other benthic invertebrates in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), focusing on Pag-asa Island.
Document the biodiversity, abundance, and distribution of seagrasses on the reef flat of Pag-asa Island and conduct transect surveys co-located with seaweed and mollusk surveys to understand habitat interactions
To measure carbon sequestration in seagrass beds in Pag-asa Island.
Integrate data from seaweed, mollusk, and seagrass surveys to understand ecological interactions and synergies.