CORAL HEALTH STATUS IN THE MPAs OF MALAPATAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE

Coral reefs around the world are facing increasing intensity and frequency of threats from anthropogenic factors. The development of monitoring and assessment tools to diagnose coral reef community responses to threats would assist greatly in management of their impacts. This study examined the changes in colour of coral colonies from January to March 2018, using a color reference card method. The study was developed in the two MPAs of Malapatan, Sarangani Province. Sitio Lout has a rood condition of live coral cover with 64.9% while Sitio Pananggalon has only 26.3° with fair condition and with a significant difference (T-test, p>0.05). The area assessed was abundant in corals with branching (Pocillopondae and Acropordac) growth habits (67.5%) followed by boulder corals (Poritidac and Faviidac) (21%). Nonetheless, boulder type corals showed the highest colour scores throughout the survey period while corals with branching growth habits massively decreased in color. Family Pocilloporidae showed the highest bleaching susceptibility. Seawater temperature was also observed to increase every month. Deep reefs were in a healthier condition than shallow reefs. Regardless of coral type or family, correlation of average colour scores and temperature showed a_ positive relationship (regression analysis). The results evidenced different coral type susceptibilities and reef status which were easily and clearly detected with the colour card method.